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What happens when a road marathoner tackles one of the wildest ultra challenges out there, solo?

In this episode, Zoë and Brendan sit down with Tommie Runz (@tommie_runz): plant-based athlete, podcast host, father, and (accidentally?) ultra-endurance legend.

Tommie didn’t grow up running, but after choosing sobriety in 2017, he found clarity, purpose, and eventually, a new identity in the miles. We trace his journey from gym rat to six-star marathon finisher to taking on The Speed Project solo—six ultramarathons in six days across the desert, with no prior experience beyond 26.2.

He opens up about recovery (physical and emotional), the myth of “rock bottom,” and how a surprise video from his kids mid-race broke him down, and gave him the strength to keep going.

Also: vegan aid station food, the case for trekking poles on pavement, and whether road ultras are actually super hardcore.

Thanks to our partners at LMNT – A tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Get a free sample pack on us!

Check out the Kismet Cliff Run to experience on of the Beast Coast's coolest trail races! Race is September 14, registration is open now!

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UTMB champion. Western States course record threat. Field hockey state champion. Rock doctor. Katie Schide is one of the most accomplished ultrarunners on the planet, and somehow, still one of the most quietly focused. In this episode of The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan catch up with Katie ahead of her Hardrock 100 debut to talk about how she’s evolved as a competitor, why she used to downplay her ambitions, and what’s changed in both the sport and herself since her eighth-place finish at UTMB back in 2021.

They dig into why UTMB might just be the “Goldilocks” race of the sport, how Katie and her partner are spending the summer training in Colorado’s San Juans, and how her background in geology shapes the way she sees, and runs through, the landscape. Katie also shares her take on the term “sub-ultra” and why she thinks we’ve maybe overcomplicated what’s just... running.

Plus, Buzz Burrell drops in for a TrailCon Hall of Fame recap, a preview of a potential Katie vs. Courtney showdown at UTMB, and a quick nod to the real MVPs: New England moms on Facebook.

This episode is brought to you by SIDAS, makers of high-performance insoles, socks, and footbeds specifically designed for trail running. Whether you're grinding out vert or trying to keep your feet happy past hour six, SIDAS gear is built to handle the unpredictable trail, so your feet don't have to. Check them out at sidas.us and give your feet the upgrade they deserve.

And if you’re dreaming of a trail experience that’s less race and more wild adventure, don’t miss our featured adventure: Ruta de los Arrieros, a three-day expedition run through Colombia’s ancient gold routes. Expect big climbs, river crossings, waterfall rappels, jungle villages, and about as much trail magic as you can handle. It’s capped at just 10 runners this year and kicks off September 14, so if you’re into chasing moments instead of PRs, this one’s for you. Registration closes August 20 at UltraSignup.

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This week on The Trailhead, we’re joined by the one and only Kofuzi, a self-proclaimed non-elite YouTube runner who’s built a global following by filming marathons, gear reviews, and everyday runs with heart, humor, and a handheld camera. Zoë and Brendan chat with him about the leap from roads to trails, what it really takes to make running content, and why being “exceptionally average” might be a superpower.

Whether you’re here for the shoe talk, the trail stoke, or the shared love of goofy long runs, this one’s for you.

Follow Kofuzi: YouTube & Instagram: @kofuzi

Thanks to Running Warehouse for supporting the Trailhead! Check them out for all your gear, apparel and nutriton needs.

This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan talk with Abigail West—trail runner, printmaker, and full-time creative who’s showing us what it means to run with purpose. Based in the lush foothills of Southern Appalachia, Abigail blends endurance and artistry, carving out time (and linoleum) to tell stories about wild places, climate, and community.

We dive into everything from FKTs in the Georgia mountains to why training for ultras is a terrible match with art fair season. Abigail shares how she captures the emotional texture of landscapes through printmaking, why she’s obsessed with spiderweb-filled singletrack, and what it means to be an entrepreneurial artist-athlete in a world that doesn’t quite know what to do with either.

Plus: the problem with art world algorithms, the reality of life in a construction zone, and a full-throated defense of Waffle House. Grab your gravy and your gaiters, this one goes deep.

The Trailhead is brought to you by Sidas! The company that supports your feet so that they can support you!

This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan are joined by performance scientist, coach, and author Steve Magness for a deep dive into the messy, meaningful side of mental toughness. Known for calling BS on outdated notions of grit, Steve shares insights from his latest book, Win the Inside Game, and challenges the idea that suffering is the only path to success. Instead, he makes the case for curiosity, flexibility, and joy as essential ingredients for growth, not just in running, but in life. Together, they explore how identity, external validation, and over-optimization can get in the way of real performance.

Steve explains why some of the fastest runners he’s coached only started thriving once they let go of the pressure to be a runner, and how elite athletes like Sara Hall have learned to recalibrate their goals to preserve their peace of mind. He makes the case for ditching the data when it stops serving us, and why meaningful community—not metrics—is what actually makes us better.

They also unpack what running has to teach us about feeling deeply, building connection, and making space for the full human experience. Whether it’s the emotional highs of crewing a friend at 2 a.m., the quiet power of a watchless workout, or the absurd relief of pushing an empty jogging stroller just to feel fast again—this conversation is a funny, honest, and refreshing reminder that running doesn’t have to be a grind. It can be recess. And maybe that’s the whole point.

Up your hydration game LMNT Lemonade and get a sample pack on us!

Register for Run for the Ages 10k!

Check out the Cloud Cap Marathon here!

Thanks to Running Warehouse for supporting The Trailhead. Check out their great selection of everything from shoes to sun hoodies, with free two-day shipping.

This week on The Trailhead, we're joined by one of the most thoughtful voices in endurance sports writing: Alex Hutchinson. You might know him from his Outside column, Sweat Science, or his bestselling book Endure. But today, we’re talking about his newest work—The Explorer’s Gene—and what it reveals about why we push into the unknown, whether we’re climbing literal mountains or trying the weirdest thing on a menu.

In this wide-ranging and unexpectedly hilarious conversation, we dig into:

• The "explore vs. exploit" dilemma, and how it shows up in our running, routines, and lives
• Why inefficiency is essential to joy and creativity
• How kids (and ultrarunners) are wired for uncertainty
• The effort paradox: why hard things feel more meaningful
• What AI, IKEA furniture, and running have in common

Alex also shares how becoming a parent and moving beyond his “Endurance Science Guy” brand shaped his perspective on curiosity, comfort zones, and career detours.

Whether you’re stuck in a rut, planning your next big adventure, or wondering if it's time to zag instead of zig, this one’s for you.

This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan put coach and writer Mario Fraioli in the hot seat with their burning trail running questions.

From “How slow is too slow?” to “When does running become hiking?” we tackle the big, the small, and the existential dilemmas runners face on (and off) the trail.
Come for the laughs, stay for Mario's wisdom, and find out why running might just be a Sisyphean project we willingly signed up for.

Check out Mario on the Morning Shakeout.

This episode is brought to you by Arc'teryx Footwear. The Vertex Speed is your new go-to for mountain adventures. Obsessively designed. Athlete-tested. Trailhead approved.

Available online and in Arc'teryx stores.

Catch the Trailhead live at Meet the Minotaur Skyrace in June!

What does it mean to live a good life? And can your running practice help you get there? In this episode of The Trailhead, Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard sit down with Sabrina Little: ultrarunner, philosopher, ethics professor, mom of (soon to be) three, and author of The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners.

Sabrina’s work sits at the fascinating intersection of character development, everyday ethics, and endurance sports. She teaches philosophy at Christopher Newport University and writes a beloved ethics column for iRunFar—and she’s here to explore how running can be a "laboratory for virtue," where our daily choices shape who we become both on and off the trail.

Together, we unpack:

• How running teaches us about moral character (whether we know it or not)
• Everyday ethical choices in sport and life—beyond the big scandals
• Why we hedge the truth (even when no one's watching)
• What it means to celebrate others' success while still chasing your own
• The role of humor and humility in building resilience
• How parenting and philosophy collide
• And why runners aren’t just chasing finish lines—they’re practicing becoming better people.

🏃‍♂️ This episode is brought to you by our friends at Running Warehouse!
Running Warehouse makes it easy to gear up for your next big adventure with thousands of in-depth reviews, expert advice, and fast, free shipping. Whether you're chasing vert in the mountains or keeping it local on your home trails, Running Warehouse has you covered with the best brands and the biggest selection of shoes, apparel, and gear. Before you head out for your next run, stock up at Running Warehouse.

Links and Resources:

• 🧩 The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners by Sabrina Little: Buy the book
• 🖋️ Sabrina’s ethics column for iRunFar
• Follow Sabrina on Instagram: @sabrina.little

This episode of The Trailhead is hosted by Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard. It’s part of the UltraSignup Podcast Network. If you loved this conversation, share it with your trail crew, leave us a review, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an adventure.

Follow the show at @trailheadpod, or drop us a line at trailhead@ultrasignup.com — we’d love to hear your stories, guest ideas, or just say hi! And be sure to check out all the other great shows in the Ultra Podcast Network.