Borderlands Trail (+ Ultra) Running

Wolfie and I delve into the world of trail running to uncover the motivations that drive these athletes to push themselves to the limit. It's not what you think. And Wolfie challenged me to rethink some things as usual.We look at three distinct buckets of motivation - self-expression, performance, + health. What are the secrets behind their passion? Let's find out.Takeaways• More runners than ever run as a means of self-expression• Wolfie's World of Running, a weekly monologue by Wolfrunner• More on why Matt Choi should be reinstated to NYC Marathon• Road Ultra Shoe category is more marketing than function----Call RUNMORE649 (786-667-3649). Leave a message for the podcast—hot takes, agreement, anger, or joy.----Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---Borderlands.cc

Floris Gierman, host of the Extramilest Podcast and co-founder of PATH Projects, joins Josh Rosenthal to discuss his transition from skateboarding to ultra running, the importance of patience, and insights into low heart rate training. The conversation highlights the connection between running, community, and passion-driven pursuits.Importance of patience in running and personal goalsLow heart rate training for improved running efficiencyCommunity involvement and upcoming Salt Lake City run eventImpact of skateboarding culture on trail runningMindset and enjoying the process of running----Call RUNMORE649 (786-667-3649). Leave a message for the podcast—hot takes, agreement, anger, or joy.----Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---Borderlands.cc

Trail running has lost some of its fun, and in this discussion, Josh Rosenthal and Wolfrunner (Brian Peterson) delve into the need for the sport to embrace new ideas and bring back some of the old ones. Trail running has lost some of its playful spirit. How could trail running create NFL-type Thanksgiving energy? Listener calls Apple Ultra vs. Garmin Strava's kicked everyone out of the sandbox (killed its API) The effort to rebrand DNFs----Call RUNMORE649 (786-667-3649). Leave a message for the podcast—hot takes, agreement, anger, or joy.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---Borderlands

I went into this conversation ready to hate on NNormal and Taylor Bodin (lead trail reviewer of Believe in the Run) changed my mind. Trail Shoe Innovation: Brands like NNormal, Speedland, and Norda focus on durability and advanced materials like Dyneema and Vibram.Brand Differentiation: Niche brands are gaining ground with unique technologies and strong community ties.Performance Focus: Speedland’s Boa system and Michelin outsoles enhance fit, traction, and performance.Sustainability & Resources: NNormal’s partnership with Camper emphasizes eco-friendly production and resources.Market Renaissance: The trail shoe market is booming, offering a mix of performance and innovative design.----Believe in the Run reviews:NNormal: Tomir 2.0, KjeragSpeedland: GS:TAM, GS:PGH, SL:HSVNorda: Norda 001, Norda 002, Norda 003----Call RUNMORE649 (786-667-3649). Leave a message for the podcast—hot takes, agreement, anger, or joy.----Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---Borderlands.cc

How do trail runners survive in cities? Josh Rosenthal and Tommy Lewis dive into the challenges and rewards of maintaining a running lifestyle in urban environments. They discuss the unique rhythms of road running compared to trail running, exploring how each offers different forms of joy and fulfillment. Tommy shares his journey from trail enthusiast to urban runner, emphasizing the importance of redefining what it means to be a runner beyond traditional races like marathons. Together, they highlight the beauty of finding community, appreciating the outdoors, and embracing the daily practice of running, regardless of the terrain or distance.Tommy Lewis took the dive and left his dayjob to lean all the way in on ThatsRunnable.com. He writes a brilliant weekly newlsetter and speaks to heart of runners like few others can. ----Call the Borderlands Hotline - RUNMORE649 That's (786)667-3649. Leave a voice message I can play in a future podcast. We're looking for hot takes, disagreement, agreement, anger, happiness, indifference, etc.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedInTakeaways: Finding joy in running is about defining it on your own terms, not others'. The community aspect of running can enhance the experience, regardless of the environment. Many runners mistakenly believe they must run marathons to be considered legitimate runners. Incorporating variety in training, such as mixing road and trail runs, is crucial. Embracing the daily practice of running fosters a lifelong love for the sport.

Wolfrunner (Brian Peterson) and Josh Rosenthal (host) discuss the problems with ambassador culture in this episode of Bad Runners Take.Ambassador culture in running blends brand connections with potential entitlement.Brands use ambassadorships as a marketing tactic but must manage expectations.Norda fosters organic, personal connections, avoiding formal ambassador structures.Running has become a consumer-driven sport, with influencers and ambassadorships shaping its culture.Content creation and community events are key to the future of trail running.----Call RUNMORE649 (786-667-3649). Leave a message for the podcast—hot takes, agreement, anger, or joy.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---Borderlands

Matt Trappe recently started a Trail Running lifestyle brand called Auteur Sportif. He writes a brilliant substack (a Matter of Brand) celebrating running brands and their storytelling.In this episode we celebrate the great brands and enjoy a brainstorm how to make the good ones better.Please take this podcast survey. Please take this survey for our upcoming app, wylder.----Call the Borderlands Hotline - RUNMORE649 That's (786)667-3649. Leave a voice message I can play in a future podcast. We're looking for hot takes, disagreement, agreement, anger, happiness, indifference, etc.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedIn

This podcast episode dives deep into the culture surrounding DNFs (Did Not Finish) in ultra running, with hosts Brian and Josh discussing the social constructs and emotional weight attached to these outcomes. Brian passionately argues that runners should be able to celebrate their efforts, regardless of whether they complete a race, pointing out the absurdity of labeling a significant distance as a failure. The conversation expands to explore the pressures and expectations placed on amateur runners compared to elite athletes, highlighting the different motivations and mentalities in play. Additionally, the hosts reflect on the implications of race metrics and how the ultra running community could evolve to better recognize the achievements of those who may not finish but still push their limits. With a mix of humor and serious reflection, the episode encourages listeners to reconsider how they perceive and react to DNFs in the sport.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedInTakeaways: The DNF culture in ultra running creates unnecessary stigma around not finishing races. Runners invest significant time and effort into training, making DNFs feel like failures. There should be alternative metrics for race completion rather than just DNF statuses. Celebrating accomplishments in running, even if they don't result in a finish, is important. The podcast discusses how elite runners view DNFs differently than amateur runners. There is a need for a cultural shift in how we perceive and discuss DNFs.

In Episode 100 I introduced 4 songs along with their stories. In this episode I offer brief introduction and give you the music back to back without interuption.I'm calling this music project CAVALE. And this group of songs is called 'Into the Virgin Desert'. Again, thank you so much for listening and supporting.The future looks bright. I can't wait to do the next 100 episodes.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Sealevel Insights. Imagine yourself complete in control of your small business finances.Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedIn

I wrote 4 songs of what I think midrace suffering sounds like.On the occassion of episode 100, I am releasing them along with what inpsired them and this podcast. Survey----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedIn

In this episode we talk about articles by Marley for Canadian Running Magazine. In my opinion there is no better magazine on running news.U.S. running tourism company using disguised Russian plane for Antarctic raceRuth Chepngetich shatters women’s world record at Chicago MarathonU.S. ultrarunner Camille Herron involved in Wikipedia controversyRunning influencer Matt Choi disqualified from New York City MarathonThe latest episode of the Borderlands Trail podcast dives deep into the complexities of recent stories in the running world, including a significant discussion on the implications of using pacers in marathon races, highlighted by Ruth Chepngetich's record-setting performance in Chicago. Host Josh Rosenthal and journalist Marley Dickinson explore how the use of pacers can alter the nature of competition, raising questions about authenticity and strategy in elite races. The conversation also touches on the ongoing saga surrounding Camille Herron and the fallout from her recent controversies, as well as a scandal involving a Russian airline used for a major marathon event. The duo examines the broader implications for athletes and the sport, including the potential for increased scrutiny and the ethics of competitive running. As they unpack these narratives, listeners are invited to consider what defines true competition in the world of athletics.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedIn

Hoka is directly repsonsible for much of the exponential growth of trail running.The Best Hoka Running Shoes Right Now.Josh Rosenthal and Taylor Bodin (Lead Trail Reviewer, Believe in the Run) dive deep into the world of HOKA, a brand that has revolutionized trail and ultra running with its innovative footwear. They discuss how HOKA emerged during a time dominated by minimalist trends, introducing a maximalist approach that has reshaped expectations in the running community. Taylor shares insights about the evolution of HOKA's shoe technology, including the introduction of high stack cushioning and rocker designs that enhance performance. The conversation highlights the brand’s impressive growth, underscored by their recent success in exceeding sales projections, and its impact on the broader trail running landscape.Throughout their discussion, Josh and Taylor emphasize HOKA's commitment to the running community, showcasing how the brand continues to engage with athletes and enthusiasts alike.----[Sponsor] Sealevel Insights: Imagine mastering your small business finances.Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedInTakeaways: HOKA has revolutionized the ultra trail running market with its maximalist shoe design. The brand's unique approach contrasts sharply with the minimalist trend popularized by Born to Run. HOKA's deep connection to the community is evident through their support of events like Devil's Gulch 100 Miler. Taylor Bodine's insights provide a comprehensive view of HOKA's shoe technology evolution since 2009. The Speedgoat shoe, named after Carl Meltzer, is a favorite among ultra runners for its performance. HOKA's success is attributed to its innovative marketing strategies and commitment to quality gear.

Today on Bad Runners Take:Are 200-mile races becoming a distraction or the main attraction in the ultra running community? How do you feel about profitable races existing on volunteer labor?Josh got into the Paris Marathon. Why is it so hard for trail runners to run on the road for a season?Josh Rosenthal and Brian Peterson dive into these questions as they explore the growing prominence of these long-distance events. They discuss the implications for elite athletes like Courtney Dauwalter, who is preparing for Cocodona 250, and how such races might shift focus away from traditional 100-mile competitions. The conversation also touches on the culture of volunteerism in the sport, particularly in relation to profitable races, and the balance between community support and financial gain. As the two navigate these topics, they reflect on their own running experiences and the evolving landscape of trail and ultra running.----Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.--- The conversation discusses whether 200-mile races distract from the main attraction of ultra running. Courtney's participation in Cocodona illustrates the growing popularity of 200-mile races. Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of ultra running events, yet compensation raises questions. Josh reflects on the conflict between road marathons and his identity as a trail runner. The evolution of running shoes from durability to performance models has shifted expectations. There's a debate on whether elite runners should focus solely on traditional 100-milers. BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedIn

Cirque Series is a brilliant mountain race with distances between 6 and 9 miles. But don't be fooled ultrarunners. Cirque races are hard as hell, straight up the gut of big mountains and right back down. The starting line is a party.The finish line is a party.In this episode I welcome the founder and race director, Julian Carr. ----In this conversation, Josh and Julian discuss the evolution of ultra trail running, focusing on the Cirque Series and its unique approach to inclusivity and race production. They explore the importance of creating a fun and engaging atmosphere at races, overcoming skepticism from the traditional trail running community, and the significance of high production value in enhancing the overall experience for runners. In this conversation, Julian discusses the evolution of trail running events, emphasizing the importance of a rewarding experience for participants. He reflects on the challenges of creating a unique atmosphere that transcends traditional trail running, while also addressing the scalability of his event series and the significance of community engagement and sponsorship. The discussion highlights the cultural movement of trail running in the U.S. and the potential for storytelling to enhance the experience for both elite and amateur runners.----Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races - May 31VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off.PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedInWe've got an app in beta called Wylder by Borderlands. Check it out on iOS or Android.

Thomas Neuberger joined me from Believe in the Run to talk about the familiy feud that built two great running empires. Puma + Adidas.Rudi and Adi were the perfect team until they weren't. They spent most of their adult years at odds and eventually were buried at opposite ends of the same cemetary.We dig into the family feud and talk about the current road and trail portfolio.More from Believe in the Run:Adidas Adizero Evo SL ReviewA comprehensive overview of Adidas' shoe portfolio.Adidas TERREX AgrivacPUMA MagmaxPUMA Deviate Nitro 3----Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races - May 31, 2025VKTRY InsolesPATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off.---BorderlandsInstagramYouTubeThreadsLinkedInWe've got an app in beta called Wylder by Borderlands. Check it out on iOS or Android.