In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with ultra runner TJ Harms-Synkiew, who took on one of the most unusual endurance challenges in running: Burrito League.

For the entire month of January, runners gathered in Tempe, Arizona (and many other Burrito League locations) to repeat the same 0.2-mile Strava segment (segments varied based on location) as many times as possible.

TJ ended the month with 1,070 miles, earning second place while navigating sleep deprivation, pavement fatigue, injury, and the mental grind of doing the same loop thousands of times.

For runners familiar with backyard ultras (he's got experience in backyard ultras as well), the mindset might feel familiar.

Just like backyard racing, Burrito League became a constant question: Can you go one more?

In this conversation, TJ shares:

• What it’s like to move 12–14 hours a day for nearly a month
• How he managed the mental lows of repetitive endurance
• Why community became the biggest factor in finishing
• The physical consequences of jumping from low mileage to 300-mile weeks
• Lessons about pain, persistence, and perspective

TJ also talks about the emotional comedown after the challenge ended. The sudden loss of routine, community, and movement that had defined his life for 26 days.

If you’ve ever wondered how far your mind can take you when your body wants to stop, this episode explores exactly that.

Because sometimes endurance isn’t about speed.

It’s about deciding to take one more step.

Follow TJ on Instagram

TJ's Substack

TJ's website https://coachcrewpace.com/

Key Takeaways

1. Break the challenge down. When the full distance becomes overwhelming, shrink the goal.
2. Community Changes Everything. Even though the challenge was individual, TJ says the biggest reason he kept going was the people around him.
3. Perspective Makes Hard Things Manageable. One of TJ’s most powerful coping strategies was perspective.
4. The Body Can Do More Than We Expect. TJ believed his legs were finished around 300 miles, then ran over 700 more miles.
5. The Aftermath Is Part of the Experience. One of the hardest parts came after Burrito League ended.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website