Mud, rain, and a first-ever DNF set the stage for a comeback story packed with practical wisdom. I sit down with ultrarunner Andy Chaffee to retrace how a soaked 75-mile stop at Indiana Trail 100 became the catalyst for smarter fueling, better decisions, and two confident 100-mile finishes. From childhood races and college running to post-grad burnout and re-entry through Ironman, Andy explains what drew him to ultras: the thrill of uncertain finishes and the constant problem-solving they demand.

We unpack the big pivots that made the difference. He traded gel fatigue for high-carb liquid fueling with neutral flavors, then layered in real foods when his stomach felt empty, not just when his legs flagged. He reframed race day as rolling crisis management—system checks, small fixes that pay off two hours later, and permission to throw out the plan near the end. And he tested a 10-minute power nap at mile 91 that left him sharper and looser, powering a strong close. If you’ve ever wondered whether a short sleep helps or hurts, Andy’s answer is clear: done right, it’s rocket fuel.

The best part might be the people. His wife runs point as lead crew, blocking rash DNFs and insisting on critical calories. Friends who don’t consider themselves runners still make perfect pacers with the right brief: distract, cue terrain-based pacing, and protect decisions as focus narrows. We trade Huron 100 stories—headlamp woes, burger cravings, pancake salvation at mile 80—and talk about what’s next: pacing at Huron, a spring road marathon to bring back speed, a maybe on Wolverine, and a hopeful ticket in the Western States lottery.

If you’re chasing your first hundred or trying to shave hours off a stubborn course, this conversation offers concrete tactics and a mindset you can use right away: build a fueling base you can tolerate for 30 hours, plan targeted solids, practice short naps, and recruit a crew that knows when to push and when to protect. Enjoy the ride, then share it with someone on your team. Subscribe, leave a quick review, and tell us: what’s your late-race secret weapon?

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