Host Celeste Fong talks with ultra runner John Calabrese about trail and ultra racing — the highs, the DNFs, the gear, and the tight-knit (sometimes cult-like) running community. The conversation also wanders into food and film: pizza and competitive-eating dreams, favorite horror movies like The Blair Witch Project, true-crime and cult anecdotes, and the strange, hilarious moments that happen on and off the trails.

Celeste and Danielle recount a 50th birthday road trip through Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce — full of side‑quests, wildlife encounters, brutal climbs, and nonstop laughter. They share highlights, mishaps, and practical tips from Emerald Pools to the Narrows and Bryce’s hoodoos, celebrating the freedom of doing epic, unplanned adventures with a great travel buddy.

Host Celeste Fong talks with ultrarunner Taylor Verville and her pacer Mike Martineau about Taylor’s recent Devil’s Den 30-hour race in Bradford, Vermont — her course-record performance (about 89 miles), pacing strategies, nutrition, temperature swings, and lessons from a past collapse at Notchview. The episode explores both runner and pacer perspectives, the race community and charity behind the event, upcoming goals like reaching 100 miles, and the mental approach Taylor uses to stay focused: forward movement, fuel, and hydration.

Host Celeste Fong sits down with Joey Thompson to discuss his transformation through running — from weight loss and coping with his mother’s death to sobriety and pushing to 100 miles at Notchview.They talk honestly about burnout, depression, anxiety, the healing power of community on the trails, and how showing up can help you find your love of running again.Joey also shares his upcoming goal of running Sedona Canyons 125 for charity and how the support of friends and the trail community keeps him moving forward.

Veteran sports reporter Lori Riley sits down with Celeste Fong to share her journey from print newsrooms to the trails, covering UConn, high school sports, and memorable local runners. They discuss how running changed her life, the evolution of women’s sports, and the personal stories that make reporting meaningful. Listen for candid reflections on locker-room culture, reporting challenges in the digital age, uplifting race day characters, and emotionally charged topics like transgender youth in sports.

Host Celeste Fong records live on the trails at the Notchview Invitational, capturing on-course chaos, cheering, and candid conversations with runners like Anna, Celeste, Newt, Taylor, Claire, Marcus, and Linda. This episode weaves race memories, origin stories, late-night antics, and the deep sense of community that fuels ultrarunning, all delivered with humor and unfiltered honesty.

Greg Matthei shares his experiences with addiction, meeting his wife and changing his life for the better (although running ultras is idiotic)

Rick Shoup and Mommy join to discuss Ragnars, Eating Challenges and The Bee Ultra

This young lady schools me on determination, persistence and strength. If Cassie is representative of the next generation of ultra runners, our sport will be in good hands.

Jenna Gould shares her story. Turns out she’s a fighter as fierce as Daenerys Targaryen. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know if Lenny and Althea are actually dragons disguised as dogs.

Mommy joins me to discuss the Circadian Endurance Challenge

Mike Martineau shares his inspirational story. Growing up with cerebral palsy, overcoming physical and cognitive challenges and putting up with me for 40 miles at Notchview.

A quick introduction to the podcast and my favorite group of idiots. https://www.patreon.com/ButalsoTrailRunningPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578973457291 https://www.instagram.com/but_also_trailrunningpodcast?igsh=MXY3b2Z4YWpoNHkxYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr