Four 100-Milers in Ten Weeks: Alison Miller's Ultimate Test
Join host Chris Detzel for an extraordinary conversation with Alison Miller, a 46-year-old physical therapist and endurance athlete attempting one of ultra running's most grueling challenges: the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. This rare feat requires completing four iconic 100-mile races—Western States, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, and Wasatch 100—all within a single season, totaling 400 miles in just seven weeks.
Alison's athletic journey began as a scholarship soccer player at Texas A&M, transitioned through 19 Ironman competitions (including five Kona World Championships), and evolved into ultra running where she's conquered races like UTMB, Badwater, and numerous 100-milers. But the Grand Slam represents her biggest challenge yet.
In this candid interview, Alison shares the highs and lows of her quest. From her worst-ever performance at Western States—where she chased cutoffs for 29.5 hours and barely finished within the 30-hour limit—to her redemptive run at Vermont 100, and the leg-crushing reality of Leadville's elevation and cutoffs. She discusses the mental fortitude required when your body is depleted, the challenge of not training between races, and what it takes to "dig deep" when everything hurts.
Beyond the physical feats, Alison opens up about the logistics of crew support, the financial commitment required, the importance of having a supportive spouse, and how she balances this pursuit with her career as a physical therapist. She also shares insights from her extensive Ironman background and what drives someone to continually seek bigger challenges.
With Wasatch 100 and Kona still ahead at the time of recording, this episode captures an athlete mid-journey through an almost impossible challenge. Whether you're a trail runner, road runner, or simply fascinated by human endurance, Alison's story demonstrates what's possible when determination meets preparation.
Featured Topics: Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, Wasatch 100, Ironman World Championship Kona, ultra running strategy, race nutrition, crew support, endurance psychology.
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."
Guest
Alison Miller
Alison Miller is a 46-year-old physical therapist and elite endurance athlete based in Aledo, Texas. A former scholarship soccer player at Texas A&M University, Alison discovered her passion for endurance sports after college, beginning with marathon running and qualifying for the Boston Marathon on her first attempt with a 3:28 finish. Her athletic pursuits expanded into triathlon, where she has completed 19 Ironman races, including five appearances at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. As a five-time Kona qualifier, Alison consistently placed first or second in her age group to earn her spots at the sport's most prestigious event. Alison transitioned into ultra running approximately 20 years ago, winning her first 50K trail race in Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Since then, she has conquered some of the world's most challenging ultra-marathons, including UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), Badwater 135, and the Cruel Jewel 100 in Colorado. She has claimed victories in several local and regional ultra races, including wins at Rockledge Rumble, Bridgeport Grasslands Marathon, Hell's Hills, and the Rattler in Austin. Currently, Alison is attempting the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning—completing Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, and Wasatch 100 all within a single season. This rare achievement represents one of ultra running's most demanding challenges, requiring 400 miles of racing across seven weeks. As a practicing physical therapist in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, Alison treats athletes and non-athletes alike, bringing her personal understanding of endurance sports to her professional practice. She holds a degree in exercise physiology and has never used a coach throughout her athletic career, preferring to design her own training programs. Alison's approach to endurance sports emphasizes mental toughness, conservative pacing strategies, and the importance of community support. She credits her husband, also an accomplished Ironman athlete, as essential to her success both as crew support and as someone who understands the demands of elite endurance competition.