In this episode, I discuss the importance of knowing when to quit in various aspects of life, including outdoor adventures and personal projects. I share my experiences of quitting the Superior Hiking Trail and Nolan's 14, and how those decisions led to more fulfilling experiences. I emphasize the need to have a strong why and to prioritize enjoyment and personal growth over external achievements. I also highlight the importance of recognizing signs of dehydration and knowing when to quit for one's own well-being.

Takeaways

• Knowing when to quit is important for personal growth and fulfillment.
• Having a strong why and prioritizing enjoyment and personal growth over external achievements is crucial.
• Recognizing signs of dehydration and knowing when to quit for one's own well-being is essential.
• Quitting can lead to new opportunities and more fulfilling experiences.

Sound Bites

• "We don't talk now about quitting."
• "I quit after three days and then I had three more days to explore."
• "There is such an importance in knowing when to quit and when not to."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Knowing When to Quit

03:53 Quitting the Superior Hiking Trail and Exploring

10:42 The Importance of Knowing When to Quit

19:44 Quitting as a Path to New Opportunities

24:43 The Benefits of Quitting

28:04 Success and Failure Defined by Fulfillment

31:53 Learning from Failure

33:48 Quitting for Personal Well-being

Keywords

quitting, outdoor adventures, personal projects, fulfillment, growth, why, enjoyment, success, failure, dehydration

In this episode, I answer questions from my Instagram followers, diving into topics like fast-packing gear, the thrill of ultra running, and the challenges of financing race participation. I share personal stories from my adventures on the trail, talk about my offseason training strategies, and reflect on the fears and challenges I face while hiking. The conversation is packed with humor and insights, making it a great listen for outdoor enthusiasts and aspiring ultra runners.

takeaways

• Fast-packing combines running and backpacking for efficiency.
• Choosing the right gear is crucial for multi-day fast-packing.
• The adventure and unknown aspects of ultra running are appealing.
• Financing races can be managed through sponsorships and creative solutions.
• Offseason training should focus on intensity rather than volume.
• Heat training can be beneficial year-round for endurance athletes.
• Personal fears on the trail often revolve around safety and hydration.
• Humorous and relatable hiking anecdotes can lighten the conversation.
• Community support plays a significant role in endurance sports.
• Chasing goals is more important than worrying about failures.

Sound bites

• "Fast-packing is a cross between running and backpacking."
• "I love the adventure of attempting something new."
• "The world is too big, chase your goals!"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Audience Engagement

02:44 The Adventure of Ultra Running

06:35 Financing Race Participation

11:14 Offseason Training Strategies

14:58 Fears and Challenges on the Trail

19:00 Humorous Hiking Anecdotes

In this conversation, I talk with Allison Powell, my girlfriend and the winner of the Divide 200 about her journey from a casual runner to an ultra marathoner, detailing her experiences with training, racing, and the mental and physical challenges she faced during the Divide 200 race. She discusses the importance of nutrition, the role of support crews, and the lessons learned from her experiences. Allison also reflects on his future plans in ultra running and her interests outside of running, including community building and creative arts.

Follow Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonhpowell/?hl=en

• The Barkley Marathons documentary inspired her ultra running journey.
• Training plans can be both beneficial and overwhelming.
• Mental resilience is crucial during long races.
• Nutrition strategies can make or break a race experience.
• Support from crew and pacers is invaluable.
• Adrenaline can help push through physical pain.
• It's important to adapt training based on personal needs.
• 200-mile races require a different mindset than shorter races.
• Community building enhances the running experience.
• Creative pursuits can coexist with a passion for running.

Sound Bites

• "I just never felt so low in a race."
• "I think the only way to get better at them is to do them."
• "I did not know what that meant."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Running Journey

03:08 Transition to Ultra Running

05:54 Training for 200-Mile Races

08:48 The Divide 200 Experience

11:45 Mental Challenges During the Race

14:50 Overcoming Physical Pain and Adversity

18:06 The Role of Support and Crew

20:58 Final Push to the Finish Line

23:53 Reflections on Training and Nutrition

26:51 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Ultra Runners

30:04 Personal Interests Beyond Running