Becoming Ultra

Dreama Walton is an ultrarunner and parent with a great story of perseverance from life circumstances.  She took chances to get out of situations that weren't ideal and has settled into a community that supports her and her goals! Scott and Dreama talk about life and running, training, living in the mountains, parenting, and more. Enjoy the show!

Many ultra runners start training perfectly healthy with no past injury or issues to slow them down and some of us have to start while we are dealing with those issues.  Deidra is managing a back injury she had fixed with surgery as she ramps up.  It's almost always 2 steps forward and one step back with these types of issues so don't get discouraged if you are going through it. Thanks for listening.   Our first live race from Becoming Ultra is now taking registrations.  Check it out here!

As coach Ian Sharman guides Carrie throughout the holiday season ramping up for big goals in 2025 she asks some common but pertinnet questions about footwear and strength training.  Scott announces Becoming Ultra will be putting on their first ultra event in Western Colorado in July of 2025!  Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

Cale Pearson was a runner for Season 11 of the Becoming Ultra project.  One thing that has been so cool are the side projects and trickle down of the project.  We have had books written about the project, podcasts started, friendships, and so much more.  On this episode Cale brought some of his peers from the Freight brokering industry on his channel to talk about an upcoming team ultra at Desert Rats (where Cale ran his first ultra).  We hope you enjoy.   Cale's biz You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@B2BTransportationServices

On the show today we talk about Ian's amazing PR in the half marathon recently as he had to adjust from a marathon effort to the half.  Carrie travels and gets some rest and come back ready to train as she focuses on body care early in the training cycle.  Enjoy the show!

Deidra comes back from the amazing mountains of Big Bend and we talk about her adventure as well as come up with some best practices dealing with plantar fasciitis, something that many runners deal with. We are early in the training cycle so taking time to get right early is the goal with slow ramp up in mileage, strength and mobility, and being present along the way. Enjoy!

Change is here!  Kris & Carly discuss how much the past 151 episodes have meant to them and what the future holds!  They recap some of their favorite moments and give info on where to find them in a few weeks!  Don't forget to follow us on IG so you can get the info on our new podcast! Kris - @birdielovestorun Carly - @sherunderlusts Pod - @myfirstultrapod

Coach Addie and Scott get to know Denise on her first epsiode of Season 16. Denise has an amazing coming to running story that I think many will be able to relate to. Starting in roller rinks and moving to roller derby and Spartan races where a shoulder injury left her looking for something bigger.  We think she is going to be an awesome follow for the next 6 months so stay tuned and share with someone who needs to hear that just because one door closes doesn't mean an epic one won't open!

One of Kellie's friends describe her as "an all-around incredible runner.  Her feet are basically wings as she climbs mountains like they are anthills. She is not only a great athlete and talented photographer, but she is probably one of the greatest people you will ever meet." Kellie's love for the running community is evident as well as her gratitude for how it has changed her life. She comes from a family of runners and that tradition has continued on, now with her husband who is also a trail runner! Our conversation really highlights how special the sport of running is to Kellie!

Today we get to meet our second runner of Season 16, Carrie Balick who shares her story with Scott and her coach for the season, Ian Sharman.  She grew up on the east coast and has spent most of her adult life in California in the school system as a speech pathologist.  She recently went all in on her own business so she will be balancing her professional life with training for Mendocino.  We hope you enjoy the show!

Anderson Dibble does not shy away from hard races. In fact, she seems to gravitate towards challenges. Some of her racing adventures include the Sugg Farm Ultra 50 Miler (First female), Pikes Peak 50k, Drews Angel Creek 50k in Alaska, Umstead 100, and the R2R2R. Anderson loves life and embraces every challenge with gratitude. On this podcast we discuss her military background and the similarities with ultra running. Anderson takes us through a few of her most challenging ultras. She sees every challenge as an opportunity for growth. We also discuss the impact the trail running community has had on her life. This conversation left us both smiling and inspired! https://www.youtube.com/@andersondibble IG - anderson_dibble

Coach Scott meets his runner for Season 16 of the Becoming Ultra project, Deidra.  Deidra resides in Round Rock, Texas, just outside of Austin. She is currently a stat at home mom who is coming off of a disc replacement surgery that got her back to running. We get to know about her life and who she is before diving into the training on this first episode. She is training for her first ultra for the Mendocino Coast 50k. Enjoy. 

Hurricane Helene ravaged many of the communities in the mountains of North Carolina. Scott brings Mariah from Season 10 of the Becoming Ultra project on to talk about her small town of Spruce Pine and the effect of the damage. We came up with a challenge to use as a fundraiser to help the rebuild. You can join the challenge here.

The Indiana Trail 100 took place at Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Albion, Indiana on October 12-13. The course consists of four 25-mile loops with about 1,500 feet of gain per loop. This was Eric’s first 100-mile ultra marathon, and he came in with a 3rd place finish. Eric ran his first ultra distance of 50k in October of 2023. In one year, he accomplished the 100-mile distance. He is showing us that with hard work and consistency anything is possible. On this podcast Eric shares a recap of his recent race. We discuss what went wrong, what went right and how he maintained a positive attitude throughout his race.  

Today Ian, Addie, and Scott come on to choose the runners of Season 16 who will run their first ultra at the Mendocino Coast 50k in April!  Enjoy the show!

What a fun conversation this was with Missy! We know Missy through BU and she was one of our biggest supporters when we launched the podcast. Just a joy to talk with, Missy shares with us how she became the adventurer she is today!   Women Who Explore is the company we discuss throughout this conversation. https://www.womenwhoexplore.com/

Some of our most inspiring guests come from referrals. Our friend Rebecca messaged us about Heather. They met during Vol State and Rebecca knew we had to chat with her. Heather is a mom, nurse, veteran and all-around bad ass. She has tackled some of the toughest races including the Leadville 100 and Barkley Fall Classic. What else can I do? That is the question Heather always asks herself after accomplishing big goals. On this podcast we talk to Heather about her trail running journey that started in 2020; how it evolved to 100-mile races and beyond. We also  talk about how she trains, balances life, self-care and showing up for herself daily. Heather is full of inspiration and encouragement!  

Coach Addie Bracey joins the show again to share her recent adventures which include an epic race that took 30 hours and finishing a retreat center near Leadville!  We talk about runners and why this Mendocino Coast 50k is such a good race for first timers.  Enjoy the show.  Season 16 is now taking applications!

We catch up with Lucja after her latest adventure, and wow was it a big one!  The Divide 200 is Canada’s only 200-mile ultra marathon. It takes place in the Castle/Crowsnest/Flathead region of the southern Rockies and highlights portions of The Great Divide Trail. Lucja takes us through the race, including a near death experience and, you guessed it, a bear encounter.  Lucja is one of a kind! IG - @runningdutchie

As Season 16 kicks off we are talking to the coaches of the project about all things ultra running. On this episode Ian Sharman and Scott talk about the most common reasons or excuses people make to not take the first step to training for an ultra.  We hope you enjoy and if you are on the fence about running your first ultra, now is a good time to apply for Season 16.