EP 685: Running in Circles - Backyard Ultras

Trail Runner Nation

Ultramarathon, Fitness, Running, Community, Health & Fitness, Trail, Endurance, Trails, Sports

4.5 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 10 July 2024

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Join ultra runners Jennifer Russo and Megan Eckert to discuss backyard ultras, a niche of ultra trail running. They explain that backyard ultras are last-man-standing races where runners complete a 4.167 mile lap every hour until only one person is remaining. Jennifer holds the world record with 74 yards (308 miles) set last month at Capital Backyard Ultra in Lorton, VA. She beat the previous record of 68 laps set in 2020 by Courtney Dauwalter, while Megan won her first backyard ultra at Saguaro Showdown last month with the 4th highest total "yards" 65. They discuss the unique challenges of these races, the mental fortitude required, and the importance of pacing and strategy. They also highlight the sense of community and camaraderie among participants. Backyard ultras are gaining popularity globally, with more women participating and the yardage increasing. The sport is characterized by its unique format, where runners complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour until they can no longer continue. The mental and physical challenges of the race, including sleep deprivation and hallucinations, make it a unique and intense experience. Crew support is crucial in helping runners stay motivated and get back on the course.

Find out more about this episode's sponsors:

Become a Patreon supporter to receive quarterly givebacks from us.

AND!!!!! Check out the new free app we developed, Trail Triage

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_1D2AB3DF0510-1.jpeg

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You know, you look at these numbers and you think, oh my gosh, I could never do that.
0:05.7	I remember watching them going, okay, I'm going to bed, I'm getting up, they're running.
0:09.6	I go to bed, I get up, they're running.
0:11.1	Like how this is even possible, but if you just don't be afraid to give it a try, you'll
0:15.4	be amazed at what you can do.
0:29.9	Welcome to the trailhead of trail runner nation.
0:32.6	We go on virtual trail runs every Friday and everyone's invited, whether you're first time
0:41.3	here at your 680th time here, you're all invited.
0:45.6	We hope that you learn and are inspired by our guests and our topic today.
0:50.4	And hopefully that'll make you a better runner and maybe just a better human being.
0:55.8	Got, we're stepping out the rear slider of our home looking at the backyard a little
1:00.9	bit differently because there's a whole genre of racing called backyard.
1:06.0	We're going to learn about that today.
1:09.2	Boy, John G is not only a manufacturer of high quality, good looking and effective
1:15.6	gear, but they're part of the community.
1:17.9	And in fact, Don just realized that they've come out with the trail handbook.
1:22.8	It's a how to for the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim where Ricky gates and a bunch
1:28.3	of people have written down the handbook on how to go do a rim to rim to rim.
1:33.5	But not only that, other runs that are epic runs that they give you the secret sauce to
1:38.0	getting it done successfully, just like John G's gear, who puts together material that
1:42.8	you need to form in a way that you need it to get things done that are usually thought
1:47.5	of as hard and impos.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Trail Runner Nation, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Trail Runner Nation and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.