On this week's Dirt and Vert Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Leah Mulligan, an incredible ultra runner from Chattanooga. Leah's story is all about passion, perseverance, and the power of community.
We traced her journey from those early running days to her leap into the ultra world, and how her family and the running community fueled her every step of the way. Leah also opened up about her training, the dynamics of working with a coach, and the challenges she faced in those first ultra races.
But it's not just about the miles. Leah shared some incredible insights about the mental side of ultra running, the importance of staying positive, and how she balances life, running, and everything in between.
Of course, we couldn't forget about her recent achievements! Leah talked about those podium finishes, the lessons she's learned from both victories and setbacks, and her exciting plans for future races.
Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just starting out, Leah's story is a powerful reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of heart, you can achieve incredible things.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leah Mulligan and Her Running Journey
03:00 Early Influences and Transition to Ultra Running
06:01 College Running Experience and First Ultra
08:40 Experiences with Early Races and Community
11:35 First 12-Hour Race and Achievements
14:31 First 100-Mile Race: Penhody
17:10 The Importance of Community in Ultra Running
20:13 Lessons Learned from Ultra Running
23:09 Future Goals and Aspirations in Running
33:29 Altitude Challenges and Early Experiences
36:25 Learning from Racing: Humbling Experiences
39:08 Running by Feel vs. Data
42:02 Coaching and Performance Growth
45:02 Racing in Unique Locations: CCC and Beyond
47:30 Community and Support in Racing
50:21 Home Races and Personal Growth
53:15 Technical Challenges in Mountain Racing
59:07 Crossing the Marriage Threshold Through Running
59:53 The Blue Ridge Ultra Experience
01:00:52 Shared Success in Racing
01:01:49 The Balance of Life and Running
01:03:38 Finding Joy in Running
01:05:30 The SCAR FKT Journey
01:10:15 Future FKT Aspirations
01:13:06 Challenging Races Ahead
01:17:04 The Deeper Meaning of Running
01:24:30 Pushing Limits and Problem Solving
01:29:00 Finding Your Race Strategy
01:30:20 Overcoming Low Patches in Races
01:36:44 The Journey into Coaching
01:41:10 Building a Business Together
