On this week's Dirt and Vert Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Leah Mulligan, an incredible ultra runner from Chattanooga. Leah's story is all about passion, perseverance, and the power of community.

We traced her journey from those early running days to her leap into the ultra world, and how her family and the running community fueled her every step of the way. Leah also opened up about her training, the dynamics of working with a coach, and the challenges she faced in those first ultra races.

But it's not just about the miles. Leah shared some incredible insights about the mental side of ultra running, the importance of staying positive, and how she balances life, running, and everything in between.

Of course, we couldn't forget about her recent achievements! Leah talked about those podium finishes, the lessons she's learned from both victories and setbacks, and her exciting plans for future races.

Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just starting out, Leah's story is a powerful reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of heart, you can achieve incredible things.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leah Mulligan and Her Running Journey

03:00 Early Influences and Transition to Ultra Running

06:01 College Running Experience and First Ultra

08:40 Experiences with Early Races and Community

11:35 First 12-Hour Race and Achievements

14:31 First 100-Mile Race: Penhody

17:10 The Importance of Community in Ultra Running

20:13 Lessons Learned from Ultra Running

23:09 Future Goals and Aspirations in Running

33:29 Altitude Challenges and Early Experiences

36:25 Learning from Racing: Humbling Experiences

39:08 Running by Feel vs. Data

42:02 Coaching and Performance Growth

45:02 Racing in Unique Locations: CCC and Beyond

47:30 Community and Support in Racing

50:21 Home Races and Personal Growth

53:15 Technical Challenges in Mountain Racing

59:07 Crossing the Marriage Threshold Through Running

59:53 The Blue Ridge Ultra Experience

01:00:52 Shared Success in Racing

01:01:49 The Balance of Life and Running

01:03:38 Finding Joy in Running

01:05:30 The SCAR FKT Journey

01:10:15 Future FKT Aspirations

01:13:06 Challenging Races Ahead

01:17:04 The Deeper Meaning of Running

01:24:30 Pushing Limits and Problem Solving

01:29:00 Finding Your Race Strategy

01:30:20 Overcoming Low Patches in Races

01:36:44 The Journey into Coaching

01:41:10 Building a Business Together