Grinding It Out: Rachel Millman’s Journey Through the Hardest Miles

In this episode of the HappyCast, Stephanie and Andrew sit down with ultrarunner Rachel Millman, whose race résumé spans mud-soaked DNFs, monster climbs, and fearless returns to the start line. Rachel takes us inside her recent finish at the Ouray 100, a beast of a race boasting over 40,000 feet of elevation gain, where she crossed the line just 23 minutes before the final cutoff. From navigating steep, loose terrain to staying upright during nighttime descents, she shares how grit—and a little stubbornness—got her to the finish.

But this conversation isn’t just about one race. Rachel opens up about the string of tough outcomes that came before Ouray, including storm-battered miles at Viper 200, a grueling DNF at Cocodona 250, and the blister battles that have been her biggest nemesis. Her honesty about the mental lows, self-doubt, and problem-solving in the middle of a race paints a real, unfiltered picture of what it takes to keep showing up for the toughest challenges.

We also dig into Rachel’s approach to training in Phoenix, her attraction to big-vert events, and what’s on deck next—hint: Moab 240 and Javelina 100 are coming up fast. Whether you’re here for the stories about running waist-deep through floodwater, chasing cutoffs in the mountains, or simply finding joy in pushing limits, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is sign up, show up, and keep moving forward.

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