As events go, trail ultramarathons are far from easy to orchestrate. The many variables and interesting problems that are needed to be solved to pull together a safe and enjoyable trail race take a tremendous amount of inspiration, passion, work, sacrifice, and commitment from all involved from runner to race director.

Becca Jones and Sonia Steely, both badass trail runners, are special guests on this podcast conversation about women in trail and ultra running, or more specifically, why there aren’t more women.

Christen McFarland can be found at Northeast Ohio’s favorite specialty run shop, Vertical Runner. There, Christen offers much more than personalized service and gait analysis. Christen really listens to the needs and goals of runners both seasoned and new and serves as a wonderful ambassador of our sport. Christen herself is an accomplished trail runner having competed in many races including Mohican 50 mile and The Burning River 100. In today’s show, I chat with Christen about all the wonderful things a specialty run shop has to offer, both inside and outside their brick and mortar locations. This is a great show to share with folks just getting into running as well as a valuable reminder of all the amazing things our run shops do for our community.

This past May a new ultra race was born in the desert of central Arizona. They call it the Cocodona 250, a combination of the names Coconino and Sedona. The Cocodona takes runners on an epic point-to-point course from Black Canyon City to downtown Flagstaff leading runners through desert, canyons, pine forests, up and over mountain ranges, down Whiskey Row, and through historical mining towns

Kristopher Cargile is a man of many talents. Kris works as an EMT, a trail running guide for Top Out Adventures, a course ambassador for Trans Rockies, and volunteers and works at trail and adventure races across the United States, and so much more. Kris is truly building something special with Group Run Finder and I am proud to be able to share it with you.

Jeremy Peterson wrote an article for Eat Clean Run Dirty Magazine about the Holiday Lake 50k titled Horton’s Holiday. The Holiday Lake 50k is a loop course circling Holiday Lake itself as well as using country roads and trails in that area. The weather can be from nice and pleasant to running in a foot of snow. Jeremy tells the story of how the legendary Race Director, David Horton, started the race and how it has grown over the past 25 years.

Sabrina Stanley is a trail and ultra runner who lives and trains in Silverton, CO. Sabrina’s resume includes a win at HURT 100, Grand Raid La Reunion, and Hardrock as well as an F3 finish at Western States. While Sabrina’s wins are impressive what really makes her glow is her drive, determination, and focus. Sabrina sets big goals and does the work to make them a reality. In Volume 1 of Eat Clean, Run Dirty Magazine Sabrina writes an article titled How to Coach Yourself.

In the summer 2020 issue of Eat Clean, Run Dirty Magazine we take a deep dive into the 200-mile genera with an incredible article by David Infante titled A Journey Into The Self. I personally have not run or been present at any 200-mile race. I do have wild respect for the folks that do them and I notice they rarely stop at just one. It is something that lives in a runner’s blood and calls their name. Bring on the Bigfoot 200.

In the Summer issue of Eat Clean Run Dirty Magazine Ryan Mulcahy is the subject of an article titled With Purpose. The article is a part of a regular installment to gain an understanding of other folks that share our wild spaces. The outdoors bring together different people around a common love of fresh air and inspiring landscapes.

Maggie Olson wrote a wildly helpful article for Eat Clean Run Dirty Magazine on how to fund your running habit. Those big goal races are completely attainable, you just need the right training plan for your finances. This is an expanded audio version of the favorite article from ECRD Issue 1.

Cody Reed is a badass trail runner. He runs to compete at both popular American trail races and big gnarly international ultras. He lives and trains in Flagstaff, AZ, is one of the Coconino Cowboys, has incredible hair, and is a pretty rad human. Jess talks about all these things and more in this podcast episode.

Alie Columbus of Boise, Idaho is set her sights on becoming an ultra runner. She picked out a pretty cool local trail race to be her first 50k experience, The Wilson Creek Frozen 50k. Alie talked with Jess right before the race about what most exciting to her and what her biggest worries were. Then after Wilson Creek they talked again about how the race went and Alie shares some pretty inspiring words.

Sabrina Stanley is the sweetest lady beast in the land. In this episode of the podcast Jess asks Sabrina about her experiences being the first American to ever win at the super rugged and beautiful Diagonale des Fous and what her goals are for 2020. Jess get a little “fan girl” about the whole thing and struggles with words. You can literally hear her smile. It’s a fun episode.

It is official. Sugarstride is becoming Eat Clean, Run Dirty.

It’s not where you go, it’s what you see once you’re there. Travel slowly and experience more.

Eamonn Powers discusses Last Horse Runners, Wayne Watch Podcast, Ultra Running Memes, and the beauty of the tribe that is the ultra running community. Sit back, throw some Pizza Rolls in that toaster oven, and enjoy this show.

Idaho is home to a wild and rugged 100 mile mountain race called IMTUF, or the Idaho Mountain Ultra Trail Festival. This September 2019 I traveled across the country with friends to complete this amazing event. As with most formidable challenges we are battling much more than conditions and the course and the take away…

In this episode Jess discusses depression, post race blues, and owning your shit. Are you having a personal crisis? Maybe it’s because you’ve completely abandoned yourself. Here’s a few thoughts and steps that may help.

This is the race report of my 2019 attempt of the Bighorn 100. I made it to mile 78 in about 28.5 hours. It’s a hard thing to digest, a DNF at a hard mountain race. I definitely have 100 mile wreckage with my body, I trained my ass off, I climbed mountains, overcame many obstacles such as waist deep snow mud and mountain lions, all the struggle and the work and everything feels like it’s all for nothing when you leave without that buckle…

This is the race report of my 2019 attempt of the Bighorn 100. I made it to mile 78 in about 28.5 hours. It’s a hard thing to digest, a DNF at a hard mountain race. I definitely have 100 mile wreckage with my body, I trained my ass off, I climbed mountains, overcame many obstacles such as waist deep snow mud and mountain lions, all the struggle and the work and everything feels like it’s all for nothing when you leave without that buckle…