Huge shoutout and Thank you to our friend and sponsor Joshua Brandt of State Farm insurance. Team Nashvillle,Naak and Mount to Coast

In this episode of the Ultra-Crewed Podcast, hosts Jon Cox and Becca Jones pull back the curtain on race week at the Tennessee Mile—sharing the chaos, the cold, the community, and the countless moving pieces that make this event unlike any other.

From laughing about missed podcast episodes (thanks, race-week brain!) to admitting how exhaustion sneaks up on even the most seasoned endurance athletes, Jon and Becca keep it real about what life looks like behind the scenes. Becca talks about battling sleep while juggling race prep, and Jon shares how they tag-teamed the week’s curveballs—including a broken heater—just to keep everything running smoothly.

The pair revisit this year’s Tennessee Mile experience: 33-degree temps, over 160 runners, and a record wave of first-timers who showed up ready to push themselves and support each other. With no headphones allowed, conversations flowed, friendships formed, and the sense of family that defines this race was stronger than ever.

Throughout the episode, they highlight the deeper theme woven through the weekend: community matters. Whether it’s runners cheering for strangers on the course or volunteers stepping up when challenges hit, the Tennessee Mile continues to grow because people show up for each other.

Jon and Becca close with reflections on how far the event has come and the pride they feel watching this community thrive.

*VIDEO - not suitable for audio listening

Huge shoutout and Thank you to our friend and sponsor Joshua Brandt of State Farm insurance. Team Nashvillle,Naak and Mount to Coast

In this episode of the Ultra-Crewed Podcast, hosts Jon Cox and Becca Jones pull back the curtain on race week at the Tennessee Mile—sharing the chaos, the cold, the community, and the countless moving pieces that make this event unlike any other.

From laughing about missed podcast episodes (thanks, race-week brain!) to admitting how exhaustion sneaks up on even the most seasoned endurance athletes, Jon and Becca keep it real about what life looks like behind the scenes. Becca talks about battling sleep while juggling race prep, and Jon shares how they tag-teamed the week’s curveballs—including a broken heater—just to keep everything running smoothly.

The pair revisit this year’s Tennessee Mile experience: 33-degree temps, over 160 runners, and a record wave of first-timers who showed up ready to push themselves and support each other. With no headphones allowed, conversations flowed, friendships formed, and the sense of family that defines this race was stronger than ever.

Throughout the episode, they highlight the deeper theme woven through the weekend: community matters. Whether it’s runners cheering for strangers on the course or volunteers stepping up when challenges hit, the Tennessee Mile continues to grow because people show up for each other.

Jon and Becca close with reflections on how far the event has come and the pride they feel watching this community thrive.

We explore the mental gymnastics of adjusting race-day goals, the psychological tug-of-war that happens when plans go sideways, and the quiet power of choosing gratitude over frustration. With the Tennessee Mile looming, they dish out cold-weather strategies, headlamp essentials, and hard-won advice on how to thrive in the dark—literally and figuratively. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just here for the stories, this episode reminds us that the road (or trail) to success is rarely straight, and the best runs often begin when the plan falls apart.