The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset

Stephanie Rosebaugh is back on The One More Hour Podcast after achieving a major goal: earning a spot on Team USA and experiencing the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships!

After watching the race from home the year before, Stephanie finally got to step onto Laz’s property and experience the event firsthand. She completed 51 yards before a nerve issue in her lower back ended her race, despite wanting desperately to keep going.

In this conversation, we reflect on what made the Team USA experience so special, from the incredible team dynamic and Harvey Lewis’s leadership to the challenges of sleepiness, nutrition, cold nights, and navigating the technical course. Stephanie shares what it felt like to run toward a shared goal rather than an individual finish, and how the team’s commitment to making sure nobody struggled alone changed her perspective on the sport.

We also talk about the tension between gratitude and disappointment, staying present in each yard instead of constantly chasing the next one, and the lessons Stephanie is carrying into her next chapter as an ultrarunner.

Stephanie is also the author of The Power of Enoughness, a memoir exploring how to break free from performance-based identity and stop feeling like we have to achieve in order to have value. It's a message that connects beautifully with the lessons of this race.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Stephanie's journey from first alternate to earning her Team USA invitation
• The experience of arriving at Big's for the first time after watching the livestream the year before
• What it was like to run as part of a team working toward a shared goal
• Harvey Lewis's leadership, gentle guidance, and fighter jet formation
• Navigating the technical trails, cold nights, sleepiness, and nutrition challenges
• Stephanie's go-to backyard ultra foods, including rice cakes, peanut butter, bananas, and Cool Whip!
• Staying present in the current yard instead of constantly chasing the next one
• The nerve pain that ultimately ended her race at 51 yards
• Holding gratitude and disappointment at the same time
• Lessons from The Power of Enoughness and breaking free from performance-based identity
• Learning to slow down, prioritize recovery, and be more intentional with racing

Connect with Stephanie:

• Instagram: @stephsrunspiration
• Facebook: Stephanie Rosebaugh
• Book: The Power of Enoughness

Keep following the After the Last Yard series for more conversations with Team USA athletes as we reflect on the performances, people, and lessons from the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Nick Petterson is back on The One More Hour Podcast after an incredible 84-yard performance at the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships, helping Team USA secure the team victory!

Since we last spoke after Summit in 2025, Nick has been on a mission to earn his place at Big’s Backyard Ultra. He secured his ticket at Ode to Laz, ran the Berlin Marathon in 2:32, and arrived at Big’s ready to see how far he could go.

In this episode, we get into the behind-the-scenes details of his Team Champs experience, from navigating course changes and shoe choices to fighting sleep deprivation, managing knee pain, and making it through the fourth day.

We also talk about the teamwork that made this race so special, the role of crew, and the lessons Nick is taking into his next backyard.

In this episode:

• The journey from Summit to earning a spot at Big’s
• What it was like arriving at Laz’s house for the first time
• Balancing Berlin Marathon training with backyard-specific preparation
• Navigating the switch from trail loops to road loops
• Why carbon-plated marathon shoes were a mistake
• Sleep strategies, missed whistles, and the realities of sleep deprivation
• The importance of teamwork, leadership, and the “Ron Express”
• How helping other runners can help you keep going, too
• Fueling on the course versus taking care of everything at camp
• Why your crew members need to work well together
• The mental and physical challenges that eventually ended Nick’s race
• Being proud of 84 yards while still wishing you had gone farther
• Nick’s future goals in backyard ultras and the marathon

Connect with Nick:
Instagram: @nickp_runs
Strava: Nick Petterson

🎧 Follow the After the Last Yard series with The One More Hour Podcast for more conversations with Team USA athletes as we unpack the stories, lessons, and moments that happened beyond the live stream.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Jeff Walker returns to The One More Hour Podcast for After the Last Yard, a special series featuring Team USA athletes reflecting on their experiences at the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

After winning Queeny earlier in the year to secure his spot on Team USA, Jeff arrived at Big’s Backyard Ultra ready to test himself against some of the best backyard ultra runners in the country. He completed 75 yards, more than 312 miles, before severe breathing issues forced him to stop. After the race, Jeff learned he had developed pneumonia.

Despite the difficult ending, Jeff left Big’s with a new perspective on what he’s capable of and the belief that 100 yards is within reach.

In this conversation, Jeff shares what it was like to finally step onto the legendary Big’s course, how he prepared for the biggest race of his life, and why the Team USA experience was about so much more than individual performances.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jeff’s training approach, including high mileage, hill repeats, weighted stair-stepper sessions, technical trail runs, and a longer taper
• What makes the Big’s course so technical, from boulders and shifting rocks to dry creek beds
• The early switch from the trails to the road, the impact of road camber on his feet and tendons, and adapting to changing course conditions
• Why Jeff adjusted his pacing plan to run with other athletes instead of sticking rigidly to his own splits
• Team USA’s goal of reaching 60 yards together and how the team found another way to succeed
• Supporting teammates through sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and difficult moments on the course
• The moments that captured the spirit of Team USA, including the group’s “USA, USA” lap and runners looking out for one another
• Experimenting with caffeine, sleep strategies, massage, and recovery between loops
• Why Jeff believes strength training and durability can make a difference in backyard ultra performance
• How completing 75 yards changed Jeff’s perception of his potential and why he now believes he can reach 100

One of Jeff’s biggest takeaways was how quickly the hours passed. By staying present, connecting with teammates, and focusing on the experience rather than constantly tracking his yard count, he found himself immersed in the race in a way he hadn’t experienced before.

We also talk about a bigger shift in how Jeff approaches backyard ultras: moving beyond simply trying to win and toward discovering how far he can push himself. That mindset, and the willingness to work together with other runners, could be the key to chasing much bigger totals.

Connect with Jeff:

• Instagram: @jcpwalker
• Strava: Jeff Walker

🎙️ After the Last Yard continues with more conversations with Team USA and the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Levi Yoder returns to Big’s for a fourth time, and once again, he went farther than he had before. He completed 86 yards, more than 358 miles, helping Team USA put together another incredible team performance.

But when Levi looks back on this year’s race, the distance isn't what stands out most. It's the friendships, the shared struggles, and the experience of discovering just how powerful it can be to run for something bigger than yourself.

From helping teammates fight through sleep deprivation to being carried through his final loop by John and Greg, Levi shares why this race reminded him what he loves about backyard ultras, and why the bonds formed out on the course meant more than the miles.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Levi’s fourth World Team Championships and his 86-yard performance
• Why his training looked different this year and how he went farther despite doing less
• Managing early muscle tightness, chilly nights, and hot afternoon temperatures
• Getting more sleep than most runners during the first night
• The mental low points that came with running for days and how the team helped him push through
• Sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and the unforgettable moment Levi accidentally asked Jon Noll to “tuck him in”
• Running alongside teammates like Mark and Nick to help everyone make it back in time
• How John and Greg helped Levi through his final yard by giving him one simple job: follow Jon’s shoes
• Why Levi let his crew take charge of his food choices and how it helped him avoid stomach issues
• His experience with caffeine, mental fog, and the questions he’s taking into future races
• Why the friendships and shared experiences mattered more than his final yard count
• How the rising at-large qualifying standard could shape future World Championship teams
• What Levi hopes to carry into future backyard ultras: helping others, building friendships, and giving back to the sport

Levi also reflects on the special bond among Team USA athletes, from reconnecting with returning teammates to building new friendships with runners he had only recently met. His biggest takeaway is a reminder of what makes backyard ultras so unique: you might be racing as an individual, but you don't have to face the hard hours alone.

Connect with Levi:

• Instagram: @way_co_ultra_runner
• Facebook: Levi Yoder
• Strava: Levi Yoder

🎙️ After the Last Yard continues with more stories from Team USA and the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Megan Smyth joins Jaci Wilson on The One More Hour Podcast for another episode of After the Last Yard, a special series featuring Team USA athletes reflecting on the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

After earning her place on Team USA with a massive 77-yard performance at Banana Slug, Megan headed to Big’s Backyard Ultra ready to see how far she could go. She completed 82 yards, set a new personal best, and became the last woman standing at the World Team Championships, all while helping Team USA secure the team victory.

But for Megan, the experience was about much more than the numbers.

In this conversation, Megan shares what it was like to compete at the legendary Big’s Backyard Ultra, how the team’s willingness to support one another changed the race, and why she believes teamwork helped so many athletes push beyond their previous limits.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Going from a big PR at Summit to a 77-yard performance at Banana Slug and earning a spot on Team USA
• What surprised Megan about the Big’s course, from the technical trails and climbing to the heat and extra fueling demands
• The decision to transition to the road loops earlier and how the team adapted together
• Why teamwork was one of the biggest keys to Team USA’s success, including the legendary “Ron Express” and a full-team lap
• Sleep deprivation, accidental naps, audiobook tricks, and singing to stay awake
• Nutrition strategies that worked, from smoothies and caffeine pills to Megan’s unconventional ham, cheese, and pickle roll-ups
• Why there’s no single perfect strategy for pacing, fueling, or getting sleep in a backyard ultra
• Becoming the last woman standing at 82 yards and why Megan was still disappointed when an ankle tendon injury forced her to stop
• The lessons Megan is taking into future backyard ultras and her upcoming 24-hour race
• What made the Team USA experience so special, and why the team championship meant even more to her than her individual achievement

Megan’s biggest takeaway? You don't have to do it all alone. Whether you're struggling through a night loop or having a great stretch, being willing to ask for help, and offer it to someone else, can make a difference.

Connect with Megan:
Instagram: @runningnutmeg84

🎙️ After the Last Yard continues with more stories from Team USA and the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Ron Wireman has been to Big’s Backyard Ultra for both the team and individual championships, but the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships gave him a new perspective on what it means to race for something bigger than yourself.

After battling years of injuries, Ron entered the race as an alternate and worked his way back into shape with a focused training approach. He ultimately completed 42 yards at Big’s, and while the result wasn't what he hoped for, the experience left him more motivated than ever to return.

In this episode of After the Last Yard, Ron takes us behind the scenes of Team USA’s championship experience, sharing the team’s strategy, the controversial course decisions, the challenges of racing through difficult conditions, and the moments that showed just how much athletes can accomplish when they work together.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Coming back from injury: Ron’s history with Achilles tendinitis, hamstring and knee issues, and how he approached training in the months leading up to Big’s.
• The difference between racing for yourself and racing for a team: How Team USA approached the World Championships with a shared strategy and a commitment to helping one another keep going.
• The course controversy: Why Team USA voted to change its course, the decision to run the road loop during daylight, and the practical considerations behind those choices.
• Teamwork over individual performance: Why Ron believes Harvey sacrificed his own race to help teammates and give Team USA the best chance to win.
• Nutrition, setbacks, and lessons learned: What Ron took away from his 42-yard performance and the things he wants to improve before his next backyard ultra.
• Knowing when to push and when to protect your body: How years of injuries have changed Ron’s perspective on the risks of racing through pain.
• What comes next: Why Ron is eager to return to the backyard format, his upcoming goals, and the possibility of racing at Last Soul Ultra.

Ron’s story is a reminder that a race result doesn't tell the whole story. Sometimes the biggest takeaway isn't the number of yards you complete, but what you learn, how you show up for your teammates, and how much more you want to do when it's over.

Follow Ron Wireman:
Instagram: @wired_ron
Follow Big Miles, Ron’s cat, on Instagram: @LazCatStanding

The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, continues with more Team USA athlete post-race interviews!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Welcome to the post-race edition of The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, a special series for the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships, where I sit down with members of Team USA to talk about their experience, the highs, the lows, the lessons learned, and what comes next.

Nick Steel ran 94 yards (391+ miles) at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, helping Team USA secure the team victory. But his experience at Big's was about much more than the distance.

In this post-race conversation, Nick shares the behind-the-scenes stories we didn't get to see on the livestream, from howling at coyotes and playing Minecraft during the early yards to the sleep deprivation, struggles, and teamwork that defined the race.

We talk about:

• The power of teamwork: Helping Greg through a difficult yard, lending Scott a knee band, and how John and Levi helped Nick when sleep deprivation nearly took him out.
• The moment that changed everything: Nick was ready to quit during yard 94, but hearing Ava encourage him helped him get back up and finish the yard.
• Sleep and recovery: How a few minutes of sleep completely changed his mental state and what he'll do differently in future backyard ultras.
• The course and race rules: Nick's thoughts on the technical trail loop, the road loop, and the confusion surrounding communication, crew, and social media rules.
• The lessons from Team Champs: How running 94 yards changed his perspective on what he's capable of and why helping others can be just as important as your own performance.
• What's next: Nick's goal of completing 301 100-mile races in 2026, his plans for 2027, and his hope to return to the world championships.

Nick also reflects on finding joy in running, the importance of living in the moment instead of constantly comparing yourself to your past performances, and why he believes every runner is capable of more than they think.

🎙️ Follow Nick Steel:
Instagram: @nicksteelruns
YouTube: @NicholasSteelEndurance
Facebook
Strava

The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, continues with more Team USA athlete post-race interviews!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

What can the world's best backyard ultra runners teach you about your next race?

The 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships featured (it's still going at the time of this recording!!!) athletes pushing beyond 100 hours, running through multiple nights, and discovering just how far they could go. But you don't have to run 100 yards to learn from the best.

This episode breaks down 10 lessons from the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships that you can apply to your own backyard ultra, whether you're chasing your first 24 hours, trying to break through a plateau, wanting to run 70 yards, or looking to push your personal best even further.

You'll learn why you should:

• Get off your feet early and make recovery a habit from the very first lap.
• Close your eyes, even if you can't sleep, to give your brain a break from constant stimulation.
• Have a variety of fueling options to combat palate fatigue and keep eating when your favorite foods stop sounding appealing.
• Prepare your crew to reduce your mental load, solve problems, and help you execute your race plan.
• Run boring, repeatable laps instead of wasting energy trying to bank time early.
• Protect your buffer and manage your time between laps so the clock doesn't end your race.
• Expect to suffer and learn how to navigate the low moments without assuming your race is over.
• Plan beyond yard 24 instead of allowing the 24-hour mark to become an automatic stopping point.
• Give and accept help because you don't have to navigate every low alone.
• Recognize that your personal best isn't your ceiling. Your past performance is information, not a limit on what's possible next.

The biggest takeaway? You don't need to be a world-class athlete to apply world-class principles. Small decisions around pacing, fueling, recovery, crew support, and mindset can make a meaningful difference in how far you go.

Ready to build your backyard ultra strategy?

Join Jaci's free workshop (recording available), You Know How to Run, But Do You Know How to Backyard? Learn how to approach pacing, fueling, mindset, crew, race-day logistics, and execution so you can prepare to go farther than ever before.

Keep learning. Keep experimenting. And remember: you don't have to figure out the entire race right now. You just have to figure out the next hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

The World Backyard Ultra Team Championships kick off October 17, and Team USA is heading to Big’s Backyard in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, to take on the best backyard ultra runners in the world around the world.

In this episode, Jaci breaks down five key factors she’ll be watching as the race unfolds, from pacing restraint and fueling decisions to sleep strategies, team dynamics, and the importance of depth over individual performances. With every yard contributing to the team’s overall result, the question isn’t just who can go the farthest, but how many athletes can keep going when the race gets hard.

Can Team USA put multiple runners over 100 yards? Who will adapt when their plans fall apart? And how will teammates balance individual race strategies with the shared goal of helping the team go as far as possible?

Jaci also explores why the strongest-looking runners early aren’t necessarily the ones who last, why patience is a competitive advantage, and what we can learn by watching the best backyard ultra athletes in the world tackle new challenges.

Whether you're a backyard ultra runner, a fan of the sport, or following Team USA on the road to the World Championships, this episode will help you watch the race with a deeper understanding of the strategy, decision-making, and mental resilience that make backyard ultras so fascinating.

🎧 Catch up on The Road to Big’s, the special series featuring pre-race interviews with members of Team USA.

📺 Follow the Backyard Ultra World Championships live on YouTube starting October 17, and watch the lessons unfold one yard at a time.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jennifer Russo is heading back to Big’s for her sixth consecutive year. With more than a dozen backyard ultras under her belt, a resume packed with 100- and 200-mile races, and a 2023 performance that made her the first woman to run 300 miles in the backyard format, Jennifer has been a major part of the growth of women’s participation in the sport.

In this episode, Jennifer and Jaci talk about:

• What keeps bringing her back to Big’s year after year
• The unique dynamic of a Team USA year and this year’s mix of veterans and newcomers
• Why she’s especially excited to see three women on Team USA
• The challenges of the Big’s course, especially the cold nights and the third day
• Her strategy for conserving energy and hanging farther back this year
• Why she tries not to know what yard she’s on
• What she’s learned from 100- and 200-mile races and what the backyard has taught her in return
• Her experience becoming the first woman to reach 300 miles in a backyard ultra
• The importance of not comparing your race to what everyone else is doing
• What she hopes to learn about herself at this year’s Team Championships
• The grit she believes she brings to Team USA
• Why she wants to run with gratitude and give everything she has

Jennifer also shares her prediction for Team USA and why she thinks it’s time for a woman to break 100 yards.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jon Noll is heading back to Big’s for his sixth consecutive year, after setting the all-American record last year with 111 hours and 462.5 miles.

In this episode, Jon and Jaci talk about:

• Why Big’s has been his primary racing focus for the past five years
• Why he prefers the team years and the camaraderie they create
• What makes this Team USA squad so exciting
• How his training and approach have evolved over the years
• His biggest change in sleep strategy: stop stressing about sleep and rest whenever you can
• Running through the night with Harvey Lewis and the power of having someone beside you
• What went wrong during night five last year and how that experience is shaping this year’s plan
• His “one hour at a time” approach to an event that could last 100+ hours
• Ham and cheese sandwiches, oatmeal, caffeine, and fueling late in the race
• Why knowing the Big’s course so well can be an advantage
• The role he hopes to play in helping his teammates through the day loops
• His prediction for Team USA and why he thinks three or four Americans could reach 100 hours
• And the one thing that matters most to Jon: pushing all the way to his limit

Follow Jon:
Strava
Instagram @jonnoll
Facebook

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

What actually happens in your brain when you're 20, 40, or 60 hours into a backyard ultra and suddenly everything feels harder than it should?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Strong, aka The Trail Therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, certified ultrarunning coach, and ultrarunner who specializes in the mental side of performance.

We talk about what happens when your brain starts telling you, "I can't do this anymore," and how to respond without automatically believing every thought that shows up.

Sarah breaks down mindfulness, anxiety, fear, negative thoughts, nighttime hypervigilance, and the tendency to start negotiating with yourself deep into an ultra. We also talk about why trying to argue logically with yourself often doesn't work when you're highly activated and what you can do instead.

You'll hear practical strategies for:

• Staying present instead of thinking 12 hours ahead
• Recognizing when your brain is spiraling
• Shifting your attention out of your head and into your body or environment
• Handling the heightened anxiety and fear that can come with running at night
• Preparing for the "defense attorney" in your brain that starts building a case for why you should quit
• Using visualization and mantras to make mental skills more automatic
• Helping your crew support you without trying to "fix" your thoughts
• Creating a plan for the predictable mental challenges you're likely to face
• Processing a DNF without turning one race into a judgment about who you are as a runner

Sarah also shares specific tools runners can practice in training, including body scans, mindful check-ins, chunking, environmental awareness, counting, breathing, visualization, and her "SNACK" approach to getting out of a spiral.

One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation: the goal isn't to get rid of difficult thoughts or feelings. It's to notice them, create some space from them, regulate your body, and then decide what to do next.

Because your brain is going to be there for every mile your legs are there for. It deserves some training, too.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Scott Snell is no stranger to Big’s. He has competed at the event multiple times, including on Team USA, and this year he’s heading back with a mindset shaped by those past experiences and a renewed appreciation for what makes the team format so special.

Scott and Jaci talk about:

• What keeps bringing him back to Big’s year after year
• Why he actually prefers the team years to the individual World Championships
• How his mindset changed between the 2022 and 2024 team events
• The power of having teammates beside you when the race gets hard
• The difference between racing for your own performance and running every yard as a point for Team USA
• How he balances high hopes and big goals with realistic expectations
• A memorable sleep-deprived moment from the 2024 race involving Scott, Cody, and some very enthusiastic “USA!” chants
• And the mindset Scott hopes to carry through four days and four nights: focus on the process, not the ending

Scott also shares his prediction for Team USA, and it's a big one. 👀

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Follow Scott on Instagram: @beastcoasttrailrunning

Use code SCOTT10 for 10% off at Mount Coast.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Welcome to The Road to Big's, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

In this episode, Jaci sits down with Scott Martin, an ultrarunner with more than 120 races on UltraSignup and a recent 78-yard backyard PR at Banana Slug, where he covered 325 miles.

Scott earned a spot on Team USA two years ago but was unable to compete because of injury. Now he's back and heading to Big's with a much bigger question in mind: How far can he go?

Scott and Jaci talk about:

• What it means to finally get his shot at Big's after missing out two years ago
• Representing Team USA and the unique dynamic of competing as part of a team
• What he learned from his 78-yard performance at Banana Slug
• Why he believes the key to a backyard is simply starting the next loop
• The mental challenge of watching other runners and assuming they're doing better than you
• His goal of experiencing a fourth night of backyard running
• Why the difficult parts of the race can actually become easier the longer he goes
• And what it would mean to Scott to truly find his limit, even if he isn't the last runner standing

Scott also shares the fascinating story behind how his diagnosis with ankylosing spondylitis changed his relationship with running and ultimately helped shape the consistent, high-volume runner he is today.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big's course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Follow Scott:
Instagram @cavemanrunmts
Strava
Facebook

Scott's sponsers:
Evolution Healthcare & Fitness
Speedland
Squirrel's Nut Butter
Work Epic

Follow The One More Hour Podcast for more The Road to Big's interviews with Team USA leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

🎉 The One More Hour Podcast is ONE!

One year ago, I hit publish on an idea I'd been sitting on for more than a year. I was scared, overthinking the technical details, trying to figure everything out before I started, and ultimately learning that sometimes you just have to stop waiting until you're ready and take the next step.

In this one-year anniversary episode, I'm looking back at Year One of The One More Hour Podcast: 54 episodes, 26 guests, and a whole lot of conversations about backyard ultras, ultrarunning, and the mindset of going one more.

I'll highlight some of the most popular episodes and biggest topics we've covered, including nutrition, pacing, camp setup, crewing, foot care, goal setting, race strategy, mindset, and backyard simulations.

Then we'll look ahead to Year Two, including exclusive pre- and post-race interviews with Team USA around the Backyard Ultra World Championships, conversations with sleep experts, physical therapists, sports psychology experts, and runners from around the world.

Plus, I'm sharing details about the upcoming Backyard Battle Plan webinar and a one-year anniversary giveaway: a FREE 45-minute backyard ultra coaching consultation. 🎁Put your name in the hat for the giveaway here.

Rules to win:

• Follow @theonemorehourpodcast on Instagram.
• Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
• Fill out the giveaway submission here.

Thank you for listening, sharing, sending questions, coming up to me at races, and being part of this first year. Here's to another year of great guests, learning, stats, backyard ultra conversations, and going one more.

I'll see you in the next hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

What if the hard part of your run isn't actually the problem?

This episode of The One More Hour Podcast talks about one of the strangest contradictions in endurance sports: we spend months preparing ourselves for discomfort, and then act surprised when discomfort actually shows up.

“This is supposed to be hard” doesn't mean you should ignore pain, injury, or warning signs. It means that difficult, uncomfortable, exhausting moments are a normal part of asking your body and mind to do something challenging. Hard doesn't automatically mean bad. Tired doesn't automatically mean unprepared. And struggling doesn't automatically mean you need to quit.

Jaci breaks down the difference between a physical sensation and the story your brain creates around that sensation, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). When you're exhausted, “my legs are heavy” can quickly become “I'm cooked,” “my race is over,” or “I can't do this.” Learning to notice those thoughts without automatically obeying them can change the way you respond to difficult moments.

You'll also hear why Jaci intentionally wants athletes to experience imperfect training, how to practice problem-solving before race day, why preparation doesn't eliminate uncertainty, and how to tell the difference between “I don't want to feel this anymore” and “I cannot continue.”

Whether you're struggling through a long run, questioning your training, or sitting at 2 a.m. in the middle of a backyard ultra wondering why you ever signed up for this, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to make the discomfort disappear.

You just have to decide what comes next.

One step. One mile. One yard. One decision.

This is hard, and I'm still here.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

You can have the mileage, the strength, the aerobic base, and the ultra experience, and still have a terrible backyard ultra if you pace it poorly.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we’re talking all about backyard ultra pacing and why fitness alone isn’t enough. The goal of a backyard isn't to see how fast you can run 4.167 miles. It's to find an effort you can repeat over and over again for an unknown amount of time.

We’ll talk about:

• Why the first few yards can be the most dangerous because they feel so easy
• Why pace and effort are not the same thing, especially on trails
• How walking can help you conserve energy and go further
• Why trying to bank extra time at camp can actually cost you later
• How to think about your time at camp without treating a specific number as a rule
• Why going from 10 minutes back at camp to 8 minutes doesn't automatically mean you're failing
• The small pacing decisions that quietly add up: urging, hammering hills, bombing downhills, chasing other runners, and running faster because you're bored
• How to use heart rate as information without letting your watch dictate your race
• Why your pacing strategy needs to account for the course, weather, terrain, fitness, crew, fueling, and your individual needs
• How crew can remove friction and allow you to spend less energy on the course
• Why faster runners can actually make some of the biggest pacing mistakes
• How to practice your pacing through backyard simulations and course-specific training
• What to do when your loop times start getting slower
• Why seven minutes back at camp is data, not a prediction
• How to adjust your strategy without panicking when the race doesn't feel the way you expected

Most importantly, we'll talk about the difference between having the fitness to go far and actually knowing how to use that fitness.

Your training plan can build the capacity. Pacing determines how much of that capacity you actually get to use.

Don't pace for the yard you're running. Pace for the race you're trying to finish.

One yard at a time. One hour at a time. One decision at a time.

If you want help developing an individualized backyard ultra strategy, pacing plan, or race-day approach, reach out to Jaci about The Backyard Ultra Battle Plan or one-on-one coaching.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Your expectations are not reality.

Have you ever trained for a race, prepared for every possible detail, and then found yourself struggling because race day didn't feel anything like you expected?

This episode of The One More Hour Podcast explores the gap between expectations and reality, and why that gap can derail runners faster than physical discomfort itself.

From 50Ks to backyard ultras, we spend months preparing our bodies, practicing nutrition, planning pacing, and imagining how race day will unfold. But expectations are predictions, not promises. When reality doesn't match the picture in our heads, disappointment can quickly turn into doubt, panic, or the decision to quit.

This episode breaks down how to recognize when you're arguing with reality instead of responding to it, how to separate disappointment from danger, and why problem-solving is one of the most valuable skills an endurance athlete can develop.

You'll learn why managing expectations doesn't mean lowering your goals, how to build flexibility into your race strategy, and how to shift from emotionally driven questions to useful ones that keep you moving forward.

The race you imagined before the starting line was a prediction. The race you're experiencing now is information.

Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is stop trying to make reality match your expectations and start working with what's actually in front of you.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Your brain doesn't usually tell you to quit. It tells you to be reasonable.

After hours of running, fatigue, discomfort, uncertainty, and doubt can cause your mind to start building a convincing case for why stopping is the logical thing to do. You've already exceeded your goal. You have work Monday. You're worried about getting injured. You can always come back next year.

Suddenly, quitting doesn't feel like quitting anymore. It feels like the smart decision.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we takes a deeper look at the backyard ultra exit narrative. Aka the moment your brain starts looking for an out, and the psychology behind why these thoughts can become so believable during an ultra.

You'll learn:

• Why your brain starts searching for relief when faced with prolonged discomfort and uncertainty
• The difference between having a thought and treating that thought like a fact
• How cognitive fusion can cause runners to become hooked by thoughts like "I can't do this" or "I need to quit"
• Practical cognitive defusion techniques, including "I'm having the thought that..." and "Thanks, brain"
• How to recognize and name your recurring exit narratives before they take over
• Stories from her first backyard ultra and how she unknowingly built a logical case for her own exit
• The coyote story from her second backyard and what it taught her about the brain's ability to create an out
• The identity trap: when success becomes permission to stop
• How to establish predetermined stopping criteria so you aren't making important decisions in your most fatigued state
• Why your crew can either help you stay grounded or accidentally add evidence to the lawyer's case
• How to practice cognitive defusion and psychological flexibility in everyday life and during training

The goal isn't to eliminate negative thoughts, fear, doubt, or discomfort. Those things are part of being human and part of ultra running.

The goal is to create enough space between you and your thoughts that you can choose your response instead of automatically obeying the story your brain is telling you.

Because your thoughts aren't commands.

They're thoughts.

And sometimes, all you need to do is recognize the Lawyer, say "Thanks, brain," and decide what to do next.

One more yard. One more hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

What does it take to keep going when the race stops being about miles and becomes a battle between your mind and your body?

Levi Yoder knows a thing or two about that.

Levi went from starting his running journey in 2019 to completing his first 100-miler in 2022 and then winning his first backyard ultra and earning a spot at Big’s Backyard Ultra. Since then, he has competed at Big’s three times, including the 2022 World Team Championship, the 2023 Individual Championship, and the 2024 World Team Championship, where he reached an incredible 75 yards and more than 312 miles.

In this episode, Levi takes us inside those three world stage experiences and shares how his approach has evolved, from being completely underprepared for his first backyard to learning how to pace himself, manage the mental highs and lows, fuel, sleep, communicate with his crew, and conserve energy for the long haul.

We talk about:

• How Levi went from a new runner to a 300+ mile backyard ultra athlete
• The biggest lessons he learned from his first backyard
• How his experiences at Big’s Backyard Ultra changed from 2022 to 2024
• Why confidence can sometimes become a liability in a backyard
• Learning to expect the low points and knowing they will pass
• His strategy for caffeine, naps, and sleep during multi-day races
• Why remaining emotionally neutral can be such a powerful skill
• How he uses discomfort in everyday life to prepare mentally for the backyard
• The importance of having a crew who knows you and can make decisions when you're exhausted
• Why his wife and crew are such an important part of his success
• His 2024 Big’s experience and what ultimately took him out at 75 yards
• How he balances pushing his limits with knowing when it's time to stop
• Why he believes there may always be another level to reach

And perhaps most importantly, Levi shares what he believes now that he didn't believe when he started running backyards:

You might be capable of far more than you think you are.

Whether you're training for your first backyard ultra or wondering what it takes to go 100, 200, or 300+ miles, there are plenty of lessons in this conversation you can take into your next race.

Find Levi on Instagram at @way_co_ultra_runner and on Facebook and Strava as Levi Yoder.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website