Are There Shortcuts to Success in Ultramarathon Training?

Training seriously for an ultramarathon, especially if you are going to compete, is a full-time commitment (or close to it). Are there shortcuts to success? There is a stand-out number in experience research, which focuses on the prerequisites under which people achieve top performances. That number is 10,000 hours. There is another rule of thumb … Continue reading Are There Shortcuts to Success in Ultramarathon Training?

How to Move from a Fixed Mindset to Growth

What is a mindset and why does it matter? Could your self-beliefs impact your success or failure? According to Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, "your beliefs play a pivotal role in what you want and whether you achieve it. Dweck has found that it is your mindset that plays a significant role in determining achievement and … Continue reading How to Move from a Fixed Mindset to Growth

Run a 50 Miler for Your First Ultramarathon!

Client success story! 🎉🎊🎉🎊It is a privilege to work with Myah, who is now an ultramarathon runner! 🔥 We first met at a crazy run club challenge called the Most Magical Mile, which was held on the Rainbow Trail in Butler, PA. The challenge was to run as many loops as possible in 8 hours. … Continue reading Run a 50 Miler for Your First Ultramarathon!

My Pre-Race Questionnaire for Mohican 100 (2024)

How thorough is your race preparation? How much research and planning do you do to set yourself up for a finish that you will feel great about? If your answer is "not enough," then check out this pre-race questionnaire. The questions in this questionnaire will guide you through a few things that you need to … Continue reading My Pre-Race Questionnaire for Mohican 100 (2024)

My Plan for Finishing Burning River 100 (2023)

Holding a stick bug after one of my runs It is just a few days before the 2023 Burning River 100. The race starts Saturday, July 29th, at 4:00 AM. One thing that people always wonder is how to run 100 miles? Us ultramarathoners take it a step further and ask ourselves, how can we … Continue reading My Plan for Finishing Burning River 100 (2023)

Baker Trail UltraChallenge 2022 Race Report

Sleeping in the back of the Jeep on the farm. Lovely view! Photo credit: Stephen Mick PC: Mike McNeil Butler County Milers and other ultra friends Baker Trail UltraChallenge 50 Miler, south section. 11:55:50 OA: 32/88 (16 DNFs) F: 11/31 PC: Stephen Mick About Baker Trail UltraChallenge https://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/events/ultrachallenge https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/event/baker-trail-ultrachallenge-50m Lucky the Dwarf Goat joins us … Continue reading Baker Trail UltraChallenge 2022 Race Report

Stop Soldier Suicide: Miles for Mike

https://youtu.be/9P3V3PFVKTc I'm joining my friend, Chris, and several other runners across the nation to help raise awareness and funds to Stop Soldier Suicide. We're logging miles for Mike. Miles for Mike helps raise awareness and money in the fight against Veteran Suicide. Mike and Chris grew up outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. While Mike was 18- … Continue reading Stop Soldier Suicide: Miles for Mike

The Ultramarathon Mindset Podcast: Cougars, mantras, and swearing (2022)

My friend, Eric Deeter, invited me back onto his podcast to have a conversation about all sorts of things, from what to do of you encounter a cougar to the advantages of swearing. What a fun episode! Here are a few of the topics we discussed • Strategies for getting through an ultramarathon. We specifically … Continue reading The Ultramarathon Mindset Podcast: Cougars, mantras, and swearing (2022)

Be Your Own Sunshine: Make changes

“You cannot expect to meet new goals or move beyond your present circumstances unless you change.” Les Brown Sometimes you have to be your own sunshine. We can't fully control our environment and what's going on around us, but we can change what's going on within us. Ugly weather, pandemic, dealing with grief, loss, depression, … Continue reading Be Your Own Sunshine: Make changes

Ultrarunner Strength and Weakness Inventory

Worksheet for identifying strengths and weaknesses as a runner. Think about your strengths and weaknesses in the following areas and record them in the chart below (download and print). While you are writing, notice things like whether you're being overly critical (negative self-talk) on yourself for weaknesses and needing to identify more strengths. Weaknesses are … Continue reading Ultrarunner Strength and Weakness Inventory