Episodes

  • Why He’s Running 1,000 Miles on a Track (Buff Runner Story)

    Why He’s Running 1,000 Miles on a Track (Buff Runner Story)
    Apr 17 2026
    What does it actually take to commit to something most people wouldn’t even consider? In this episode, Nick sits down with Mason Wright—also known as The Buff Runner—to break down his next challenge: running 1,000 miles on a track to raise money for the Single Parent Project. After completing 421 miles across Utah, Mason is taking things even further—and this time, removing the scenery, the variation, and everything that usually distracts you. Just a track.
    Just repetition.
    Just the decision to keep going. We get into:
    • Why he chooses these extreme challenges
    • What goes into planning something like this
    • The logistics most people never think about
    • What happens when things start to break down
    • And the mindset required to keep going when there’s no external pressure to finish
    This isn’t just about running. It’s about purpose, discipline, and choosing to do hard things.
    Buff Runner Website
    The Single Parent Project
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    59 mins
  • The Evolution of Ultra Running -Times, Gear, and Fueling Explained

    The Evolution of Ultra Running -Times, Gear, and Fueling Explained
    Apr 10 2026
    Ultra running 20 years ago is not the same sport it is today.

    In this episode, we break down how much the sport has changed from the mid-2000s to now—looking at top athletes like Scott Jurek, Karl Meltzer, and Nikki Kimball, and comparing them to modern runners like Jim Walmsley, Kilian Jornet, and Courtney Dauwalter.

    We dive into how race times have improved across 100K and 100-mile distances, including Western States, and what’s really driving those changes. Is it better athletes… or better systems? We also get into the evolution of gear and fueling:
    • Shoes (from basic trainers to super shoes)
    • Watches and data tracking
    • Fueling strategies and how modern runners are approaching carbs and sodium
    And the big question: Has ultra running gotten harder… or just smarter?

    Ostrich Running Store
    Alethia Run Sensor
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 1.7 Miles To Podium (Maybe)

    1.7 Miles To Podium (Maybe)
    Apr 3 2026
    Six years ago, I couldn’t run more than 1.7 miles. I remember that first run—feeling like I was dying, wondering how I would ever make it to a 5k.

    At the time, I was early into sobriety, dealing with a loud mind, and trying to rebuild my life one step at a time. I didn’t feel like a runner. I felt like someone who had never finished anything he started.

    Running gave me something simple: a finish line. In this solo episode, I share the journey from that first 1.7-mile run to now chasing a podium at a 50k. The failures along the way, the moments where things started to shift, and how consistency changed everything.

    This isn’t just about running—it’s about identity, growth, and what happens when you commit to something long enough to see who you become.

    I don’t know if I’ll podium. But I do know I’m going to find out what I’m capable of.

    Alethia Run Sensor
    Ostrich Running Store
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    31 mins
  • Ultra Running Is Stupid- A Debate

    Ultra Running Is Stupid- A Debate
    Mar 27 2026
    Ultra running is stupid… or is it?
    In this episode, Nick and Jarett go head-to-head on the question most people are already thinking: why would anyone run 100 miles?
    Jarett takes the position that ultra running makes absolutely no sense—voluntarily suffering for hours with no real payoff. Nick pushes back, breaking down what actually happens when you’re deep into a run and why people keep coming back despite how hard it gets.
    This conversation dives into the psychology of endurance, the reality of mile 70, and whether pushing yourself this far is growth… or just unnecessary suffering.
    It’s honest, it’s uncomfortable, and it doesn’t try to pretend ultra running makes sense.

    Ostrich Running Site
    Alethia Sensor- RUNSCARES10 For 10% OFF
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • He Turned Pain Into Purpose (And Ran 200 Miles Doing It)- Don Knotts

    He Turned Pain Into Purpose (And Ran 200 Miles Doing It)- Don Knotts
    Mar 20 2026
    Don Tyler Knotts (@chefdonknotts) is not just an ultra runner—he’s a father, Army veteran, wildland firefighter, chef, and sober life coach who has lived multiple lives and come out stronger on the other side. In this episode, we dive deep into Don’s journey through sobriety, faith, and endurance. From completing the Swammie Shuffle 200 to rebuilding after injury, Don shares how the trails became his church and how running helped him confront his biggest enemy—himself. We talk about hallucinations deep into ultras, fueling with sandwiches and soup, the power of prayer on the trail, and the mission behind Swammie Shuffle and Awareness N Action. This one goes beyond running—it’s about purpose, redemption, and becoming better every single day.

    Awareness n Action (Veteran Suicide Prevention)
    Alethia Sensor
    Ostrich Running Store
    IG: @chefdonknotts
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Bite-Size Episode- 5 Mental Tools That Could Save Your Next Race

    Bite-Size Episode- 5 Mental Tools That Could Save Your Next Race
    Mar 6 2026
    This week’s episode of the Ostrich Running Podcast is a short one — a bite-size episode designed to give you something practical you can carry into your next run or race.
    Nick shares five mental tools that have helped him get through difficult miles during ultras and long training days.
    These are simple mindset strategies that can help when fatigue sets in, doubt creeps in, and the race becomes more mental than physical.
    If you’re heading out for a run and need a little motivation or perspective, this episode is for you.

    Ostrich Running
    Alethia Sensor

    Be sure to visit the site and try Ostrich Salt today! Use Code SALTY6 for your $6 sampler pack
    Also visit Alethia and use code RUNSCARED10 for your discount on the running sensor!
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    19 mins
  • He Filmed His 250-Mile Ultra-Here’s What Happened

    He Filmed His 250-Mile Ultra-Here’s What Happened
    Feb 27 2026
    In this episode of the Ostrich Running Podcast, Nick sits down with ultrarunner and coach Steve Epifano to talk about the story behind his new documentary and what it means to chase big goals as a regular runner. Steve has raced everything from short distances to 200-mile ultras, but instead of focusing on podium finishes or elite performances, his film highlights the reality of endurance running — the long hours, the uncertainty, and the personal growth that happens when you keep moving forward. The conversation dives into:
    • Why Steve chose to tell the story of mid-pack runners
    • The lessons learned from filming his own journey
    • Being told his limits early on — and pushing beyond them
    • The mindset required to keep going when things get hard
    • What ultrarunning reveals about who we really are
    This episode is about more than racing — it’s about finding out what you’re capable of when you commit to something difficult. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and join the flock for more real conversations about running, mindset, and the stories behind the miles.
    Sacfly Productions IG
    Socal Runners Coaching
    Steve Epifano IG
    Ostrich Running
    Alethia Run Sensor
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Getting Better With Age — Performance, Identity and Credibility

    Getting Better With Age — Performance, Identity and Credibility
    Feb 20 2026
    In this solo episode, Nick explores what it means to keep improving as a runner at 39 years old.
    Is slowing down inevitable, or can hard work and smarter training still lead to growth? This conversation dives into aging, performance, mindset, and the idea that running times equal credibility — especially when building a running brand. An honest look at pushing limits, chasing progress, and redefining what’s possible with age.
    Run scared. Keep flocking moving.

    Alethia Running Sensor (Use Code RUNSCARED10)
    Ostrich Running
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    37 mins