Everyday Ultra

Going farther than ever demands more than stubbornness. This conversation explores the six pillars of ultra success, building durability, balancing strength and recovery, fueling heavy training, and avoiding burnout. It also covers race-day logistics, aid-station strategy, handling pain, solving setbacks under pressure, and turning an intimidating first attempt into a powerful learning experience.

Kareem Afzal, an endurance athlete, podcast creator, and former engineering executive, shares his remarkable path from serious illness to Leadville 100 finisher. He revisits failed 100-mile attempts, coaching, recovery, speed work, heat management, and the family crew that kept him moving. The conversation also explores pacing by segments, handling cutoffs and doubt, and carrying ultrarunning lessons into everyday life.

Ashley Paulson, elite ultra runner, former pro triathlete, mother, and iFit trainer, shares the making of her record-setting career. She discusses turning fear into momentum, recovering through sleep and fueling, and finding motivation through variety. Hear about training by time and effort, surviving setbacks, flexible coaching, family-supported meal prep, and staying disciplined when motivation fades.

Phil Gore, Australian ultrarunner and official backyard ultra world-record holder, shares the story behind his 633-mile, six-day challenge. He discusses building endurance through progressive efforts, pacing loops around sleep and recovery, organizing a resilient crew, adapting plans under extreme fatigue, and overcoming the urge to quit one lap at a time. He also looks ahead to backyard ultra’s next frontier and offers advice for newcomers.

Wondering what ultramarathon to tackle next? Explore four ways to progress, from going farther or faster to discovering new terrain, formats, and destinations. Learn how to match your goal with an enjoyable training process, realistic preparation timeline, work and family commitments, and long-term ambitions, then use smart filters to choose the right race.

Tommy Lewis, ultrarunner, coach, and podcaster who focuses on pragmatic training and mindset. He talks about the Run the Runnable approach, building confidence through small wins, tuning back obsessive data habits, and prioritizing basics for long-term health. Short, practical takes on pacing, recovery, and knowing when to pull back.

Trent Frahn, Everyday Ultra athlete and competitive ultrarunner who debuted with a first 100K and won his age group. He describes committing to a 22-week training block, leaning into discomfort with back-to-back long runs and hill reps, and preparing on course terrain. He talks race-day pacing, dealing with extreme weather and knee pain, mid-race lows, a late shoe change, and what kept him focused to finish strong.

Natalya Platonova, British Army soldier turned mental health nurse and ultrarunner, talks about tackling extreme races like Marathon des Sables and finding resilience. She reflects on stepping away from social media, planning races over pure fitness, and using long walks and somatic practices to build confidence. Short, candid stories explore how hard challenges teach self-trust and keep running joyful.

They explore how expecting things to go wrong can make you more prepared. They describe mindset shifts and language that turn panic into problem solving. They share stories of travel chaos and practical steps to regulate, assess, act, and iterate. They promote treating setbacks as training, owning decisions, and keeping momentum with the “something is better than nothing” approach.

Troubleshooting fueling breakdowns and distinguishing true nausea from palate fatigue. How hydration, sweat sodium, and ingredient sensitivities can wreck your stomach. Strategies for building discipline to eat when you do not want to and adding variety to race nutrition. Practical tests: sweat-rate weighing, sodium tuning, timed fueling, and when to switch to liquid carbs or pause solids.