Start Where You Are Running and Ultrarunning

Erin Quinn
  • 5.0 (9)
  • 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 35. Why Hiking Makes You a Better Ultrarunner

    If you've ever felt the stigma of hiking during an ultramarathon, this episode is for you. Host and ultrarunning coach Erin Quinn breaks down why hiking isn't a cop-out — it's a critical skill every trail runner needs to master. We cover: When to switch from running to hiking — it's not about a specific grade, but a combination of terrain, climb length, fatigue, and effort costThe physical benefits — hiking engages different muscles, reduces impact, and preserves your body for the long haulThe dangers of hiking too much — once you settle into a hiking rhythm, restarting the run takes extra effort, and cutoffs wait for no oneHow to practice — pick a trail, walk it once, then gradually add running sections until switching between the two feels naturalReal race examples — from the Beastmaker in the Hudson Valley to the Cats Tail Trail Marathon and CocodonaWhether you're tackling your first 50K or lining up for a hundred-miler, learning when to hike and when to run could be the difference between a finish and a DNF. If you'd like to learn more about Erin's 1:1 online Trail & Ultrarunning Coaching email her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or go to her website https://erinmaryquinn.com and fill out the "apply to coach with Erin" form. Whatever you do, make sure that you start where you are, but you start!

  2. Oct 14

    Episode 34. Be a Fan, Not a Critic: Moab 240, Iron Deficiency & Why You Should Start Running Now

    This week on Start Where You Are Trail and Ultra Running, Erin breaks down the dramatic cancellation of the Moab 240 — where 70 runners, pacers, and volunteers were stranded at the Bridger Jack Aid Station atop a canyon rim as Hurricane Rachel unleashed flash floods, wind, and chaos across the course. She defends the race directors at Destination Trails, pushes back on the Monday-morning quarterbacks on Reddit, and makes the case for being a fan, not a critic. Then, Erin pivots to a topic that's been hiding in plain sight for many endurance athletes: iron deficiency anemia. She shares her own diagnosis story, explains how ultra runners lose iron through foot-strike hemolysis, sweat, and GI micro-tears, and breaks down the American Society of Hematology's newly updated ferritin guidelines — which doubled the minimum threshold for women from 15 to 30 nanograms per milliliter. Finally, Erin makes the pitch for fall running. With crisp air, blazing foliage, and two months before holiday stress kicks in, October is the ideal time to start. As always: start where you are, but make sure you start. To learn more about Erin's 1:1 Online Trail and Ultrarunning Coaching you can reach out to her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or at her website www.erinmaryquinn.com

  3. Oct 7

    Episode 33. Taking on the Moab 253: A Mile-by-Mile Course Preview

    In this episode of Start Where You Are Trail and Ultrarunning, host and ultrarunning coach Erin Quinn delivers a detailed, mile-by-mile course preview of the Moab 240 — which she affectionately calls the Moab 253. Having completed the race twice, Erin walks listeners through every section of the course, from the early miles on Moab's residential streets to the brutal climbs of Shay Mountain, the hallucination-inducing stretch past mile 160, and the technical final descent of Porcupine Rim. Along the way, she shares hard-won lessons on gear strategy, crew logistics, sleep management, and mental resilience. She covers what to expect at each aid station, how to handle unpredictable desert weather, when to pick up your poles, and why carrying backup headlamps is non-negotiable. Whether you're toeing the start line this year, crewing a runner, pacing a friend, or just following the tracker from home, this episode is your essential guide to one of ultrarunning's most epic events. To Apply to Coach with Erin for her 1:1 Ultrarunning Coaching just fill out the application at https://erinmaryquinn.com/ To contact her, ask questions, or just connect with her you can reach out via email erinmaryquinn@gmail.com Start Where You Are, But Start!

  4. Sep 30

    Episode 32. Mud, Blood, and Mountains: Race Recap of the Cats Tail Trail Marathon

    How do you run 26 miles through the Catskills when you haven't been on the trails in months, your iron levels are barely functional, and a nor'easter is bearing down on race morning? You take what the day gives you. Ultrarunning Coach and podcast host, Erin Quinn, said she'd never do another race in the Catskills after Manitou's Revenge. A few days later, she signed up for the Cats Tail Trail Marathon anyway. In this episode, she recaps the full experience — 7,000 feet of climbing, four summit ascents, stone chimney scrambles, and a torrential downpour that turned the trails into mud rivers. She breaks down the gear, the nutrition, and the mental training that got her to the start line after an iron deficiency diagnosis, and shares stories of the incredible runners she met along the way — from a Russian giant named Ivan to a bleeding-but-still-helpful stranger on the descents off Cornell. Plus: why there's simply no easy way through the Catskills, and the John Burroughs quote that reminded her why she keeps coming back. To learn more about Erin's 1:1 online trail & ultrarunning coaching go to erinmaryquinn.com or reach out to her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com Start Where You Are, but Make Sure That You Start!

  5. Sep 23

    Episode 31. When the People You Love Don't Get Your Ultrarunning

    When the People Who You Love Don't Get Your Ultrarunning Training for an ultramarathon is a massive commitment — and not everyone in your life is going to get it. In this episode, Erin breaks down how to handle the three types of people you'll encounter when your ultrarunning dreams don't align with their worldview: anonymous critics on social media, coworkers and acquaintances who crack jokes at the watercooler, and — hardest of all — close family and friends whose lack of support can really sting. From blocking trolls to neutralizing awkward office conversations to giving grace to loved ones who may be scared or simply don't understand, Erin shares personal stories (including a brutal Reddit experience during a femoral stress fracture recovery) and practical strategies for protecting your peace while pursuing what you love. Plus: why you need to be your own number one fan, how to find your people when you don't live in an ultrarunning hub, and a reminder that the trails, the stars, and the trees are always cheering you on. Whether you're deep in a training block or just starting to dream of your first ultra, this one's for anyone who's ever felt misunderstood for choosing to run. To apply for Erin's 1:1 online coaching go to this link https://bit.ly/4hqOZEL Email her at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or visit her website at erinmaryquinn.com

  6. Sep 16

    Episode 30. Readiness Is a Myth: The Four Principles of Start Where You Are

    Episode 30: Readiness Is a Myth — The Four Principles of Start Where You Are In this milestone 30th episode, Erin breaks down what "Start Where You Are" really means — both on the trail and off. She shares her four guiding principles: conquering the "starting scaries," building (and rebuilding) your running base, starting where you are beyond running, and escaping the comparison sabotage that holds us all back. Along the way, Erin gets personal — from quitting smoking one minute at a time, to showing up terrified and underprepared for her first 50K in the Moab desert, to facing imposter syndrome launching this very podcast. She also shares how curiosity and a willingness to "do it scared" can unlock everything from writing to ultra running to starting something brand new. Plus, Erin announces an upcoming in-person workshop for female runners in New Paltz, NY — "Running Yourself Back to Life" on October 17th. To reserve your seat for this workshop just email erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or Venmo to reserve a seat (Program Fee $85) @erinquinn70 Whether you're lacing up for the first time or chasing your next ultra, this episode is your reminder: you don't have to be ready. You just have to start.

  7. Sep 9

    Episode 29. Iron Deficiency In Endurance Athletes: What You Need to Know

    Iron Deficiency in Endurance Athletes — What You Need to Know Somewhere along the ultramarathon journey, host Erin Quinn lost sight of one crucial metric: iron. In this episode, she dives deep into iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among endurance athletes — especially female runners, up to 45% of whom may be affected. Erin breaks down why iron matters (hint: it's tied directly to oxygen delivery and performance), how endurance training accelerates iron loss through hemolysis, sweat, and inflammation, and why menstruating and plant-based athletes face even greater risk. She also shares her own wake-up call — a summer of unexplained fatigue, heart palpitations, and hills that suddenly felt impossible — that led to a shocking blood test result. You'll learn the symptoms to watch for, the difference between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, how it's diagnosed, and what treatment options (from dietary changes to supplements to infusions) look like. Knowledge is power — don't let iron be the blind spot in your training. Start where you are, but make sure you start. Follow Erin Quinn, @erinquinnultraruncoach for more tips and training and everything Ultra. To contact Erin and learn more about her 1:1 online ultrarunning coaching go to erinmaryquinn.com or just shoot her an email at erinmaryquinn@gmail.com She'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, and any stories you'd like to share or topics you're interested in having her cover on the podcast. Start Where You Are, But Start!

  8. Sep 2

    Episode 28. The Power of the S.O.S. and Race Reports!

    In this episode, host Erin Quinn takes you inside her fourth finish of the legendary Survival of the Shawangunk's (SOS )— a grueling triathlon combining a 30-mile road bike, three lake swims, and nearly 20 miles of trail running through the mountains of New Paltz, NY. Erin shares an honest, in-the-moment race recap, including an unexpected battle with IT band and hip flexor pain from mile one, and the mental tools she used to keep moving forward anyway. Beyond the race story, Erin breaks down why keeping a training log and writing a post-race report is one of the most valuable tools in an endurance athlete's toolbox. She walks through how to set both performance and process goals, how to reframe negative thoughts mid-race, and how rooting for other runners can lift your own performance. Whether you're prepping for your first ultramarathon or your fiftieth, this episode is packed with real, practical mindset strategies for showing up on race day — messy training and all. For 1:1 coaching inquiries you can reach out to Erin via email erinmaryquinn@gmail.com or on her website erinmaryquinn.com For a link to her Race Report Forms she provides to athletes just click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BQB_k4QIzmOL3HzjxqRiIiCGcgZPh3U2thF-qGCnuAM/edit?usp=sharing

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5
out of 5
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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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