A 55-yard backyard ultra doesn’t happen by accident—and it definitely doesn’t happen alone.

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with Stormy and Samantha Hild to break down Stormy’s massive 55-yard performance at Queeny Backyard Ultra from both sides of the chair.

Stormy shares how he’s evolved from going out too fast and learning the hard way to developing a steady, repeatable approach that carried him over 200 miles. He dives into his mindset of “buying into the race,” why he believes most runners quit before their true limit, and how small decisions, like reacting to competitors, can make or break a performance late in the race.

But this conversation goes far beyond the runner.

Samantha gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually means to crew a backyard ultra, from tracking every carb and decision, to anticipating needs before they’re spoken, to managing the emotional rollercoaster of watching someone you love push to their absolute edge. She shares how crewing has shaped her as a runner, why communication (or lack of it) matters, and what most people don’t realize about the role crew plays in these races.

Together, they explore:

• Why pacing is one of the hardest (and most important) lessons in backyards
• The balance between trusting your runner and stepping in when it matters
• How fueling, gut issues, and decision-making evolve over 50+ hours
• The mental battle of choosing to start “one more loop”
• Why the backyard format exposes both your strengths and your blind spots

Stormy also shares his creative “Pledge to the Park” fundraiser, where every completed loop turned into a donation, raising nearly $5,000 for local trails and adding an extra layer of purpose to every step.

Whether you’re a runner, a crew member, or someone curious about the backyard format, this episode gives you a raw, honest look at what it actually takes to keep going and why you might be capable of more than you think.

• Follow Stormy on Instagram @stormyhild
• Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthahild_
• Stormy's Queeny blog post
• Work Hard Company

Key Takeaways

• Most runners don’t hit their true limit, they stop when their mind gets loud
• If you are looking to go far, the first 12–24 hours of a backyard are just the “buy-in”
• Crewing is proactive, not reactive. It’s about anticipating needs before they happen
• Small mistakes compound late in the race (fueling, foot care, mindset)
• You can’t control other runners but focusing on them can still cost you
• The backyard ultra is as much about decision-making as it is about fitness

👉 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.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 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)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website