Backyard ultras don’t ask if you’re tough. They ask if you’re honest.

As we close out 2025, many runners are already looking at their 2026 calendars. But before you pick a race or set a mileage goal, you need clarity. In this episode, we move beyond "marathon-style thinking" to explore the mental frameworks and uncomfortable questions that actually determine success in a race with no finish line.

We dive deep into why intensity backfires, how to manage your ego at 2:00 a.m., and the three-tier framework for defining success when the outcome is unpredictable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Why" Behind the Loop: Why your "Instagram answer" won’t save you when things get dark.
• Patience vs. Toughness: Why the most strategic runners are often the ones who look like they’re "underperforming" early on.
• The 2:00 A.M. Rule: How to handle the "unreliable narrator" of a sleep-deprived brain and avoid emotional quitting.
• Identity-Based Goals: Why setting an "X-hour" goal can actually create a ceiling for your performance.
• Life Capacity: Assessing if your current season of life supports the mental and emotional load of backyard training.
• Falling in Love with the Boring: Why mastering the "unsexy" skills—walking, strength training, and repetition—is the ultimate key to durability.

Takeaways

• Most runners fail at backyard ultras due to unclear goals.
• Backyard ultras require a different approach to goal setting.
• Success in backyard ultras is not defined by distance or time.
• Patience is more important than toughness in this format.
• Defining success without a finish line is crucial.
• Decision-making under fatigue is a key skill for endurance runners.
• Life season and emotional readiness impact training effectiveness.
• Consistency in training is more important than race day excitement.
• Understanding your motivations can enhance your performance.
• Embracing the process is essential for long-term success.

Featured Resources

[FREE] 2026 Goal Clarity Worksheet: Before you commit to a backyard ultra, go through these questions and see where your readiness level is at. It doesn't need to be perfect to run a backyard. Just be honest with yourself so you know what areas need work.

[FREE] Goal Clarity Workbook: Don’t just listen, do the work. Use the workbook or the ChatGPT prompts to get clarity on your goals in 2026. Download the exact questions from this episode (and a few more) to help you map out a sustainable and clear 2026.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

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📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

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