This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we sat down with ultra runner Ron Wireman. Ron's no stranger to pushing limits, and he shared some incredible stories from his experiences at Bob's Backyard Ultra and Big's Backyard Ultra.

We dove deep into the nitty-gritty of backyard ultras, from the unique challenges they present to the incredible camaraderie among runners. Ron opened up about his training, race day strategies, and how he fuels himself to keep going.

But it's not just about the physical stuff. Ron got real about the mental battles he faced during those races – the grit and determination it takes to overcome pain and keep pushing forward. He also talked about the importance of teamwork and support in the ultra world, and how those bonds help runners achieve the impossible.

Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just curious about this crazy sport, Ron's insights are sure to inspire you to chase your own adventures and discover the strength within.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ron Wireman and His Achievements

06:30 Training and Preparation for Big's Backyard Ultra

12:08 Logistics and Crew Management for Big's

18:05 Nutrition Strategies During the Race

23:55 Hallucinations and Mental Challenges During the Race

35:31 Navigating the Challenges of Endurance Racing

44:44 Team Dynamics and Support in Ultra Running

53:29 The Mental Game: Pushing Through Pain and Fatigue

01:00:01 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies for Endurance

01:08:49 Gear Choices: Finding the Right Shoes for the Race

01:15:55 Achieving Personal Records and Overcoming Challenges

01:25:03 Advice for First-Time Backyard Racers

01:34:45 Finding Your Passion in Endurance Sports

01:45:31 Navigating Pain in Endurance Running

01:51:29 The Role of Mental Resilience

01:59:28 Crew Support and Decision Making

02:11:19 Future Goals and Reflections

Shattering records with 526 miles in 6 days at the Dome and the most recent female world record at Big's Backyard Ultra with a jaw-dropping 362 miles! That's the mind-boggling distances ultra runner Meg Eckert has achieved in 2024. On this episode of Dirt and Vert, Meg takes us inside this incredible feat of endurance, sharing the mental and physical hurdles she overcame. From her transition to trail running to tackling her first 100-miler, Meg reveals the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her ultra journey. Plus, she dives deep into the crucial role of nutrition, recovery, and mental resilience in pushing human limits. Get ready to be inspired by Meg's unwavering passion and dedication to the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Meg Eckert and Her Achievements

06:14 Transitioning to Ultra Distances

11:46 The Challenge of Six Days at the Dome

17:26 Nutrition and Recovery Strategies

23:13 Final Thoughts and Future Goals

41:35 Memorable Races and Personal Highlights

46:59 The Challenge of Big Horn 100

54:17 The Backyard Ultra Experience

01:01:36 Facing Challenges and Mental Strategies

01:07:05 Lessons from DNF Experiences

01:20:21 The Mental Game of Endurance Running

01:29:44 The Joy of Running and Personal Challenges

01:37:15 Hallucinations and the Ultra Running Experience

01:45:27 Reflections on Accomplishments and Future Goals

In this episode of the Dirt and Vert podcast, hosts David and Matt sit down with Ken Zemach, the 2023 King of the Road, to discuss his journey into ultra running. Ken shares how personal struggles led him to take up running seriously at the age of 39, losing weight and finding a coping mechanism through the sport. He emphasizes the importance of coaching and accountability in training, as well as the strategies he employs to optimize his running experiences, particularly in challenging races like Vol State and Badwater. The conversation also delves into the significance of heat training, pacing strategies, and the community aspect of ultra running, highlighting how these elements contribute to personal growth and enjoyment in the sport. In this conversation, Ken Zemach shares his insights on pacing, discipline, and the transformative power of running. He discusses his personal experiences in ultra races, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey and finding joy in the process. Ken also highlights the significance of nutrition and personal limits in endurance racing, providing practical strategies for aspiring ultra runners.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ken Zemach and His Journey

06:17 The Catalyst for Change: Personal Struggles and Running

12:17 The Role of Coaching and Accountability in Running

18:16 Optimizing the Vol State Experience

24:03 Comparing Vol State and Badwater: Different Experiences

30:15 Heat Training: Strategies and Benefits

35:53 Pacing Strategies: The Importance of Even Splits

42:00 The Experience of Running: Community and Personal Growth

01:03:20 The Importance of Pacing in Ultra Running

01:10:51 Finding Your Personal Limits and Discipline

01:17:09 Memorable Races and Personal Achievements

01:30:13 The Transformative Power of Running

01:36:29 Why Running Brings Peace and Joy

01:38:26 Strategies for Endurance Racing

01:48:50 Nutrition Choices for Ultra Runners

02:04:11 The Joy of Running and Community

02:05:13 Life-Changing Experiences in Running

In this episode of the Dirt and Vert podcast, David and Matt sit down with Lauren Beihoffer, a former research scientist turned ultra running coach. Lauren shares her inspiring journey from being a non-runner to a passionate endurance athlete, detailing her experiences with various races, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation delves into the importance of nutrition, the balance between strength training and running, and the unique experiences of coaching others in the ultra running community. Lauren also recounts her adventure on the reality show 'Naked and Afraid,' highlighting the challenges of survival and the perspective it gave her on comfort and resilience. The episode concludes with a discussion on the reasons why we run and the joy it brings to our lives.

Chapters

00:00 From Research to Running: Lauren's Journey

04:28 The First 50K Experience: Trials and Triumphs

09:28 Learning the Ropes: Nutrition and Hydration in Ultra Running

15:23 Facing the Elements: The Hardest Race

20:26 Fueling Strategies: Finding What Works

30:28 Lessons Learned: The Continuous Journey of an Ultra Runner

40:58 Lessons from Early Races

45:38 Listening to Your Body

51:18 Balancing Performance and Longevity

57:20 The Ebb and Flow of Training

01:01:27 The Journey into Coaching

01:10:04 Why I Run

01:11:47 Experiences on Naked and Afraid

We love you guys!

-David & Matt

In this engaging conversation, Chris Clemens shares his inspiring journey from a life-altering accident that he overcame to becoming an accomplished ultra runner finishing Vol State an incredible 6 times. He discusses the challenges he faced during recovery, the importance of community and support, and his experiences in various races. The dialogue highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of running. In this engaging conversation, Chris Clemens shares his journey through endurance racing, discussing the challenges and triumphs he has faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming obstacles, the mental game of racing, and the transformative power of these experiences. The discussion also touches on personal growth, time management, and the balance between running and life. Chris reflects on why he runs, the lessons learned from bad races, and how these experiences shape his perspective on life. He also shares insights on his training strategies and favorite gear, concluding with a discussion on the evolution of his race preferences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:26 Overcoming Adversity: A Traumatic Brain Injury

03:04 Progressing in Running: From 5K to Marathons

03:53 Discovering Ultra Distances

04:46 The Vol State Race: A Special Connection

06:09 The Wood Chip Incident and Recovery

11:52 Consistency and Hard Work

14:22 Changing Academic and Career Paths

16:11 From Marathons to Ultras

20:33 Running in Extreme Weather

21:01 Finding Joy and Freedom in Healthy Habits

26:46 Different race formats

30:13 The Importance of Listening and Being Present

39:36 Evolution of Favorite Distances

41:30 Favorite races

45:41 Challenging race experiences

48:15 The role of race directors

49:08 Conclusion and Takeaways

50:04 The Challenges and Growth of Ball State and Warhammer

52:08 Adapting and Overcoming Obstacles in Races

54:38 Navigating Difficult Sections of Races

58:07 The Varied Terrain of Races

01:00:00 Races: A Catalyst for Personal Growth and Perspective

01:00:36 The Challenges of Warhammer

01:03:15 The Unexpected Difficulty of Races

01:07:35 The HOTS 2022 Race: Unknown Challenges

01:09:11 Choosing to Overcome Challenges

01:11:04 Making the Most of Your Time and Prioritizing Passions

In this episode, David interviews Davy Crockett, who has completed over 165 races and is a member of the 100-100s club. Davy shares his journey into running, starting in his mid-40s and gradually progressing to longer distances. He discusses his experience with injuries, including a stress fracture in his tibia, and how he recovered and continued running. Davy also talks about his involvement in creating the 100-100s club and the common traits shared by its members. The conversation highlights the determination and tenacity required to complete 100-mile races and the camaraderie within the ultra running community. Davy Crockett discusses his running journey and the races he has participated in. Davy shares his experience of getting back into running after knee replacements and how he gradually improved his speed. He also discusses some of the hardest and most memorable 100-mile races he has done. Davy explains how he started the website ultrarunninghistory.com to track and document the history of ultrarunning, including the early races and records. Davy Crockett discusses the fascinating history of ultrarunning and his work in documenting the achievements of ultrarunners. He shares stories of the early days of ultrarunning, including the crazy and bizarre events that took place. Davy also talks about his books on ultrarunning history and where they can be found. He mentions his favorite place to run, the Grand Canyon, and the history of rim-to-rim running. Davy emphasizes the importance of recognizing the rich history of ultrarunning and the individuals who paved the way.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:47 Davey's Running Journey and Introduction to the 100 100s Club

06:53 Overcoming Challenges and Persevering in Ultra Running

11:39 The Creation and Significance of the 100 100s Club

17:50 Researching and Recognizing Achievements in Ultra Running

22:30 The Traits and Characteristics of 100 100s Club Members

28:49 The Growth and Inspiration in the Ultra Running Community

35:29 Training Methods and Personal Experiences in Ultra Running

37:40 Admiring Rob Apple: The Ultra Legend

39:31 Overcoming Knee Replacements and Regaining Speed

42:24 The Toughest and Most Memorable 100-Mile Races

54:49 Preserving the History of Ultrarunning

01:08:57 The Crazy and Bizarre Era of Ultrarunning

01:10:23 Exploring the History of Rim-to-Rim Running in the Grand Canyon

01:16:25 The First 100-Mile Race in the US

01:17:49 The Early Trails and Mountain Hundreds

01:20:50 The Peace and Quiet of Running Alone

01:25:50 Verifying Ultrarunning Records

01:28:57 The 100 100s: Recognizing Ultrarunning Achievements

01:31:38 Dealing with DNFs and Mental Challenges

Aaron Dana, a trail runner, shares his journey into running and the mental health benefits he experienced. He started running in 2019 and quickly fell in love with trail running. Running became his outlet and a way to cope with stress. He found that running helped him manage his mental health and gave him a sense of accomplishment. Aaron progressed from running a half marathon to completing a 100-mile race. He learned valuable lessons about pacing, nutrition, and hydration. Aaron's goal is to continue improving and pushing his limits in ultra running. Aaron reflects on the mental growth and lessons he learned over the years of participating in the Midstate Mile race. He emphasizes the importance of celebrating wins and not getting caught up in comparing oneself to others. Aaron shares that the most important thing he did to finally achieve his goal was to have an unshakable belief in himself and refuse to doubt his abilities. He also highlights the significance of having a supportive spouse and crew who understand the challenges of ultra running. Aaron advises new runners to focus on being true to themselves, embracing the clock, and learning from the lessons the race has to offer. In this final part of the conversation, Aaron discusses his future plans and bucket list races. He also talks about his strength training routine, average mileage per week, and favorite hydration methods. The hosts share their experiences as race directors and the importance of volunteering in the ultra running community.