Momma Runs an Ultra

My running friend from where I used to live described this podcast as "delightfully self-aware." She also said I was adorkable, so not sure I should quote her here. I had told her that I avoided my recent habit of "show up and blow up," so that might have something to do with it. It's hot here, my dog kept me up all night, and I have solved the fashion dilemma. Priorities.

How I Procrastinate

What a week! Vintage shoes and Siri are both out to get me. Marathon Handbook made me do it. The Masters is taking over. I still do not want to run a road marathon.

How I Procrastinate

Chapters

Welcome back to Momma Runs an Ultra! Today’s episode is a slightly bemused look at the realities of training for an ultra marathon, especially when you’re pushing into new territory later in life.

The miles are getting longer than ever before, and so far, things are going surprisingly well.

My recurring theme is preventing problems. Finding the right gear for me following the sudden and rather unfortunate demolition of my favorite running bra has turned into an ongoing search for a unicorn.

Someone suggested friction reducing stickers on the inside of my s...

In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra (where a 50-something runner trains for her very first ultramarathon), I get a sharp reminder that not all training risks come from mileage or missed workouts. Sometimes, they come flying at you…in the shape of a sofa.

What starts as a routine 2nd long run on a rare, glorious stretch of sidewalk turns into a near-miss story I won’t forget: an unsecured couch launches out of a pickup truck and literally bounces towards me mid-run. It’s equal parts absurd, terrifying, and darkly funny, and it completely refram...

Summary

This episode of Momma Runs an Ultra is all about the real-life process of getting ready for my first ultra marathon, especially pushing past distances I’ve never run before. I share what training has been like as I prepare, including the surprises, struggles, and little wins that come with stepping into completely new training.

We talk a lot about fueling during long runs and the trial-and-error that goes into figuring out what actually works. That’s meant experimenting with some unexpected carb sources like mashed potatoes and soft pretzels, because sometimes I just cann...

Summary

If you know the liquid fire of a post-run shower, you might have chafed. In this episode, I talk about the moment it hit me that chafing can be just as painful as poor fueling. Turns out, nutrition isn’t the only thing you need a strategy for.

I share some of my personal trial-and-error with different anti-chafing products, including how well they hold up when humidity decides to join your training run. Some survive, some melt like cassette tapes on a dashboard.

Since I’m still navigating the adventure of training for...

Summary

What exactly is recovery?

As I dive deeper into ultramarathon training, I keep hearing the phrase “take recovery seriously.” Sounds simple, right? But what does that actually mean?

Massage? Naps? Yoga?

I’m currently following a structured plan with an awesome coach, checking the boxes, hitting the workouts, yet I still find myself wondering if I’m really recovering the way I should. In this episode, I open up about the real-life juggling act of hard training, sore legs, second-guessing myself, and trying to strike that sweet spot between pushing limits a...

Summary

Anna Gibson is the gateway inspiring a late 50's hobby jogger to run her first ultra marathon. Momma discovers that 11 feet of elevation does not count as hill training. After running her town’s one bridge approximately eleventy zillion times, she accepts her fate, if she wants “triple-digit vert,” she’s gotta leave the swamp.

Cue state park field trips and back-to-back long runs with actual hills. Gasp.

Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics introduce her to Ski Mo (ski mountaineering), which is basically: ski uphill, rip skis off, sprint upstairs in ski boots, ski agai...

Summary

Momma's in her first official ultramarathon training block, and things are getting real. Back-to-back long runs? Check. Experimenting with mashed potatoes in a Ziploc mid-run? Also check. (Sweet gels, sometimes we need a break.) As she navigates fueling flails, lopsided pistol squats, and the humbling realization that some “lost skills” were never there to begin with, the ultra journey is serving up equal parts grit and comedy.

But the real plot twist? A full-on obsession with the Black Canyon Ultras livestream. Eight hours of desert running, elite women crushing it, and shockingly good coverage, bett...

Summary

Are we really runners if we don't talk about either barf or poo? Join me as I apply my ultimate nerd hack to the wonderfully weird world of ultra-marathon fueling. As I train for my very first 50K, I share my sticky history with sports nutrition.

What starts as casual trial and error quickly spirals into full nerd mode, complete with a meticulously organized spreadsheet ranking gels by flavor, texture, and how likely they are to make my stomach file a formal complaint. Spoiler: the winners were not what I expected, and some fan...

Summary

In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra, I'm tackling the wild world of ultra marathon training while also trying to keep my sanity intact. You know, just a jaunty jog through my 50s, right? Between holiday illness smacking my entire family (because why not?) and trying to breathe through my neighbors' smoke out, it's been a season.

We also dive into the mysteries of pacing my upcoming half marathon. As I gear up for my first ultra marathon, I’d love to hear your best sleep tips. Basically, send me all the good ad...

Summary

In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra, I open up about the unexpected challenge of losing my voice while training for an ultra, a reminder of how unpredictable life and training can be. Despite feeling physically fine, this setback sparks a deeper reflection on the vulnerability to illness and the privilege of good health. I also dive into the complexities of balancing personal goals, friendships, and aging, with the importance of staying active and resilient. I invite listeners, especially those navigating similar life transitions, to share their thoughts as we explore these meaningful themes together.<...

Summary

Dive into the surprisingly emotional side of endurance events, including those finish-line tears you swear you didn’t see coming. I share my own journey as a runner, from picking up the sport late in life during the pandemic to reflecting on my very first half marathon back in 2013, when I had absolutely no clue what proper nutrition or hydration meant for long-distance running. Spoiler: I still finished with a police escort…and then promptly burst into tears.

As it turns out, that post-race emotional roller coaster is more common than you’d think. Throug...

Summary

Join me on my journey prepping for my very first ultra marathon! It’s been a mix of excitement and nerves as I dive into the challenge, which originally started as a wild idea to do a unique looping run from my home. Turns out, my idea was not novel at all, and there’s a whole community around this kind of thing, like the Backyard Ultra! I talk about why I’m really doing this. It’s all about pushing myself, not seeking validation from others. I also share the behind-the-scenes planning, from preparing for the terr...

Summary

In this episode, we get real about the messy mix of running, life stress, and whatever’s going on in our heads, especially when training for something as daunting as an ultra. After a rough half marathon that felt like one long mental battle, our host talks about how emotional overload can totally derail a race. There’s also an unexpected cameo from Boz Scaggs’ “Lido Shuffle,” which ended up looping through the run and becoming this weird little window into their mood and mindset. We chat about what our go-to running songs say about us, how playli...

Summary

In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra, we splash straight into the sweet spot where weather and running collide. I share why a rainy run makes me happy as I gear up for my very first ultra marathon. From prepping for the training to navigating whatever the sky decides to throw at me, I talk through the mindset it takes to train outdoors when the forecast loves surprises. I also chat about the idea of bringing a coach on board and why clear, honest communication might be just as important as logging miles. Join me...

Summary

Plot twist: my uterus did NOT fall out.

In this episode, I wander back through the strangely misguided athletics messages of my youth, namely, that girls absolutely should not run because, according to my parents, my uterus might fall out. (Yes, really.) Fast-forward a few decades, and here I am in my mid-50s, having gone from enthusiastic fitness walker to full-blown runner, now staring down the start line of my very first ultra-marathon.

I share how I got from “running is forbidden” to “sure, let’s run absurd distances for fun,” and how sh...

Summary

Ever decide to celebrate a birthday with something epic…and then immediately wonder what on earth you just signed up for? That’s basically how I tumbled into the world of ultra-running. Back in 2020, I had grand plans for a 50K to mark turning 50, but the pandemic had other ideas. Cue a lot of reflection, some mild existential spiraling, and the growing realization that my 50s weren’t going to wait around for me to face Big, Scary Goals.

So in Momma Runs an Ultra, I talk about finally taking the plunge and registering for my...