Host Celeste Fong talks with Steve Blase about his journey from sobriety to ultra running, how he found trail running, and his first steps toward 100-mile races. Steve shares early races, injuries, and the training that led to completing his first 100-mile events.

The episode dives into standout races—Bubba’s Backyard Ultra, Jigger Johnson, Hamster Wheel, and Vermont 100—detailing strategies, pacing, pacers, DNFs, and the unique challenges of backyard ultras. Steve reflects on race-day decisions, fueling, and the role of aid stations and crews.

Themes include the mental game of ultrarunning, the deep friendships formed while suffering together, lessons learned from setbacks, and Steve’s goals for future races and continued growth in both mind and body.

Hosts Celeste and Danielle recount a last-minute birthday trip to Acadia National Park, camping in the car and tackling multiple trails in 24 hours. Highlights include a pre-dawn hike to watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, cliff and loop hikes like Gorham and Great Head, and the scramble to see Bubble Rock at Jordan Pond.

They share funny mishaps (slips, close calls, an almond joke), practical tips about trail distances, parking/permits, coffee at the summit, and praise for perfect October weather—concluding that the trip was exhausting but unforgettable.

Host Celeste Fong talks with Ray Pinney about starting trail running later in life, tackling 50-mile races and 100+ mile events, and finding purpose and community through ultras.

They discuss injuries and recovery, memorable races like Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim and the Race for the Ages, the mental highs and lows of ultra running, and how the trail community supports and inspires people of all ages.