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Blueprint to Ultra: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Blueprint to Ultra
Whether you are dabbling with the idea of running your first ultra or wanting to figure out how you can push farther than you ever have before, we are here to help you put that plan together. Join ultra runners, Steve and Jeff, as we interview people that are just like you, all with the goal of helping you answer the question, "what does it take?"
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- 1 weeks ago1h 12m
Episode 47: Nathaniel Burness - A masterclass in how to cut time in races.
Nathaniel ran his first marathon as a sophmore in HS with a time of 4:07. He then ran that same marathon year later in 3:07. To top that, he ran his first 50.miler at 18 in a time of 8:41 and then returned one year later and set the course record dropping over 2 hours with a time of 6:17. How? That's what we wanted to know. Join us as we pick the mind of a young Jedi on how he has learned practical fueling strategies, consistency-focused training philosophies, burnout prevention, the Hell Hole 50 miler, and Beast of the East 50 mile course records.Before you hit play, don't forget to hit subscribe and give us a like, before you forget.Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Nathaniel on Strava.https://www.strava.com/athletes/93122943 Connect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- 3 weeks ago59 min
Episode 46: Alex Minor - Rabid Raccoon Course Record, Black Canyon Lessons, and What It Takes to Run Up Front
In this episode of the Blueprint to Ultra podcast, Steve and Jeff interview Appalachian trail standout Alex Minor, winner of races like the Hurricane 100K and holder of the Rabid Raccoon 100 Mile course record . Alex shares how he transitioned from road/track running at Marshall into trail ultras during COVID, influenced by training partners like Caleb Bowen and Dan Green. We discuss why the Hurricane 100K looped format and community keep him coming back, and Alex explains how Black Canyon 100K became his lowest—and most educational—race, teaching him to prepare for terrain, build smarter race plans, and dial in fueling. We talk about getting a sodium sweat test, increasing sodium and carbs, and how he balances training (typically 60–80 miles, ~11 hours with vert) while running a shoe store and managing life commitments.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Alex on IG: @alminor3Check out Country Roads Running and Walking on IG:@countryroadsrunningShop: https://countryroadsrunning.com/Connect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- Jun 26, 20261h 21m
Episode 45: James Bragg - You have one shot at the race you were training for in a given year.
Training for an ultra takes a long time and a lot of hard work. We show up for a race and things don't always go to plan. On the show we talk with James Bragg about how we can practice a positive mental attitude, how negativity spreads, and how you can snap out of a downward spiral. As James reminds us, we have one shot at a race. You train for a specific race on a calendar year and that race, in that year, will never happen again. Sure, you can run it again next year, but for this year, the one you trained for, there is one shot. We talk about all of that and dig into the Hellbender 100, Rim to River, and a coaches' corner on how to manage race week and the stupid taper. Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with James on IG: @jamesb__runninConnect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- Jun 12, 20261h 28m
Episode 44: Mandy Wainfan - Injured? Whatever you do, just don't tell me I can't run.
On today's show, we welcome Dr. Mandy Wainfan, a sports-focused chiropractor and endurance running specialist at Performance Place Sports Care, to discuss common running injuries and how to treat and prevent them. Mandy shares how she transitioned from NCAA track and cross country into trail running and ultras, including racing Black Canyon and completing two 50Ks and a 100K. The conversation covers plantar fasciitis (including true vs nerve-mediated “fake” cases), IT band syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, low back pain, and Achilles tendinitis, with emphasis on load management, hip internal rotation mobility, and strength training. We also discuss when it’s appropriate to keep running, when to seek professional help (especially if symptoms persist beyond 4–6 weeks), and why runners might choose a sports chiropractor versus a PT.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with MandyIG: @p2sportscareWebsite: https://www.p2sportscare.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Performance-Place-chiropractorConnect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- May 29, 20261h 2m
Episode 43: Josh Coleman - From his first ultra in 2023 to the Triple Crown of 200s, Cocodona, and the importance of always moving forward.
Josh Coleman’s ultrarunning journey is short, but goes real long. According to UltraSignup, he didn’t even begin running ultras until 2023. Just two years later, he completed the legendary Triple Crown of 200s — finishing the Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200, and Moab 240 all within the same calendar year. He’s also a Boston Marathon qualifier and recently completed his first Cocodona 250, covering 250 miles across Arizona in 85:53:07 for a 39th-place overall finish.But this episode goes far beyond racing.After losing his wife Erin in a tragic car accident in 2022, Josh turned to running as a way to process grief, honor her memory, and rebuild his life with purpose. He shares that journey in his book, Moving Forward: Running With Grief, where he challenges the idea that we’re supposed to simply “move on” from loss and instead explores what it means to carry love and grief forward together.In this conversation, we dive into the addiction and allure of 200s, Cocodona 250, the mental and physical suffering that ultrarunning takes us through, recovery, resilience, grief and healing, and how running can change you.This is a powerful conversation about endurance in every sense of the word.Join us, and don't ever forget. You can still learn something from your mom.Don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Josh on IG: @joshrunadventuresMoving Forward, Running with Grief on AmazonConnect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- May 15, 20261h 26m
Episode 42: Alex Kuhlman - I want to do something that most in that room wouldn't be willing to try.
Alex decided he wanted to run his first 100 mile race before he had even finished his first marathon. Hired a run coach and started 2026 with two 100s on the calendar. The Zion 100 in April and Javelina 100 in October. We asked him why running a 100 was so important to him and it was simple, unvarnished truth. " I wanted to be confident that, you know, if I was sitting in a room with people, like I did something that most, like everybody in that room wouldn't be willing to try."We dig into his Zion 100 with what went well and what didn't go as planned, training challenges and the race itself. Then we jump over to taking what he learned from Zion and what he is taking with him to Javelina. The episode is full of a lot of solid tips for you to add to your own blueprint as you are planning your next race. We invite you to listen in.Join us, and don't ever forget. You can still learn something from your mom.Don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Alexon IG: @second_half_strongConnect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- May 1, 20261h 14m
Episode 41: Aaron Fleisher - Yes, you absolutely can finish an entire 200+ mile race, even if you hike the entire thing. Learn how with Aaron.
Aaron is a thru-hiker-turned-ultra runner who began running in 2022 yet has completed numerous 200+ mile races, including every Cocodona 250. If you have ever considered running a 200 mile race or want to learn secrets on how to, this may be the episode for you. Aaron explains how discovering ultra running on the Pacific Crest Trail and the appeal of aid stations and support drew him from hiking into racing. We dig into the value of being efficient at hiking, how Aaron avoids hallucinations and his sleep strategy to avoid zombie walking. Oh, and day 2 apparently is always the worst day for everyone in a 200. Join us, and don't ever forget. You can still learn something from your mom.Don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Aaron on IG: @mittenmadnessConnect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
- Apr 17, 20261h 12m
Episode 40: Anna Epifano - A redemption story at Blackbeard's Revenge 100
It isn't everyday that you get to have your mom on your podcast. This week, Anna Epifano, Steve's mom, joins us on the show to talk about her first 100 mile race at the age of 63, the Blackbeard's Revenge 100. After DNF'ing her first attempt at Blackbeard's in 2025 which was a race she hadn't even planned to do in the first place, Anna returned in 2026 to finish what she started. We get into the importance of consistency in training, the ups and downs of a DNF and a redemption, strength training and mobility, fueling and race day strategies. Join us, and don't ever forget. You can still learn something from your mom.Don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Anna on IG: @a4c1e6 Connect with us on IG: @blueprint_to_ultraLooking for a coach?Work with Jeff: https://www.jwultrarunning.com/Work with Steve: https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
About Blueprint to Ultra
Whether you are dabbling with the idea of running your first ultra or wanting to figure out how you can push farther than you ever have before, we are here to help you put that plan together. Join ultra runners, Steve and Jeff, as we interview people that are just like you, all with the goal of helping you answer the question, "what does it take?"
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