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

Connect with Us:

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

Connect with Us:

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

Ultrarunners aren't normal. In this episode of Bonus Smiles, we sit down with ultrarunner, writer, and podcast host Joe Hardin. Joe shares the positive and negative connotations of being an ultrarunner--like getting lost in the sauce to having fun training for a 300+ mile ultra.

Guests:

• Joe Hardin – ultrarunner, host of Beyond the Finish Line

Resources & Featured Links:

• Race Details: ⁠Vol State 500km⁠

• Joe’s Podcast: Beyond The Finish Line

• Follow Joe on Instagram: @trail_tortoise_running

• Writing & Media: Run Tri Mag Contributor

• Gear & Lighting: ⁠UltrAspire Hydration Vests & Lights⁠

Connect With Us:

• Podcast: ⁠Listen to Bonus Smiles⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Broadcast: ⁠Listen to the radio show⁠
• Playlist: Human curated Bonus Smile Jams
• Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @publicradiorunner⁠
• Email Us: pod@publicradiorunner.com

Many people balk at the idea of driving 250 miles. But no one in their right mind would try to run that far right? In this episode of Bonus Smiles, we take you inside the 2026 Cocodona race—a point-to-point adventure from Black Canyon City to Heritage Square in Flagstaff, Arizona.

And your host is also playing the role of guest—yes, I brought my mic too (check out the chimera build)!

True to the show, we also have some music advice and course insights from ultrarunners Killian Korth and Rachel Entrekin--this year's first and second place finishers.

Featured Voices & Guests:

• Steve Aderhold – Cocodona co-RD

• Rachel Entrekin – pro ultrarunner, threepeat winner of Cocodona

• Killian Korth– pro ultrarunner and philosopher

Resources & Featured Links:

• Race Details: Cocodona 250

• Gear & Lighting: UltrAspire Hydration Vests & Lights

• Arizona Public Radio Stations:

  KAWC

  KJZZ

  KNAU

  AZPM

Connect With Us:

• Podcast: Listen to Bonus Smiles
• ⁠Broadcast: Listen to the radio show
• Instagram:⁠⁠ @publicradiorunner
• Email Us: pod@publicradiorunner.com

How can the trail running community shift from extractive to additive models when it comes to our public lands?

In this special episode of Bonus Smiles, we spotlight an inspiring panel discussion hosted by Runners for Public Lands (RPL) at TrailCon. Speakers from the panel highlight how the trail running community can better show up for public lands–as individual runners, what races and race directors can do, and how brands can support initiatives across the sport and industry.

Whether you're a casual trail runner, an ultra marathoner, or a public radio supporter, discover how finding a deeper connection with your local trails can help shape a sustainable future for outdoor recreation.

Thanks to Runners for Public Lands, the panelists, and TrailCon!

• Zoë Rom – journalist, ultrarunner, comedian
• 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
• Bryant Baker – Director of Advocacy & Education, Runners for Public Lands

Resources & Featured Links:

Runners for Public Lands: runnersforpubliclands.org

Learn About the Roadless Rule

Outdoor Alliance Members: Outdoor Alliance Coalition

Episode 7 Spotify Playlist: Listen Here

Radio Broadcast: Bonus Smiles

UltrAspire Kit: UltrAspire Hydration Vests & Lighting

Connect With Us:

Podcast Feed: Listen on PodLink

Instagram: @publicradiorunner

Email Us: pod@publicradiorunner.com

Welcome to the first reflection episode of season 2 !

We look back on the UltrAspire mini-series as well as the episodes of this season. We explore the different ways our guests use music as well as what keeps them going--whether that's on a training run or toeing the line on race day. While it may seem counterintuitive, most of the time, it's not about the running!

Thanks to our guests!

Jeff Browning, Lindsay Teague, Ricky Urias, Kilian Korth, Nate Clifton, Anna Simonsson-Søndenå, Julian Blevins, Romy Ancona, Katie Asmuth, and Jeff Cady!

Reflection 3 Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ZJB7SuxRkqrxACBexgnCi?si=435161818a20446d

Broadcast:

https://www.kawc.org/show/kofas-bonus-smiles

Podcast:

https://pod.link/1866483755

Follow us for more!

@publicradiorunner

Jeff Cady isn’t a stranger to running or to exploring the beauty of the backcountry. While others were learning how to make sourdough in their kitchens, he was traversing the Snowqualmie section of the PCT in Washington State.

From hiking to fast packing, it's no surprise that his adventures would continue into the world of ultramarathons. In fact, this Halloween at the Javelina Jundred race, his eyes are on his first 100 mile buckle.

Tune in to learn how Jeff found his way into ultras and the music that powers his runs!

Find the entire library of episodes here!

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