Lanny Ultra joins Robbie and Justin to walk through how he found his way into ultra running, what it takes to keep training honest while raising a family, and how race strategy is as much a mental discipline as a physical one. The conversation wanders the trails — literally — through cactus encounters and snake scares, a race cancellation that forced a hard safety call, and the community Lanny has built through Run Dad Run. The three close by looking at where ultra running is heading and what the next wave of the sport might look like.

• Lanny Ultra's journey into ultra running
• Balancing family life and training
• Wild trail stories: cacti and snakes
• Race cancellations and safety decisions
• Community building through Run Dad Run
• Insights into race strategies and mental toughness
• The evolution of ultra running and future trends

Community Building How Run Dad Run turned a shared identity — runners who are also parents — into a durable, supportive community, and why that kind of belonging keeps people in the sport longer than any training plan does.

Race Strategy Mentality Approaching a race as a series of decisions rather than a single effort: pacing, problem-solving on the move, and the mental toughness required when the day stops going to plan.

"You like y you didn't fall into a cactus. You dove into that thing."

"I got a freaking thorn in my neck. It'd been there for three hours."

"You gotta do back to backs."

ultra running · trail stories · race strategies · community · family · endurance sports

Robbie joins Justin to break down his run at the DC Peaks 55K — a race through the Utah mountains at the peak of fall color. They walk through his day mile by mile, what worked and what didn't in his pack and kit, and where the wheels nearly came off. Along the way they get into fueling strategy, the specific challenge of running dry on a hot exposed climb, and why the trail community is the reason either of them keeps signing up. Justin shares his own race experiences for comparison, and both talk about what's next: Bighorn and maybe DC Peaks 100.

Robbie's experience at DC Peaks 55K race

Race nutrition and gear tips from Robbie

Justin's trail running and race experiences

The importance of community in ultrarunning

Training insights and race strategy discussions

Race day challenges including dehydration and terrain

The role of gear and apparel in ultrarunning

Future race plans including Bighorn and DC Peaks 100

Join us as we dive into Catherine Tilford's ultrarunning journey, from her trail roots to her first 100 miler at Run Rabbit Run. Discover her training insights, race day experiences, and lessons learned along the way. Join us as we recount an epic ultra race filled with extreme weather, technical terrain, and moments of resilience. Catherine Tilford shares her journey, lessons learned, and the support that made finishing possible.

Catherine Tilford's trail running background Transition from road to ultra distances Race day preparation and mental strategies Fueling mistakes and lessons learned Race experience at Run Rabbit Run and Dead Horse 50K Volunteering and race community involvement Weather challenges in ultra running Mental resilience and perseverance Technical terrain navigation and safety Race support and team dynamics Lessons learned from race day adversity

Preparation for extreme weather is crucial for race success Mental toughness can carry you through the toughest conditions Support from crew and pacers is vital for finishing strong Adapting to terrain and weather can turn challenges into opportunities Immediate care for injuries and issues prevents race-ending problems

sound bites

"Fuel early and often to avoid hitting the wall" "It was pouring rain and windy." "The lightning was just lighting up the sky."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Catherine Tilford's Ultramarathon Journey 00:01 Introduction to the race and weather conditions 02:08 Trail Running Roots and Transition to Road Racing 03:57 First Ultra Experience and Lessons Learned 04:15 First aid station and food highlights 08:00 Race Day Morning and Pre-Race Preparation 10:00 Slick mud and technical terrain challenges 11:59 Lottery System and Race Entry Challenges 14:59 Training and Preparation for 100 Mile Races 15:04 Unexpected weather changes and hallucinations 19:55 Race Day Challenges: Fueling and Hydration Mistakes 20:10 Support from crew and race support team 25:10 Climbing Mount Warner and race strategies 30:04 Race Experience: From Mountain Climbs to Night Running 30:10 Final stretch and emotional finish 35:02 Lessons learned and key takeaways from the race 39:56 Race Day Weather and Unexpected Challenges 49:55 Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Ultramarathoners

Welcome to another edition of Golden Hour Adventures, where we dive into the adventures of Justin and Robbie, and share insights from their journeys.

Justin kicks things off from his travel trailer in Texas, where he’s battling the heat. He humorously notes that while the audio might be a bit compromised due to the AC, it’s a small price to pay to avoid melting in the Texas sun.

Meanwhile, Robbie is still unpacking from his trip to Steamboat, where the rains caught him off guard. He reflects on the chaos of returning home in a downpour and the looming task of repacking for his next adventure in Utah.

The conversation shifts to running, with Justin sharing his experience of acclimating to the humid Texas climate. He highlights a feature on his Garmin watch that measures acclimatization to elevation, revealing he’s adjusted to about 5,000 feet despite being at a lower elevation. This sparks a discussion about how heat training can mimic the effects of elevation training, a topic they have explored in previous episodes.

Robbie shares his own experiences of working out in higher altitudes, noting how his heart rate spiked during his workouts in Steamboat. The duo reflects on how they both managed to handle elevation changes during their recent adventures, with Justin surprised by his ability to run at higher altitudes without feeling the effects.

Justin expresses some apprehension about running trails in Texas due to rattlesnakes, humorously questioning the number of snakes lurking in the overgrown trails. He plans to attend a full moon run, showcasing his adventurous spirit despite his fears.

The conversation takes a lighthearted turn as they discuss a buzz in the running community involving Camille, a well-known figure. Justin and Robbie dive into the peculiarities of her recent career moves, reflecting on the unexpected twists and turns that can happen in the public eye.

They share a laugh over the comments surrounding her latest endeavors, showcasing the humorous side of the running community.

As always, Justin and Robbie provide a mix of humor, insight, and camaraderie that make their discussions feel personal and engaging.

If you're curious to hear more about their adventures and thoughts on running, check out the full episode!

Summary

In this episode, we explore the upcoming Run Rabbit Run 100 race, its prize purse, and what makes a race the hardest in the US. We discuss race strategies, athlete experiences, and the impact of prize money on ultra running.

Key Topics

Run Rabbit Run 100 race details and location Prize purse increase to 100,000 dollars for 2027 Comparison of hard rock, Western States, and other races Factors that determine the difficulty of ultra races The impact of elevation and cutoff times on race difficulty Athlete strategies for different race types and environments The influence of sponsors and prize money on race participation The role of athlete experience and personal goals in race selection

Takeaways

Next year's Run Rabbit Run 100 will have a 100,000 dollar prize purse, making it the biggest race of the year. The difficulty of an ultra race depends on elevation, cutoff times, terrain, and the runner’s experience. Elite athletes are choosing races based on prize money, with some skipping Western States for the larger purse at Run Rabbit Run. Race organizers may change participant limits and race formats to accommodate increased interest and prize money. Personal experience and training environment significantly influence what each runner considers the hardest race.

In this episode, Justin and Robbie celebrate four years of podcasting, share insights on trail running, hill training, downhill techniques, and upcoming race plans, including Run Rabbit Run and training tips for hilly courses.

keywords

trail running, hill training, downhill running, race preparation, Run Rabbit Run, ultramarathon, trail tips, running tips, race strategy, trail race

key topics

Podcast anniversary and listener milestones Hill training techniques for trail runners Downhill running tips and neuromuscular fatigue Upcoming race plans including Run Rabbit Run Training strategies for technical and steep terrain

takeaways

Walk hills to conserve energy and prevent injury Shorten stride and push off with the big toe on hills Control breathing and fuel before steep ascents Practice hiking and technical downhill running Pick a line and stay focused during downhill runs

"Forty five thousand listens and counting" "Practice hiking and technical downhill running" "Downhill running causes micro tears in muscles"

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Four Years of Podcasting 172:09:30 Listener Milestones and Global Reach 3666:36:15 Justin's Family and Race Logo Ideas 8333:16:39 Upcoming Trip to Run Rabbit Run 11888:50:10 Steamboat Race Course and Finish Line 16222:10:31 Race Day and Trail Experience 20055:30:51 Long Family Road Trip Planning 23027:44:20 Hills Training Tips for Runners 396944:25:32 Downhill Running Techniques and Safety

Trail Gear, Race Recaps, and a Jeff Browning Recovery Update

This episode is a deep dive for anyone living in the ultra and trail running world — new gear on trial, honest race-day reporting, and a check-in on Jeff Browning's recovery journey.

We break down the latest ultralight gear making its way into rotation, share unfiltered impressions from recent race weekends, and talk through what actually makes an aid station or race organization worth your entry fee. We close with an update on Jeff Browning following his accident, and what his recovery looks like for the trail community following his progress.

• UltraSpire Alpha Seven Vest Review — Fit, storage layout, hydration setup, and how it holds up on long training days versus race day.
• Hoka Speedgoat 1 First Impressions — Early thoughts on ride, grip, and durability, and how it stacks up against previous Speedgoat generations.
• Race Organization & Aid Station Quality — What separates a well-run event from a rough one: stocking, volunteer support, course marking, and drop-bag logistics.
• Jeff Browning's Accident & Recovery Update — The latest on his condition, recovery milestones, and what it means for his return to competition.
• Trail Running Gear Innovations & Durability — Broader trends in ultralight materials and how gear is holding up to real mileage, not just marketing claims.
• Race Experience Recap: Rabbit Raccoon and Other Events — Course conditions, competitive field notes, and standout moments from recent race weekends.

Friends of Jeff have set up a fundraiser to help cover his recovery costs and support his family. If this episode moved you, consider donating:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-and-the-browning-family

Ultra running · Trail running · Race gear · Ultralight gear · Race organization · Jeff Browning · Recovery · Race tips

Trail runners prepping for their next ultra, gear nerds tracking what's actually worth buying, and anyone following Jeff Browning's recovery and rooting for his return to the sport.

This episode covers a lot of ground — literally. Justin takes us into the Alaskan backcountry for a non-motorized caribou hunt, then straight into honey harvest season, before sitting down with Robbie Pike to unpack the messy realities of race cancellations, deferrals, and what athletes actually deserve from race directors.

• A non-motorized caribou hunt deep into remote Alaska
• The physical toll (and payoff) of a 13-mile pack-in hike
• Preserving meat in warm weather after a successful harvest
• The shift from hunting season straight into honey harvest
• Why local honey matters — for flavor and for allergies
• A candid conversation with Robbie Pike on race cancellations, refunds, and trust
• What good race-director communication looks like in practice
• The case for race insurance
• Deferrals, distance changes, and race-day flexibility

Justin walks through a non-motorized hunt — no four-wheelers, just boots on the ground into an area known for minimal human traffic. The solitude was the point as much as the hunt itself.

"I could see miles and I didn't see a single person the entire time other than the group of people that I was with."

After a grueling 13-mile hike to camp, the trip became a full-circle moment for all the gym work leading up to it.

"Thinking back to all those times of just in the gym doing heavy squats... it's like, man, this is what we trained for."

The hunt ended in a successful harvest, with Justin walking through the real logistics of keeping meat preserved in warm weather — and reflecting on why this style of hunting feels more meaningful than a motorized approach.

"I really, really like hunts like that. It's a lot more fun than just riding a four-wheeler and pulling it up to the animal."

Fresh off the mountain, Justin heads straight into beekeeping season, sharing what makes harvesting your own honey different from anything you'd grab off a store shelf.

"There's something special about the honey that you harvest versus the honey you go buy at the store."

He also touches on the case for sourcing honey locally — particularly the reputed benefits for seasonal allergy relief.

Robbie Pike joins Justin to dig into a topic that hits close to home for every endurance athlete: what happens when a race gets cancelled, and whether race directors are handling it fairly.

On the transparency problem. Robbie points to the A100 as a case where cancellation left runners with refunds that didn't come close to covering their loss — and the trust damage that follows.

"Those people that didn't get their money back this year, I guarantee you they're not signing up the next year to go run the race. They're probably done with that race."

A better way to handle it. On the flip side, Robbie shares a race director who proactively rolled his entry into the next year's race after he had to bow out.

"I got an email in July saying that I was signed up for next year already. I didn't have to do anything besides send him the email saying..."

The case for race insurance. Justin makes the practical argument for treating race insurance as a default, not an afterthought.

"I'd rather pay the twenty bucks and lose out on twenty bucks than lose out on five, six hundred bucks."

Deferrals and distance changes. The two get into the gray areas — dropping down a distance for health or training reasons, or even deciding race-morning to go longer than planned.

"If you're feeling good that morning and you're like, well, I might as well just do the fifty mile..."

Their conversation makes the case for race policies with more built-in flexibility, and for race directors who treat communication as part of the job, not an afterthought.

From a silent Alaskan ridge line to the honey harvest to the fine print of race deferral policies, this episode is a reminder that the outdoor and endurance communities run on the same currency: trust, preparation, and respect — for the land, the animals, and each other.

Listen to the full episode for the complete conversation and all the personal anecdotes that didn't make it into these notes.

Happy adventuring.