Cultra Trail Running

In this episode, AFB and Evil Becky dive deep into the madness and method behind prepping for their 48-hour showdown at Notch View. With ice towels, grilled quesadillas, and hallucination avoidance on the menu, the duo breaks down their pacing strategies, sleep plans, nutrition math, and mental game-while still finding time to argue over pee bottles and AI coaching.

Art unveils his “douche canoe” plan to knock out 75 miles in the first 24 hours, relying on hydration tricks and skills gleaned from the Tour De France and Erie Canal Trail before sleeping, rinsing and repeating. Evil Becky brings the h...

We take a minute, minute and a half to say thank you to all of our patreons, and to see what some of them are up to.  

Highlander Hustle Portland High

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Phred is Back, BIGTIME and he finally reels in his “white whale” guest longtime friend and ultrarunning enigma Steven Tursi. Steven and Phred blab about running streaks, hashing adventures, body image, and a lifelong evolution of what it means to be a runner and a friend. Was Steve the original Johnny Appleseed for Cultra? Enjoy this fabulous Bootleg Cultra (Think Grateful Dead Barton Hall, Cornell University, May 8, 1977)

 Episode Highlights:

Running Streaks and Ultramarathons

AFB welcomes El Niño a.k.a. the chosen one a.k.a. Tobias Tello a.k.a. Tobi and Abel Murphy, hosts of The Colder Boys podcast, to break down Western States 100.

In This Episode:

Ross Bielak from Littleton Colorado is Cultra #PodcastFamous and a dear friend of our community.  When he signed up for the #CUT112 in 2021 after doing his own Western CUT in 2020, he felt that he was a bit undertrained. So very logically, (WTF) he decided to attempt the never before completed Double #CUT112. Although this attempt resulted in a visit to the hospital, he tried it again, and then finally again in 2025.  We hear the story of the power of the trail running community as around 40 people came out, (in real life) to crew and pace him as he took on...

Whether its road running versus trail running, Garmin versus Coros, iPhone versus Android or Democrats versus Republicans, why does it sometimes feel so hard for us to actually listen to each other? We look at what it means to find common ground, and to be genuinely curious. And why it is sometimes so difficult to remain curious. We also take a look at our mental maps and try to figure out why it can be so difficult for us to change our perspective. This is a conversation that some would rather hide in the bottom of a portajohn to...

When most of us think of “running blind”, we envision a state of panic where one must proceed without having a clear understanding of what lies ahead. Trail running can be challenging enough even when we can see the rocks and roots that can trip us up. John Robert Mckay, AKA The Blind Donkey Runner does not let that stop him. We hear the details of how he is able to avoid “rock in 3-2-1, ROCK” with the aid of guides. We hear about his journey to qualify and run The Boston Marathon, his racing on the track, trails a...

Let’s talk about dropping. When we drop something it’s like we are forgetting to hold on. We sign up for the 100k and sometimes want to drop to a 50 mile. And some times we help each other pause for a moment and remember why we do what we do and we avoid dropping .(Now the tricky part) Sometimes we decide to pause and not drop any more and others remind us that perhaps it’s time to take a deeper look and drop a new episode of The Cultra Trail Running Podcast.  We are glad to be back!<...

Life is constantly changing and we are all very different people than we were 6 or 7 years ago, and right now it feels like its time to take a break, continue to seek professional help, and decide whats next. So for now, we are hitting pause (paws), but before we go, lets use this episode to take a look back, just in case this turns out to be our final episode.

This podcast started as a wild idea among friends—a way to celebrate the absurdity, struggle, and joy of ultra running in a way that was raw an...

Former soldier Tim Hardy shares his approach to making his life choices. He has at times deliberately chosen a difficult path that includes some of the most arduous and hot multi-day races, like Vol State, and HOTS, and also cold races like the Arrowhead 135.  Tim has recently taken a look at what makes a great experience for him in terms of community, travel time, course, and cost. He gives us a lot to consider as we make our own life choices. 

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For the 1st time (and hopefully not the last), this episode features the solo efforts of Evil Becky. Do you have 40 minutes? Do you want see what the back of your eyes look like? If you said yes, then this is the episode for you. EB goes through last weeks running superlatives and reports on what you the listeners think about yourselves and others. There are some flashback moments (que the Scooby Doo music) of looking back on our past runner selves and the insight and advice we would give to ourselves. Then we wrap up that golden doggy...

So Dad (Art) is away and the kids (CULTRA crew) decided to play. We changed the episode rules and decreed this to be episode #8675309. We also determined Who are you. Yes, you. We went through a list of stereotypical runner types and made judgments of who fit the bill. But what do YOU think? Who are you? And who are those other runners around you? Join in and pass some friendly and silly judgement. Added bonus! We kept the train on the tracks and paced ourselves to an impressive hour - hour and a 1/2 episode...including patreons.

...

319: New Trail Runner’s Guide (Northeast Edition)

Are you a road runner looking to start trail running, a hiker intent on picking up your pace, or an experienced trail running veteran who is curious to see if you could pick up a new idea? This episode covers the Trail Running Basics, the Northeast Regional specifics, trail etiquette and safety, training & fitness and even gives some pro tips on pooping in the woods.

Trail Running basics answers the questions of what gear do I need to start trail running, how to find out where to run, wh...

Ellie Pell is back to talk some smack on AI and the great cereal mix debate. How will this impact our sport? Will trail running ever be the same? Can't we all just get along? Qualifying for Boston Marathon and the Olympic Marathon Trails anyone? Plus Patreon 

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Candy cigarettes! Ramen noodles and a Patreon review. The Crew discusses upcoming running races, including the Newport Marathon on April 19th and the Real King of Pain race in Glastonbury in early February, which includes an icy double stream crossing and twice the elevation of the King of Pain road version. Jimmy announces he will likely run the Newport Marathon. Celeste shares details about the Newport Marathon course. They reminisce about past experiences at races like getting medals shaped like pineapples. The conversation then turns to cigarettes, with Jimmy expressing disdain for menthol cigarettes. Art shares that when he...

What does it take to finish the SRC Back Yard Ultra? How do you approach it if you have never done one before? New York State based Jordan Buck traveled to the SRC Backyard Ultra in Long Island and gave it a shot as a first timer. Jordan also shares his experiences of being lost during races and fighting to come back. There is something special about discovering trail running for the first time, and Jordan shares this perspective so well.  We also learn about his upcoming adventure to run across the US carrying the flag as part of a...

Tower Tag Challenge is a 4 hour or 8 hour event that uses the carriage trail of the iconic Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden Connecticut. Second place Male finisher and NY based Aaron Heath joins RD Brian Vanderheiden (whisper voice) to find out what it was like to compete in this inaugural event. Aaron has more than 70 Ultra events to his credit and we have a blast hearing about his origin story and his quest to become one of New England’s Finest (Hartford Marathon Foundation) as he ran a 2:36 Marathon. But as we learn trails are his one true lo...

The Mesh Penis Fiasco unveiled! If you wanted any running content, then this is not the episode you are looking for. But if for no logical reason you are looking for some funny shit, followed by 90 minutes of drunken rambling inebriated babble, with very little nutritional, or educational value, then… whatever.  

I don’t know what to say, so here is what AI gleaned:

The team discussed various topics including ultramarathons, aid stations,pickleball, and the Manchester Road Race, and discussed the TV coverage of the race, expressing disappointment with the lack of local expertise and k...

Join us as we celebrate 6 years of Jackassing around. @gazzellie joins the crew in what might (allegedly) be the most offensive, explicit and raw like the trails we run on episode ever. Either way you will never look at a donut the same way again. We talk JFK 50, and laugh our asses off as we, do what we do but even better.  Try not to pee. We have been 112% listener supported since the beginning. Thank you to all of our supporters, past and present! f you are a new supporter, a past supporter, or if you have been supporting u...

The Crew joins forces with On The Runs Podcast's Erika, Eric and First time Ultra TaraDactyl to run a few more loops of the Dumbest Race in New Hampshire! We bring in some graduate level guests including Ultra durable Jennifer Whynot, Fan Favorite A Markus, Slurpee Runner Matt Cooper, Young Gun Roaming Roman Volpe and overall 30 HR race winner and quality human Michael LoPresti!  We are excited to release this episode to Cultra Trail Running peeps, and On The Runs folks. 

Hamster Wheel Results

On The Runs

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Are you tired of bonking, throwing up on yourself and your friends, because you got no fueling plan? In this episode, we discuss with a Certified Nutritionist Alex Larson the fueling megatrends that have contributed to the shit ton of records falling in running, and cycling. How many grams of carbs should you take per hour? Whats up with the new fueling products? How many boxes of baking soda should you be shoveling down your gullet before during and after your next ultra? If its good enough for Olympians, Tour De France cranksters, then its good enough for you...

Did Connecticut boycott Midstate Massive? Spooky shit scheduled for Nov 29th in the Meshomasic (Mesh) Forest! Ben Quatromoni takes some time off of Ben Nephew's long standing North South Trail FKT. This episode is a beautiful disaster as Art and Fred payback our Patreons. The rest of the Cultra Crew is on probation...

North South Trail FKT Site

Big Wigs Band

Midstate Massive Results Page

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Nipmuck Trail Marathon RD’s Cherie Bilbie and Kelsey Eng join the Cultra Crew as we take deep dive into the 41st edition of one of New Englands most beloved trail races. Jimmy Mac shares what it was like to race in the top ten and arrive at the “Alpacaville” aid station to see AFB and Ding-Dong. We also reveal plans for our upcoming Monster Mesh night trail run.

Cat’s Tail Trail Marathon

Nipmuck Trail Marathon

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Lenny’s Mom (Jenna Gould) gives a first hand perspective of what it was like to run and finish the 2024 Barkley Fall Classic! Be prepared to cry as you laugh at the absurd stories of Rat Jaw, Testicle Spectacle, and so much more. She shares details of her exploits in the Chattenooga trail scene after leaving CT. Jenna keeps up with the Crew as this "dog mom" is fast on the trails and quick witted too. 

Jenna Gould Ultra Signup Results

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Out...

Not as big as the fight between Evil Becky and Hundo discussing Vermont 100, but this episode gets AFB fired up enough that he hardly lets anyone else speak as he defends Camille and attempts to slay the would be cancel dragons of social media. Honestly hard to watch this happen within our ranks and makes us wonder if the doling of punishment is more harmful to the community than the original allegedly unpardonable sin.

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Running sock experts Tanya and Bert Pictor share the secrets of fit, wicking, cushioning, materials, and design that go into their Jogology brand socks.  After founding and selling off the revolutionary sock brand Balega, this delightful and powerful couple took their industry experience and created a new brand of sock called Jogology.  We hear some great stories from Bert as he shares (yarns?!) about his 8 Comrades Marathon finishes.  AND EVIL BECKY BURKE  IS  BACK!  This episode is a great companion to Episode 242 Fixing Your Feet with John Vonhof

Link to Jogology 

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We talk about Steep Endurance Macedonia Trail Races 50k 25k and 12k.  Allegedly some of the sweetest singletrack to be had.  Then we dive into the The Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness  

Then we pay respect to our Patreons with our typical schenanigans and abuse. A fun discussion suited for a long drive or run.

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right...

Ask us anything and we will Jackass around, but also... provide a explicit and raw unfiltered answer. Trail running or listening to music—can provide comfort, relief, or a sense of well-being. They help you cope with stress, clear your mind, or even provide moments of joy. However, they aren't a structured, professional approach to addressing underlying psychological issues.

Therapy, on the other hand, is a formal process led by a trained professional, like a therapist or counselor. It involves specific techniques designed to help you understand and manage deep-rooted emotional or mental challenges.

We re...

Oh, snap what's good fam? You got a fully assembled CULTRA news team tonight. Art put the call out, was like “news team assemble” and we were like oh shit who are we fighting? Well, we’re fighting boredom, and this is a 112% Grade A Bonafide Fresh Jackass episode where we go all in on the Patreons as well. We touch on some fairy smut, Leadville and Ann Trason’s domination at said event, all of our Homies that went and did Twisted Branch 100k over in NY, we do a deep dive on shitty weather, concerts, joining a cult, ch...

What does it take to run 100 miles 100 times? How about doing this 300 times? Ed Eddinghausen aka "The Jester" has run distances of 100 miles nearly 300 times and is seeking to break the record for the most 100 mile runs completed in one year.  Many of us seek to work out our personal issues as we run. Some fight this battle internally and others seek to make a connection with fellow runners as our defenses are stripped away.  The Jester shares his practice of helping others overcome obstacles during his runs as a mutually beneficial way of life that improves everyone’s stat...

Vin Capp from Happily Running joins Phred and Jimmy Mac (sans AFB and Ding Dong) and they hardly discuss Tesla Hertz Run, Beast of Burden, Shore 2 Shore, Water Gap 50k or Virgil Crest.  They do get into a great riff on self reliance, Phish, and the Olympics. Phred speaks so much, and so well in this episode that Cultra management has allegedly insisted on a urine sample. The greatness of this episode cannot be denied, but will be questioned in perpetuity due to the cloudy test results. Basically three dudes talking shit about the man, and occupying a groovy s...

We are 300! He who sweats more in training, bleeds less in war! Cultra celebrates our 300th episode with Ellie Pell so of course we talk about the Olympics!  Thank you all so much for making it this far!

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

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Delightful Maine ultra runner Lila Gaudrault joins us to tell how it felt to run 72 miles in 12 hours at Notchview, and a week later run her first ever 100 mile distance as she raced the Vemont 100 securing a tacit 2nd place photo finish.  Lila was the ME XC high school champion as a Sophomore and Junior then stepped away from XC in order to choose a longer path in Ultra Running, and we are so glad she did!  Don't miss it!

Cultra Episode 264 Stonecat Runners of Maine  More background info on Lila!

Untapped Blog Before VT 100

Art F Byram and Celeste Fong A Ding Dong are joined by Erika Hamel (On The Runs Podcast) as we recount our 100 mile efforts and  speak to several folks fresh off of The Notchvview Ulta including Jessie Makela, Craig "Mommy Craigery" Wallace, Liz "Vicious" Gagon, Amanda Paul, Sandy "Barbells" Bartell, Lee Ann "LAZ"  Zarger, 

Results for Notchview

Listen to On The Runs Podcast 

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Evil Becky Burke joins AFB to recount their Notchview Ultra drama. And then Fred “The Murollovator”, Jimmy “Live Loud” Mac, and Celeste “Walk in closet” Fong-a-Ding-Dong launch into what critics claim is the "...best damn ever..." reading and love/abuse fest of our Patreon Supporters. We are 112% listener supported, so we gave at least that much. Rage against CultraBot!

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right ba...

Ellie Pell joins Jimmy Mac, Ding Dong, Fredmill, and AFB as we celebrate the Northeastern finishers of Western States, and discuss everything from Ferry Porn, dating apps, short split shorts in popular culture, Ansonia 6 Hour, Van Life, Cascade Lakes Relay, preview of Notchview Ultra, and The USATF Team Trials. Plus our excellent Patreons!

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

Cultr...

Robb Amatruda AKA @robsroadtoultra joins AFB in a spirited battle of the bots as the Magic 8 Ball takes on Chat GPT. Yeah we also talk about running Norbook Farms by Steep Endurance, and the Brooksvale 12 hour race by Live Loud.  We talk about browning out. no not a code brown, but a loss of awareness that can happen at the end of a race. We also talk about The Cascade Lakes Relay, Revel 4 X 4 Van Life adventures The USA Track and Field Trials in Eugene. But we dont really talk about Western States.  Cultra Bot added this to increase th...

What in the Blue Blazes is this? Each year in the first weekend of June runners gather to traverse 112 miles along the New England Trail cutting down the middle of Connecticut from the MA border to the Long Island Sound in Guilford. This episode features  Chris Bennett, Steve Starke, Fan Favorite Jacki Smith and Celeste Fong as they share their experience with this New England Classic.

CUT112 2024 Results

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Kristijan Begic AKA "Bessic from the Podcast" joins his trail bro Will Jara, and Cultra's own Jimmy Mac as they give us the stark graduate level inside shit view of the 2024 Cruel Jewel 100. They hung out, ran and got some tats.  Lots of knowledge, lots of fun. But don't listen with your kids! Hey sorry this took so long to drop...

Cruel Jewel

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Lets talk 3 Days at the Fair, Cruel Jewel and Patreons, mixed into a Big Jackass burger.

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow

Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids

Twitter @BlueBlazeRunner

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