"You don't need to be like Goggins to succeed."

What does it actually take to keep going when your body hurts, your mind is spiraling, and the race won’t end?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with ultrarunner Dylan Ledbetter to break down the mindset and strategy behind succeeding in the Last Man Standing format and how his strategy has changed over time.

He's ran Midstate Mile three times, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra two times, Mad Backyard Ultra, and many other timed events and fixed distance events. And he's also gearing up to run Cocodona. He has an incredible story and is a proponent of faith, fitness and sobriety, and relies on discipline to get him through each day while looking towards ultimate progress.

Dylan shares the simple but powerful approach that keeps him moving: stop thinking about the entire race and focus only on the next waypoint. Whether it’s a tree, a bridge, or the next aid station, staying present is what prevents the mental unravel that takes most runners out.

They dive into pacing discipline, how to recognize the “death spiral” before it’s too late, and why focusing on other runners can either hurt you or help you, depending on where you are mentally and physically.

The conversation also explores fueling strategies for long efforts, the importance of digestion over just hitting carb numbers, and how simplifying the process of racing can actually improve performance.

Beyond strategy, Dylan opens up about a major shift in his identity as a runner, from a prove-yourself, cutthroat mindset, to one rooted in community, gratitude, and helping others go further.

Dylan also shares the Three Chambers of Ultra Running: physical, mental and spiritual, and how you build them and move through them.

Follow Dylan on Instagram @dylan_abnormal

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

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📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

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