By Eric Schroeter · Ultrarunner and coach at My Endurance Life

Joe started running at 59. Later, he stood on the starting line of his first 50K.

That is a story worth hearing if you have been wondering whether you left it too late to try something bigger.

In our My First Ultra conversation, Joe talks about the path from a Spartan race to trail running, finding a community, and following a simple training plan one day at a time. He also describes questioning whether he could go beyond a half marathon.

You can recognize that doubt and still take a sensible next step.

Watch Joe's first-ultra story

Watch the full conversation with Joe on YouTube. It is about 17 minutes long and follows his journey from starting at 59 to becoming an ultramarathon finisher.

My First Ultra Podcast. Published September 7, 2026.

Give yourself a starting point you can work with

Joe's story starts with one event and develops from there. A Spartan race eventually led him to trails and his first 50K.

When the big goal feels too far away, bring the question back to where you are today. What have you been doing consistently? What distance or amount of time feels familiar? What does the next manageable step look like?

Be honest about those answers. Your first step might be building a regular run/hike routine, choosing a shorter trail goal, or looking at the requirements for a 50K plan.

A smaller goal can give you useful experience to carry forward. You are allowed to learn as you go.

Make the next session clear

Following a simple plan one day at a time is one of the themes in Joe's episode. That is useful when the finish line seems too big to get your head around.

You do not have to solve the whole training block every morning. Look at the session in front of you. Know what it is for, how long it calls for, and where it fits around the rest of your week.

Before a new week starts, check three things:

• Does this plan match my current experience and routine?
• Have I made room for both the sessions and recovery?
• Is there anything I need to ask about before the week begins?

Those questions keep the plan practical. If you need an adjustment, get clear on it rather than guessing your way through a week that does not fit.

Find people who make the trail feel familiar

Joe also talks about discovering the trail-running community. Preparing for an unfamiliar distance can feel different when you have people to learn from.

A local trail group, a training partner, or a coaching community can give you somewhere to ask ordinary questions: what should I carry, how does an aid station work, and what should I expect from this course?

If you try a group outing, check the route, pace, distance, and regrouping expectations beforehand. Choose something suited to where you are now.

You can build confidence by showing up, learning the routine, and getting a little more familiar with the sport.

Turn encouragement into one useful action

Hearing that someone started at 59 can open up a possibility. Your own preparation still needs to fit your experience, your circumstances, and the event you choose.

Pick one action for this week:

1. Write down a realistic next trail goal.
2. Put the next planned session on your calendar.
3. Find one person or group you can ask for practical help.

Keep the action small enough that you will follow through. Then use what you learn to decide the next step.

If you are building toward a longer trail outing, take a look at the free 16-week 25K plan and its starting requirements. If you already have a base and are exploring a first ultra, see the current Stupid Simple training plans.

Watch Joe tell his story, then give your own next step a place in the week.

See you on the trails,
Eric

This companion article draws on the episode's published overview. Watch the full conversation for Joe's story in his own words; the practical steps here are coaching takeaways for your own preparation.

“Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means!”

Romans 3:3–4 (ESV, excerpt)