#121 Ekta Basu | Finding Yourself, Tahoe 200, & The Power of the Right People

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"In search of finding who I am and what I want to do and who I want to be. That's how trail running happened."

Ekta Basu didn't set out to become a 200-mile ultrarunner. She simply wanted to become a healthier, happier version of herself. What started with a pair of running shoes and a marathon six months later evolved into a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led her to the finish line of the Tahoe 200.

In this episode, Ekta shares how trail running became her place of freedom and how years of showing up without a structured plan eventually gave way to purposeful training, strength work, and coaching. She talks candidly about balancing running with raising a family, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, and why finishing Tahoe 200 wasn't just about endurance. It was about becoming the person she was searching for all along.

The conversation also takes listeners behind the scenes of preparing for a 200-mile race, from building drop bags and learning to use poles to dealing with blisters, brain fog, and the mental recovery that comes after crossing the finish line. It's an honest conversation about growth, community, and why sometimes the biggest victories happen long before race day.

In this episode

• Finding trail running through a search for identity

• Going from a first marathon to Tahoe 200

• Why quality training matters more than junk miles

• Balancing motherhood, family, and ultrarunning

• The value of coaches, mentors, and a strong support system

• Training for Tahoe 200 with Havelina 100 and Quicksilver 50K

• Lessons learned from first-time 200-mile racing

• Foot care, recovery, and the reality of post-race brain fog

• Why becoming a better person matters more than becoming a faster runner

Ekta’s Links

IG: @ekta_runs

Strava: Ekta Basu

Relevant Links

• Tahoe 200 by Destination Trail

• Javelina Jundred by Aravaipa Running

• Aravaipa Running

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Ekta Basu, Tahoe 200, trail running, ultrarunning, 200 miler, Destination Trail, Candice Burt, Javelina 100, Quicksilver 50K, American River 50 Mile, Rio Del Lago, Brazen Racing, Inside Trail Racing, Coastal Trail Runs, Bay Area trail running, strength training, mobility, coaching, motherhood, family, support system, resilience, personal growth, endurance, recovery, brain fog, ultramarathon