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100 People 100 Ultras Podcast

100 People 100 Ultras Podcast

Published by Patrick Durante on September 26, 2026

As many of you know, I’ve been coaching athletes for a few years now, and one thing that’s critical to coaching is one-on-one meetings. They’re always a chance to connect, see how training is going, and review plans for race week. I also usually do an exit interview to see how their event went. While out on a run, I thought to myself that some amazing stories come out of these meetings. Since I’m doing the calls anyway, I figured it would be a great chance to start a podcast built around them, and maybe cover some other topics as they come up. I quickly learned how to record, transcribe, and get episodes posted on all the major platforms. It’s so easy to launch a podcast that I can see why there are so many out there.

From DNF to Top 5: How Chris Gerrard Conquered His First 100-Miler – Ultra Run Coach Podcast: 100 People, 100 Ultras

In this episode of the UltraRunCoach.com podcast, coach Patrick Durante sits down with athlete Chris Gerrard to break down his incredible journey from a 90-mile heartbreak at the C&O Canal 100 to placing 5th overall at the Pine Creek Challenge 100-Miler with a time of 21:11:02.Chris shares the mental and physical adjustments that made all the difference, including working with a physical therapist to correct low cadence and gait mechanics, overhauling his high-carb fueling strategy, and building mental resilience after a DNF.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Chris Gerrard’s Background00:58 – High School Running & Life After College03:15 – Cutting Alcohol & Running His First 50K (Naked Nick)05:30 – Shawnee Trail 50-Miler & Identifying Early Fueling Mistakes07:37 – Why the 100-Mile Distance?08:37 – Selecting CNO Canal 100 as a Western States Qualifier09:38 – Training Block Periodization: From Speedwork to Volume11:38 – Shamrock Shenanigans 10-Hour Race: Testing Pacing & Gear15:35 – Addressing Hip Pain, Low Cadence & Working with a Physical Therapist20:36 – CNO Canal 100 Race Day: What Went Wrong & Dropping at Mile 9028:13 – Overcoming the Mental Hurdle of a DNF30:07 – Ramping Up Training Volume & The Value of a Coach33:15 – Revolutionizing Fueling: 50g Carb Gels, Rice Krispies & Real Food37:21 – Pine Creek Challenge 100: Race Day Strategy & Execution41:30 – Navigating Stomach Issues & Torrential Rain in the Night45:31 – Crossing the Finish Line: 21:11:02 & 5th Place Overall47:30 – Post-Race Reflection & Moving to Colorado52:20 – Where to Follow Chris

While I don’t think I’ll be putting out a ton of episodes, I’ll try to connect with a few past athletes, and maybe some people in the ultra space who can offer insights on completing these events. Let me know in the comments about what topics you would like to hear…

The Importance of Setting an Example Master Runner PodcastMaster Runner

The Importance of Setting an Example Master Runner Podcast

Published by Patrick Durante on December 6, 2022

I ran with Mike Warren at Rim to River 100 a few weeks ago and he then invited me to speak on his podcast “Master Runner”. He focuses on those of us between the ages of 40 and 49. He takes a deep dive into the stories behind these fellow master, grandmaster (50-59), and senior grandmaster (60+) athletes, along with their successes, struggles, and favorite mistakes they’ve made along the way.

As a child, Patrick, a newly minted master runner at the age of 41, remembers countless days accompanying his dad on his track workouts. While running up and down the bleachers as his dad sped around the track, his father’s dedication, hard work, and enjoyment were never lost on him, and those attributes became the foundation for the man he is today.

Now a father himself, Patrick continues instilling these values in his own children through his constant dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm toward running. While his family shares some of his love for running, he also wants them to know the more important part is to just enjoy this stint down here called life.