Start Where You Are Running and Ultrarunning

Erin Quinn
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

This show helps new ultrarunners get to their first or their next ultramarathon start line. Erin loves everything ultra and will get you inspired to get out and start training for your first 50K or 50 miler or even 200+ mile distance with her tales from the trail.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 22. The S.O.S. Survival of the Shawangunk's

    What if the most meaningful race of your life wasn't the biggest one — but the one closest to home? In this episode, host Erin Quinn celebrates the 40th anniversary of the SOS — Survival of the Shawangunk's — a one-of-a-kind grassroots triathlon in New Paltz, New York that goes bike, run, swim, run, swim, run, swim, run through some of the most stunning terrain in the Northeast. Erin shares the full story: the race's origins with founder Don Davis, her years of watching from the sidelines as a journalist and fan, her humbling first attempt at the Cape Cod offshoot (complete with a cop car sweeping her in dead last on the bike), a sprained ankle two weeks before race day, and the moment she finally crossed the finish line and heard the words — "You are a survivor." This one is for anyone who has ever stood on the outside of something intimidating and wondered, "Could I actually do that?" In this episode: What makes the SOS unlike any other triathlon in the worldThe history of a 40-year community institutionTraining on borrowed bikes, clip-in shoe disasters, and humble pieWhy local, grassroots events deserve your supportHow to work your weaknesses and do something scary🔗 Learn more: [sostriathlon.com The GunksCast with Jeff Weiss & Glenn Lapolt, specifically they're deep dive into the race, its history and competitors in Episodes 1-9 [thegunkscast.com]📧 Coaching inquiries: erinmaryquinn@gmail.com | or on her website at erinmaryquinn.com

  2. Jul 15

    Episode 21. Something's Gotta Give: The Truth About Balancing Life and Ultramarathon Training

    Episode 21. Something's Gotta Give: The Truth About Balancing Life and Ultramarathon TrainingLet's get real: the idea that we can perfectly balance every area of our lives is a myth — and if you're drawn to ultramarathons, you're probably not a "moderation" person anyway. In this episode, host and professional ultrarunning coach Erin Quinn gets honest about what it actually takes to train for an ultra while navigating the rest of your life. Drawing on her own journey — from a Division I ski team athlete, to a mom of three running on fumes, to a 15-time ultramarathon finisher in her "ultra era" — Erin breaks down why balance is an illusion, why women are so underrepresented in ultrarunning (hint: it's not a lack of drive), and what you can actually do to make training work in your real life. In this episode: Why the "everything in moderation" myth is setting you up for failureThe real reason women are disproportionately underrepresented in ultramarathonsPractical tips for carving out training time — morning runs, lunch breaks, night runs, and moreWhy hiring a coach can save you more time than you thinkHow to do an honest inventory of your time and decide what needs to goWhy your ultra training might actually make you a better parent, partner, and personWhether you're deep in the thick of raising kids, building a career, or heading into an empty nest, this episode will help you figure out if now is your ultra season — and if it is, how to make it happen. "Start where you are, but make sure that you start." Connect with Erin:📧 erinmaryquinn@gmail.com🌐 erinmaryquinn.com📱 @ErinQuinnUltraRunCoach on Instagram & Facebook Interested in one-on-one online coaching with Erin or her September Empty Nester Ultramarathon Program? Reach out through any of the links above. If you loved this episode, please leave a five-star review, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs a little push to start! And remember, Start Where You Are, But Start!

  3. Jul 8

    Eat, Sleep, Run: The DIY Training Camp Guide for Ultra Runners

    Episode 20: DIY Ultra Training Camp Ever wish you could afford a fancy training camp to prep for your next ultramarathon? Coach Erin Quinn breaks down exactly how to build your own — no expensive retreat required. In this episode, Erin walks you through the architecture of a DIY ultra training camp: how to structure your three (or five) days, how much volume to target based on your race distance, and how to simulate race conditions as closely as possible. From fueling and hydration practice to headlamp logistics and pole management, Erin covers the tactical details that can make or break your race day. In this episode: Why removing daily life stress is as important as the miles themselvesHow to structure back-to-back long runs for 50Ks, 50-milers, 100-milers, and 200-milersThe calorie-counting wrapper trick every ultra runner should tryWhat to practice so race day feels like a rehearsal, not a surpriseHow a DIY training camp sets you up for the perfect taperWhether you're chasing your first finish line or your next PR, this episode gives you a practical, coach-backed blueprint to show up to race day confident, prepared, and ready to start where you are

  4. Jul 1

    Episode 19. The Zone 2 Revolution: Why Easy Running Is the Real Work

    Zone 2 is everywhere right now — but what does it actually mean for your running? In this episode, coach and ultramarathon finisher Erin Quinn breaks down the zone 2 "revolution" and explains why it's really just a rebranding of the most fundamental principle in endurance training. Erin covers the full five-zone model, why zone 2 looks completely different depending on your experience level, and how new runners, seasoned racers, and ultra runners each relate to it differently. She also dives into the science of lactate threshold, mitochondrial function, and fat burning — without the jargon overload. Plus: a heat training PSA for anyone running through a summer heat wave, a recap correction from her Manitou's Revenge 53-miler in the Catskills, and her honest take on why chasing speed work can plateau — or injure — runners who skip the foundation. In this episode: What zone 2 actually feels like (and the talk test)Why new runners don't have a zone 2 yetHow zone 2 builds your aerobic engine over timeLactate, hydrogen ions, and why your muscles seize upThe two biggest zone 2 mistakes runners makeWhy RPE may matter more than your heart rate monitorStart Where You Are is hosted by Erin Quinn, professional ultrarunning and USA swim coach, 15-time ultramarathon finisher, and award-winning journalist. To learn more about Erin's 1:1 Online Ultrarun Coaching email her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or go to her website at www.erinmaryquinn.com

  5. Jun 24

    Episode 18: The Only Way Out Is Through: Manitou's Revenge Race Report

    Episode 18: Manitou's Revenge Race Report Erin Quinn, ultrarunning coach, USA swim coach, award-winning journalist, and now 15-time ultramarathon finisher, takes you inside one of the most demanding 50-mile races in the Northeast — Manitou's Revenge. This 53-mile beast winds through the rugged Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, packing 15,000 feet of climbing into every mile. Erin breaks down the full race experience alongside her friends Shiloh and Jessie — from the gnarly trails and brutal climbs to the mud, the aid stations, the gear decisions, and the mental battles that only an ultra can produce. Along the way, she shares the story behind the race itself: how Charles Gadol and Run Wild built a nonprofit organization dedicated to land preservation and trail conservation — so runners can keep doing what they love in wild, beautiful places. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just trail-curious, this episode is part race report, part love letter to the Catskills. Topics covered: Course breakdown and what makes Manitou's so uniquely brutalGear, nutrition, and race-day decisionsThe history of the race and Run Wild's conservation missionThe highs, the lows, and everything in betweenTo learn more about Erin's 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching, you can reach out to her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com You can also fill out the apply to coach with Erin form on her website at www.erinmaryquinn.com Start Where You Are, But Start!

  6. Jun 16

    Episode 17. Beat the Heat: Simple Ultrarunning Tools for Summer Training

    **Episode 17 Beat the Heat: Ultrarunning Tools for Summer Training Summer running is hard — and if your legs have felt like lead, your effort through the roof, and your water bottles empty way too soon, you're not imagining it. Host and professional ultrarunning coach Erin Quinn breaks down exactly what heat does to your body (spoiler: it's not personal, it's physiology) and why those brutal summer miles are actually making you a stronger runner come fall. In this episode, Erin shares her go-to heat hacks from training through back-to-back 200-mile race seasons in the heat and humidity of New York's Hudson Valley — including how to build a makeshift aid station from your car, the ice bandana trick that changes everything, and why sometimes the most elite thing you can do is walk the hill and grab a cold Coke. You'll learn: What heat actually does to your cardiovascular system and pace5 practical strategies for surviving (and benefiting from) summer trainingHow to plan routes with water sources, shade, and resupply pointsWhen to push and when to check your ego at the doorSimple heat adaptation techniques you can start using right nowWhether you're chasing a fall ultra or just trying to stay consistent through the summer, this episode will help you keep moving — smarter, cooler, and with a better story to tell. Start Where You Are, But Start! To schedule a free discovery call with Erin for her 1:1 Online Ultrarunning Coaching contact her by email @ erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or fill out an application to Train with Erin on her website www.erinmaryquinn.com Follow her on social @erinquinnultraruncoach

  7. Jun 10

    Episode 16. Hit Override

    Episode 16. Hit Override Ever find yourself lying in bed, running through a mental Rolodex of reasons why today just isn't the right day for a run? Host Erin Quinn — ultra running coach, USA Swim coach, and 14-time ultramarathon finisher — gets real about the resistance we all feel, even when running is something we love. In this episode, Erin breaks down what she calls the Override Principle: a set of practical, no-fluff tools to get you out the door when your mind is working against you. From training with accountability partners and prepping your gear the night before, to battling bad weather, building identity-based habits, and talking yourself through a truly terrible run — Erin covers it all. She also shares a personal story from a brutal six-mile run in the summer heat that nearly broke her, and what she learned from pushing through anyway. Plus, a surprising lesson from choreographer Twyla Tharp on why thinking about the full workout is the biggest trap of all. Whether you're training for your first 5K or your next 100-miler, this episode will give you the mental tools to hit that override button — and start anyway. If you'd like to learn more about Erin's 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching go to www.erinmaryquinn.com and fill out the application to train with Erin, or reach out to her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com to set up a free consult.

  8. Jun 2

    Episode 15. The Forever Athlete

    Host Erin Quinn, a professional ultrarunning and USA Swim coach and 14-time ultramarathon finisher, unpacks the “aging athlete” conversation by reframing it as the adult or “forever” athlete and arguing that age is one limiting factor—not the factor—while attitude is often the biggest limiter. She shares her own journey through chronic injury, pregnancy and postpartum years, raising three kids, and slowly returning to trails, emphasizing not comparing yourself to a younger self or others and resisting shortcuts and performance-enhancing-drug hype aimed at middle-aged athletes. Quinn highlights advantages of age—trial and error, perspective, experience, knowledge, curiosity, and sometimes more time—and encourages gratitude, self-assessment, and building performance through sleep, hydration, electrolytes, nutrition, strength training, and smarter training to pursue goals from a first 50K to age-group success. To apply to train with Erin for her 1:1 online run coaching go to www.erinmaryquinn.com To contact her, ask a question, leave a comment go to erinmaryquinn@gmail.com Start Where You Are, But Start!

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About

This show helps new ultrarunners get to their first or their next ultramarathon start line. Erin loves everything ultra and will get you inspired to get out and start training for your first 50K or 50 miler or even 200+ mile distance with her tales from the trail.

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