Colleen Miracle: From Rock Climbing to Ultra Marathons and Dealing with Injury

The Adventure Jogger

Colleen Miracle, an ultra runner and musician, shares her journey into running and the challenges she has faced along the way. She started running again a few years ago after taking a break to focus on rock climbing. Colleen fell in love with ultra running during the pandemic and has since completed over 20 ultras, including multiple 100-mile races. She discusses her training approach, the mental side of dealing with injuries, and her plans for future races. They also discuss Colleen's ankle injury and the surgery she had to remove the screws. Colleen shares her recovery timeline and her plans to get back to running and potentially do another 100-mile race. They also talk about the hidden costs of ultra marathons, including gear, nutrition, and travel expenses. Colleen mentions her article in Outside Magazine about the cost of ultra marathons and the importance of budgeting for races. They also touch on the importance of taking care of oneself and not skimping on essentials like shoes and sun protection. The conversation ends with a discussion about the privilege of trail running and the camaraderie among runners.

Takeaways

• Colleen started running again a few years ago after a break to focus on rock climbing.
• She fell in love with ultra running during the pandemic and has completed over 20 ultras, including multiple 100-mile races.
• Colleen's training approach includes focusing on runnable races, incorporating tempo runs, and running uphill to build strength.
• She is currently pursuing a coaching certification and plans to work in the running space full-time in the future. Choosing good athletes to coach is important, especially for new coaches
• Realistic goal-setting and managing expectations are crucial in coaching
• Recovery from an ankle injury and surgery can vary, but it's important to listen to your body
• Ultra marathons can be expensive, with costs including gear, nutrition, and travel
• Budgeting and planning ahead can help manage the costs of ultra marathons
• Taking care of oneself and not skimping on essentials like shoes and sun protection is important Running races without a crew can be a freeing experience, allowing runners to focus solely on their own performance.
• The hidden costs of ultra running, such as race entry fees, gear, travel, and nutrition, can add up quickly and require budgeting.
• Hallucinations are common in longer races, but they can vary depending on the terrain and individual experiences.
• Trail running provides an opportunity to meet new people and form connections during races, creating a sense of camaraderie.
• Choosing race distances that align with personal preferences and capabilities is important for a positive and enjoyable experience.
• Trail running is a privilege that allows individuals to explore nature and push their limits, while also supporting local economies.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

01:12

Getting into Running and Ultra Races

06:03

Running during the Pandemic and Training in Boulder

09:08

Dealing with Injuries and Overcoming Challenges

13:39

Colleen's Race Experiences and Future Plans

18:05

Training Approach and Coaching Certification

24:03

Coaching and Choosing Athletes

26:00

Managing Expectations and Goal-Setting

27:30

Recovering from an Ankle Injury

32:27

The Hidden Costs of Ultra Marathons

37:27

Budgeting for Ultra Marathons

44:09

Taking Care of Yourself in Training and Racing

49:23

The Freedom of Running Races Without a Crew

51:17

The Hidden Costs of Ultra Running

56:08

Hallucinations and Memorable Experiences on the Trails

59:39

Meeting New People and the Camaraderie of Trail Running

01:07:23

Future Race Plans and the Importance of Choosing the Right Distance

01:08:46

The Privilege and Impact of Trail Running

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