Freetrail presents The Midpacker Podcast, which follows middle and back of the pack trail runners and ultra runners at the heart of the trail running community....
#59 John Kelly | Giving Back With Action , WNC Strong, & The Helene Aftermath
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
You can now support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod
Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.
Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services
"People helping people, regardless of beliefs."
"The landscape has been permanently altered."
“Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about”
In this episode of the pod Troy Meadows sits down with an absolute Legend of Ultra Running, John Kelly.
They spend almost zero time talking about John’s running achievements and instead, this conversation explores the immediate response and ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. John shares his personal experiences of mobilizing community support, raising funds, and delivering essential supplies to those in need.
The discussion highlights the resilience of the local community, the challenges faced in seeking help, and the long-term implications for infrastructure and the environment. Through personal stories and insights, the conversation emphasizes the importance of community solidarity and the human spirit in times of crisis. In this conversation, Troy and John discuss the impact of tourism on the local economy in Asheville, the resilience and empathy shown by the community in the face of adversity, and the role of ultra running in fostering connections among individuals. They highlight the upcoming Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival as a means to support the rebuilding of a community affected by a hurricane. John shares reflections on his recent races and the personal growth that comes from facing challenges, concluding with rapid-fire questions that reveal his thoughts on running and community.
Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival
https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/oldfortstrongendurancefest
John’s Links
IG @randomforestrunner - https://www.instagram.com/randomforestrunner/
Website: https://randomforestrunner.com/
Scout Trail - Grandfather Mountain
Profile Trail - Grandfather Mountain
Cragway Trail - Grandfather Mountain
Flat Top Fire Tower near Grandfather
Elk Knob
If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.
Sponsor Links:
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/
Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
MidPacker Pod Links: Instagram | Patreon
Troy Meadows Links: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Strava
Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTube
community resilience, disaster response, fundraising, local relief, infrastructure recovery, personal stories, support initiatives, environmental impact, Appalachian culture, volunteer efforts, Asheville, community resilience, ultra running, Old Fort, endurance festival, tourism, empathy, local economy, personal growth, race reflections
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1:10:22
#58 Stephen Parker | There Is No Finish, The Backyard Ultra Story
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
You can now support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod
Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.
Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services
"Belgium massively punches above their weight."
On this episode of the pod Troy Meadows has a conversation with Stephan Parker.
Stephen Parker shares his journey from a casual runner to an author of a book about the Backyard Ultra format, “There Is No Finish”. He discusses his evolution from road running to trail running, the impact of community events like Parkrun, and the balance of family life with his passion for running.
Stephen delves into the unique psychological dynamics of the Backyard Ultra, emphasizing the importance of community and support among runners. He also shares insights into the logistics and strategies of endurance running, highlighting the mental resilience required to push limits in such challenging events.
In this conversation, Stephen Parker and Troy Meadows delve into the intricacies of the backyard ultra format. They discuss the importance of managing both physical and intangible needs during long races, the unique dynamics of the Belgian running community, and the evolution of world championship formats due to COVID-19. Stephen shares an extraordinary story about Greg Armstrong, who managed to euthanize a goat and remove a snake while competing in a race. The conversation also touches on personal reflections on endurance racing, future goals, and the significance of community support in achieving success in ultra-endurance events.
Stephan’s Links
IG: thebackyardultrastory - https://www.instagram.com/thebackyardultrastory/
Website: www.runningforever.au
FB: The Back Yard Story - https://www.facebook.com/thebackyardultrastory/
Stephan’s Book: There Is No Finish https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DD42GD27/ref=nosim?tag=runningforeve-22
Things we talked about during the show:
Park Run
Underwood Park Run
Atomic Habits
Bigs Backyard Ultra
Laz Lake - Gary Cantrell
Harvey Lewis
BackYard World Champions
Greg Armstrong - Vol State Winner - Run For Water
2020 Quarantine Back Ultra
8-hour overnight Rogain
Mt Coot-Tha Tails Daisy Hills Forest
If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.
Sponsor Links:
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/
Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
MidPacker Pod Links: Instagram | Patreon
Troy Meadows Links: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Strava
Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTube
Stephen Parker, Backyard Ultra, Trail Running, Endurance Sports, Parkrun, Family Life, Running Community, Mental Resilience, Ultra Running, Hash House Harriers, endurance, backyard ultra, running community, world championships, COVID impact, Greg Armstrong, personal stories, Australian Backyard Masters, mental endurance, race formats
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1:36:21
#57 Kate Arsenault | Building Rnnr, Creating True Fans, Javelina 2024 Activation
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
Javelina form: https://forms.gle/i84gLEUFS3858fT77
You can now support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod
Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.
Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services
"Customer experience is so important when you're brand building."
"Product is hard. It's not just slapping a logo on something."
In this engaging conversation, Troy Meadows interviews Kate Arsenault, founder of Runner, an innovative running apparel brand. Kate shares her journey from being a special education teacher to becoming an entrepreneur, highlighting her passion for running and the challenges of balancing motherhood with business.
The discussion delves into the evolution of running in Kate's life, the creation of her brand, and the importance of community and mentorship in the running industry, especially for female founders. Kate emphasizes the need for fun in running and the supportive nature of the industry, while also addressing the complexities of self-distribution versus third-party logistics.
In this conversation, Kate Arsenault discusses the importance of enhancing customer experience through personalized services and the challenges of product development in the running industry. She shares insights on balancing work and family life as a founder, the significance of community engagement at marathons, and the exciting plans for the upcoming Javelina Ultra Races by Aravaipa Running. The conversation highlights the dynamic nature of building a brand and the dedication required to succeed in a competitive market.
IG: @rnnr.co
Website: https://rnnr.com/
If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.
Sponsor Links:
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/
Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
MidPacker Pod Links: Instagram | Patreon
Troy Meadows Links: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Strava
Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTube
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1:06:50
#56 Simone Guérard | Cocodona, Tor De Géants, & Loving The 100 Mile Distance
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
You can now support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod
Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.
Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services
"I consider myself to be a pretty average guy."
“I am the epitome of a weekend warrior”
On this episode of the pod Troy Meadows has a conversation with Simon Guérard. Simone is an accomplished 100 miler runner who to date has averaged running a hundred miller a month for basically the last 4 years!! In this episode Simone shares his journey into ultra running, discussing his experiences with various races, including Cocodona and Tour des Géants.
He reflects on the challenges of balancing a professional career with his passion for running, the importance of community support, and the strategies he employs for long-distance races. Simon emphasizes the significance of adventure in his running journey and provides insights into race planning, nutrition, and the unique aspects of different ultra marathons.
Simones Links:
IG: @runningwithsimon
YouTube: Ultra Marathon Trail Running with Simon - https://www.youtube.com/@runningwithsimon
Buckle Up Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buckle-up-with-simon-and-brian/id1729238599
Things we talked about on the show
Quebec Mega Trail - https://ultratrailcanada.com/en
TOR - https://www.torxtrail.com/en
Arizona Monster - https://www.destinationtrailrun.com/arizona-monster-300
Tara’s Cactus pics - https://www.instagram.com/tara.dower/p/CzEo1pdJtKx/?img_index=1
Cocodona - https://cocodona.com
Destination Trails - https://www.destinationtrailrun.com
Swiss 360 - https://swisspeaks.ch/360k/?lang=en
Saddles 100 - https://www.saddles100.com
Diagonal De Fu - https://www.grandraid-reunion.com/en
Cactus to Clouds - https://fastestknowntime.com/node/1278
If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.
Sponsor Links:
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/
Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
MidPacker Pod Links: Instagram | Patreon
Troy Meadows Links: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Strava
Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTube
Simon Guerard, ultra running, Cocodona, Tour des Géants, endurance sports, trail running, race strategy, nutrition, running community, adventure, endurance racing, hydration strategies, ultra marathon, race planning, sleep management, injury awareness, community support, training tips, ultra running experiences, race reflections
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1:25:02
#55 Checking in with Troy | Helenes Impact on Western North Carolina, Running Lake Sonoma 100k, & Joining the Javelina Live Stream
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
You can now support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod
Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.
Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services
"I've never seen anything like this before."
"Running is a privilege right now."
In this quick check in episode Troy Meadows shares his personal experiences and observations following Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North Carolina. He discusses the extensive damage to the community, the challenges faced by residents, and the ongoing recovery efforts.
Troy also highlights the resilience of the local community and provides updates on upcoming trail races, emphasizing the importance of supporting one another during this difficult time.
He then talks about his Race pivot to running the Lake Sonoma 100k and his excitement to see his Sonoma county running community again.
Lastly he drops the news that he will be going to the big party in the desert, Javelina 100, to anchor the Live Stream with Chirs Warden to bring in the Middle and Back of the Pack and bask in the glow of those golden hour feels.
How you can help
Organizations
Run 828 -Carrie Baris- https://www.run828foundation.org/
Camp Grier - https://www.campgrier.org/
Tanawha Adventures -Brandon Thrower- https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/
John Kelly's work
John’s Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/f/bypass-bureaucracy-for-mountain-areas-affected-by-helene
X account: @rndmforestrunnr - https://x.com/rndmforestrunnr?lang=en
Troy’s Links
IG - @troyontherun
Website - Troyontherun.com -
https://troyontherun.com/
Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page - https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services
If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.
Sponsor Links:
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/
Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
MidPacker Pod Links: Instagram | Patreon
Troy Meadows Links: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Strava
Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTube
Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina, community recovery, trail running, Asheville, natural disaster, resilience, local support, race updates, family safety, Lake Sonoma 100k, Javelina Live Stream, trail running, ultrarunnning
Freetrail presents The Midpacker Podcast, which follows middle and back of the pack trail runners and ultra runners at the heart of the trail running community. Join host Troy Meadows weekly as he talks through what it takes to balance life and running with everyday runners doing extra ordinary things on and off the trails.
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