ULTRA University

Carl Tedesco was introduced to ULTRA marathons in 2007.  As he continued his engineering career with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University and working as a professor at San Diego State University, one of his students helped to inspire him to run more.  Since then he has run numerous ULTRA marathons and completed five 100 mile races, San Diego 100 miles twice, Javalina Jundred, Chimera 100M, and Zion 100M. He continues to inspire students at San Diego State University to pursue careers in engineering as an advisor for the Rocket Club.

Carl Tedesco was introduced to ULTRA marathons in 2007.  As he continued his engineering career with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University and working as a professor at San Diego State University, one of his students helped to inspire him to run more.  Since then he has run numerous ULTRA marathons and completed five 100 mile races, San Diego 100 miles twice, Javalina Jundred, Chimera 100M, and Zion 100M. He continues to inspire students at San Diego State University to pursue careers in engineering as an advisor for the Rocket Club.

Recently named the leader of the Department of Drawings and Prints at the Morgan Library and Museum (themorgan.org), a major center for art literature and music in New York City, John Marciari received his Ph.D. from Yale University in Art History.  In 2008 when he became the curator of Italian and Spanish Painting and the head of Provenance Research at the San Diego Museum of Art, he also discovered ultramarathons.  Since then he has run more than 18 ultramarathons including, 2012 Chimera 100M, 2013 San Diego 100M, and 2014 Massanutten 100M. He is a father of twins and his amazing wife, Julia Marciari-Alexander is the Executive Director of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.  Learn how John has balanced the art of running ultramarathons with a thriving career and family. If you or someone you know would like to be featured on ULTRA University's podcast, send an email to trasiephan@icloud.com Subject line: athlete nomination

Recently named the leader of the Department of Drawings and Prints at the Morgan Library and Museum (themorgan.org), a major center for art literature and music in New York City, John Marciari received his Ph.D. from Yale University in Art History.  In 2008 when he became the curator of Italian and Spanish Painting and the head of Provenance Research at the San Diego Museum of Art, he also discovered ultramarathons.  Since then he has run more than 18 ultramarathons including, 2012 Chimera 100M, 2013 San Diego 100M, and 2014 Massanutten 100M. He is a father of twins and his amazing wife, Julia Marciari-Alexander is the Executive Director of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.  Learn how John has balanced the art of running ultramarathons with a thriving career and family. If you or someone you know would like to be featured on ULTRA University's podcast, send an email to trasiephan@icloud.com Subject line: athlete nomination

Once an overweight law student at Northwestern, now Mandy Miller has a thriving law practice helping mentally disabled people. Mandy also has a Ph.D. in experimental psychology. She is turning 53 in July and is in the best shape of her life. She and her husband travels the world competing in Multi-day Stage Races, Endurance and ULTRA races.  A few races she has completed are 2009 Marathon de Sables 50M, 2011 Ultraman Canada, 2012 Grand to Grand ULTRA, July 2013 Stage race in Spain, 2014 Yukon Artic Ultra, 2014 Graveyard 100, 2014 Salton Sea 

Once an overweight law student at Northwestern, now Mandy Miller has a thriving law practice helping mentally disabled people. Mandy also has a Ph.D. in experimental psychology. She is turning 53 in July and is in the best shape of her life. She and her husband travels the world competing in Multi-day Stage Races, Endurance and ULTRA races.  A few races she has completed are 2009 Marathon de Sables 50M, 2011 Ultraman Canada, 2012 Grand to Grand ULTRA, July 2013 Stage race in Spain, 2014 Yukon Artic Ultra, 2014 Graveyard 100, 2014 Salton Sea 

"Mike Rouse is one of a few great people you can always count on to do the right thing and who lives his lifewith passion every single day. I'm proud to call him my friend." -Bob Babbit, Co-Founder of Competiror Magazine and Ironman Hall of Famer "Rousey has a huge personality and a zest for life that touches everyone he meets. And there's no BS--he's a what you see is what you get' kind of guy, a true friend who has almost always already been there and done that and isn't shy to share his experience. And not matter how busy he gets, he's never too busy to turn down a drink with friends--people are his priority and his passion." -Mirinda Carfrae, Ironman World Champion "Rousey has taught me about love, life, second chances and how to make the most of any situation. I'm proud to call him a friend." -Josh Cox, 50K American Record Holder Mike's Book: Zero To 60 - At The Speed Of Life  Zeroto60.info Support Mike's next event: Joggin For Frogmen http://jogginforfrogmen.com/sandiegoca/  

"Mike Rouse is one of a few great people you can always count on to do the right thing and who lives his lifewith passion every single day. I'm proud to call him my friend." -Bob Babbit, Co-Founder of Competiror Magazine and Ironman Hall of Famer "Rousey has a huge personality and a zest for life that touches everyone he meets. And there's no BS--he's a what you see is what you get' kind of guy, a true friend who has almost always already been there and done that and isn't shy to share his experience. And not matter how busy he gets, he's never too busy to turn down a drink with friends--people are his priority and his passion." -Mirinda Carfrae, Ironman World Champion "Rousey has taught me about love, life, second chances and how to make the most of any situation. I'm proud to call him a friend." -Josh Cox, 50K American Record Holder Mike's Book: Zero To 60 - At The Speed Of Life  Zeroto60.info Support Mike's next event: Joggin For Frogmen http://jogginforfrogmen.com/sandiegoca/  

Martha Schoppe (pronounced Shop-pe) is no ordinary fire fighter.  She is part of a 20 person crew out of Durango, Colorado made up of 3 women and 17 men, part of the Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service.  They work 80-100 hours a week from April to October fighting wilderness fires.  Periodically they are called into help with structural fires but mostly they hike up and around mountains with 30-50 lbs of supplies (including shelter, food and equipment.) Once she joined the 20 person Hot Shot Crew, she started running 4-5 miles 3 times a week to meet the fitness demands until she decided to join her sister on a Half Marathon in Denver 2011.  She has never looked back since.  That same year, she ran the Moab Trail Marathon and fell in love with trail running.  In addition to participating in Power Lifting, Cross Fit and Ju-Jitsu Competitions, Martha completed the Chimera 100 Mile Run 2013, Susitna 100 Mile (self supported) Run 2014.  While away fighting fires, Martha decided to support a friend battling breast cancer by cutting and shaving her hair as she reached certain dollar amounts in fundraising.  Please support Martha’s efforts here: https://www.youcaring.com/nurseinneed

Martha Schoppe (pronounced Shop-pe) is no ordinary fire fighter.  She is part of a 20 person crew out of Durango, Colorado made up of 3 women and 17 men, part of the Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service.  They work 80-100 hours a week from April to October fighting wilderness fires.  Periodically they are called into help with structural fires but mostly they hike up and around mountains with 30-50 lbs of supplies (including shelter, food and equipment.) Once she joined the 20 person Hot Shot Crew, she started running 4-5 miles 3 times a week to meet the fitness demands until she decided to join her sister on a Half Marathon in Denver 2011.  She has never looked back since.  That same year, she ran the Moab Trail Marathon and fell in love with trail running.  In addition to participating in Power Lifting, Cross Fit and Ju-Jitsu Competitions, Martha completed the Chimera 100 Mile Run 2013, Susitna 100 Mile (self supported) Run 2014.  While away fighting fires, Martha decided to support a friend battling breast cancer by cutting and shaving her hair as she reached certain dollar amounts in fundraising.  Please support Martha’s efforts here: https://www.youcaring.com/nurseinneed

Joe Edgecome retired on April 1, 2014 and that’s not joke.  He spent 40 years as a respiratory therapist, 28 of them as Director of Respiratory Care at a hospital.  He is a father of 4, and grandfather of 9 and married for 33 years; two of his children have served in Afghanistan. A lover of the outdoors, Joe is always canoeing, kayaking, scalloping and started running in 1985.  He started running ultra marathons in his 60’s.  Ran his best 50 mile at 61 with the time of 8:51 and at 62 ran 100K in 13:23. Joe hasn’t had time to get bored since he’s retired because he’s headed out to the south west with 5 friends and meeting 15 others to explore the National Parks, including Grand Canyon, Tetons and Zion.  Joe can be found running around Panama City, Florida training for ultramarathons, multi-day races, triathlons, inspiring new runners and the Race Director of several races in Florida that allows him to give back to the community. http://www.draggintailrun.com/

In the past 9 years, Angela Shartel has gone from being 65 lbs over weight to winning 100 mile ultra marathons and setting records. Most recently winning first female at Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run http://www.vhtrc.org/mmt, May 2014.  She is a mother of 3 and has owned a daycare for 18 years.   Angela has learned that taking care of others means taking care of yourself.  She is an integral part of the ultra running community not only as an accomplished athlete but also the assistant director of the San Diego 100 Mile Endurance Run, held annually in June in the mountains east of San Diego. Although the race is challenging, it is known for the 100s of volunteers that generously donate their time to race preparation and operations.   Angela is an elite athlete, sponsored by: Altra, http://altrarunning.com Injinji, http://injinji.com Carbopro, http://carbopro.com Elliptigo, http://elliptigo.com "I believe that running is all about learning and implementing life’s lessons." Angela Shartel, Read more at: http://www.injinji.com/blog/the-missing-piece/#sthash.G2FIDsQV.dpuf  

Trasie Phan and Elizabeth Kocek, ULTRA Marathon runner, have a candid conversation about how running long distances started for them.  Trasie was introduced to ULTRA Marathons in 2009 as a volunteer at the Pacific Crest Trail 50 Mile Run and met Elizabeth in fall of 2011 at a run Trasie organized for San Diego Running Meetup.  Trasie invited Elizabeth on a trip to the Grand Canyon in May of 2012 and that is how Elizabeth’s ULTRA Marathon journey started.   Listen and learn how these two friends met through their love of running, have run thousands of miles together as well as supporting one another and have discovered a community of people who are amazing.  It all starts one step at a time.   You can learn more about Elizabeth Kocek by reading her blog, liza-potranca.blogspot.com

Eric Meech has completed the Badwater 135 Ultra Marathon twice, 2011 and 2013, while serving the San Diego Community as a lifeguard for over 25 years. No one knows the beaches and bays of San Diego better than Eric who is a graduate of La Jolla High School, and National University, San Diego with a BS degree in Criminal Justice.  He ran his first half marathon at age 13. Listen in and meet a real hero and athlete who you might see running around the beaches and neighborhoods of San Diego. Eric was recently featured on the UTSanDiego.com for his accomplishment as an ULTRA Marathoner. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/22/badwater-ultramarathon-135-meech/

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we are having a conversation with Kit Kakadelas Brazier Learn how Kit continued to run while she was pregnant and raising children for so many years. Her children range in ages 11 years apart with the last two being twins.  She started her running career at UCLA running the 440 and cross country.  Her teammates included world class athletes like Julie Brown, who ran the marathon in 1984 Olympics for the USA.  While a mom and school teacher, she continued running 1-2 marathons a year until 1 1/2 years ago when she turned 60 and started her second running life, running ultra marathons.  Recently she turned to running two marathons or longer distance a month.  She is very proud to be part of an elite group of runners called Marathon Maniacs (www.marathonmaniacs.com) where she achieved gold level by running 4 marathons in 47 days. Her husband of over 35 years is very supportive of her running passion and accompanies her as her personal chauffer at every race.  She teaches kindergarten in the Encinitas School District and is known as the Running Teacher.  She keeps her students very active by running 1 mile 2-3 times a week.  She often gets special requests by parents to have their kids in her class.   Some races you may have seen her at recently are, Jackpot 12 hr, St George Marathon, Calico, Surf City Marathon, Hoover Dam Marathon, Labor of Love Marathon, Sean O’Brien Marathon, Operation Jack, Leona Divide 50K, and she was recognized by the LA Marathon for marathon mom with the most kids. She has submitted her request to Guinness Book of World Records for The Mom with the most kids and ran the most marathons.