Becca Windell: Big Dreams and Golden Tickets

The Adventure Jogger

In this episode, Ryan interviews Becca Windell about her recent achievement of getting a golden ticket at the Black Canyon race and her upcoming participation in the Western States race. They discuss the last mile of the Black Canyon race, the excitement of getting the golden ticket, and the cost of participating in Western States. Becca also shares her early running experiences with her grandpa and how she got into cycling before transitioning back to running. They also touch on the differences between the running and cycling communities. Becca shares her journey of getting back into bike racing, transitioning to trail running, and discovering ultra running. She discusses the importance of belief and confidence in running, as well as the lessons she has learned from her coach, David Roche. Becca also reflects on the influence of her grandfather and the gift of having a great grandparent. She talks about dealing with a significant injury and her dream of running Western States. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about Chicago food preferences and fandom.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:30 Unconventional Interview Style

00:54 Congratulations on Getting the Golden Ticket

02:31 Thoughts During the Last Mile

03:14 Planning for Western States

04:05 The Golden Ticket Experience

04:52 The Cost of Western States

05:27 The Evolution of Western States Entry

06:15 The Privilege of Running Western States

06:44 The Competitive Nature of Black Canyon

07:45 The Experience of Black Canyon

08:23 The Golden Ticket Prize

09:00 The Support of Aerovipa

09:58 The Cost of Western States Entry

10:09 The Golden Ticket Experience

11:22 Introduction to Running

12:08 Early Running Experiences with Grandpa

13:11 Rediscovering Running with Josie

20:11 Transition from Cycling to Running

21:12 Finding Joy in Running

22:39 Comparison of Running and Cycling Communities

25:11 Introduction to Cycling

26:26 Involvement in Underground Alley Cat Bike Racing

28:39 Reactions to Becca's Bicycle Gang

30:28 Getting Back into Bike Racing

31:08 Lessons from Underground Bicycle Gang

33:08 Transition to Trail Running

34:37 First Ultra Races

35:50 Approach to First 50K

36:28 Break from Racing and Wildlife Research

37:28 Returning to Running and Discovering Ultra Running

38:19 Building Confidence and Belief in Running

40:28 Lessons from Coach David Roche

41:20 Importance of Using the Brain in Athletics

43:35 Grandfather's Influence and Wisdom

45:05 The Gift of Having a Great Grandfather

46:15 Dealing with a Significant Injury

51:07 Dreaming of Western States

56:49 Goals for Western States

59:00 Chicago Food Preferences

01:00:11 Chicago Bears Fandom

01:00:29 Existential Dread and Credits

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