Fueling the Fire: Leah Mulligan's Passion for Running

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