Episode 11: Embrace the Suck

Ever have one of those runs where nothing goes right — and it never gets better? Coach Erin Quinn is here to tell you those are the runs that matter most.

In this episode, Erin breaks down the bad run — what it actually is, why it's different from a hard workout, and why every ultrarunner needs to collect a few of them. From legs that feel like cement pillars to bargaining with yourself on mile three, Erin shares the good, the bad, and the ugly of running when your body just didn't get the memo.

You'll learn why finishing a terrible run builds the mental toughness that carries you through the lowest miles of an ultramarathon — and why the suffer bus might just be your best training tool.

In this episode:

• What separates a bad run from a hard run
• How bad runs build your "toughness groove"
• Why getting it done — no matter how slow or ugly — counts double
• Erin's own recent suffer fest (hint: she thought about calling 911)

Whether you're training for your first 50K or your tenth 100-miler, this one's for you. Start where you are — but start.

To learn more about Erin's 1:1 online run coaching go to www.erinmaryquinn.com

To contact her with comments or questions or just to say "hi," you can email her at [email protected]

Follow her on social media @erinquinnultraruncoach

Episode 10: The 5 C's of Ultrarunning

What does it really take to become an ultrarunner? In this finale of the Beginning Ultrarunning series, host and professional ultrarunning coach Erin Quinn breaks down the five big dial movers she calls "The 5 C's" — Consistency, Comparison, Curiosity, Coaching, and Commitment.

Erin gets real about what ultrarunning actually looks like: the blisters, the chafing, the cow dung, and the moments your body screams at you to stop — and why it's still one of the most beautiful, raw, and rewarding experiences you can have. She shares her own journey from barely crawling across a 50K finish line to completing the grueling Moab 240, and the mindset shifts that made it all possible.

Whether you're lacing up for your first ultra or looking to level up your training, this episode will remind you that the trail doesn't care about your pace — it just asks you to show up.

In this episode:

• Why consistency beats perfection every time
• How comparison steals your potential before you even begin
• The questions that will keep you curious and in love with the sport
• Why hiring a coach was Erin's single biggest game-changer
• What real commitment looks like, day in and day out

Start where you are — but make sure that you start.

You can learn more about Erin's 1:1 online run coaching at www.erinmaryquinn.com

If you want to contact her directly she'd love to hear from you

[email protected]

Follow her on Instagram or Facebook

@erinquinnultraruncoach

Podcast Host, Erin Quinn, also an ultrarunner and ultrarun coach takes you through her Cocodona 250 race experience in 2024 while also previewing the 2026 course for runners, pacers, crew members and everyone who is interested in learning more about his 250-mile foot race from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff Arizona.

This is a fun, unfiltered race preview and report that will get listeners edified and excited about the race.

To learn more about Erin's 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching go to www.erinmaryquinn.com

You can always reach out to her at [email protected] or follow her on social media @erinquinnultraruncoach

In Episode 9 of Start Where You Are Running & Ultrarunning coach Ultra Run Coach Erin Quinn delivers a complete beginner's guide to trail running.

Topics include: how to find trails using apps like AllTrails, understanding trail types (rail trails, carriage roads, single track.) Managing pace expectations off-road, measuring progress on trails, gear (and why you probably don't need new shoes), and embracing the mindset shift from road to trail. Perfect for beginner runners, road runners, and anyone looking to explore the outdoors on foot.

Erin would welcome any comments that you have and if you would like to apply for her 1:1 online run coaching you can go to her website www.erinmaryquinn.com or reach out to her at [email protected] or DM her @erinquinnultraruncoach

Episode 8: The Case for Running & Racing Local — a ~24-minute episode of Start Where You Are, hosted by Erin Quinn, an ultra running coach and 14-time ultra marathon finisher.

Erin makes a case for putting local races on your calendar for 4 specific reasons.

1. Dollars & Cents (Sense)) — Race fees stay in the community, supporting local race directors, trail maintenance, land conservation, and scholarships (he highlights the RunWild organization, Sassquad Running, and the Shawangunk Runners).

2. Exploring Your Own Backyard — Local races introduce you to trails you've never been on, and the more people who fall in love with local trails, the more support there is for land conservation. He highlights the richness of New York's Shawangunk's, Catskills and Adirondacks.

3. Performance — Local races serve as low-cost, low-stakes check-ins on your training — great for practicing race-day execution, fueling strategy, and mental preparation before your "A" race.

4. Community — The shared experience of racing alongside strangers and friends creates bonds that can't be replicated virtually. He closes with a vivid story of getting caught in an April snowstorm at mile 9 with a group of runners, high-fiving through the snow.

The episode opens with a story from a recent local half marathon at Minnewaska State Park — a rainy, hail-filled, mud-fest that Erin loved— and closes with shoutouts to local Hudson Valley race organizations and a preview of upcoming Cocodona 250 coverage.

For inquires on Erin's 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching reach out to her at www.erinmaryquinn.com or email at [email protected] You can also DM her on Instagram @erinquinnultraruncoach

Leave a comment here or reach out to Erin with any thoughts, questions or things you'd like her to discuss on upcoming episodes.

Episode 9: The Case for Running & Racing Local — a ~24-minute episode of Start Where You Are, hosted by Erin Quinn, an ultra running coach and 14-time ultra marathon finisher.

Erin makes a case for putting local races on your calendar for 4 specific reasons.

1. Dollars & Cents (Sense)) — Race fees stay in the community, supporting local race directors, trail maintenance, land conservation, and scholarships (he highlights the RunWild organization, Sassquad Running, and the Shawangunk Runners).

2. Exploring Your Own Backyard — Local races introduce you to trails you've never been on, and the more people who fall in love with local trails, the more support there is for land conservation. He highlights the richness of New York's Shawangunk's, Catskills and Adirondacks.

3. Performance — Local races serve as low-cost, low-stakes check-ins on your training — great for practicing race-day execution, fueling strategy, and mental preparation before your "A" race.

4. Community — The shared experience of racing alongside strangers and friends creates bonds that can't be replicated virtually. He closes with a vivid story of getting caught in an April snowstorm at mile 9 with a group of runners, high-fiving through the snow.

The episode opens with a story from a recent local half marathon at Minnewaska State Park — a rainy, hail-filled, mud-fest that Erin loved— and closes with shoutouts to local Hudson Valley race organizations and a preview of upcoming Cocodona 250 coverage.

For inquires on Erin's 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching reach out to her at www.erinmaryquinn.com or email at [email protected] You can also DM her on Instagram @erinquinnultraruncoach

Leave a comment here or reach out to Erin with any thoughts, questions or things you'd like her to discuss on upcoming episodes.

Episode 7: TheNon-Geek Gear Guide for Ultrarunning In this episode, Ultrarunning Coach and Journalist, Erin Quinn, breaks down the 10 key pieces of gear she recommends for ultrarunners who are attempting to tackle 50K distance up to a 100-miler. Erin delivers these recommendations from the perspective of a "non-gear geek" who prefers buying used and keeping things simple.

The 10 gear items she covers:

1. Shoes – wear what's comfortable; trail shoes help on technical terrain
2. Socks – she swears by Darn Tough wool socks

1. Gaiters – essential for preventing debris in shoes (loves Kahtoola)
2. Hydration vest – her top recommendation; uses UltrAspire Alpha 5/6
3. Headlamps & waist lights – critical for night running; keep a backup flashlight
4. Poles – helpful for mountainous races; check race rules first
5. Body Glide – Vaseline or Squirrel's Nutbutter to prevent chafing
6. Apparel – personal preference; highlights Run Rabbit and the "No Fry Sun Hoodie"
7. Watch – recommends COROS or Garmin for GPS and Training Peaks integration
8. Headlamp (revisited as a safety essential)
9. Poles: Leki
10. Waist Belts UltrAspire

The tone is casual, funny, and relatable — Erin openly admits she ran many of her early races without the "proper" gear and still finished. Her core message: gear doesn't make the runner, but these 10 items give you a solid, safe starting point.

To get on Erin's newsletter that provides great running & ultrarunning tips and strategies every 1-2 weeks just put your name and email here:

https://erinmaryquinn.aweb.page/trail-running-ultrarunning-insights

If you're interested in 1:1 online coaching with Erin contact her at [email protected] or www.erinmaryquinn.com

follow her in Instagram @erinquinnultraruncoach

Drop a comment if you enjoyed the show! She'd love to hear from you.

Here are the links to gear that Erin recommends:

Darn Tough Socks:

https://darntough.com/collections/womens-running-socks/products/womens-merino-wool-run-quarter-no-cushion-ultra-lightweight-running-socks?variant=42348136136890

UltrAspire Alpha Vest 5/6

www.ultraspire.com

Kahtoola Gaitors:

https://kahtoola.com/gaiters/instagaiter-sl/

No Fry Sun Hoodie Ketl Mtn

https://ketlmtn.com/collections/long-sleeve-tops

Erin goes into the terminology that is specific to the ultrarunning niche and gives listeners some funny insights into what these words or acronyms actually mean and how they can be applied to your training and your race.

Follow Erin on social media @erinquinnultraruncoach

Email her at [email protected]

To learn more and apply for her 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching services go to

www.erinmaryquinn.com

Just drop a comment, she would love to hear from you!

In this show Erin mentions the Podcast by Jay Friedman and Phil Vondra called The Pain Cave which you can find here https://www.gunksrunner.com/paincave

On this episode Erin dives into the pros and cons of utilizing the Strava app as both a fitness app and a social media platform. She also references some recent controversies the company has gotten embroiled in. Whether you Strava or not, Erin is, as always, supportive of people getting out and moving and hitting the trails and wanting them to Start Where They Are, but to Start!

If you'd like to reach Erin just send her an email at erinmaryquinn.com or go to her website at www.erinmaryquinn.com or DM her on Instagram @erinquinnultraruncoach

In this episode Erin discusses the intersection between running and art. She goes into simple ways in which runners can use art to enhance not only their runs, but their lives as well.

It's compelling, fun and inspirational. Erin discusses three mediums:

1. Photography

2. Writing

3. Drawing/Painting/Sketching

That any runner can introduce into their life. This is a passionate episode that is joyful and entertaining.

You can reach out to Erin on social media @erinquinnultraruncoach

You can learn more about her 1:1 Online Ultrarunning Coaching at www.erinmaryquinn.com or just email her at erinmaryquinn.com

She would love to hear from you!