#2 Joy Is In The Limits — Training, Curiosity, and Staying Playful
Today, we speak with Dr Carling Ursem, an accomplished trail runner from Northern California. Carling specializes in ultra-runs (runs with distances longer than traditional marathon races of 26.2 miles) and holds many FKTs (fastest known times) all over the Sierra mountains. But that’s not all, she’s also a hard-working oncologist at UCSF, a rock climber, a wife, and is raising two beautiful girls in the coastal town of Marin. In this freewheeling conversation, we dive into Carling’s journey into ultra-running, her training routines, diet, and how she manages to have fun with it all!
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00:05 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:53 Catching Up with Dr. Carling Ursem
01:01 Reminiscing About Joshua Tree Adventures
02:26 Exploring Carling's Early Outdoor Experiences
09:20 Carling's Introduction to Climbing
14:51 Carling's Transition into Running
17:38 Training for the First Marathon
22:39 Moving Back to California and Discovering Trail Running
27:19 Running in the San Francisco Fog
28:51 Reflecting on Personal Goals in Climbing and Running
29:00 The Importance of Community in Sports
29:55 Balancing Running with a Busy Schedule
31:09 A Day in the Life of an Ultra Runner
33:06 The Convenience of Living Near Trails
34:04 Proudest Achievements in Running
34:29 The Joy and Gratitude of Running
35:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Ultra Running
38:59 The High Sierra Trail Experience
47:41 The Role of a Coach in Training
58:19 Future Running Goals
