Against the backdrop of the August 18th proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, we’re looking through the lens of the Runners for Public Lands episode for this reflection. As George Plomarity says, “There is no such thing as a trail running industry without public land access. It’s the foundation that everyone is building off of. You can’t have climbing, you can’t have mountain biking, you can’t have trail running if we don’t have this shared resource that we all get to access.” And it’s all outdoor recreation people who are potentially adversely affected by this proposal. We also hear from Bryant Baker and Kat Baker of Runners for Public Lands, alongside Mammoth Trailfest and the Mammoth 200 RD, Tim Tollefson as well as Griselda Garcia of Santa Mujeres Run Club and RPL ambassador. We also look at the distinct music strategies from Joe, Jason, and Vicki.

Featured Guests:

Vicki Allen - personal trainer, coach, ultrarunner

Jason Bahamundi – coach, endurance athlete, founder

Joe Hardin – ultrarunner, host of Beyond the Finish Line

Tim Tollefson – founder, mammoth trailfest, professional runner

Griselda Garcia – long-time educator, baker, reader, and runner, ambassador for Runners for Public Lands

Clare Gallagher – ultrarunner, ecologist, writer, future PhD

George Plomarity – tireless advocate for public land access, environmental awareness, run culture

Kat Baker – Executive Director, Runners for Public Lands

Bryan Baker – Director of Advocacy & Education, Runners for Public Lands

Resources & Featured Links

Runners for Public Lands: Learn About the Roadless Rule

Outdoor Alliance Members: Outdoor Alliance Coalition

Episode Playlist: Listen Here

Gear & Lighting: Vests and Waist Lights

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Podcast: Listen to Bonus Smiles

Broadcast: Listen to the radio show

Playlists: Human Curated Bonus Smiles Jams

Vicki Allen is an ultrarunner who’s after the fast known time, or FKT on the Lone Star Trail just north of Houston. This 96 mile traverse is the longest continuous trail in Texas. But for Vicki this wasn't a one way adventure–it was a 192 mile out and back.

Unlike other 200 milers such as Tahoe, Bigfoot, Moab, or Cocodona, it’s not hundreds who toe the line on raceday–this year 25 souls lined up for the point to point race. And outside of some water stations, the rest is up to you!

Vicki shares sonic strategies that keep her moving forward and entertained when headphones greet you with an unexpected low battery message.

Guest

Vicki Allen - personal trainer, coach, ultrarunner

Resources and Featured Links

• Race Details: Ava's Trails
• Follow Vicki on IG: @victoriaallenthebig3
• Vicki's Jams!
• Gear & Lighting: UltrAspire Hydration Vests & Lights

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Podcast: ⁠Listen to Bonus Smiles⁠

Broadcast: ⁠Listen to the radio show⁠

Playlists: ⁠Human Curated Bonus Smiles Jams

The mythos of ultrarunning as shrouded in social media narratives, simultaneously inspires and robs you of joy. Against the backdrop of effortless miles, continuous progress over time, and a calendar full of races everyday athletes and their stories of struggle and success get buried in the algorithm.

In this episode of Bonus Smiles, we sit down with Jason Bahamundi, founder of Run Tri Bike and the Everyday Athlete Podcast Network, to understand what it means to be "people who run," and not "runners who people."

Jason shares stories from his adventures in the inaugural Cocodona 250, how he talks the talk and walks the walk of being an everyday athlete, and how running re-entered his running life.

Guests:

Jason Bahamundi: coach, endurance athlete, founder

Resources & Featured Links

Run, Tri, Bike

Everyday Athlete Podcast Network

Follow Jason on Instagram: @runtrimag | @everyday_athlete_podcast_ntwrk

Jason’s Jams

Connect with Us:

Podcast: Listen to Bonus Smiles

Broadcast: Listen to the radio show

Playlists: Human Curated Bonus Smiles Jams