What happens when you willingly choose to run 100 miles through the night—and why would any mother do it?
In this episode of The Sendy Mom Podcast, Becky sits down with ultra-marathoner Allison Stratton, a woman whose life has been shaped by grit, heartbreak, community, and the relentless pursuit of “hard things.”

Allison opens up about infertility, identity beyond motherhood, and the moment an ultra-race ended in rhabdomyolysis and an ICU stay—but also how that terrifying experience reshaped her perspective on miracles, resilience, and what really matters.

Together, Becky and Allison explore:

What happens mentally during an ultra when your body shuts down
Why shared hardship deepens relationships
How finding something just for you strengthens motherhood, not competes with it
The power of pacing, partnership, and community
Why choosing hard things makes everyday life feel lighter

If you’ve ever wondered why people push to their physical and emotional limits—or how adversity can become one of life’s greatest teachers—this episode will change how you see your own capacity for bravery.

Allison Stratton is a mother of two, an ultra-marathon champion, and one of the grittiest women you’ll ever meet. Backpacking with her husband turned into years of trail racing, including a first-place win at the Bear 100 with a sub-24-hour finish. Allison has faced infertility, endometriosis, medical crises, and the mental battles of ultra-endurance running—but she continues to choose courage, community, and joy along the way.

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Allison Stratton

02:40 First Marathon with Mom

05:20 Infertility and Endometriosis

06:13 Parenting: The Struggle is Real or Is It?

09:47 Develop Your Relationship with Your Spouse

11:30 Ultra-Marathons: Everyone Needs a Pacer

13:13 The Impact of COVID on Healthcare Professionals

16:57 First Ultra-Marathon: The Bear 100

20:03 Managing the Hard Things

24:13 Training for an Ultramarathon

27:02 Personal Stories from the Bear 100 Races

How to Do Hard Things: Pain, Purpose & Personal Growth