"You don't need to be like Goggins to succeed."

What does it actually take to keep going when your body hurts, your mind is spiraling, and the race won’t end?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with ultrarunner Dylan Ledbetter to break down the mindset and strategy behind succeeding in the Last Man Standing format and how his strategy has changed over time.

He's ran Midstate Mile three times, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra two times, Mad Backyard Ultra, and many other timed events and fixed distance events. And he's also gearing up to run Cocodona. He has an incredible story and is a proponent of faith, fitness and sobriety, and relies on discipline to get him through each day while looking towards ultimate progress.

Dylan shares the simple but powerful approach that keeps him moving: stop thinking about the entire race and focus only on the next waypoint. Whether it’s a tree, a bridge, or the next aid station, staying present is what prevents the mental unravel that takes most runners out.

They dive into pacing discipline, how to recognize the “death spiral” before it’s too late, and why focusing on other runners can either hurt you or help you, depending on where you are mentally and physically.

The conversation also explores fueling strategies for long efforts, the importance of digestion over just hitting carb numbers, and how simplifying the process of racing can actually improve performance.

Beyond strategy, Dylan opens up about a major shift in his identity as a runner, from a prove-yourself, cutthroat mindset, to one rooted in community, gratitude, and helping others go further.

Dylan also shares the Three Chambers of Ultra Running: physical, mental and spiritual, and how you build them and move through them.

Follow Dylan on Instagram @dylan_abnormal

👉 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

At some point in every backyard ultra or timed event, you’ll hit it: 2:00 a.m.

The moment where everything suddenly feels heavier, harder, and a little bit hopeless.

In this episode, we break down the psychological shift that happens in the middle of the night and why your brain becomes a completely unreliable narrator when fatigue, darkness, and sleep deprivation collide.

Because here’s the truth: Most runners don’t quit because their body is done. They quit because they believe the story their brain is telling them at 2 a.m.

You’ll learn why these thoughts feel so real, why they’re not, and how to respond in a way that keeps you moving forward when it matters most.

If you’ve ever questioned continuing in the middle of the night, this episode is for you.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The most common “lies” your brain tells during overnight races
• Why your thoughts feel like truth (even when they’re not)
• The danger of making decisions in low moments
• How to separate feelings from facts in real time
• Simple mental strategies to stay in the race when everything feels off

👉 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

This episode takes you inside Elm Creek Backyard Ultra, not just as a race, but as an experience shaped entirely around the athletes who show up to test their limits.

Race director, Nick Oswald, shares what makes Elm Creek different from other endurance events: an intentional, athlete-first approach where every decision, from logistics to volunteers, is designed to help runners go further than they thought possible.

At its core, Elm Creek feels less like a traditional race and more like a family picnic that just happens to last for days. Crews set up camp, volunteers settle in around bonfires, and runners return to the same start/finish area every hour, creating a space where spectators, families, and athletes are all part of the same shared experience. It’s accessible, welcoming, and uniquely social, whether you’re running one loop or pushing past 100 miles.

Nick gives a behind-the-scenes look at how much care goes into creating that environment. From managing timing and tracking runners for those following from afar, to ensuring aid station flow and volunteer support, the race team is constantly focused on one thing: making sure every athlete feels supported, seen, and set up to succeed.

From his vantage point at the start/finish line, Nick has witnessed the full spectrum of the backyard experience. He’s seen first-time runners fight to complete their very first loop, and seasoned athletes battle through the night chasing distances they’ve never reached before. He’s watched crews anxiously scan the darkness for their runner’s headlamp, and seen complete strangers come together to support uncrewed athletes, offering food, gear, and encouragement as the race goes on.

As the hours pass, something shifts. What starts as an individual challenge becomes a collective effort. Runners, crews, and volunteers begin working together, pulling each other forward, especially as milestones like 50K, 100K, and 100 miles approach. Some of the most powerful moments come when runners hit their limits, only to be turned back out for “one more loop” by the people around them.

Elm Creek isn’t just about distance. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of in an environment where everyone is invested in your success.

And according to Nick, that’s the magic of the backyard format: you come for the miles but you stay for the people, the persistence, and the possibility of going further than you ever planned.

Follow Elm Creek on Facebook and Instagram.

Elm Creek 2027 registration opens up on Labor Day - it sells out within 2-3 weeks so don't sit on the decision!

👉 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

A 55-yard backyard ultra doesn’t happen by accident—and it definitely doesn’t happen alone.

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with Stormy and Samantha Hild to break down Stormy’s massive 55-yard performance at Queeny Backyard Ultra from both sides of the chair.

Stormy shares how he’s evolved from going out too fast and learning the hard way to developing a steady, repeatable approach that carried him over 200 miles. He dives into his mindset of “buying into the race,” why he believes most runners quit before their true limit, and how small decisions, like reacting to competitors, can make or break a performance late in the race.

But this conversation goes far beyond the runner.

Samantha gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually means to crew a backyard ultra, from tracking every carb and decision, to anticipating needs before they’re spoken, to managing the emotional rollercoaster of watching someone you love push to their absolute edge. She shares how crewing has shaped her as a runner, why communication (or lack of it) matters, and what most people don’t realize about the role crew plays in these races.

Together, they explore:

• Why pacing is one of the hardest (and most important) lessons in backyards
• The balance between trusting your runner and stepping in when it matters
• How fueling, gut issues, and decision-making evolve over 50+ hours
• The mental battle of choosing to start “one more loop”
• Why the backyard format exposes both your strengths and your blind spots

Stormy also shares his creative “Pledge to the Park” fundraiser, where every completed loop turned into a donation, raising nearly $5,000 for local trails and adding an extra layer of purpose to every step.

Whether you’re a runner, a crew member, or someone curious about the backyard format, this episode gives you a raw, honest look at what it actually takes to keep going and why you might be capable of more than you think.

• Follow Stormy on Instagram @stormyhild
• Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthahild_
• Stormy's Queeny blog post
• Work Hard Company

Key Takeaways

• Most runners don’t hit their true limit, they stop when their mind gets loud
• If you are looking to go far, the first 12–24 hours of a backyard are just the “buy-in”
• Crewing is proactive, not reactive. It’s about anticipating needs before they happen
• Small mistakes compound late in the race (fueling, foot care, mindset)
• You can’t control other runners but focusing on them can still cost you
• The backyard ultra is as much about decision-making as it is about fitness

👉 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, Jaci sits down with Jeff Walker. Teacher, father, husband, and newly crowned silver ticket winner to unpack the race (Queeny Backyard Ultra) that is sending him to Big’s Backyard Ultra.

Jeff shares his journey from a post-college fitness reset to running over 200 miles in a backyard format, and what finally clicked at Queeny to produce his breakthrough performance.

Jeff was drawn to backyard ultras not for distance but for the challenge of pushing past the moment he wanted to quit. He believes most backyard finishes aren't physical - they're mental. He's never felt like he truly reached his physical ceiling. The limiter is often what your brain convinces you is enough.

This conversation dives deep into the mental, strategic, and human side of backyard ultras, from pacing and sleep to self-talk and community.

Key takeaways:

• Protect the early hours
• Expect problems. Ultra running is problem solving.
• Simple training done consistently
• Most backyard ultra finishes are mental, not physical
• Community is a performance enhancer
• A plan changes everything
• Stop projecting. Stay in the hour.

Follow Jeff on Instagram @jcpwalker

👉 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

Most runners think backyard ultras fall apart in the middle of the night.

They don’t.

They fall apart in the first 10 yards.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we break down the most common mistake runners make early in backyard ultras: letting pacing, ego, and adrenaline take control.

Because the reality is: You’re not going too fast in an obvious way… You’re going too fast in ways you don’t feel yet.

This episode walks through:

• Why the first 10 yards feel deceptively easy
• How small pacing mistakes compound into big problems later
• The subtle ways adrenaline shows up early
• How ego influences decisions (even when you think it’s not)
• What proper early pacing should actually feel like
• A simple framework to set yourself up for a strong, long race

If you’ve ever blown up at 18–24 hours and couldn’t figure out why, this episode will help you connect the dots.

What You’ll Learn

• Why backyard races are lost early, not late
• The difference between running the clock vs running the day
• How adrenaline quietly drains your energy
• Why “this feels too easy” is a warning sign
• What true patience looks like in a backyard ultra
• How to pace with longevity in mind
• The compounding cost of small early mistakes

Key Takeaways

• The goal of the first 10 yards is preservation, not performance
• If it doesn’t feel almost boring, you’re likely going too hard
• Finishing faster early ≠ better — it often costs you later
• Ego shows up in subtle ways (and it can end your race)
• The runners who go far are often the most restrained early

Practical Framework for Your Next Backyard

• Cap your effort, not your pace
• Walk earlier than you think you need to
• Enter camp smoothly — don’t rush in
• Sit less than your ego wants to
• Detach from what everyone else is doing

And most importantly: Don’t make emotional decisions early. There’s nothing to solve yet.

Final Thought

The first 10 yards aren’t about proving you belong. They’re about proving you can wait. Master that and you give yourself a real shot at going 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

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with ultra runner TJ Harms-Synkiew, who took on one of the most unusual endurance challenges in running: Burrito League.

For the entire month of January, runners gathered in Tempe, Arizona (and many other Burrito League locations) to repeat the same 0.2-mile Strava segment (segments varied based on location) as many times as possible.

TJ ended the month with 1,070 miles, earning second place while navigating sleep deprivation, pavement fatigue, injury, and the mental grind of doing the same loop thousands of times.

For runners familiar with backyard ultras (he's got experience in backyard ultras as well), the mindset might feel familiar.

Just like backyard racing, Burrito League became a constant question: Can you go one more?

In this conversation, TJ shares:

• What it’s like to move 12–14 hours a day for nearly a month
• How he managed the mental lows of repetitive endurance
• Why community became the biggest factor in finishing
• The physical consequences of jumping from low mileage to 300-mile weeks
• Lessons about pain, persistence, and perspective

TJ also talks about the emotional comedown after the challenge ended. The sudden loss of routine, community, and movement that had defined his life for 26 days.

If you’ve ever wondered how far your mind can take you when your body wants to stop, this episode explores exactly that.

Because sometimes endurance isn’t about speed.

It’s about deciding to take one more step.

Follow TJ on Instagram

TJ's Substack

TJ's website https://coachcrewpace.com/

Key Takeaways

1. Break the challenge down. When the full distance becomes overwhelming, shrink the goal.
2. Community Changes Everything. Even though the challenge was individual, TJ says the biggest reason he kept going was the people around him.
3. Perspective Makes Hard Things Manageable. One of TJ’s most powerful coping strategies was perspective.
4. The Body Can Do More Than We Expect. TJ believed his legs were finished around 300 miles, then ran over 700 more miles.
5. The Aftermath Is Part of the Experience. One of the hardest parts came after Burrito League ended.

👉 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 powerful and vulnerable conversation, Jaci sits down with Jon Fischer, founder of Phase One, to explore what it really means to “stand the line” in racing and in life.

From surviving military training and near-death experiences to battling suicidal ideation and rebuilding his life through faith, fatherhood, and daily discipline, Jon shares the raw journey behind his evolution from performance-chasing ultrarunner to values-driven man.

Together, they unpack:

• Why consistency matters more than intensity
• How suffering can forge endurance, character, and hope
• The shift from outcome goals to values-based living
• How your weakest moments are your defining moments
• Confidence tokens
• Suffering is a gift to find out what you can endure
• Why daily, unseen work shapes who you become
• The power of backyard and last-one-standing formats to reveal your true limits
• How to match fear with courage when you step to the line

Jon also shares why he runs six miles every single day. Not for performance, not for validation, but as a commitment to holistic strength: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

This episode is an invitation to volunteer for discomfort, to show up when motivation is gone, and to inspire yourself first.

Because the finish line isn’t what defines you; the daily decision to stand the line again does.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re capable of “one more,” this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Phase One at https://www.phase1missions.com/ and follow on Instagram.

👉 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