Eric Deeter

Category: Podcast

Great conversations with runners and others who have an ultramarathon mindset.

  • The Mindset to Run Downhill: Margaret Spring

    The Mindset to Run Downhill: Margaret Spring

    Going Downhill Fast Isn’t Always Easy

    Margaret Spring has the mindset that vertical is great. Her very first trail run was not an ultramarathon, but it was an impressive start. She ran the Pikes Peak half-marathon. It goes up the side of Pikes Peak in Colorado for 13 miles with 7800 feet of climbing.

    She said what every ultramarthon runner says at least once (sometimes much more) . . . “I’m never doing this kind of thing again!”

    But her boyfriend had run with her and after the finish got down on a knee and proposed to her. So the following year he surprised her with a race entry to celebrate an “anniversary run.”

    Her time improved, and she decided she might find a place in the ultra running community. She began running trails with a local running group and discovered she has a strong up-hill running game. She was the first up the mountain. But she struggled running the downhills. By the time she got back down, her friends had eaten the snacks, drank the beer and were ready to head home.

    She knew if she continued as an ultramarthon runner she needed to learn to run downhill. So she began to practice. with friends and asked for advice.

    She entered the Leadville Marathon and placed 3rd in her age group . . . a podium finish. This earned her a golden ticket to the Leadville 100. That will be her first 100 mile race.

    She did, however, enter the Trans Rockies Run, a six-day stage race covering 120 miles. She entered the team competition with a friend and did it as a fund raiser for childhood cancer.

    She decided to set a goal to win each stage in order to give a medal to each of the children they were sponsoring. She was able to manage running the downhills with her friend and they won each stage as well as first place in the team category.

    Margaret is still not as comfortable as she wants to be when she runs downhill. But she keeps working on it. With the help of friends, strength training and practice she’s having success and still improving.

    She says the most import thing is to have the mindset that you can always get better.

    Links to Margaret online:

    Instagram
    Linktree

  • Take Care of Your Mind – Tony Diaz

    A healthy mindset knows when to stop

    Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the Olympics drew both criticism and praise. I imagine most of the critics never stood in her shoes. 

    This week I talk with Tony Diaz. He is a runner, a cyclist, and Wushu martial artist. He holds several national titles in Wushu and competed in the Wushu World competition and placed 5th.

    He said, “I saw the look on Simone’s face and recognized she was in trouble, because I’ve had that same look on my face.”

    Tony is passionate to help others who struggle with anxiety and the pressure to perform when your mind is fighting against you. He is quick to say that he’s not experienced the level of pressure as Simone, but he’s had a taste of it. And his perspective and insights give a glimpse into the real struggle many people face in life.

    Links:

    Facebook
    Instagram

  • The Wandering Gringos – Jim Lane

    Trail runners and ultra runners have a streak of adventure in our souls. We love the challenge of pushing our limits. And for some of us, we have a drive to keep expanding our horizons.
    My guest this week is Jim Lane, a fellow barefoot runner who followed his desire for adventure to the country of Costa Rica. After serving in the military and as a firefighter, he retired and moved his family to a small mountain town in Costa Rica. 
    Jim documents his running and his family’s adventure in Costa Rica on his YouTube channel, The Wandering Gringos.
    Warning: This episode might make you want to visit Costa Rica. 

    Links:

    The Wandering Gringos YouTube

    The Wandering Gringos Facebook

    Bushcraft Costa Rica

  • Fueling for Athletes – Dana Eshelman

    Ultra runners don’t just eat . . . we fuel. And when our fueling doesn’t work the way we’d planned, it often leads to problems in a race and the dreaded DNF.

    Dana Eshelman is a registered dietitian nutritionist, a nutrition coach, and a triathlete. She has numerous half-Ironman races to her credit and is training to compete in a full Ironman next year.

     The knowledge Dana shares is for all athletes, and for ultra runners . . . it might give you the edge to keep your stomach solid for your entire race.

    Connect with Dana:

    Instagram
    Facebook group
    Website

  • Body and Soul – Candice McField

    Candice McField is an executive health coach and former professional body builder. She recently wrote a book called As For Me And My Body, a guide to fitness based on fundamental wellness principles to help people get off the diet treadmill and become truly fit.

    Candice writes: Permanent change of any kind begins within. It requires transforming your  mind and spirit, not just your body.

    Her approach to health is in line with my coaching style. This episode has a little different flavor than the usual Trail Talk. I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas. Send me a DM and let me know what you think.

    Links to contact Candice:

    Website
    Book: As for Me and My Body
    Facebook
    Instagram

  • 43-Year Run Streak – Bruce Sherman

    The official minimum distance you have to do each day for a “run streak” is one mile.  Most runners on a “run streak” will face those days when the minimum is all they can do.

    My guest this week has a run streak of 43 years. He’s run every day for over 15,706 days and counting. 

    But he thought the minimum requirements were too lenient, so he decided to make sure to have at least 40 miles a week. He’s maintained that streak for 33 years . . . 1,739 weeks and counting.

    Bruce is an exercise physiologist and an inventor. He has great stories as well as insights about how to keep running for life.  

    Connect with Bruce:

    Facebook

    Gym Valet

  • Chase Your Dreams – Ryan Steiner

    Ultra runners set big goals. And we put in a huge amount of effort and time and mindset to achieve them. 

    Ryan Steiner is my guest this week. And his ultra running goal took him ten years to achieve. He overcame great physical and mental challenges to get to the starting line of his first ultra. And he found acceptance and encouragement in the trail running community. 

    He has big goals ahead if him too. And the mindset he developed to get him here will keep him moving forward, I’m sure.

    Connect with Ryan:

    Facebook
    Strava
    Instagram

  • World Record Attempt – Jameelah Abdul-Rahim Mujaahid

    You have to be extraordinary to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. My guest this week is working her way to a world record for the most ultramarathon races completed in a year. 

    Technically an ultramarathon is any race longer than a marathon — 26.2 miles. Usually we say that the 50K (30-ish miles) is where the “real” ultras start. 

    But Jameelah Abdul-Rahim Mujaahid isn’t satisfied to go for just enough. She is running 50 and 100 mile ultras as she goes for the world record.

    She has some great stories, and I hope to have her back to tell about her success when she is finished!

    Contact links:

    Facebook
    Instagram