Art and Phred dive into treadmill survival strategies, including Phred's classic 1:05 reset method, the magic of a 15% incline, and the universal truth that starting too fast indoors is a bad life choice. Art is eyeing a March 15 return to running, sharing some winter miles at Lincoln Woods and the awkward reality of snowshoeing.

The conversation rolls into the chaos of the Umstead 100—a brutally simple crushed gravel grind with a registration process that sells out in minutes and legends like Mike Smith stacking up finishes. Music talk hits peak Cultra with Grateful Dead vibes and "Time Warp" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show landing right in the cadence sweet spot. Cultra Bot drops some Barber shop…

As always, the show is powered 112% by listeners, with Patreon support helping upgrade the audio. Support is good.

Umstead 100

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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This week the Cultra Crew AFB and Anna G. talk with Josh Sprague — founder of Orange Mud — about building gear, starting businesses, and adventure racing.

Josh grew up on a Kansas farm selling rubber band guns and raising 4-H pigs before working at Walmart and Goodyear. In 2012 he started Orange Mud after getting frustrated with hydration packs that didn't work for runners. By 2014 he quit corporate life and went all in.

We also talk adventure racing, the multi-sport sufferfest of running, biking, paddling, and navigating with map and compass plus gear design, heat management, and why Josh only creates products when they're actually better.

Josh also runs 7 Clay and Anvil and Acre, all while keeping Orange Mud independently owned.

Adventure, entrepreneurship, gear nerdery, and the usual Cultra nonsense.

Orange Mud

US Adventure Racing Association USARA

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow

Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids

Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better

Buy Fred's Book Running Home

More Information on the #CUT112

Ellie Pell joins AFB, Phred, and Anna G talkin desert DNFs, frozen suffering, Barkley chaos, Olympic trivia, and women's running research, all in classic Cultra style.

Ellie's Black Canyon DNF

Ellie breaks down her early exit at the Black Canyon 100K after a mile-4 muscle cramp shut things down. Contributing factors: hydration, pacing, and warm-up. Or was it just the body doing what it do?

Frozen Snot Report

Anna G recaps the brutally cold Frozen Snot Trail 1/2 Marathon—boulder fields, shortened distances, and legendary volunteers.

Barkley, Big Races & The Sport's Direction

Is trail running evolving, or being packaged? The group dives into what growth means for culture, community, and authenticity.

Cultra Matic: Winter Olympics

They name all 16 winter sports and invent new ones (ski jump biathlon, endurance figure skating, full-contact 50K speed skating). How to bring Ultra events to the Olympics.

Research & Real Talk

Ellie shares insights from her weighted vest study on postmenopausal women and as we discuss female participation in trail running. AFB updates listeners on shoulder recovery and the podcast's continued return to weekly episodes.

Black Canyon 100k Results

Frozen Snot

Jared Beasley's Book

Connecticut Forest & Parks

Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store!

Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow

Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids

Buy Fred's Book Running Home

More Information on the #CUT112