What does it take to finish second at a 200-mile ultramarathon? And what happens when months of preparation end in a DNF?
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with ultrarunner Ian Hayashi Jones, who went from thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to competing at the front of some of the toughest ultramarathons in just a few years.
Ian's first running race wasn't a 5K, half marathon, or marathon. It was the Wyoming Range 100, a rugged 100-mile race that introduced him to competitive ultrarunning.
In 2025, Ian took on Tahoe 200, finishing second overall in 56 hours, behind Kilian Korth. We talk about his experience racing alongside Kilian, managing sleep deprivation, overcoming nutrition problems, and what it takes mentally to keep moving for more than two days.
But ultrarunning doesn't always go according to plan.
At Mammoth 200 in 2026, Ian arrived with his biggest training block and one clear goal: to win. Unfortunately, severe stomach problems and repeated vomiting forced him to withdraw at approximately mile 82.
We explore how he deals with disappointment, why he believes DNFs can help us discover our limits, and how his competitive mindset continues to evolve.
We also talk about the importance of family and friendship, including the two simple words his twin brother said during his first 100-miler that still motivate him today:
"Push, push."
This conversation goes beyond race results. It's about ambition, setbacks, resilience, discovering our limits, and finding the motivation to keep moving forward.
In this episode:
From the Pacific Crest Trail to ultrarunning
Running 100 miles as a first-ever race
Tahoe 200: second overall in 56 hours
Competing alongside Kilian Korth
Sleep deprivation and nutrition during 200-mile races
Mammoth 200: DNF at mile 82
Finding confidence through setbacks
The role of family, friends, and pacers
The meaning behind "Push, Push"
Discovering what the human body and mind are capable of
Keywords: Ian Hayashi Jones, Push Push, Pushing Horizons podcast, ultrarunning podcast, Tahoe 200 2025, Mammoth 200 2026, Kilian Korth, 200 mile ultramarathon, ultramarathon DNF, trail running, ultra endurance, mental resilience, endurance athlete, Pacific Crest Trail, ultrarunning nutrition, sleep deprivation, running motivation, 100 mile race, ultra running mindset.
