My First Ultra is a regular series with everyday runners sharing their account of their very first attempt at an Ultra, whether successful or not.  As inspiring as the elites are, the everyday runners really get us inspired here at Becoming Ultra!

Name: Patricia Franco

Occupation: Working student

First Ultra: Double crossing of the Grand Canyon

Time trained: eh, you know.

Join us as we talk about the journey, both on the trail and off.  What kept Jules moving when it got really tough out there on the trail?  Ian explains that in every race, quitting crosses your mind.  What does he teach us about how to deal with those thoughts?  What is next for the Becoming Ultra Project and what can we do to get better?  All this and more on the final call of the first season of Becoming Ultra.

We interview everyday runners, like today's guest who is a High School assistant principal in Colorado, and learn the story of their first Ultra.  Everyone can become something bigger than what they are today.  Everyone can Become Ultra.

The Becoming Ultra project is all about you, the aspiring runner and eventually Ultra Runner.  We had a couple athletes that represented you.  They never ran an Ultra in their life.  They were nervous. Life was happening all around but they trained, like you will, and did what they set out to accomplish(well, one of them did)  So, what did we learn from the process and how can we do better.  You're going to have to listen to figure that out.  It's the Becoming Ultra show!

In this last call before Jules attempts the 50k in Aspen at the Power Of Four 50k Ian Sharman helps her sort through what is necessary physically, mentally, and gearwise.  A quick and informative look at a few things Jules may have forgotten.  How to deal with nerves?  How much warming up is necessary?  What to do the last few days before the event.  This and more is covered on the Becoming Ultra show!

Michele just got back from Western States and had a pretty unique experience. Hear what she did that she has never done before out there for safety.  Why did she keep wanting to go to sleep?  We talk about the Colorado 200 and why she may need ot abck off from competing for a little while.  A show that shares that even the best of us have things that hold us back. Oh and where in the hell is Bailey?

Ian Sharman and Jules Sentes are back after a few weeks on the trail and competing in one of the biggest Ultra's out there. Ian uses his experience to answer some very specific questions Jules has about her own 50k coming up.  If you are a beginner and need to learn some more of those things that every runner sweats for a first event, this is a good show for you.  Enjoy the Becoming Ultra show.

My FIrst Ultra is sharing the experiences of runners of all levels regarding their first Ultra.  There will be elites as well as everyday runners contributing to the show.  This first show may just set the bar high enough with Ultra runner Josh Arthur and his running buddy Ashley Erba. Enjoy!

Like a good ultra, we were all over the place on this show but that made it very interesting.  Ian talks about a few athletes that he looks to in the sport that he competes in as well as some interesting things going on on the Appalachian Trail. He started his heat training for Western States and shares how he does this.  We also delve into coaching and what challenges come along with it. All in all, a very entertaining show if you like running and ultra running, as it should be!

The Becoming Ultra show gets heavy into pre and post races practices for warming up, cooling down, and recovering. What is the perfect warm up? What does elite ultra runner Michele Yates do for her warm up? What are some best and preferred practices for post race? Warming up for an Ultra should be different than your last half marathon, we will tell you how. We also get into The Colorado 200 coming up this summer! Enjoy the Becoming Ultra show presented by Athlete On Fire!