Ultra Uncovered

Ultra Uncovered
  • 4.6 (19)
  • Running

"Welcome to Ultra Uncovered, the podcast where we explore the untamed world of ultra running. Together, we're peeling back the layers of iconic races, challenging terrains, and the incredible stories that fuel the passion for the sport. Get ready to uncover the raw essence of ultra running with us.

  1. 17h ago

    Leadville Uncovered: Meet the 18-Year-Old Taking on Leadville

    At just 18 years old, Kathryn Tubb is already preparing to take on one of the most iconic races in ultrarunning: the Leadville Trail 100. In this episode of Leadville Uncovered, Kathryn shares her unlikely path from high school cross-country runner in San Antonio, Texas, to becoming the youngest athlete in this year's Leadville field. After progressing quickly through the distances and earning a coveted Leadville qualifier at the Silver Rush 50, she decided there was no better time to chase the opportunity. Kathryn opens up about the mentors who helped shape her running journey, especially her ultrarunning coach, whose advice to break overwhelming goals into smaller, manageable pieces has become one of her guiding principles. She also discusses the incredible support of her family, including her brother, who will pace her through the final 40 miles of the race. The conversation explores everything from training on Hope Pass and debating poles versus no poles to balancing the nerves and excitement that come with a first 100-miler. Kathryn also shares how ultrarunning has influenced her academic interests as she prepares to begin her first year at Harvard with plans to study pre-health or medicine. What stands out most is Kathryn's perspective. Rather than focusing on finishing times, she's approaching Leadville with curiosity and gratitude, eager to discover how she'll respond when things become truly difficult. Her maturity, humility, and enthusiasm offer a refreshing reminder of why so many runners fall in love with the sport in the first place. Check out our presenting sponsor Open Fuel and use code UU25 for 25% off your order. This stuff is delicious and both Russell and I are using it in our upcoming races!

  2. 1d ago

    Leadville Uncovered: The Race That Created Michael Mitchell

    In this episode of Leadville Uncovered, Corinne sits down with Michael Mitchell, one of the most entertaining and unconventional athletes lining up for the 2026 Leadville Trail 100. What makes Michael's story so unique is that Leadville wasn't just his first 100-mile race; it was his first ultramarathon, period. Michael reflects on toeing the line in 2021 as a former collegiate runner with virtually no trail-running experience, leading the race through the opening marathon before discovering just how unforgiving 100 miles at altitude can be. That experience sparked an obsession that ultimately transformed his relationship with running. The conversation explores how Michael has evolved from an inexperienced runner surviving his first hundred into a legitimate contender. He discusses the importance of nutrition, gut training, recovery, and sleep, and how learning to fuel properly has completely changed his performances. The episode also dives into Michael's unconventional training philosophy. Rather than following a rigid training plan, he builds fitness through mountaineering adventures across Colorado's highest peaks. Massive days linking multiple 14ers, skiing steep lines, and spending hours above 13,000 feet have become the foundation of his preparation. Michael also shares how social media has allowed him to pursue running full-time while creating content that extends far beyond racing. As a former journalism major, he explains his passion for storytelling and his desire to use his platform to highlight the broader trail-running community. From a crew composed entirely of "girls and gays" to glitter-filled aid stations and race-day celebrations, Michael makes it clear that Leadville is about far more than chasing a finish time. It's about community, joy, and honoring the race that introduced him to the sport he now loves. Support us and Open Fuel by using code UU25 at checkout for 25% off. Grab some delicious and effective nutrition for your next run or race!

  3. 3d ago

    Leadville Uncovered: McKendree Hickory & The Art of Staying in the Fight

    In this episode of Leadville Uncovered 2026, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth sit down with Colorado ultrarunner McKendree Hickory as she prepares for her first Leadville Trail 100. What begins as a conversation about race strategy quickly turns into a deeper discussion about resilience, community, and the intentional pursuit of discomfort. McKendree shares her unconventional path into ultrarunning, from playing volleyball and dancing to working as a backpacking guide in the mountains before eventually discovering trail running. Although she'd initially dismissed Leadville as a race that didn't fit her strengths, a combination of encouragement from friends and the experience of pacing Katie Asmuth last year completely changed her perspective. The conversation also touches on one of the most difficult experiences of McKendree's life: losing her home in the Steamboat Springs fire. Despite that unimaginable loss, her ability to find humor and maintain perspective reveals the mindset that has made her such a respected member of the trail community. McKendree discusses her training partnership with coach TJ David and explains how this year's training has centered on one specific goal: becoming more comfortable with discomfort. Instead of simply building endurance, she's intentionally sought out situations that force her to stay engaged when things become difficult. That approach shaped her recent race schedule, including a standout performance at the Aspen Backcountry Marathon, where the women's podium swept the overall podium. From crew and pacer plans to fueling, altitude, shoe selection, and the possibility of a rerouted course, McKendree offers a thoughtful and authentic look at how she's approaching her Leadville debut. Her goal isn't simply to finish the race. It's to stay present, keep moving forward, and remain fully engaged when things inevitably become hard. If her race-day mindset can be summed up in a single phrase, it's simple: stay in it. Thank you to Open Fuel for their support of the series! Use code UU25 at checkout for 25% off your order

  4. 5d ago

    Leadville Uncovered: Adrian Macdonald’s Chase for Three

    Two-time Leadville 100 champion Adrian Macdonald returns to the Race Across the Sky in 2026 chasing a third victory, but this year comes with a major wrinkle: a different course. Adrian joins Corinne and Russell to talk about preparing for Leadville without knowing exactly what race day will look like, why he has increasingly approached Leadville as a race that requires both mountain strength and serious speed, and how shorter, hard efforts at races like Gorge Waterfalls, Broken Arrow and Speedgoat have helped build his fitness for 100 miles at altitude. He also takes us back to his breakout 2021 Leadville victory, a race that changed the trajectory of his running career and introduced him to the possibility of becoming a professional trail runner. Adrian shares how he went from a 2:25 marathoner who discovered trails during the pandemic to one of the most consistent performers in Leadville history. We dig into his race-day strategy, his experienced crew and pacers, altitude preparation, and why he prefers to stay patient early before really beginning to race about a third of the way in. And when asked what he hopes the Leadville Herald headline says the morning after the race? Adrian doesn't hesitate: “Macdonald wins third Leadville 100.” Support UU & Open Fuel by shopping their awesome sports nutrition. Use code UU25 for 25% off your order!

  5. Jul 9

    Hardrock Uncovered | Episode 11: Ludovic Pommeret - No weakness

    Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races. In Episode 11, we sit down with two-time defending Hardrock champion and course record holder Ludovic Pommeret as he prepares to return wearing bib number one. At 50 years old, Ludo continues to compete at the highest level of mountain ultrarunning, but what stands out most is his perspective. He reflects on first dreaming of Hardrock nearly three decades ago, why he spends more than a month living out of his vehicle while preparing in Colorado, and how the race has become as much about exploring the San Juan Mountains as competing on them. Ludo shares why he believes his greatest strength isn't climbing or descending, but having no real weakness, allowing him to maintain a relentless rhythm over 100 miles. He also discusses the importance of adapting to altitude, embracing the unpredictability of the mountains, and returning each year not simply to defend a title, but to chase the elusive "perfect day." Throughout the conversation, Ludo offers a thoughtful perspective on longevity, family, community, and why Hardrock remains one of the most unique experiences in trail running. It's a conversation with one of the sport's true masters about finding joy in the process long after the trophies have been won. Thanks for tuning in to Hardrock Uncovered. Stay tuned for many more fun conversations coming up in the second half of 2026!

  6. Jul 9

    Hardrock Uncovered | Episode 10: Meghan Slavin - A Dream Years in the Making

    Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races. In Episode 10, we sit down with Meghan Slavin as she prepares for her long-awaited Hardrock debut. Meghan traces her Hardrock journey back to 2017, when she stood at the Telluride aid station and watched Kilian Jornet race through with a dislocated shoulder, stopping to thank every volunteer before continuing into the night. That unforgettable moment planted the seed for what would become a nearly decade-long dream. Now, after years of qualifying, learning the course, and working alongside coach James Bonnet, Meghan arrives in Silverton focused not on finish times, but on soaking in every mile of one of the world's most iconic mountain races. We also talk about training for Hardrock from the Arizona desert, why embracing "Hardwalk" became part of her preparation, the advantages of being both a physical therapist and an ultrarunner, and the incredible support system of family, friends, pacers, and mentors that has helped make this dream a reality. It's a conversation about gratitude, preparation, and finally standing on the start line of a race that has inspired her for nearly ten years. Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

  7. Jul 9

    Hard Rock Uncovered | Episode 8: Tara Dower - Racing With Confidence

    Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races. In Episode 8, we catch up with Tara Dower just days after an impressive sixth-place finish at the 2026 Western States Endurance Run as she prepares for the second half of the Western States-Hardrock double. After finishing fourth in her Hardrock debut in 2024, Tara returns with a new level of confidence born from experience. She reflects on the nutrition mistakes that nearly unraveled her first Hardrock, the lessons she learned about pacing and consistency, and why she believes this year's race is about racing smarter, not simply racing harder. The conversation also explores why Hardrock feels more like an adventure than a competition, the incredible community that makes the event so special, her strategy of attacking the descents, and how she's approaching the challenging two-week turnaround from Western States by focusing on recovery, trust, and showing up mentally fresh. It's a conversation about growth, resilience, and returning to one of ultrarunning's most iconic races with both confidence and humility. Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

  8. Jul 9

    Hardrock Uncovered | Episode 9: Arlen Glick - Ready for the Mountains

    Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races. In Episode 9, we sit down with Arlen Glick as he prepares for his second Hardrock and the opportunity to become a True Hardrocker by completing the course in both directions. After finishing fourth in 2023 just three weeks after the Western States Endurance Run, Arlen returns with a very different approach. Following ACL surgery and a patient two-year recovery, he's finally healthy and able to devote his entire season to preparing for Hardrock. Arlen shares why spending nearly a month living and training in the San Juan Mountains has been just as much about exploration as preparation, how mountain experience outweighs chasing numbers on a training log, and why learning to manage altitude, weather, gear, and nutrition is every bit as important as fitness. The conversation also uncovers his excitement for racing the clockwise direction, his love for Hardrock's unique community, his family-centered crew, and, of course, the legendary brisket waiting at Animas Forks. It's a conversation about resilience, patience, and arriving at Hardrock healthy, grateful, and ready to see what the mountains have to offer. Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race

See All (97)

Trailer

4.6
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

"Welcome to Ultra Uncovered, the podcast where we explore the untamed world of ultra running. Together, we're peeling back the layers of iconic races, challenging terrains, and the incredible stories that fuel the passion for the sport. Get ready to uncover the raw essence of ultra running with us.

Information

  • Creator
    Ultra Uncovered
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ultra Uncovered
  • Show Website
    Ultra Uncovered

You Might Also Like