The Ultra Happy Podcast

S9 E3: COCODONA PART II Big Miles & Running With My Dad

In today's episode, we continue our Cocodona 250 journey, leaving Whiskey Row behind and heading toward Jerome, taking us from 120 km to nearly 200 km into the race. Along the way, Andy experiences his very first night on the trails and only the second time in his life going beyond 40 km. We share the highs, the lows, and the lessons that come when the adventure gets real. Later, one of the most special moments of the race unfolds as I get the chance to share miles with my dad, turning an already unforgettable adventure into a memory I'll carry forever. This is where Cocodona starts to test us and where the story gets even better.   Follow the journey @taniaruns_theworld

S9 E2: Cocodona PART I

Three years. That's how long Cocodona250 has lived in my head before I finally stood on the start line of what I consider the race of a lifetime. In this episode, I share how the dream of running 250 miles across Arizona first started, the training behind it, the heartbreak of my DNF in 2025, and what it felt like returning one year later to face the same challenge again. More importantly, I break down the lessons that failure taught me, what I changed in my preparation, and the mindset shifts that helped me come back stronger, wiser, and ready for another round. If Cocodona250 is on your bucket list or if you're chasing a dream that once broke your heart this episode is for you. Plus, I'm sharing some of my biggest tips and insights from the first sections of this brutal race, including pacing, foot care, nutrition, and the mistakes that can end your race before it really begins. Grab a notebook. Take notes. And come join me at the start line of one of the toughest and most beautiful adventures in ultrarunning. 🎙️ In this episode: • Why Cocodona250 became my dream race • The story behind my first attempt and DNF • What I changed one year later • How I trained for 250 miles • Mindset lessons from failure and redemption • Key strategies for surviving the early sections of the course • The biggest mistakes first-time runners make • Why coming back after failure is sometimes the real victory Because sometimes the dream isn't crossing the finish line. Sometimes the dream is becoming the person brave enough to return.   Follow @taniaruns_theworld

S9 E1: We are back for revenge.

After several months away, The Ultra Happy Podcast is back and we’re stepping straight into the fire. In this episode, we kick off a new season as we gear up for Cocodona250, facing fears head-on and choosing discomfort once again. I share why I select specific races each year, what draws me to certain challenges, and how fear plays a powerful role in that decision-making process. Andy reveals his big MISOGI for the year, while I open up about what I’ve been working on in training, including changing coaches and training methodology, and the incredible improvements I’m already seeing. We also dive into my thoughts on speed work for ultra runners and why it deserves more attention than it gets. This season is going to be epic. We’ll be talking training, nutrition, logistics, mindset, and everything it takes to prepare for a challenge of this magnitude. We’re in this together. The journey has started. Are you ready?

S8 E1 Dust, Miles & Madness: Running 50K at Burning Man

🎙️ We’re back from the dust, the art, and the wild ride that is Burning Man  and wow, do we have stories for you! This episode is extra special because Andy just crossed a huge milestone: he finished his very first ultramarathon! 🏃‍♂️✨ After a decade of me trying to convince him to start running, he finally gave in last year… and now a fresh ultrarunner has been born. We’ll share all the buzz from Burning Man, how we ended up there, and some funny twists that somehow led us to run 50 km around the Playa (because of course, what else do you do at Burning Man?!). Expect laughs, reflections, and the magic of mixing endurance running with one of the craziest festivals on Earth. Tune in, it’s going to be a ride! Join @taniaruns_theworld

S7 E5: The Most Epic DNF Ever… and Why I’m Going Back for More

Season 7 Finale 🎙️ Andy’s first taste of Scotland’s wild trails became the perfect mental toolkit for the next big challenge. We close out the last kilometres of my Cocodona journey, sharing the raw feelings, the mess-ups that led to the most epic DNF, and exactly what I’ll do differently next year (because yes, we’re going back!).   We’re taking a short break as we head to Black Rock City for Burning Man, then straight to Bali with the amazing women of Instinto Expediciones to climb Mt. Kawah Ijen & Mt. Agung. Spots are still open—join us! Next stop after that: Base Camp, Nepal. Join www.insintoexpediciones.com [http://www.insintoexpediciones.com]