Al and Sean chat the upcoming fall calendar of east coast races, and Alvah's prep for his second 100, Saddles, out in Prescott this weekend.

The boys also explore dissenting opinions on the value of the WMTRC, along with recapping Mammoth and thoughts on the upcoming Bigs Backyard Individual World Championships.

The boys are back with a preview of an east coast classic coming this weekend, the Grindstone 100, along with a recap of some notable trail news from the end of the summer.

Summary

In this episode of the Roots Running Podcast, hosts Sean Cate and Alva Ferguson discuss their personal updates, including Al's house purchase and the busy summer racing season. They recap the Burning River race, highlighting Sean's experience and the lessons learned from the event.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Life Updates

02:44 Summer Racing Recap

05:26 Ultra Running Highlights

08:16 Upcoming Races and Personal Goals

10:54 Injury and Recovery Discussion

12:53 Burning River 50 mile Race Experience

38:00 Lessons Learned and Future Outlook

45:15 Shoe Reviews and Gear Insights

56:58 Shoutouts and Upcoming Events

Al and Sean hop on for rundown to process everything that transpired during this years highly anticipated WSER 100. The boys cover the mens and women's top ten, notable DNF's and drama. Also covered on the episode was news regarding John Kelly's FKT attempt, Phil Gore's new Backyard Ultra WR (117 yards) as well as thoughts and predictions for the classic upcoming Hardrock 100.

Sean and Al bringing you a preview of WSER 100 from the viewpoint of our beast coast favorites, notable east coast alumni racing on the big stage, and speculation on top men and women, potential outcomes plus all the drama leading up to this year’s race. We cannot wait to see how this most competitive 100 in North American plays out in just a few hours. If you enjoyed the show be sure to give us a review and a follow! 

Thanks for listening,

-A&S

00:00 Intro to Western States

01:55 Jim's statement on the Singletrack Interview

05:35 Injured List

08:11 Women's Race Predictions

10:43 Tara Dower and Courtney Dauwaulter

20:58 Dan Green Sponsorship Opportunities

26:37 Predictions for Men and Women's Podium

31:12 The Growing Popularity of Broken Arrow

33:07 Who has Record-Breaking Potential

35:05 Unbreakable and Unbreakable Two

36:54 Underrated Athletes

45:31 Hans Troyer 100-Mile Debut

47:53 Decision Making in 100 Milers

49:49 Most Likely to DNF

52:19 Who is DNF-Proof

54:36 Potential Surprises in the Race

58:24 Future of Trail Running Media

01:02:36 Excitement for Upcoming Races

Tanner Hoffarth jumped on the show this week give us the lowdown on the biggest city on the East Coast. The boys discuss Tanner's journey into trail running in New York City, the rise of running clubs, and how brand's use activations and events to test gear in NYC long before hitting the market. We learned all about the Soutbound 400, a relay from Canada to NYC and thoughtful dialogue about relationship between professional athlete and runfluencer. If you enjoyed the episode please follow the show, share it with a friend, and stick around, lots of exciting things coming for Roots.

Until next time,

-A&S

00:00 The New York Running Scene

07:40 The Origin of Run Clubs

10:28 Brand Activations

17:30 Fashion and Style in Running

28:18 Understanding Miler and other Emerging Brands

31:03 Upcoming Trends in Running Fashion

38:49 Innovative Brands Shaping the Future of Running Gear

52:22 The Southbound 400 Relay

trail running, ultra running, New York City, run clubs, brand activations, running fashion, community, Lululemon, Miler, Satisfy, trail running, fashion, Southbound 400, backyard ultras, running activation events, gear,

Welcome to the Roots Trail and Ultra Running podcast! This week's guest, Lila Gaudrault, is a rising star in the New England trail scene. at just 22 years old and fresh out of a rigorous bachelors of nursing from University of New England, Lila opted out of running at a NCAA Division 1 program to focus on her true passion, trail and ultra running. After tying for 2nd place at the Vermont 100 last year (overall) Lila has been on a tear. On this episode we discussed all her favorite NE races, how she approaches training, the east coast trail running scene in general, and her decision not to move to Boulder after graduating and moving to a rural town in Vermont instead. If you enjoyed this episode please drop a review for the show, give us a follow, and share with whoever you think might enjoy the conversation. Big thanks to Lila and good luck on your NCLEX!

Chapters

03:03 Growing Up in Maine and the Running Community

06:00 Transitioning to Ultra Running

11:57 Upcoming Races and Training for Old Dominion

18:01 Iconic New England Races and Future Goals

21:00 Balancing Nursing School and Ultra Running

52:22 Preparing for Cocodona

01:07:46 Why Vermont 100 is Special

01:10:00 Race Experience and Community

01:12:02 Solo Racing vs. Crew Support

01:21:55 Cocodona and Future Aspirations

01:23:49 Navigating Expectations and Decisions

01:27:01 Lila's Substack

New England, Lila Gaudrault, running community, training, races, family support, challenges, experiences, East Coast, mental strength, race preparation, growth, running culture, competition, Vermont 100, ultra running, training, Cocodona, writing,

Sean and (back so soon!) guest host Ken Seal jump on for an episode of the Roots Rundown, a general conversation about the most significant trail and ultra news on the East Coast covering topics like John Kelly's ongoing Appalachian Trail FKT, Virginia's Old Dominion 100 which just took place, a race recap of Sunapee Scramble, and Ken's thoughts on what makes Substack such an excellent media platform.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Collaboration Dynamics

02:36 Air Quality and Environmental Concerns

05:06 John Kelly's FKT Attempt

07:36 What Makes John's Attempt Different Than Prior AT FKTs

10:11 John Kelly's Unique Background

12:52 What Makes The Appalachian Trail So Hard

20:56 Future FKT Attempts and Competition

23:39 Podcast Direction and Vision Casting

24:38 The East Coast Trail Running Landscape

26:21 East Coast Athletes We Have Eyes On

28:38 Training Viability on the East Coast

30:48 Spotlight on Emerging Talent

36:12 Race Recaps and Insights

50:57 Cirque Series

54:57 Old Dominion 100: A Classic Race Overview

01:01:09 Substack and the Future of Trail Running Media

John Kelly, FKT, Appalachian Trail, Cirque Series, sky running, Sunapee Scramble, air quality,, East Coast athletes, mountain running, trail magic, trail running, live streaming, race strategies, women's running, youth trail running, Old Dominion 100, Substack, ultra running

A couple months ago I (Sean) noticed a perfectly curated, simple instagram post recapping all the major ultra running events from the previous weekend. A couple clicks later I found myself on Substack reading the full edition of The Ultra Minute, a newsletter written and curated by Ken Seals. Ken was gracious enough to join us for a conversation about creating an audience, capturing the past present and future of ultra running, his experience hiking the AT and being a fringe fan of the sport for over 20 years, to taking a career break to help raise his kids, and taking a chance on diving headfirst into the world of trail and ultra running news. A Virginia native, Ken now lives in Austin with his wife and kids, and continues to cover ultra news primarily through his Substack.

Subscribe to Ken's Substack newsletter here.

Follow The Ultra Minute on Instagram here.

Follow Roots on Instagram here.

Chapters

02:12 The Birth of the Ultra Minute

06:34 Transitioning from Tech to Trail Running

10:24 The Challenge of Covering Ultra Running

14:19 Finding Balance in Content Creation

18:32 Exploring Ken's Background and Journey

22:21 Growing up on the James River

28:10 Ken's Accidental Ultralight Thru Hike

33:34 Thru Hiker Confidence

42:08 The Future of Ultra Running: Community and Cultural Events

56:49 Ken's Interest in the FKT Scene

01:00:05 Balancing Personal Interest and Audience Engagement in Ultra Running

01:06:48 The Future of Ultra Running Media and Technology

01:17:50 Spotlight on Emerging Athletes and Their Stories

01:25:21 Hot Takes

The Ultra Minute, trail running, content creation, entrepreneurship, Ken Seals, podcasting, Substack, ultra running news, balancing family and work, trail running, ultra running, Appalachian Trail, thru-hiking, ultralight gear, endurance sports, outdoor adventure, Ultra Running, FKT, Race Coverage, Audience Engagement, Technology in Sports, Ken's Journey, Hans Troyer, race strategy, performance analysis, media in sports, trail running, David Roche, Western States

On this edition of the rundown Alvah and Sean breakdown Al's experience at the Hellbender 100 mile outside of Ashville, NC. Alvah was able to buckle down and finish in the face of some pretty violent stomach issues, chafing, and blisters. Al's advice: respect the distance. The boys also shared more reflections on Cocodona, the validity of mandatory gear for races, and some hot (and lukewarm) takes on ultra running at large.

Chapters

02:51 Understanding the Challenge of 100-Mile Races

05:57 Preparation and Strategy for Hellbender

17:57 Mental Resilience and Support Systems

20:56 The Final Stretch and Overcoming Obstacles

24:05 Respect the Distance

33:33 The Impact of Helene on Old Fort and Ashville

36:35 Training Strategies for Upcoming Races

40:00 Lessons Learned from Hellbender

43:51 Cocodona Race Insights and Performances

54:49 The Future of Team Dynamics in Ultra Running

01:05:24 Gear Talk

01:21:37 Hot Takes

01:35:06 Future of East Coast Ultra Races

#hellbender100 #northcarolina #eastcoast #ultrarunning #trailrunning

Arlen Glick joins the fellas to talk all things BEAST coast, the recently released Aravaipa film 'The Chase' featuring Arlen as one of five runners, his decision to have ACL surgery after 12 years and 30,000 miles of running without an acl, and his love of fishing. Big thanks to Arlen for joining us for nearly two hours! We cannot wait to see the how he continues to demolish expectations and write his own unique path in the sport of ultra running.

The link to The Chase on Youtube!

Link to the MindBodyMarathon Interview we referenced here!

Chapters

00:00 Defining the 'Beast Coast'

02:58 Running/Fishing Biathalon?

06:03 The Chase Film

08:52 Arlen's Journey to Ultra Running

12:12 Cocodona: A Unique Challenge

15:09 Injury and Rehab journey

18:11 The Evolution of Arlen's Running Career

38:29 Aravaipa and Relationship with Jamil Coury

41:23 Connections Beyond Running: Music and Community

43:49 The Impact of Documentaries on Ultra Running

52:48 Navigating Social Media as an Athlete

01:06:36 Finding Value in things other than Performance

01:18:13 Coaching Dynamics: Arlen and David Roche

01:25:28 Long-Term Goals vs. Short-Term Fixes

01:28:29 Experiences at Hard Rock and Future Aspirations

01:33:02 Team Dynamics and International Experiences

01:39:56 Fishing as a Metaphor for Life and Running

Beast Coast, ultra running, Cocodona, community events, injury recovery, competitive spirit, running journey, athletic competitions, Arlen Glick, outdoor sports, ultra running, community support, Aravaipa, Jamil Coury, music connections, ultra running documentaries, social media in sports, performance mindset, coaching dynamics, training, coaching, accountability, long-term goals, ultra running, Hardrock100, WSER100, team dynamics, fishing.

Beast Coast Alumni and old friend Rachel Lemcke joins Sean for a conversation about the value of personalized one on one coaching for athletes of all levels, her approach to coaching and being more than just a training programmer, to her own journey as an athlete over the past year navigating health issues and identity as a competitive athlete.

Check out Right Mind Running Company to learn more about one on one personalized coaching and training here!

Connect with us on instagram here for more Roots content!

As always, thanks for listening and being a part of the Roots Family!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rachel Lemke and Her Journey

06:02 Gorges 60k and The Daybreak Racing Community

11:48 Rachel's Coaching Philosophy and Approach

14:54 Transitioning to Full-Time Coaching

21:00 Empowering Athletes and Debunking Myths

24:05 The Importance of Coaching for All Levels

33:27 Building Long-Term Relationships with Athletes

39:29 Identity Outside of Athletic Performance

43:51 Finding Perspective in Running and Life

46:52 Trusting Your Body After Setbacks

49:02 The Unique Coaching Dynamic with Tabor and Eli Hemming

55:27 Training for High Lonesome 100-Miler

59:27 Finding Joy Beyond Competition

01:01:55 Embracing Failure and Learning from Experience

01:10:18 Balancing Expectations and Reality in Training

01:16:36 The Role of a Coach in an Athlete's Journey

ultra running, Rachel Lemke, Daybreak Racing, Gorge Waterfalls, running community, athlete development, coaching philosophy, training strategies, accountability, athlete needs, race preparation, long-term relationships, athlete success, work-life balance, health challenges, running, coaching, athlete mindset, race preparation, athlete experiences.

Roots Fam! Coming off a second place and golden ticket finish at the Canyons 100k, joining Sean on the podcast this week is none other than the YOUNG and Fit , Hans Troyer.

Hans stormed onto the ultra scene in 2024 performing at an elite level in some of the most competitive races in the US. Sean and Hans chat about his experience with trail running culture, his passion for training and working hard, desire to compete and see just how fast he can get. The hard work is clearly paying off and we can't wait to see where Hans will go.

If you enjoyed the podcast give us a review and follow our instagram

Hans' Youtube Channel here

Chapters

00:00 Introducing: Hans Troyer

07:44 Training in Georgia/ The Canyons Build

14:43 2024 Bandera 100k

22:09 Lessons Learned and Future Goals

27:47 Obsession with Golden Ticket Races

38:46 Headspace After Canyons 100k

43:46 Being Welcomed into the Ultra Running Community

01:01:49 WSER Predictions and Insights

Hans Troyer, ultra running, recovery, college running, training, Bandera, Rabdo, inspiration, running community, Western States, ultrarunning, Black Canyon, Golden Ticket, David Roche, mental strategies, community, hydration, nutrition, training, racing, trail running, ultra running, 100-mile races, community, future races, predictions, hobbies, kinesiology, training, competition

In this episode, Sean Cate and Al discuss the evolution of trail running, focusing on how media coverage and technological advancements are shaping the sport. They delve into upcoming races, particularly the Promise Land and Canyons 100K, sharing personal insights and predictions about the competition. The conversation also highlights the importance of community when it comes to retail running stores, and more.

Highlights

02:47 Gorges Race Insights and Performances

06:09 The Impact of Media on Ultra Running

08:52 The Future of Live Streaming in Ultra Events

12:02 Shoe Brands and Their Commitment to Trail Running

18:04 Industry Changes and Athlete Development

36:16 The Evolution of Trail Running Media

40:00 Innovations in Trail Running Gear

42:50 Upcoming Races and Personal Goals

46:15 Analyzing the Promise Land Race

01:01:31 Previewing the Canyons 100K

Thanks for listening, happy trails!

-A&S

Alvah and Sean welcome Caleb Bowen to the show this week!

If you enjoyed the show please follow, save, give us a review and feel free to send any questions or comments our way either in the comments section of the podcast or via instagram.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Caleb Bowen and His Journey

03:03 Growth of the Ultra Running Community in West Virginia

06:03 The Impact of Running on Local Communities

09:09 The Allure of Highland Sky Ultra

12:05 Transitioning Between Local and Competitive Races

15:00 Experiences at Canal Corridor and Other Races

32:41 The Coaching Committee and Its Influence

37:44 Balancing Coaching and Personal Goals

46:12 The Pride of West Virginia

49:01 Recruiting and Local Talent

50:36 The Grit of West Virginia's Heritage

53:54 Experiences at Grindstone 100

01:03:44 Reflections on Western States 2023

01:11:10 Coaching Through Disappointment

01:13:30 Facing Redemption at Javelina

01:26:18 Showcasing West Virginia's Beauty through Racing

01:28:22 Future Podcast Directions and Community Stories

Thanks for listening! Catch on the next episode😎

Alvah and Sean bring you the very first edition of the Roots Rundown. The fellas catch up on Al's recent 50 miler, thoughts on the Norda 005s, all the race recaps fro Chianti, Big Alta, and more.

Let us know what you think and be sure to follow and leave a review if you enjoy the show!

-Al & Sean

This episode of Roots is brought to you by hard work and determination. 

Sean and Al are joined by Butch Slabach, a Virginia native coming hot onto the scene and throwing down some impressive times on classic Virginia ultra races, as well as out west with some of the best athletes in the sport. The fellas talk about Butch’s unorthodox intro into trail and ultra running, his time at the Virginia Tech Ultra Club, moving out to Oregon with his wife Emily, and then subsequent return to Virginia. Tune in to hear about Butch's breakthrough year in 2024, and a preview of what is to come for Butch in 2025. 

If you enjoyed the show give us a follow, shoot us any feedback, or share with a friend. 

Thanks for listening

❤️

-Al & Sean

Joining the Roots Running pod, none other than THE Dr. David Horton. Not a single person that we know of has influenced more people to become true runners and ultra-runners as Horton. Not only that, Dr. Horton started this decades before youtube, social media, and podcasts.

This episode features a sweeping view of the sport of ultra running from JFK 50 miler in 1979, winning the first two Hardrock 100's, to the mind blowing course records we've seen broken today at the sport's most competitve and historic ultras. In addition to being the second Barkley finisher ever, Horton was the pioneer of FKT's, setting the record on the Appalachian Trail before when no one had ever dreamt of 'running' the 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine.

Horton shares about the challenges of training in Virginia while competing out west at altitude, his thoughts on Tara Dower's recent success both of the AT and at Black Canyon's 100k, and his experience founding Mountain Masochist 50.

If you enjoyed this episode share it with a friend, follow and give us a review!

Thanks for listening❤️

-Sean & Alvah

We are stoked to bring you the very first episode of the Roots Running podcast, hosted by Sean Cate and Alvah Ferguson. This episode features a dive into the purpose of the podcast, what trail/ultra events Alvah and Sean are excited about in 2025 and a preview of what is to come.

-We can only go up from here😎

Cheers to old friends and new beginnings!

-Al & Sean

Tough fam! We apologize dearly for the whiplash, as our last episode led both all of us to believe we were continuing on with the WTGGT podcast with renewed vigor. The truth is, today's episode will be the final edition of When The Going Gets Tough.

After reflecting on our passions and desires. Adam and I decided the best thing for us both would be to say no to a good thing (continuing WTGGT) in order to say yes to better things (each of our new podcasts). Adam has been working on launching a Formula 1 podcast geared towards an American audience, while I am launching a fully Trail/Ultra-running podcast that will leave here on this page. We stand on the shoulder's of these episodes, which we had so much fun making. Ultimately, we believe WTGGT had not only run it's full course, but it was time to make room for new things.

We are so thankful for your support, and we hope you these conversations stirred you to live a different life, against the grain of comfort, and do tough things.

While the name of this channel will change, the original episodes will live here unchanged.

Never stop being tough,

❤️

-Adam Giard and Sean cate