Distance To Empty

In this episode, Cole Crosby shares his experience of winning the Cowboy 200, a uniquely challenging 200-mile race in Nebraska. He discusses the unique aspects of the race, his training regimen, and the mental fortitude required to push through the pain and exhaustion. Cole emphasizes the importance of hydration, crew support, and personal management during ultra races. He also compares the Cowboy 200 to other races like Cocodona, highlighting the differences in terrain and race dynamics. Throughout the conversation, Cole reflects on his journey in ultra running and offers advice for those looking to tackle their first 200-miler.

Dr. Jesse Reilly shares his background in working with runners and endurance athletes and his approach to pain management. He emphasizes the importance of an evidence-based approach and individualized care. He discusses the role of the brain in interpreting pain and the need to find a balance between pushing through discomfort and avoiding injury. Dr. Reilly also addresses the use of the RICE protocol and the importance of movement in recovery. He explores the mindset and mental strategies that can help athletes navigate pain during races. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the evolution of sports performance over the past century. In this conversation, Dr. Jesse Riley discusses the role of strength training in ultra-endurance events and the importance of individualized treatment plans. He emphasizes the need for consistency and realistic expectations in training and highlights the value of addressing mental health and overall well-being. Dr. Riley also offers insights into virtual treatment options and the benefits of a cash-based model. The conversation concludes with a discussion on favorite training foods and gear, as well as the ongoing pursuit of personal goals.

In this episode of the Distance to Empty podcast, Kevin and Peter interview Regina, a veteran of the Divide 200 ultra marathon. They discuss the different sections of the race and Regina shares her experiences and challenges. The race starts with an easy section, followed by a difficult and technical section with route finding challenges. Regina talks about the importance of having a crew and the aid stations along the way. She also mentions the night sections and the beautiful views of the course. The episode ends with a discussion about the upcoming sections and the addition of extra distance to the race. Regina discusses her experience running the Divide 200 race, focusing on the different aid stations and sections of the course. She talks about the adjustments made to the route and the challenges she faced, including sleep deprivation and hallucinations. Regina emphasizes the importance of proper planning and studying the course. She also shares her favorite moments and offers advice for future runners. Overall, Regina's journey in the Divide 200 was filled with highs and lows, but she found a sense of accomplishment in completing the race.

Andy discusses his experience with 200-mile races, including Cocodona, Moab 240, and others. He talks about the challenges of running solo and unsupported, the importance of sleep strategy, and the differences in approach between 100-mile and 200-mile races. He reflects on his past Cocodona races and how he has learned from each one. Andy also shares his plans for future races, including Tour de Jean, Leadville, and Monster. He offers advice for athletes looking to do multiple 200-mile races in a year, emphasizing the need for a strong base, proper fueling and hydration, and active recovery. In this conversation, Andy emphasizes the need to break up long runs into smaller sessions to reduce the strain on the body and recommends focusing on nutrition and hydration strategies during races. Andy also talks about the unpredictability of 200-mile races and the importance of practicing and adapting to different conditions. He shares his experiences with hallucinations during races and encounters with wildlife. Andy concludes by discussing his motivation for continuing to participate in ultra running and how it helps him maintain his mental health.

Bryant Shook shares his journey into ultra marathons and his experience with the 200+ mile distance. In 2023, he attempted the Cocodona 250 but had to drop out at mile 100 due to various issues. This led to a period of depression and a strong determination to come back and finish the race. In 2024, he made a comeback and successfully completed the Cocodona 250. The key factors that contributed to his success were improved nutrition, a mindset shift, and the support of a crew and pacers. Bryant reflects on the emotions and challenges he faced throughout his ultra running journey. Bryant Shook shares his experiences in ultra-running, including his lows and highs, the role of crewing and pacing, and his future goals. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and self-discovery in the sport. Bryant also discusses his coaching journey and his new podcast, 'Unworthy of Oblivion,' which focuses on outdoor sports and adventure. He concludes by expressing his gratitude for the support he has received from the ultra-running community.

In this episode, Kevin and Peter provide an in-depth course preview of the Bigfoot 200 ultra marathon. They discuss each section of the race, including the elevation gain and loss, the difficulty of the trails, and the availability of water sources. They also mention the aid stations and the opportunity for crew and pacers. The conversation highlights the challenging and beautiful nature of the course, with sections that are steep, overgrown, and remote. Overall, it provides valuable insights for runners preparing for the Bigfoot 200. The conversation provides a methodical review of the Bigfoot 200 course, highlighting the key sections and challenges. The main themes include the recommended sections to have a pacer, the abundance of blueberries and huckleberries along the course, the presence of bears and other wildlife, the river crossings, the climb to Elk Peak, the difficulty of the Clickitat to Twin Sisters section, the net downhill of the Owens Creek to the finish, and the overall difficulty and uniqueness of the race. The conversation also includes a snack review and a game of Let's Get Deep.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Francis Picard for a bonus intro guest. Francis recently completed the Badwater 135 race. They discuss Francis' experience at the race, including the challenging start, managing nutrition in the heat, and dealing with bees along the course. They also talk about the high and low points of the race and whether they would do it again. In the second part of the episode, they interview Connor, the first and only finisher of the Mighty Gallatin, a rugged 300+ mile stage race in Montana. Connor discusses his experience participating in the Mighty Gallatin, a stage run in Montana covering 281 miles over seven days. He shares the challenges of the course, including difficult navigation, rugged terrain, extreme elevations, and unpredictable weather. Connor also talks about the communal aspect of the event, where all the runners and volunteers shared a campground each night, creating a unique bond. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, refueling, and taking care of his feet each day. Connor's thru-hiking background and experience in ultra running helped him navigate the course and move efficiently. Connor shares his experience of finishing the Mighty Gallatin, a 200+ mile race in Montana. He describes the excitement and camaraderie among the participants and the emotional moment of crossing the finish line together. Connor also reflects on the mental challenges of the race and the importance of staying positive and shifting mindset during low moments. He discusses his future plans, including racing in France and pursuing fastest known times (FKTs). Connor highlights the beauty of the Montana wilderness and the need to make events like the Mighty Gallatin more accessible to others. He also shares his encounters with wildlife, including a close encounter with a black bear.

Megan Eckert, an ultra runner, shares her journey in the sport and her recent success at Six Days in the Dome. She started with a half marathon and fell in love with the distance, eventually transitioning to trail marathons and ultras. Megan found success in looped courses and backyard style races, enjoying the timed events and the community. She ran 526 miles at Six Days in the Dome, proving her ability to handle the distance. Megan emphasizes the importance of strength training and listening to her body for recovery. She approaches races with a gamification mindset and finds motivation in the support of her crew and the camaraderie of the running community. Megan Eckert discusses her experience in multi-day ultra races, including the challenges of changing her diet during a race and the importance of trusting her crew. She also talks about her approach to heat training and her interest in participating in 200-mile trail races. Megan shares her coaching experience and how she hopes to inspire her students to pursue running. She reflects on her lowest low in a race and her highest high, as well as her favorite food and gear for multi-day events. Megan concludes by stating that she is still searching for her distance to empty.

Charlie Catalano, an ultra runner with type 1 diabetes, shares his journey into the sport and his experience running the Tahoe 200. He discusses the challenges of managing his diabetes while training and racing, including monitoring his blood glucose levels and adjusting his insulin intake. Charlie emphasizes the importance of thriving (not just surviving!) with a chronic illness and finding support within the diabetic athlete community. He also highlights how he strategically used race cutoffs to his advantage, maximizing his care, sleep, and fueling during the race. Charlie shares his experience of participating in the Tahoe 200 race, a 200-mile ultra-endurance event. He discusses the importance of self-care and rest during the race, as well as the strategy of allowing oneself more time to rest in order to maximize performance. Charlie emphasizes the beauty of first-time experiences and the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a challenging race. He also reflects on the impact of ultra-running on his perspective on life, highlighting the belief that one can do hard things and the importance of commitment and perseverance. Charlie shares his future race plans and expresses gratitude for the support and inspiration he has received from the ultra-running community.

Melanie White shares her experience running the Tahoe 200 mile race, discussing the challenges she faced, including vomiting, breathing issues, and quad problems. She highlights the beauty of the course and the camaraderie among runners and volunteers. Melanie emphasizes the importance of sleep during the race and her ability to nap quickly. She also mentions the hot dog incident at the aid station and the pivotal moment when she was able to eat a Crunchwrap Supreme. Kevin Goldberg, her husband and pacer, provides additional insights and support throughout the conversation. In this conversation, Melanie reflects on her experience running the Tahoe 200 race. She discusses the challenges she faced, including quad issues and tough sections of the course. Melanie also shares her mindset during the race and her determination to finish despite the difficulties. She talks about the weather conditions, her favorite moments, and the support she received from her crew. Additionally, Melanie highlights the importance of having a strong 'why' and supporting organizations like Free to Run. The conversation concludes with a gear review and a fun segment of Let's Get Deep.