Sarah Perry: From winning backyard ultras to the joys of running with her dog

In this episode of the Runners World Podcast, hosts Rick Pearson and Ben Hobson interview ultra-endurance athlete Sarah Perry, who recently set a world record in the backyard ultra format. Sarah discusses her journey in ultra-running, explaining how her strategy is to approach each lap as an individual race, allowing her to manage the mental and physical challenges effectively.

Sarah reveals that her main focus this year was the backyard ultra, where she achieved an astounding nearly 400 miles. She emphasizes how breaking the distance into manageable laps helps in preventing mental fatigue. Additionally, she elaborates on her experiences in 'The Hill,' a grueling race involving numerous ascents and descents, showcasing the extremity of her endurance performances.

The hosts and Sarah delve deeper into the culture of backyard ultras, highlighting the communal and unique environment these races foster. Sarah also discusses the importance of keeping a calm demeanor as a crew member during such events, recommending real food over sports nutrition for energy management. Towards the end, they touch upon the growth of backyard ultras in the running community and Sarah's future plans that include competing in Belgium at a fast flatter backyard ultra event.