Run Mountain Peaks

Lots of topics this week. I talk about some of my time spent living and getting outdoors in Maine. My annual trip to Moosehead Lake and how cool of a region it is up there. The view from under Mt. Kineo rock face being undefeated. I talked through and ranked each of the extreme activities I have done: white water rafting, parasailing, zip lining, sky diving. Some quick Hundred Mile Wilderness talk. Tracking my sleep and how I am trying to improve my sleep and recovery. I give out my top 3 favorite chips of all time. And end with some motivation.INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksFREE ENDURANCE TRAINING GUIDEhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/run-coaching#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I tell the story of my first place finish at the 2024 Kilkenny Ridge Race. A great effort for me and had a few learning lessons for next time. Potentially looking at running that race again this year. Then I talked about Marathon Sports buying Six03 trail races and the $100,000 of prize money they are putting on New Hampshire trail races. Gave my quick thoughts on the Lincoln Woods trail closure for most of 2026 as well as my Black Canyons 100k reaction. What a lineup at that race. And finally we have another virtual race this month from BURCS, the Satan’s Sidewalk 66.66K / 66.66 Hour Virtual Races. Do you believe in bad juju? I try to steer clear.0:00 Intro4:30 Training leading into the race and the tick/antibiotics stuff15:45 First half of the effort27:45 Second half of the effort 39:45 Post race 44:00 Marathon Sports buy Six03 Trail Races50:15 Lincoln Woods trail closure for 202652:30 Olympics recap59:15 Black Canyons 100k reaction63:45 BURCS Satan's Sidewalk 66.66K / 66.66 Hour Virtual RacesINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksFREE ENDURANCE TRAINING GUIDEhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/run-coaching#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I got to interview John Hirsch. John raced triathlons as a pro for over 20 years. He collected four Top 10 Pro Ironman finishes and competed at the notorious Kona Ironman World Championships. He had a ton of cool stories and great insights into triathlon and endurance training. Outside of triathlons he competed in trail races, grabbing three wins at the Spartan Ultra Beast Masters World Championships. Oh and he also still rips on trail, he was one of the only finishers at the @spartan Peak Snow Devil Snowshoe race from this January. A brutal winter race (snow shoes required) with cut offs that DNF most participants. He gave us the scoop into those races. Give it a listen.Before the interview, I gave my quick Last Skier Standing 2026 reaction. An epic throw down per usual. I ended the episode with some race results from the TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30 Hour and 15 Mile, BURCS Treadmill Marathon & Frozen Folly Virtual 50k and the new Mount Monadnock Heartbreaker race. I was actually on course for this race getting some Monadnock summits in for myself so got to see some crushers first hand. Threw in a trail report for White Arrow and White Dot as well (very good conditions).HOW TO FIND JOHN:INSTAGRAM: @thedeerrunnerFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/john.hirsch.75STRONG LIKE BULL FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/stronglikebullcampsJOHN HIRSCH COACHING: https://www.stronglikebulltraining.com/coaching 0:00 Intro3:55 Last Skier Standing 2026 Reaction11:40 John Hirsch Interview1:47:23 TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30 Hour and 15 Mile Results1:49:15 BURCS Treadmill Marathon & Frozen Folly Virtual 50K Results1:52:55 Mount Monadnock Trail Report 2.14.261:54:05 Mount Monadnock Heartbreaker Race ResultsINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksFREE ENDURANCE TRAINING GUIDEhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/run-coaching#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I go through my entire gear kit for winter trail running and hiking. Literally took everything out of my bins and went through it. Not so much a brand talk but more of what items I bring with me and all my tips and tricks I've learned over them years to make them useful and efficient. Everyone has thier own system and kit that works them but hopefully you can take away at least one thing to upgrade your kit. If you have any good tips I missed let me know. Threw in some tongue twisters at the end. Say red leather yellow leather five times fast.NH HIKE SAFE INFORMATION & TEN ESSENTIALShttps://www.wildlife.nh.gov/get-outside/hiking-safety0:00 Intro3:40 Training tip5:40 Gear bins for today7:30 Gear I bring on most runs10:20 Keeping your hand warm and glove layering 16:00 My favorite piece of gear17:50 Safety gear for every run - mountains or local runs20:20 How to keep your water liquid25:30 What packs I use in the winter29:00 Winter footwear and traction35:30 Winter clothing layers47:00 Extra gear I rarely use56:00 Tongue twisters59:30 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksFREE ENDURANCE TRAINING GUIDEhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/run-coaching#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I ranked the NH 48 4,000 footers from my least favorite to my top pick. There is only one hike I actually dislike. Lots of tough decisions had to be made. I will not second guess my decisions. Then did a preview for the upcoming Last Skier Standing race by White Mountain Ski Company that starts next weekend. That race usually goes for days and lots of heavy hitters on the entrants list. Previewed the TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30 Hour & 15 Mile races next week. Another frozen bonanza. Trailmixers Frozen Heart 900 CT also takes place next weekend. A free 15 hour self supported style ultra. All three of these races are in their seventh year which I thought was quite interesting. 7 years ago everyone had the same idea of starting these long distance, brutally cold ultra events? Hmm. Went through the Last NORIDC Skier standing results also by White Mountain Ski Company that took place this weekend. Smaller race, but looked like it was just as gnarly, especially with the sub 0 temps the past two days. Lastly, I did a trip report from my run on Pierce & Eisenhower. Awesome day. Stunner views. Decent trail conditions. 0:00 Intro6:40 Ground rules for 4k rankings9:00 Starting with my least favorite, 30 through 2023:21 20 through 1037:00 Start of the Top 1044:15 Number 345:45 Number 246:30 Number 149:30 Last Skier Standing Preview60:10 Tarctic Frozen Yeti Preview65:45 Frozen Heart 900 67:45 Last Nordic Skier Standing Results71:10 1/31 Pierce and Eisenhower Trip ReportINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksFREE ENDURANCE TRAINING GUIDEhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/run-coaching#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I talk through my hierarchy of ultrarunning recovery tips. If you are increasing your training for the new year, you should also be increasing your focus on recovery. None of the top four items have to do with “recovery” products or supplements. I go through some deer hunting FAQs I get asked a lot to try and educate all public land recreation users. I messed up my one grid fact from last week's episode. Brutal. At least I owned up to it. Talked Patriots. Sledding. No Country for Old Men. Stay warm this weekend.0:00 Intro5:30 Peak Snow Devil Snowshoe Race7:05 Sledding throwback10:45 Grid fact mess up13:30 Put it anywhere not in your pocket22:00 Recovery topics23:00 Sleep is your super power26:30 Eating enough food (slash staying hydrated)29:30 Managing your stress32:15 Active recovery (blood flow)33:30 “Recovery” products36:00 Quick discipline talk40:15 Patriots talk43:15 Deer hunting FAQs69:10 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I sat down with my own mother who is quite the accomplished hiker. She is a Grid finisher, and has completed several hiking lists in New England including the 100 Highest, 67 4000 Footers, 52 With a View, Terrifying 25, and is in the middle of a Single Season Winter 48. We discussed all of these accomplishments and the trails and peaks associated with them. She gave some tips about things she has learned over the years and resources she still uses to plan her hikes today. We talked about a few under the radar hikes. And we went through her experience crewing me through a handful of my ultramarathon efforts over the years and some stories and lessons learned from those.I talked about my new microphone debacle and thinking my crappy laptop computer audio was the new professional mic for two straight hours and having a breakdown with Gemini trying to figure it out. No New England ultramarathon results from last weekend. 0:00 Intro3:50 New microphone debacle10:20 Andrea Wojciak Interview10:50 Hiking background and list accomplishments19:45 Future hiking goals27:30 Winter hiking talk34:10 Shout out Molly34:45 Most popular Grid Finish peaks38:00 Team North or Team South Hancock person?40:00 Biggest single day hikes47:30 Best NH 4k Hiking resources56:45 More winter hiking talk64:30 Crewing me in my first ultra68:00 Crewing me for Jigger Johnson 100 mile73:00 Crewing FKTs75:00 Lodge2dodge FKT Mishap81:30 Grid 2? And some hiking statsINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountains

This week I talk about my 2024 Hellbender 100 mile 9th place finish. The most pain I’ve ever been in running and the most I have ever learned from an ultra. The trails down there rock. Then I go thru the results from the first New England ultramarathon of the year, formerly the GAC Fat Ass 50k, now the TARC Yeti Trail Trot 50k. Finish off ranking my top three fruit. I didn’t mean to do bananas dirty like that.0:00 Intro3:45 Hellbender race and course info10:48 Flying down and pre race stuff21:55 Starting off37:30 Hitting a wall / do I have to walk the last 40 miles in?53:20 2024 Hellbender race results58:05 TARC Yeti Trail Trot 50k Results65:05 Top 3 favorite fruitINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 17This week I talk through my 2026 and long term running goals. Aim high, work hard and take the road less traveled. The man in the arena. Discuss not making Aravaipa's Northeast Racing Team. And then a Stranger Things update. Im only through Season 4, please dont spoil. (Is Season 5 ending good though?).00:00 Intro04:20 My long term runnning goals11:10 2026 running goals19:00 The man in the arena29:45 Aravaipa race team talk38:30 Brownville Deer Pantry38:50 Stranger Things talk51:35 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I talked about my Christmas being essentially canceled and then my spontaneous trip to the ER on Christmas Eve. Winter conditions rock right now and you should get on the trails while they are good. I go through my biggest training lessons learned from 2025. It was a great year for me but it did not all go how I planned and instead I adjusted and looking at it as building a bigger base for all things running. Stack lots of brick to eventually go higher or something like that. Charlie Brown Christmas rocks but everybody is so mean to him from the beginning to the end. Christmas shopping. Meat sweats. And what's next for Run Mountain Peaks in 2026.00:00 Intro04:45 Emergency room visit on Christmas Eve20:40 Tecumseh 12/27 trip report25:30 Biggest training lessons from 2025: Don't ego run for no reason37:50 Biggest training lessons from 2025: Stop avoiding your weaknesses43:50 Biggest training lessons from 2025: Go even if you don't feel exactly where you want to be46:20 Biggest training lesson from 2025: Consistency always wins (strength training + heat training)50:30 Charlie Brown is a blockhead *cry face* and my favorite Christmas movies53:45 Last minute Christmas shopping55:20 Racing during the Holidays56:30 Meat sweats58:35 What's next for the podcast in 2026INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

This week I go through each of the 48 new FKTs in the White Mountain National Forest that were established in 2025 and discuss some of the best and most competitive times. The trails in the northeast are gnarly and the racing scene is getting more and more competitive each year. You have to be fast, tough and good on steep, technical terrain to go after these times. 00:00 Intro04:52 Dirritisema FKT14:30 White Mountains 100 FKT17:50 White Mountains Double 100 Out & Back FKT19:15 NH AT FKT20:30 Flume and Liberty Loop FKT22:00 Mahoosuc Traverse FKT23:40 Lodge2dodge FKT24:50 Pemidential FKT26:15 Mt Hancock Loop FKT27:40 Swan Song FKT30:20 Grafton Loop FKT31:20 Double Pemi FKT33:20 Isolation FKT33:50 Bald Peak and Artists Bluff FKT35:45 Evans Notch Loop FKT36:20 Carter Moriah Traverse Picnic FKT37:25 Cannon and Kinsmans Loop FKT38:05 Super Pemi FKT38:25 Twins Bonds Traverse FKT38:50 Carter Moriah Traverse Out and Back FKT39:40 Eastern Peaks of Conway FKT40:15 Owls Head FKT40:50 Tilted Compass FKT42:55 Easter White Mountains Triple Infinity Loop FKT43:40 Mahoosuc Out-and-back FKT43:50 Desolation Loop FKT44:10 Not a Pemi Loop but a Loop in the Pemi FKT45:10 Mahoosuc Picnic FKT46:00 Cannon Round Trip FKT46:30 Hale FKT50: 20 Flume and Liberty Loop FKT50:55 Slippery Brook - Baldface Loop FKT51:15 Cohos Trail FKT51:55 Appalachian Trail FKT54:20 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 14Discuss Ryan and I getting dominated by snow on the Osceolas (12/13 trip report). Recapped TARC winter fells 8, 32, and 40 mile results. Talked about my first winter Presi traverse 5 years ago and how I thought the Adams five peaks was actually Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington and the rest of Presi Traverse was going to be a piece of cake (wrong). Cutting down your own Christmas tree in the Whites seems fun and easy until you realize you are probably going to end up with a skimpy tree unless you really work for it. Fantasy football blues: fifth in the league in points scored but missing the playoffs. I'm on season 3 of Stranger Things and the bad guy is back somehow and Dustin, the hair guy, and the new girl just cracked the Russian code. Little motivation at the end.00:00 Intro & Osceola's trip report8:02 Mac n cheese update12:15 TARC Winter Fells 8 mile, 32 mile, 40 mile results22:05 First winter Presidential Traverse story31:54 Cutting down a Christmas tree in the Whites42:15 Fantasy football blues46:15 Stranger things update55:35 Motivation minute and outro INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 13Recapped my first hundred miler in 2023. Talked about the training leading up to it and stories from the race. Some thoughts about what to expect going into your first hundred miler and how good holding that buckle feels at the end. Did a trip report from Cannon Mountain (12/6). Previewed the Kraft vs. Annie's mac n' cheese taste test I will be conducting this week.00:00 Intro 2:00 Lead up to Jigger Johnson15:00 Getting to the start line55:00 Post race stuff1:02:20 Mt. Cannon 12/6 trip report1:06:00 Kraft vs. Annies previewINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 1200:00 Intro 2:40 Mt. Ascutney Backyard ultra reaction 34:00 JFK 50 miler results38:35 Training talk 49:20 Thanksgiving food is average53:15 Moosilauke trip report55:50 Deer season strugglesINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 1100:00 Intro 4:45 Winter footwear for trail running25:00 Road and trail training shoes29:15 Winter Strava segments38:30 Winter FKTs41:40 Surprise43:00 Winter cross training48:30 Motivation minute53:00 Ku Fu Panda recap + tea talkINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 1000:00 Intro 5:00 Endurance training and training thru sickness 17:30 Avoiding sickness during race week20:15 Risk in the mountains during cold season25:40 Missing hiker/tent on Mt. Madison29:30 Rehabbing knee injuries36:00 Maximizing speed workouts43:20 Ascutney Backyard last man standing race preview51:15 Motivation minute54:30 Victory vs the fruit flies 2025INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 900:00 Intro 2:00 History of the Jigger Johnson races & Is this the hardest ultra in the US?12:00 Why did they make the course easier?17:20 Section by section course breakdown44:00 Winning the inaugural JJ 50 miler54:00 This race changed my life?56:30 Every year race results70:10 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 800:00 Intro 1:45 Big Pharma got me/30x your money6:30 Hamsterwheel 100 Recap 23:15 How to be a good pacer44:00 Javelina 100 obliteration46:30 20 hikers rescued off Mt. Washington55:40 Blackout 10k/5k results60:15 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 700:00 Intro 3:15 Bear Talk24:45 My First Ultramarathon39:20 Hypothetical Moose Scenario45:15 Zone 1 & Zone 2 Training57:30 Big's Backyard Ultra World Record60:30 My Week of Training66:00 Deer Season Update71:55 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest

Run Mountain Peaks Podcast – Episode 600:00 Intro 3:45 Insta & AI is nuts6:15 Midstate massive the first ultramarathon I signed up for and how I met other ultrarunners15:45 Ankle rolls and how to train around them31:00 Strava vs. Garmin36:00 Courtney Dauwalter marathon debut & motivation44:45 Bigs Backyard Ultra48:30 Van life & biking with a group53:15 Deer season update57:30 OutroINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/runmountainpeaks/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/@runmountainpeaksRUN COACHINGhttps://www.runmountainpeaks.com/#TrailRunning #Mountains #WhiteMountainNationalForest