Shows
The Hobby Jogger PodcastE49 | Burning River 50 Mile - Last Race Before the Ring with Olivia JosephOlivia's refreshingly honest account of her ultra-running journey reveals both the highs and lows of endurance challenges. From bizarre race-day ailments ("I started throwing up like 20 miles into the race") to unexpected nutrition discoveries (pumpkin bread as the secret ultra fuel), her storytelling captures the unpredictable nature of hundred-mile adventures. Her experience navigating the technical East Coast trails—particularly the rocky Appalachian Trail sections—offers valuable perspective for trail runners at any level.Beyond her individual achievements, Olivia shares insights from her participation in Tara Dower's women-focused Chump Change Retreat, highlighting the power of community in the ultr...2025-07-2245 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE48 | Western States 100 Recap with Wil & JeremyThe 2025 Western States delivered drama from the start, with an unprecedented dozen elite men charging out 13 minutes ahead of course record pace just 10 miles in. Our panel examines how the race has fundamentally changed—from NASCAR-style aid station pit stops (now averaging under 30 seconds versus 3 minutes in 2019) to the complex cooling strategies employed in the notorious canyons.We celebrate Abby Hall's remarkable comeback victory after a devastating injury, running virtually solo from start to finish against seasoned competitors. Meanwhile, Caleb Olson's distinctive "fishnet" cooling garment became the talk of ultrarunning social media while powering him to a do...2025-07-0848 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE47 | Recapping the Laurel Highlands Ultra with Nikki and WilThe Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Ultra stands as one of the East Coast's most formidable trail challenges, and in our latest episode, we get an unfiltered look at what makes this Pennsylvania race so legendary. Guests Nikki Niemeyer and William Walmsley take us through their recent battle with this 70-mile trail featuring 11,000 feet of elevation gain across relentlessly rocky terrain.Both Nikki and Will arrived with solid training and race plans, only to face the perfect storm of 90% humidity and technical terrain that humbled them from the early miles. Will began cramping just five miles in despite...2025-06-2438 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE46 | Project Outrun: Custom Kicks for Cancer WarriorsWhen a child battles cancer, they need more than just medicine – they need moments of joy, strength, and normalcy. That's exactly what Project Outrun delivers through their innovative approach to supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families.In this deeply moving conversation, Courtney Salyer, Director of Operations for Project Outrun, shares how this Ohio-based nonprofit transforms the lives of children fighting cancer across all 50 states. What began eight years ago with founder Andy Shepperd creating custom Nike shoes for one young cancer patient has blossomed into a nationwide movement that has provided thousands of personalized kicks to ki...2025-06-1048 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE45 | The Running Pivot: Changing Plans After a DNF with Mike WeinsheimerThe journey of an ultrarunner is rarely a straight line from start to finish. Sometimes, the path takes unexpected turns – as Mike Weinsheimer discovered when facing snowfall and freezing temperatures at the Canyons 100K in California. But what happens when the race you've trained for slips away? For Mike, the answer was simple yet bold: pivot. Within days, he secured a spot in the iconic Miwok 100K, transforming disappointment into opportunity. Trading snow and freezing rain for sunshine and spectacular coastal views, Mike found himself traversing the beautiful trails of Marin County, from Stinson Beach through redwood for...2025-05-2746 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE44 | How Strength Training Boosts Endurance Performance with Michael MeekerWhen trail runner and Hobby Jogger podcast host Casey returned from the Canyons 50K with a surprisingly fast recovery, he knew exactly what made the difference: strength training. That's why we invited strength coach Michael Meeker, owner of Big Tree Fitness in Akron, to explain the transformative impact resistance training can have for endurance athletes.As runners, many of us have been conditioned to believe that simply logging more miles is the path to improvement. Mike challenges this notion by explaining how a well-rounded strength program supports everything from running economy to injury prevention. "If you want...2025-05-1359 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE43 | Trail Running Conversation with Hoka Athlete Jess BrazeauWhat happens when gymnastic prowess meets mountain trails? Professional HOKA athlete Jess Brazeau takes us on her remarkable journey from the gymnastics mat to conquering technical downhills.Whether you're fascinated by athletic crossover skills, mountain racing strategy, or the cutting edge of endurance nutrition, this episode delivers valuable insights from someone performing at the highest levels while maintaining remarkable humility about her achievements.Ready to elevate your trail running knowledge? Listen now and discover what makes elite athletes like Jess tick. 2025-04-2955 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE42 | Adidas Terex Agravic Speed Ultra vs Hoka Tecton X3When two premium carbon-plated trail shoes battle for supremacy, which one truly deserves your hard-earned dollars? We dive deep into the $220 Adidas Terex Agravic Speed Ultra and $275 Hoka Tecton X3 to discover their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.The Adidas delivers a responsive, race-ready feel that mimics road super shoes but raises stability concerns. Meanwhile, the Tecton X3 provides confidence-inspiring stability on technical terrain but disappoints with its durability relative to its premium price point.We tackle the questions that matter most to trail runners: Do these shoes justify their $200+ price tags? Which one...2025-04-1535 minThe Hobby Jogger PodcastE41 | The Sound of Running: Bryan Parker Takes on the LA MarathonIn this captivating conversation, seven-time Emmy-nominated sound engineer Brian Parker returns to share his LA Marathon journey, complete with all the triumphs and challenges that followed.Brian takes us through his training, including how California wildfires disrupted crucial long runs and how he encountered "the wall" at mile 16 during preparation. "I had a hard time walking in a straight line and my brain did not feel good," he reveals, describing that moment of glycogen depletion that every marathoner fears. His candid discussion of fueling mistakes offers invaluable wisdom for anyone attempting long-distance running!Beyond the...2025-04-0154 min