At some point in every backyard ultra or timed event, you’ll hit it: 2:00 a.m.

The moment where everything suddenly feels heavier, harder, and a little bit hopeless.

In this episode, we break down the psychological shift that happens in the middle of the night and why your brain becomes a completely unreliable narrator when fatigue, darkness, and sleep deprivation collide.

Because here’s the truth: Most runners don’t quit because their body is done. They quit because they believe the story their brain is telling them at 2 a.m.

You’ll learn why these thoughts feel so real, why they’re not, and how to respond in a way that keeps you moving forward when it matters most.

If you’ve ever questioned continuing in the middle of the night, this episode is for you.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The most common “lies” your brain tells during overnight races
• Why your thoughts feel like truth (even when they’re not)
• The danger of making decisions in low moments
• How to separate feelings from facts in real time
• Simple mental strategies to stay in the race when everything feels off

👉 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.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 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)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

This episode takes you inside Elm Creek Backyard Ultra, not just as a race, but as an experience shaped entirely around the athletes who show up to test their limits.

Race director, Nick Oswald, shares what makes Elm Creek different from other endurance events: an intentional, athlete-first approach where every decision, from logistics to volunteers, is designed to help runners go further than they thought possible.

At its core, Elm Creek feels less like a traditional race and more like a family picnic that just happens to last for days. Crews set up camp, volunteers settle in around bonfires, and runners return to the same start/finish area every hour, creating a space where spectators, families, and athletes are all part of the same shared experience. It’s accessible, welcoming, and uniquely social, whether you’re running one loop or pushing past 100 miles.

Nick gives a behind-the-scenes look at how much care goes into creating that environment. From managing timing and tracking runners for those following from afar, to ensuring aid station flow and volunteer support, the race team is constantly focused on one thing: making sure every athlete feels supported, seen, and set up to succeed.

From his vantage point at the start/finish line, Nick has witnessed the full spectrum of the backyard experience. He’s seen first-time runners fight to complete their very first loop, and seasoned athletes battle through the night chasing distances they’ve never reached before. He’s watched crews anxiously scan the darkness for their runner’s headlamp, and seen complete strangers come together to support uncrewed athletes, offering food, gear, and encouragement as the race goes on.

As the hours pass, something shifts. What starts as an individual challenge becomes a collective effort. Runners, crews, and volunteers begin working together, pulling each other forward, especially as milestones like 50K, 100K, and 100 miles approach. Some of the most powerful moments come when runners hit their limits, only to be turned back out for “one more loop” by the people around them.

Elm Creek isn’t just about distance. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of in an environment where everyone is invested in your success.

And according to Nick, that’s the magic of the backyard format: you come for the miles but you stay for the people, the persistence, and the possibility of going further than you ever planned.

Follow Elm Creek on Facebook and Instagram.

Elm Creek 2027 registration opens up on Labor Day - it sells out within 2-3 weeks so don't sit on the decision!

👉 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.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 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)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

A 55-yard backyard ultra doesn’t happen by accident—and it definitely doesn’t happen alone.

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with Stormy and Samantha Hild to break down Stormy’s massive 55-yard performance at Queeny Backyard Ultra from both sides of the chair.

Stormy shares how he’s evolved from going out too fast and learning the hard way to developing a steady, repeatable approach that carried him over 200 miles. He dives into his mindset of “buying into the race,” why he believes most runners quit before their true limit, and how small decisions, like reacting to competitors, can make or break a performance late in the race.

But this conversation goes far beyond the runner.

Samantha gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually means to crew a backyard ultra, from tracking every carb and decision, to anticipating needs before they’re spoken, to managing the emotional rollercoaster of watching someone you love push to their absolute edge. She shares how crewing has shaped her as a runner, why communication (or lack of it) matters, and what most people don’t realize about the role crew plays in these races.

Together, they explore:

• Why pacing is one of the hardest (and most important) lessons in backyards
• The balance between trusting your runner and stepping in when it matters
• How fueling, gut issues, and decision-making evolve over 50+ hours
• The mental battle of choosing to start “one more loop”
• Why the backyard format exposes both your strengths and your blind spots

Stormy also shares his creative “Pledge to the Park” fundraiser, where every completed loop turned into a donation, raising nearly $5,000 for local trails and adding an extra layer of purpose to every step.

Whether you’re a runner, a crew member, or someone curious about the backyard format, this episode gives you a raw, honest look at what it actually takes to keep going and why you might be capable of more than you think.

• Follow Stormy on Instagram @stormyhild
• Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthahild_
• Stormy's Queeny blog post
• Work Hard Company

Key Takeaways

• Most runners don’t hit their true limit, they stop when their mind gets loud
• If you are looking to go far, the first 12–24 hours of a backyard are just the “buy-in”
• Crewing is proactive, not reactive. It’s about anticipating needs before they happen
• Small mistakes compound late in the race (fueling, foot care, mindset)
• You can’t control other runners but focusing on them can still cost you
• The backyard ultra is as much about decision-making as it is about fitness

👉 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.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 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)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website