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

Jaci Wilson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • RUNNING

Can you keep going when everything in you wants to stop? One More Hour is the podcast for backyard ultra runners, ultramarathoners, trail runners, and people who want to master the ultrarunning mindset and push their limits. Hosted by run coach and backyard ultra expert Jaci Wilson, this show dives into the strategies, stories, and science behind going one more hour. Each week, you’ll hear from athletes, race directors, sports psychologists, sleep specialists, nutrition experts, etc., on what it takes to thrive in endurance running and timed races. From fueling and pacing strategies, to building mental toughness and overcoming fatigue, you’ll gain the tools to train smarter, race stronger, and stay in the game when it gets tough. Whether you’re training for your first ultramarathon, curious about the backyard ultra format, or chasing a new PR, this podcast will help you go beyond what you thought possible. Hit follow and join the community of runners learning to embrace the challenge, trust the process, and keep going, one more hour at a time.

  1. 3D AGO

    (Ep.23) The Daily Work Behind One More Yard in Backyard Ultras with Jon Fischer

    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 intensityHow suffering can forge endurance, character, and hopeThe shift from outcome goals to values-based livingHow your weakest moments are your defining momentsConfidence tokensSuffering is a gift to find out what you can endureWhy daily, unseen work shapes who you becomeThe power of backyard and last-one-standing formats to reveal your true limitsHow to match fear with courage when you step to the lineJon 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

    1h 14m

  2. FEB 24

    (Ep.22) From 800 Meters to 258 Miles: Megan Smyth's Ultra Journey on Backyard Ultras, 24-Hour Races & Learning to Stay

    This is an episode about progression. About adjusting on the fly. About nutrition saving races. And about learning to stay when your brain tells you to quit. In this episode of the One More Hour podcast, Megan Smyth shares her evolution from middle-distance track athlete to one of the strongest and most consistent backyard competitors in the country. Megan discusses her evolution as a runner, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joy in the sport, especially after experiencing burnout during her college years. She highlights how finding a supportive running community reignited her passion and led her to explore longer distances, ultimately excelling in the backyard ultra format. Megan's insights provide valuable lessons for both seasoned and aspiring ultra runners. She recounts her experiences at the Summit Backyard Ultra, where she progressively improved her performance over the years, culminating in a remarkable 62-yard finish. She reflects on the mental challenges of ultra running, including the importance of pacing, nutrition, and the camaraderie that develops among participants. The conversation also delves into her recent success at the Raven 24 Hour event, where she achieved a US team qualifying mark at 132 miles, showcasing her adaptability and strategic approach to different race formats. Megan also delves into her training philosophy, highlighting the importance of consistent mileage and strength training to prepare for ultra events. She shares practical advice for runners, especially those new to the backyard ultra format, encouraging them to embrace the experience and focus on their personal goals rather than specific mileage targets.   For Runners Hesitant to Try a Backyard Megan says: If you're already curious, what’s the downside? You’re never more than 2 miles from camp.You can self-rescue anytime.You can’t go out too fast.You get built-in rest.The camaraderie is unmatched.Some people try one and never look back.   This episode is about: Consistency over flash. Adjusting without drama. Fueling like it matters (because it does). And choosing to stay one more hour.   Follow Megan's journey on Instagram @runningnutmeg and Strava as she takes on Banana Slug Backyard for a Silver Coin on the US Team and her other big future adventures. 👉 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

    1h 16m

  3. FEB 17

    (Ep.21) Why Hiking & Walking Belong in Your Backyard Ultra Training Plan

    Walking isn’t a failure in a backyard ultra. It’s a skill.   In this episode, Jaci breaks down why hiking and intentional walking are essential for going further in the backyard format and why most runners underestimate how much speed and efficiency they can gain by improving their slowest miles.   You’ll learn:  Why trail pace should never be compared to road paceWhy walking the hills early conserves energy and delays fatigueHow improving hiking speed often gives more return than trying to run fasterWhy coming in with too much time left each loop is wasted energyHow walking helps regulate heart rate, body temperature, fueling needs, and GI stressThe two biggest walking mistakes new backyard runners makeWhy efficient hill hiking actually makes you faster on flat terrainIf you haven’t already, listen to Episode 8 on pacing, which pairs perfectly with this conversation. The backyard ultra is easy until it isn’t. What makes it hard isn't walking; it's running too much too soon. Learning how (and when) to walk is how you stay in the game longer.   👉 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

    17 min

  4. FEB 10

    (Ep.20) Women in Backyard Ultras: Confidence, Curiosity, and Rewriting the DNF Narrative with Mary Namestnik

    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 B******t Backyard Ultra What We Cover in This Episode Mary’s path from marathon running to ultras and backyard eventsWhat running 260+ miles at Across the Years taught her about patience and recoveryWhy going too fast early is one of the biggest mistakes in both backyards and timed eventsHow backyard ultras build skills that transfer to longer fixed-distance racesThe importance of systems over motivation in long endurance eventsManaging pain vs. identifying true injury red flagsWhy “keeping your feet moving” is often the most powerful strategyNight loop strategies, rest, and “pretending to sleep”The role of crew and how the right kind of push mattersOverpacking vs. preparedness in backyard setupsWhy looser goals can lead to better outcomesThe misunderstood nature of the backyard ultra formatWhy women are underrepresented in backyard ultras and why they may actually excelReframing the DNF narrative and redefining success in last-person-standing races  Key Takeaways Curiosity can take you farther than rigid goalsDecision fatigue ends races; systems extend themPain is something to manage; injury is something to respectThe hardest part is starting the next yardBackyard ultras aren’t about suffering early, they’re about patienceWomen 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

    55 min

  5. FEB 3

    (Ep. 19) Backyard Ultra Gear: What to Bring, What Not to Overthink & How to Organize

    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 bringingWhat not to overthinkHow to think about organizationPracticing everything in trainingReducing decision fatigueYou 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 UltrasEpisode 9: Crew vs. Self-SupportedEpisode 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

    30 min

  6. JAN 27

    (Ep. 18) Preventing Foot Issues in Multi-Day Ultramarathons with Dr. Tonya Olson

    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

    1h 29m

  7. JAN 20

    (Ep. 17) Bronze, Silver, Gold Tickets & The Road to Big’s Backyard Ultra

    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 oneWhat a Silver Ticket Event is and why winning mattersHow National Backyard Ultra Teams are formedThe role of At-Large qualifying and why big performances still matterWhat people mean by the “Gold Ticket” and the World Team ChampionshipsHow runners ultimately qualify for Big’s Backyard UltraWhy 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 aloneYou don’t need to win a race to be competitive through the At-Large pathwayStrong backyard performances over time are what open doorsThe backyard system rewards patience, consistency, and experienceLinks: 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

    16 min

  8. JAN 13

    (Ep.16) 65 Yards In: What It Takes to Stay in the Backyard with Nick Petterson

    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 eventsUltrarunners looking to improve mindset and late-race decision-makingAthletes who want to understand what it takes to go beyond 100 milesAnyone fascinated by the mental side of endurance sportsKey Takeaways: Backyard ultras aren’t about speed; they’re about consistency, restraint, and resetsMental toughness isn’t fixed; it’s built through repeated exposure to discomfortThe hardest decisions often happen between the loops, not during themCommunity and shared effort can push runners farther than competition aloneYou don’t need to know how far you can go, just whether you’re willing to start againFollow 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

    1h 6m
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About

Can you keep going when everything in you wants to stop? One More Hour is the podcast for backyard ultra runners, ultramarathoners, trail runners, and people who want to master the ultrarunning mindset and push their limits. Hosted by run coach and backyard ultra expert Jaci Wilson, this show dives into the strategies, stories, and science behind going one more hour. Each week, you’ll hear from athletes, race directors, sports psychologists, sleep specialists, nutrition experts, etc., on what it takes to thrive in endurance running and timed races. From fueling and pacing strategies, to building mental toughness and overcoming fatigue, you’ll gain the tools to train smarter, race stronger, and stay in the game when it gets tough. Whether you’re training for your first ultramarathon, curious about the backyard ultra format, or chasing a new PR, this podcast will help you go beyond what you thought possible. Hit follow and join the community of runners learning to embrace the challenge, trust the process, and keep going, one more hour at a time.

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