Hey, it's Dee Lukas day! Now, Dee may not be a back-of-the-packer, or a TRAIL runner (yet), but she is a dear friend of mine and my wife's, with a ton of great stories to tell. We cover everything from her running origins, to her multiple (try like 8) knee surgeries, to her involvement with a great Twin Cities organization called Mile In My Shoes. And dogs...we talk a ton of dogs. So get those Hoka Mach 6's laced up and get some ice compression sleeves ready when you get back, but it's time to hit the trail.

Dee on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/24821671

Mile In My Shoes: https://www.mileinmyshoes.mn/

26.2 To Life film info: https://www.sanquentinmarathon.com/

Mill City Running: https://www.millcityrunning.com/

Mill City Race Team Info: https://www.millcityrunning.com/raceteam

Tracksmith 5000: https://www.tracksmith.com/pages/twilight-5000

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

Dave Shannon is a numbers guy. In 1997, twelve years before anyone even thought up Strava, he began documenting his runs…EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Since then, he has logged over 46,000 miles, 332 races, 172 marathons, including one in every state and four of the six world majors, 49 ultramarathons...and near and dear to my heart, a handful of DFL podium finishes. He is also a race director for FANS Ultra Races. Most importantly, Dave is an epic storyteller. A raconteur of the highest level. Put your comfy long run shoes on and get ready for some amazing stories, cuz Dave is in the house.

Dave on Strava : https://www.strava.com/athletes/36156738

Dave on Ultrasignup: https://ultrasignup.com/m_results_participant.aspx?fname=David&lname=Shannon

FANS Ultra Races website: https://fansultraraces.org/

Dave's NYC Marathon movie "Rudy The Rat": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83cfrVBUziQ

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

It' s not the heat, it's the humidity!! Welcome back to the back of the pack world of Running Behind. In this volume 3 of Crew Access, I am once again joined by Mario and Erik. We have plenty of topics to discuss, including the hot, humid and muddy day that Erik and I had at the 2025 Afton trail races. Mario's attempt at a 100 mile week, including a 34 mile day to honor his 34 trips around the sun. We also breakdown our thoughts on the Western State Endurance Run and some other happenings in the world of trail running. Erik even spills the details on how he wants to get his first tattoo...hint, it involves a difficult trail race in MT. Lots to cover in this one, so lace up those North Face Vectiv Enduris 4's tight...

Afton 25K/50K Trail Races: https://www.aftontrailrun.com/

Continental Divide Trail Run: https://runningseries.com/races/cdtr/

The Rut 50K: https://runtherut.com/50k-race-details/

Erik's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mr_spiegs/

Mario's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/runmariorun91/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

He may say different, but my guest is not your "average" runner or person. My guest is not a back of the packer. In fact, my guest today runs a 2:18 marathon (hey, that's like 2:08 in super shoes), has created one of the premiere North American trail race events, placed 3rd at UTMB...TWICE, made the Olympic qualifying multiple times and has come in the top 5 at the Wester States Endurance Run! So what the hell is he doing on a back of the pack, ordinary runner podcast?...Well, this person is also a champion for causes that affect us ALL, and he is constantly striving to see the sport of trail running opened up to runners of all abilities and speeds, especially those in under represented communities. Not only that, he is super fun and an incredibly intelligent and cool dude. And did I mention has the best hair in the business? I am honored to be joined by the curious crafter himself...Tim Tollefson.

Tim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtollefson/

Mammoth Trailfest: https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/

Runners For Public Lands: https://runnersforpubliclands.org/

Born To Adapt website: https://www.borntoadapt.org/

Born To Adapt documentary (WATCH THIS!): https://youtu.be/QFKJyWXxcws

The Mammoth 200 movie with Sally McRae: https://youtu.be/2a0efndmmsE

UTMB Trail Race: https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/UTMB

Western State Endurance Run: https://www.wser.org/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

Mandy and Bill Hansel have created what has quickly become one of the premier trail race and sporting event organizations in Minnesota and the Midwest. Not only does their Storm Sporting Events provide first class and accessible but challenging events, but the mission behind it all is what really matters. From day one, they knew that it would be important that Storm Sporting Events be a vehicle to help provide resources and bring awareness to youth mental health issues. In 2025, they were able to award their first scholarship to someone who is studying to become a resource in that field. We talk about how this whole thing got started, how its grown and where it’s headed. We also chat about some of the fun and crazy things they like to do in their spare time (not that they have any). Get ready for an absolutely delightful conversation.

Mandy & Bill's Event Organization: https://www.stormsportingevents.org/

Direct link to donate to their cause: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/storm-sporting-events

Bill's crazy Arrowhead 135 race: https://arrowheadultra.com/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

Joe Hardin (Trail Tortoise Running) is; a father, a husband, a trail runner, an ultra marathoner, a writer , a podcast host, a poet and soon to be race director, but maybe most importantly…Joe is sober. On December 1, 2019, Joe took his last drink. I am honored to sit down with him as he shares the details on his journey to sobriety and how along the way he found and fell in love with trail running and ultra marathons (oh, and also writing, podcasting and woodworking to name a few). This promises to be a powerful and inspiring (and fun) episode.

Joe (Trail Tortoise Running) on IG: https://www.instagram.com/trail_tortoise_running

Joe’s podcasts (Beyond The Finish Line & What’s In Your Earbuds) and his writings at Run Tri Bike: https://runtrimag.com/

Joe’s woodworking business: https://rtbawards.com/

My favorite poem by Joe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKcqDpDAgJY

Mohican 100 Trail Race: https://www.ombc.net/copy-of-mohican-trail-run

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

"Comfort is a disease..." 5 years ago, Tony Gillham, my guest today, had a dream. It took 2 trainers, endless training miles, countless hours, the support of family and friends and ultimately 5 arduous days and nights crossing over 250 miles in the AZ desert, but in May 2025, Tony made his dream a reality. To help tell the story, we are also joined by one of his crew and pacers (and a pretty awesome podcast host himself), Mr. Ben Mead. This is a tale not to be missed! I do apologize for the audio quality at times, but for goodness sake, Tony was calling in from an oil rig, somewhere off the coast of Alaska. Get ready for an absolutely epic episode, as we hear the story of how Tony arrived at and ultimately conquered one of the most premiere long trail races in the world...the Cocodona 250.

Tony's podcast episode on Ben Mead's Chasing Cutoffs: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qOM4TL4zNNydreJy5bqLg

Ben Mead's 2024 Cocodona 250 podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gV6At4mg3SuivT3idkucK

or

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MvIk9e2YcIUP5zYkYF6ya

The Cocodona 250 by Aravaipa Running: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona2/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

The boys are back in town, the boys are back. That’s right, Erik and Mario are back. Thanks for meeting up with us again at the back of the pack in the world of Running Behind. In this episode Mario, Erik and I talk about some of our races and experiences; including the time Mario took a wrong turn after running in a loop in the rain for 13 hours, the time Erik forgot his water bottles back in MN (but once again hob-knobbed with running royalty at his event, and the time I apparently did NOT run, even half of the Zumbro 34 mile race. We talk a lot of other stuff too. In fact, we talk so much this time, that if you are lacing up those Topo’s for your long run, you better pack some bacon, quesadillas, cookies and a whole freaking jar of pickles, cuz we have a ways to go. Get laced up, get ready and let’s get this show...on the trail.

Erik's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mr_spiegs/

Mario's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/runmariorun91/

Buffalo Run 50K Race:

https://www.buffalorunadventures.com/buffalo-run/

Elm Creek Backyard Ultra Race:

https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/elm-creek-backyard-ultra/

Ashley Paulson on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ashkickn/

The Great World Race (7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Days):

https://thegreatworldrace.com/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder