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Some people run ultramarathons to run towards something. Others… start ultra running to run away from something. Josh started picking up more miles while visiting his terminally ill brother. And if that wasn’t enough, he was also preparing for the heartbreaking end of his first marriage. Luckily, running was there to help Josh through this painful period of life. Tune in today to hear how Josh built up his mileage during these tough times and eventually ran his first 50k ultramarathon. And if you stick around to the end, you can also hear about how Josh’s 70-year-old parents got into ultrarunning and the story of Josh’s first 100-mile ultramarathon!

Other topics include road running vs trail running, difference in vibes between road and trail running, “Born to Run” book, running in the heat, overcoming negative thoughts during ultramarathons, the importance of family/friends at race events, how it feels to cross the finish line, enjoying the journey, and more.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:38 Getting into Running and Training Routine

10:09 Transitioning from Road Marathons to Trail Running

14:56 Discovering Ultra Running and Signing Up for Races

17:51 Gear and Preparation for Trail Running

21:45 Exploring Ultra Running and Signing Up for the First 50K

26:12 Dealing with Extreme Heat and Self-Doubt During Training and Races

33:58 The Fear of Disappointing Others as Motivation to Keep Going

39:05 The Life-Changing Experience of Crossing the Finish Line

44:33 The Power of Family Support

46:57 Finding Joy in the Ultra Running Journey

51:20 The Importance of Community

58:33 Appreciating and Celebrating Accomplishments

01:10:54 Outro