HappyCast

Wes Plate returns to HappyCast with plenty to catch up on, starting with a completely different kind of ultrarunning adventure: the 314-mile Vol State Road Race. With no crew, no pacers, no traditional aid stations and miles of Tennessee heat and humidity ahead of him, Wes found himself more nervous before a race than he had been in years. He shares what it was like stepping outside his familiar world of trail 200s, relying on gas stations and community “angel stations,” meeting people along ...

What happens when endurance stops being about the finish line and starts becoming a way to explore what you’re capable of? Stephanie sits down with Josh Sprague, founder and CEO of Orange Mud, to talk about his journey from growing up as a country kid who loved exploring outside to racing ultras, Ironman events, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and multi-day adventure races. Josh shares how adventure racing became one of his favorite ways to keep endurance sports fresh—and why sometimes changing...

Chris McWatters and David Smithey of Tejas Trails join the Happy Cast to talk about the races that have become Texas trail-running institutions—and the stories behind keeping them alive. From Rocky Raccoon and Bandera to the beautifully brutal Cactus Rose, Chris and Dave share what makes these events special, why self-sufficiency is part of the culture, and what it takes behind the scenes when Mother Nature decides to completely wreck the plan. There are cows eating course markers, emergency ...

Stephanie set out for an ambitious summer challenge: take on the brutal Maah Daah Hey 100 in North Dakota and, just one week later, line up for another 100 miles at Lean Horse in South Dakota. But before she even reached the starting line, routine bloodwork finally gave her an explanation for months of struggling to regain her speed—extremely low ferritin. With only days to address it, she headed north anyway, determined to find out what her body could do. Joined by American record holder Jen...

Aaron Kubala returns to the HappyCast after winning the Tahoe 200 and setting a new course record in 48 hours and 9 minutes. Aaron takes Andrew and Stephanie inside his preparation for the race, including unconventional training in Austin, weeks spent sleeping in a hypoxic tent, and the ambitious plan that originally had his crew targeting a 45-hour finish. He also explains how Tahoe fits into his larger pursuit of the 200-mile Triple Crown record as he prepares to take on Bigfoot and Moab. T...