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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