Run Your Story Podcast · Allison Gaillard

Jackson Wolf - "I'm gonna let the rougarou out."

·1 hr 8 min·4 clips

Jackson says Mount to Coast shoes gave him "zero fatigue in my feet" after 130-plus miles at Cocodona 250.

1. Run Your Story Podcast centers on Jackson Wolf and his running path from late-blooming marathoner to ultra runner and race organizer. 2. Jackson Wolf is the guest, Allison Gillyard is the host, and Jackson matters because he races 100-milers, coaches runners, and directs events. 3. The episode asks how Jackson built his running life, then turned that experience into coaching, race directing, and advice for ultra runners. 4. Jackson says he was "a late age competitive runner," ran fun 5Ks in his twenties, and did his first marathon at 33 in 2013. 5. He says that first marathon went well enough that he "negative split" it and immediately signed up for more races. 6. Jackson says he signed up for his first Ironman before finishing his first marathon and his first 100-mile race before his first 50K. 7. He traces his trail-running interest to Oak Mountain Park in Alabama, where David Tosh's race format helped him feel he was good at climbing and technical terrain. 8. Jackson says boredom and ADHD make trail running attractive because the climbs, technical sections, and changing terrain keep him engaged. 9. He says the Gulf South has limited trail access, while Flagstaff gives him "50 miles of trail right outside my door." 10. Jackson explains that race directing started when friends wanted a self-supported 50K, and he turned it into Live Oak with awards, food, beer, and finisher medals. 11. He says Live Oak grew from almost 40 runners to about 80 in one year and that he wants four to five races across Louisiana and Mississippi. 12. Jackson names possible additions: a last-person-standing event, a three-, six-, or 12-hour race, and a track-loop event. 13. He says his favorite event is the Mississippi 100 because it is his hometown race and because he wants to keep coming back for years. 14. Jackson says his favorite course is Cocodona 250, which crosses half of Arizona and gave him five days of scenery, mountains, and constant variation. 15. He says Mount to Coast shoes gave him "zero fatigue in my feet" after 130-plus miles at Cocodona 250 and no blisters. 16. Jackson says Hammer Perpetuum, gels, candy, and real food all matter because ultra fueling often needs backup plans when taste or digestion breaks down. 17. He describes his recovery style as staying moving, doing mobility work, using the gym, biking, and avoiding pressure to rush back to training. 18. Jackson says strength work matters for trail and ultra runners because hills, uneven surfaces, and long efforts expose weak core and lower-back muscles. 19. The tone is practical and conversational, with Allison Gillyard reacting to his examples and Jackson giving detailed, experience-based answers. 20. Trail runners, coaches, and ultra-curious runners will get the most from this episode; casual listeners wanting short celebrity-style chat may skip it.

As heard by us

A community-first runner conversation that keeps its focus on gratitude and practical training advice.

Runner Story spends this episode in a grateful, practical register. Allison Gillyard thanks Run the Rainbow, Selena, the team, the volunteers, and Children's of Mississippi, and the appreciation feels earned rather than perfunctory.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a coach's take on keeping training on track when running has to flex.

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