What happens when curiosity leads the way?

Mary Namestnik shares her journey from road racing to ultras, falling in love with the backyard ultra format, and most recently running 260+ miles at Across the Years, her first six-day timed event. Together, they unpack the mental and physical lessons that come from races without a fixed finish line, where patience, systems, and self-awareness matter more than pace or ego.

This conversation dives deep into mindset management, pain vs. injury decision-making, pacing mistakes, night loop strategies, crewing dynamics, and why women may actually be uniquely suited for the backyard format, yet underrepresented in it.

Whether you’re backyard-curious, training for a timed event, or simply interested in learning how runners push past perceived limits, this episode offers powerful insights into endurance, belief, and staying present one yard at a time.

Follow Mary on Instagram @maryrunsultras.

Mary's website

Bob's Big Tom's Backyard Ultra

The Bullshit Backyard Ultra

What We Cover in This Episode

• Mary’s path from marathon running to ultras and backyard events
• What running 260+ miles at Across the Years taught her about patience and recovery
• Why going too fast early is one of the biggest mistakes in both backyards and timed events
• How backyard ultras build skills that transfer to longer fixed-distance races
• The importance of systems over motivation in long endurance events
• Managing pain vs. identifying true injury red flags
• Why “keeping your feet moving” is often the most powerful strategy
• Night loop strategies, rest, and “pretending to sleep”
• The role of crew and how the right kind of push matters
• Overpacking vs. preparedness in backyard setups
• Why looser goals can lead to better outcomes
• The misunderstood nature of the backyard ultra format
• Why women are underrepresented in backyard ultras and why they may actually excel
• Reframing the DNF narrative and redefining success in last-person-standing races

Key Takeaways

• Curiosity can take you farther than rigid goals
• Decision fatigue ends races; systems extend them
• Pain is something to manage; injury is something to respect
• The hardest part is starting the next yard
• Backyard ultras aren’t about suffering early, they’re about patience
• Women belong in the backyard, and the format has the potential to unlock confidence in powerful ways

👉 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

Packing for a backyard ultra can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first one. In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I break down what gear actually matters, what runners tend to overthink, and how being organized and practiced can make or break your race.

Backyard ultras reward preparation, not perfection. You don’t need everything. You need the right things, practiced systems, and the ability to move efficiently between loops as fatigue sets in.

Whether you’re running self-supported or with a crew, this episode will help you simplify your setup, reduce decision fatigue, and focus your energy where it matters most: staying in the game.

What we cover in this episode:

• Gear to consider bringing
• What not to overthink
• How to think about organization
• Practicing everything in training
• Reducing decision fatigue

You don’t win a backyard ultra by having the most gear. You go farther by knowing what to bring, where it is, and how to use it without thinking. Preparation isn’t about control. It’s about conserving energy for the work that matters.

Related Episodes

• Episode 6: Mastering Footcare in Ultras with Trail Medic Natasha Swartley (aka Thor)
• Episode 8: Pacing for Backyard Ultras
• Episode 9: Crew vs. Self-Supported
• Episode 18: Preventing Foot Issues in Multi-Day Ultras with Dr. Tonya Olson

👉 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

In this episode of the One More Hour podcast, we welcome Dr. Tonya Olson, a board-certified doctor of physical therapy and co-author of the seventh edition of "Fixing Your Feet." The conversation centers around the critical importance of foot care for runners, especially those participating in endurance events like marathons and ultra marathons.

Dr. Tonya emphasizes that foot issues are often one of two leading cause of dropouts in ultramarathons (the other is GI problems), and she shares practical advice on how to prevent common problems such as blisters, hot spots, and toenail issues. She advocates for a proactive approach to foot care, encouraging runners to incorporate foot health into their training plans and to be mindful of their foot mechanics and shoe choices.

Dr. Tonya also discusses her extensive experience in foot care at events like Western States 100 (going on 17 years the Michigan Bluff Aid Station at mile 55) and highlights the need for runners to develop a foot care kit and routine. She stresses the importance of understanding the body's signals and being curious about one's own foot health. The episode is packed with insights on how to maintain foot health for longevity in running, making it a must-listen for anyone serious about their running journey.

Things every runner should have for foot care:
• Needle
• 72% alcohol hand sanitizer
• Liquid resin: Skin-Tac or Mastisol
• Pre-cut tape
• Alcohol swab
• Scissors

Dr. Tonya's links:
Website
Book
Instagram @tonyakolsondpt
YouTube (dozens of videos on taping your feet and on footcare products)
Heel raise protocol
Foot strengthening video

Takeaways
• Prevent maceration
• You don't have the luxury of not liking feet.
• Every runner should know how to tape toes and feet.
• Foot care is largely completely preventable.
• Calluses are information; they're telling you that you have a concentrated area of friction.
• Never in the history of a blister has one ever gotten better by ignoring it.
• Be curious about your foot health and why issues are occurring.
• You should have a foot care kit with the basics: resin, hand sanitizer, pre-cut tape and a needle.
• The best way to test your ankle mobility is the knee to wall test.
• Runners need to communicsate symptoms clearly to their crew.
• Understanding the mechanics of why things are getting injured is crucial.

👉 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

If you’ve ever felt confused about bronze tickets, silver tickets, gold tickets, or how runners actually qualify for Big’s Backyard Ultra, this episode breaks it all down in a clear, no-fluff way.

In this short episode, we walk through how the backyard ultra qualification system works, what each “ticket” really means, and how runners progress from local backyard races all the way to the World Championships at Big Dog’s Backyard in Tennessee.

This episode is designed to help you understand the system without assuming you’re already chasing Big’s, whether you’re brand new to the backyard format or just curious about how the pathway works.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What a Bronze Ticket is and how you earn one
• What a Silver Ticket Event is and why winning matters
• How National Backyard Ultra Teams are formed
• The role of At-Large qualifying and why big performances still matter
• What people mean by the “Gold Ticket” and the World Team Championships
• How runners ultimately qualify for Big’s Backyard Ultra
• Why most runners don’t need to worry about Big’s yet and why that’s okay

Key Takeaways:

• Tickets are awarded to the Last Runner Standing, not based on mileage alone
• You don’t need to win a race to be competitive through the At-Large pathway
• Strong backyard performances over time are what open doors
• The backyard system rewards patience, consistency, and experience

Links:

Big's Backyard website

Silver Ticket Events

2026 World Championship Team

The Road to Big's World Team USA Brackets

👉 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 finished 65 yards (270 miles) at Summit Backyard Ultra: The Last Dance, placing top three in a stacked silver-ticket field.

In this episode, Nick joins Jaci to talk about what it takes to keep showing up hour after hour, day after day, in the backyard ultra format. From pacing and fueling to mindset, crew dynamics, and late-race decision-making, Nick shares the lessons learned from competing deep into the field, and then how he turned around to win another backyard just weeks later.

This conversation dives into the mental battles, the resets between yards, and why backyard ultras may be one of the most accessible ways to step into ultrarunning.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Runners curious about Backyard Ultras or timed events
• Ultrarunners looking to improve mindset and late-race decision-making
• Athletes who want to understand what it takes to go beyond 100 miles
• Anyone fascinated by the mental side of endurance sports

Key Takeaways:

• Backyard ultras aren’t about speed; they’re about consistency, restraint, and resets
• Mental toughness isn’t fixed; it’s built through repeated exposure to discomfort
• The hardest decisions often happen between the loops, not during them
• Community and shared effort can push runners farther than competition alone
• You don’t need to know how far you can go, just whether you’re willing to start again

Follow Nick on Instagram @nickp_runs and Strava

👉 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

Looking to improve at your next ultramarathon OR looking to run your first ultra? A backyard ultra will help you with both!

Backyard ultras and timed events often get misunderstood. They’re seen as intimidating, extreme, not a real ultra, or a soft ultra. But in reality, these formats are some of the most accessible, supportive, and effective ways to explore ultra running, especially if you’re stepping beyond the marathon for the first time.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I break down why backyard ultras and timed events are such powerful entry points into endurance racing. We talk about how the format reduces logistical overwhelm, allows you to test gear and fueling safely, builds mental resilience through repetition and quick resets, and completely reframes what success looks like in ultra running.

Whether you’re ultra-curious, training for your first long event, or simply wondering how far you’re capable of going, this episode will help you see the backyard format in a new way.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why you don’t need a crew to run a backyard ultra, and how built-in community support changes the experience
• How frequent access to aid makes gear and fueling experimentation easier and safer
• Why simplified logistics lead to better focus, less stress, and stronger execution
• How backyard ultras help you train your mindset through small, repeatable challenges
• How timed events and backyard formats redefine success and remove the fear of “DNF”
• Who this format is best suited for and how it can build confidence for future ultra goals

Thinking about running your first backyard ultra?

If you want help building the strength, mindset, and strategy to go farther than you ever have before, this is exactly what I coach runners through.

👉 Let's chat for 15min or apply for coaching
👉 Or send me a message on Instagram and let’s talk about your goals

👉 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

Backyard ultras don’t ask if you’re tough. They ask if you’re honest.

As we close out 2025, many runners are already looking at their 2026 calendars. But before you pick a race or set a mileage goal, you need clarity. In this episode, we move beyond "marathon-style thinking" to explore the mental frameworks and uncomfortable questions that actually determine success in a race with no finish line.

We dive deep into why intensity backfires, how to manage your ego at 2:00 a.m., and the three-tier framework for defining success when the outcome is unpredictable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Why" Behind the Loop: Why your "Instagram answer" won’t save you when things get dark.
• Patience vs. Toughness: Why the most strategic runners are often the ones who look like they’re "underperforming" early on.
• The 2:00 A.M. Rule: How to handle the "unreliable narrator" of a sleep-deprived brain and avoid emotional quitting.
• Identity-Based Goals: Why setting an "X-hour" goal can actually create a ceiling for your performance.
• Life Capacity: Assessing if your current season of life supports the mental and emotional load of backyard training.
• Falling in Love with the Boring: Why mastering the "unsexy" skills—walking, strength training, and repetition—is the ultimate key to durability.

Takeaways

• Most runners fail at backyard ultras due to unclear goals.
• Backyard ultras require a different approach to goal setting.
• Success in backyard ultras is not defined by distance or time.
• Patience is more important than toughness in this format.
• Defining success without a finish line is crucial.
• Decision-making under fatigue is a key skill for endurance runners.
• Life season and emotional readiness impact training effectiveness.
• Consistency in training is more important than race day excitement.
• Understanding your motivations can enhance your performance.
• Embracing the process is essential for long-term success.

Featured Resources

[FREE] 2026 Goal Clarity Worksheet: Before you commit to a backyard ultra, go through these questions and see where your readiness level is at. It doesn't need to be perfect to run a backyard. Just be honest with yourself so you know what areas need work.

[FREE] Goal Clarity Workbook: Don’t just listen, do the work. Use the workbook or the ChatGPT prompts to get clarity on your goals in 2026. Download the exact questions from this episode (and a few more) to help you map out a sustainable and clear 2026.

👉 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 make a big jump in backyard ultras?

Stephanie Rosebaugh, licensed marriage and family therapist, ultra runner, and author, joins me to discuss the mindset that was required in her huge jump in performance at The Last Dance Backyard Ultra, where she ran 67 yards and earned the assist, nearly doubling her previous backyard performances of 34 and 38 yards.

Stephanie shares the full arc of her journey into ultras, from a late start in running to tackling Cocodona and Bigfoot 200, and how those long, point-to-point experiences shaped her approach to the backyard format. Rather than chasing an outcome, Stephanie explains how her biggest breakthrough came from committing to loving herself every step of the way, staying present, and removing comparison from the equation.

The conversation dives deep into:

• How mindset and self-talk directly influenced her ability to run nearly three days straight
• The mental reframes that helped her move through night running, bad weather, and emotional lows
• Why fueling consistency, simple routines, and acceptance of ebbs and flows mattered more than rigid strategies
• The powerful moment that led her to step off the course voluntarily and why it felt like a win
• How curiosity, not pressure, is now driving her pursuit of a silver coin and a spot on Team USA

This episode is a masterclass in mental resilience, emotional maturity, and sustainable performance, and a reminder that in backyard ultras, the biggest breakthroughs often happen when runners stop forcing outcomes and start listening to their bodies, their minds, and the moment they’re in.

Stephanie's IG https://www.instagram.com/stephsrunspiration/

Stephanie's book The Power of Enoughness

https://books.manuscripts.com/product/the-power-of-enoughness/

Takeaways

• Patience and grit are essential in backyard ultras.
• Emotional maturity plays a key role in endurance racing.
• The journey of self-discovery is crucial for runners.
• Nutrition planning is vital for long races.
• Community support enhances the racing experience.
• Mindset shifts can transform race outcomes.
• Every race offers unique gifts and lessons.
• Flexibility is important in ultra running.
• Connection with fellow runners enriches the experience.
• Setting process goals can lead to greater satisfaction.

👉 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