Unhappy Toes and Happy Vests

Unhappy Toes and Happy Vests

The countdown to race day is officially on! With just a few weeks until my first ultra marathon, I'm overthinking the final challenges of training, including obsessive concern about my big toes. I have nailed down my race-day gear, with two pairs of chafe-free shorts and soft, comfy shirts and gratitude that I bought a different vest because not all hydration vests are created equal. I share my hopefully practical advice for fellow new ultramarathon runners, pat myself on the back for testing every piece of gear before race day, and celebrate the support and wisdom from the more experienced running community. With one last big training week ahead before tapering begins, excitement, nerves, and anticipation build toward my ultimate goal: showing up healthy, enjoying the day, and crossing the ultra finish line in one piece. How I Procrastinate * Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast [https://mommarunsanultra.com/sleepwithrockstars] * Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020 [https://mommarunsanultra.com/countryfriedrock] * Music Playlists [https://mommarunsanultra.com/runningmix] * Support [https://mommarunsanultra.com/support]This Podcast * Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds [https://mommarunsanultra.com/divebarmusicclub] Chapters * 00:15 - Training Challenges: The Struggles with My Toes * 01:47 - Training Gear and Outfit Selection * 02:46 - Preparing for the Race: Gear and Strategies * 04:04 - Choosing the Right Running Vest * 06:07 - Preparing for Race Day Recommended If You Like ultra marathon training, running shoes for wide feet, high volume toe box shoes, toe pain while running, running gear for ultra marathons, chafing prevention tips, best running shorts for long distances, comfortable running vests, ultra marathon race day preparation, training for a first ultra marathon, running tips for older athletes, managing foot issues while running, best outfits for race day, hydration strategies for ultrarunners, footwear for trail running, running vest reviews, ultra marathon clothing choices, injury prevention for runners, running gear recommendations, running comfort tips, ultra marathon training, first ultra marathon, trail running, long distance running, running gear tips, toe pain running, toe box issues, running shoes for wide feet, high volume toe box shoes, running shorts for long runs, chafe-free running clothes, hydration vest tips, best running vests, running gear recommendations, race day prep, tapering for ultras, trail running tips, running outfit planning, comfortable running gear, long run essentials, ultramarathon advice, running community support, running mistakes to avoid, South Carolina running, uphill running challenges, downhill running issues, avoiding blisters, pre-taping for running, hands-free hydration, ultra marathon mindset, gear testing for runners, running vest fitting, first-time ultra runner, running shoe fit advice

F1 Versus NASCAR Pit Stops for Ultramarathon Aid Stations

I'm a runner in my 50s training for my first ultra marathon, and this week I'm deep into the final training block, and apparently full-on race nesting mode. From color-coded calendars and meticulously packed aid station supplies to convincing myself I definitely don't need brand-new gear, I'm sharing the funny, obsessive, and surprisingly relatable side of getting ready for a big endurance challenge. Along the way, I talk about training highs and lows, the support of an incredibly patient husband, and why I'm finally starting to believe I might actually be ready for this ultra. How I Procrastinate * Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast [https://mommarunsanultra.com/sleepwithrockstars] * Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020 [https://mommarunsanultra.com/countryfriedrock] * Music Playlists [https://mommarunsanultra.com/runningmix] * Support [https://mommarunsanultra.com/support]This Podcast * Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds [https://mommarunsanultra.com/divebarmusicclub] Chapters * 00:04 - Introduction to Ultra Marathon Training * 00:14 - Preparing for my first Ultra: The Art of Packing and Planning * 01:57 - Preparing for a Trip * 03:57 - Ultra Training * 03:58 - Preparing for Travel Recommended If You Like ultra marathon training, podcast for runners, preparing for ultra marathon, running tips for beginners, packing for ultra marathon, mental preparation for running, running gear essentials, ultra marathon checklist, race day preparation, female runners in their 50s, overcoming running anxiety, adult ADHD and running, recovery runs for ultra marathon, first ultra marathon experience, tips for race day success, organizing running gear, balancing family and training, motivation for long distance running, training block for ultra marathon, running community support, ultra marathon training, first ultra marathon, ultramarathon preparation, marathon training over 50, runners over 50, masters runner, endurance running, trail running podcast, ultra running podcast, race day preparation, ultra marathon gear, race vest packing, aid station planning, long run recovery, marathon mindset, endurance athlete life, running motivation, race anxiety, taper season, ultra marathon checklist, running with ADHD, female runners over 50, beginner ultrarunner, trail race preparation, ultrarunning community, training block, endurance sports, running goals, race crew support, mountain ultra training, running lifestyle, marathon coaching, ultramarathon journey, distance running, running tips and advice

Better Living Through Chemistry?

This week on Momma Runs an Ultra, I celebrate my biggest training weekend yet, survive a humbling low in recovery, and discover what 96% humidity feels like when your shoes are literally squishing with sweat. As my first 50K draws closer, I'm embracing race-prep obsession, packing weeks in advance, debating the proper role of cake in endurance sports, and sharing some strong opinions on chemical shortcuts in masters running. It's an honest, funny look at the excitement, nerves, exhaustion, and hard-earned confidence that come with chasing a goal that's just big enough to make you wonder if you can really pull it off. How I Procrastinate * Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast [https://mommarunsanultra.com/sleepwithrockstars] * Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020 [https://mommarunsanultra.com/countryfriedrock] * Music Playlists [https://mommarunsanultra.com/runningmix] * Support [https://mommarunsanultra.com/support]This Podcast * Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds [https://mommarunsanultra.com/divebarmusicclub] Chapters * 00:03 - Introduction to My Ultra Marathon Journey * 00:37 - The Challenges of Recovery Runs * 01:58 - Preparing for the Race: Embracing the Journey * 02:57 - The Ethics of Recovery in Running * 04:28 - Preparing for the Big Race * 04:54 - Starting a Journey: Embracing the Ultramarathon Experience Recommended If You Like ultra marathon training, running in your 50s, recovery runs, humidity and running, long distance running, running motivation, age group runner, marathon preparation, mental aspects of running, nutrition for runners, running gear essentials, ultra marathon tips, race day preparation, dealing with exhaustion in training, running community support, mastering running techniques, overcoming challenges in running, recreational running, balancing work and training, embracing new challenges in running, ultramarathon training, first ultra marathon, women runners over 50, masters runner, ultra running podcast, beginner ultrarunner, back to back long runs, marathon recovery, ultra marathon recovery, humid weather running, summer running tips, recovery run struggles, endurance training, 50k training, older athlete training, Gen X runner, recreational runner, ultra running community, race week nerves, taper week, running motivation, distance running podcast, middle aged runner, women in endurance sports, first ultramarathon journey, running in humidity, fatigue after long runs, age group runner, running podcast for women, ultra marathon preparation, endurance mindset, running over 50, trail running podcast, ultra training diary, race day preparation, masters athletes, running and aging, ultra marathon newbie, long distance running experiences

Ultra Running Is Not Real

In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra, I share my excitement, nerves, and overthinking about my training for my first ultramarathon. After finishing my biggest back-to-back long runs yet, I’m surprised to realize the second long run still somehow feels easier than the first. Hoping that's a sign that the training is actually working, even if I still have no clue how to predict a realistic 50K+ finish time. I talk through all the little race-day questions swirling in my head, from pacing and aid-station planning to figuring out how to explain to my family what I’ll need when my brain is fried halfway through the race. I also share the hilarious story (joke was on me!) of meeting an ultrarunner years ago and genuinely thinking he was lying about people running 60+ and 100+ mile races, only to eventually become the person training for an ultra, even if it's shorter than those. Somebody tell my husband he is definitely sleeping on the sofa bed the night before the race. How I Procrastinate * Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast [https://mommarunsanultra.com/sleepwithrockstars] * Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020 [https://mommarunsanultra.com/countryfriedrock] * Music Playlists [https://mommarunsanultra.com/runningmix] * Support [https://mommarunsanultra.com/support]This Podcast * Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds [https://mommarunsanultra.com/divebarmusicclub] Chapters * 00:03 - Introduction to Mama Runs and Ultra * 00:37 - Preparing for Race Day * 02:50 - Unexpected Connections * 03:59 - Discovering Ultra Running * 04:50 - Preparing for Race Day * 05:47 - Preparing for My First Ultramarathon Recommended If You Like running tips for beginners, ultramarathon training, race day preparation, pacing strategies for races, long distance running advice, half marathon training plans, ultra running for older adults, how to plan for an ultra marathon, marathon training for older runners, managing race anxiety, aid station strategies, running with family support, training for ultra marathons, tips for first time ultramarathoners, calculating race times, heat acclimation for runners, balancing family and running, overcoming race day nerves, practical tips for ultra runners, understanding ultra marathon distances, ultramarathon training, first ultramarathon, first 50K, ultra running podcast, women in ultra running, masters runner, running in your 50s, back to back long runs, endurance running, trail running training, ultramarathon race prep, race day anxiety, ultramarathon pacing, 50K pacing strategy, aid station planning, ultrarunner beginner tips, marathon to ultramarathon, half marathon to ultra, ultra race prediction, ultramarathon training block, heat acclimation training, family support in running, middle aged runner, running podcast for women, realistic running podcast, ultramarathon advice, first time ultrarunner, running over 50, trail race preparation, long distance running mindset, female endurance athlete, rural South Carolina runner, balancing family and training, ultra marathon community, running humor, relatable running podcast, podcast for runners, endurance athlete journey, ultramarathon race strategy, trail running life, beginner ultra runner mistakes, ultra race crew planning, ultramarathon aid stations, training for a summer ultra, running motivation, running and aging, women runners podcast, ultramarathon fears, ultra training stories, Momma Runs an Ultra

Cocodona 250 for Old People and Why Are Elevation Maps So Hard to Understand?

I'm a runner on the “downhill side” of my 50s training for my first ultra while juggling camping trips, broken air conditioning, exhaustion, self-doubt, and back-to-back long runs that didn’t quite go to plan. But what starts as a story about misreading elevation gains on a map turns into a powerful celebration of endurance at every age, because I was rapt by the legendary Cocodona 250, especially the women over 55 (as identified via Ultra Signup) who crossed that brutal finish line. From course record smashing performances to everyday grit, this episode celebrates older athletes proving that adventure endures. How I Procrastinate * Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast [https://mommarunsanultra.com/sleepwithrockstars] * Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020 [https://mommarunsanultra.com/countryfriedrock] * Music Playlists [https://mommarunsanultra.com/runningmix] * Support [https://mommarunsanultra.com/support]This Podcast * Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds [https://mommarunsanultra.com/divebarmusicclub] Chapters * 00:02 - Introduction to My Ultra Marathon Journey * 00:14 - Preparing for the Cocodona 250: Training Challenges and Learning Experiences * 01:46 - The Peak Week of Training * 02:37 - Celebrating Older Athletes in Endurance Events * 04:38 - Notable Ultra Runners Over 55 * 05:32 - Endurance Running Beyond 55 Cheers to These Women* Athletes 55+ Who (I'm Pretty Sure) Finished Cocodona 250 * Rachel Entrekin (smashed the course record and won the whole damn race) * Pam Reed * Peggy Shouse * Tracy Denbleyker * Mary Deane Davis * Fengling Liu * Arabelle Higgins * *Runners are cross-referenced via the Cocodona 250 Finisher Leaderboard, which is super confusing to read, and their Ultra Signup pages. Please correct any errors or omissions in the comments on YouTube. Recommended If You Like ultra marathon podcast, Momma Runs an Ultra, Cocodona 250, Cocodona 250 finishers, women ultrarunners over 55, masters ultrarunning, ultramarathon training, first ultra marathon, endurance running podcast, trail running podcast, Rachel Entrekin, Pam Reed, Peggy Shoeus, Tracy Denbleyker, Mary Deane Davis, Fengling Liu, Arabelle Higgins, older women runners, women in ultrarunning, ultrarunning inspiration, back to back long runs, trail running over 50, running after 50, ultramarathon mindset, peak training week, elevation training, trail race training, ultra signup, endurance athletes over 50, camping and running, beginner ultrarunner, women endurance athletes, Cocodona course record, ultramarathon community, aging athletes, ultrarunning motivation, long distance trail running, women runners podcast, endurance sports podcast, ultramarathon recovery, training fatigue, running through exhaustion, marathon to ultra transition, inspirational runners over 55, female ultramarathoners, trail running adventures, running podcast for women, masters athletes, endurance racing, ultra trail running, ultramarathon storytelling