Dirt And Vert

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with Richard Abernathy, an avid ultra runner and the visionary Race Director behind Dirty Wolf Racing!Richard takes us on his incredible journey, which started with a simple competition and evolved into a deep passion for the trails. We dive into the wild world of race directing, covering unique events like the challenging Beast of the East and the brutal Hellhole 100K, where the flat terrain somehow makes it even tougher!But this episode is all about the power of story. Richard shares why...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with Lauren, a remarkable ultra runner whose story is a masterclass in resilience and grit.Lauren shares her incredible journey from battling a broken ankle to achieving the ultimate dream: qualifying for Team USA! We dive deep into her training philosophy, her harrowing experience in the final miles of a race, and the mental fortitude it takes to push through extreme fatigue and confusion.But it's not all about the suffering. Lauren opens up about the importance of effort-based pacing, the power...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the remarkable April Bailey, a former basketball player who found her true calling on the trails and went on to become the first-place female and overall winner of the 2025 Yeti 100!April shares her powerful and deeply personal journey, opening up about how running became a source of healing after personal loss. She takes us through her transition from the court to the trails, detailing the challenges and triumphs of her various races, and what it took to achieve her remarkable 15-hour and 42-minute finish at...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're diving into a world of grit, genius, and a little bit of madness with Jared Beasley, a runner and writer who knows a thing or two about chasing demons on the trails.Jared takes us on his incredible journey from a troubled past to finding his purpose through running and writing. He pulls back the curtain on the enigma himself, Laz, the legendary race director, and shares what it's truly like to enter his world—a world Jared describes as a modern-day Willy Wonka fa...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the incredible Katti Jackson, an ultra runner whose journey is a masterclass in resilience and grit. She's coming off an epic run where she won and set the course record at The Cherokee 70K!Katti's story is proof that you don't need years on the trails to make a name for yourself. She takes us on her wild ride from a DNF in her first 50K to winning the legendary Grindstone 100 and tackling the brutal weather of UTMB.We dive deep into the...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the remarkable Sarah Baker, an ultra runner whose journey on the Appalachian Trail is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the unwavering belief in oneself.Sarah shares her raw and honest story, revealing the physical and emotional challenges she faced during her attempts to set a Fastest Known Time (FKT). We talk about the brutal realities of the trail—from battling norovirus and trench foot to the mental barriers that can feel heavier than any pack.But this isn't a story of de...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with a true legend in the ultra running community, Jason Green from the Yeti Trail Runners!Jason takes us on a deep dive into the heart of the sport, from his own personal journey into ultra running to the wild evolution of the Yeti 100 race. He gets real about the challenges of race directing and the immense joy of creating a welcoming and inclusive space where every runner, no matter their pace, feels like a champion.We're talking about the crucial role...

He's back! This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down once again with the one and only ultra runner, Andy Glaze. And let me tell you, he’s been busy!Andy takes us on a wild ride through his latest adventures, from the mind-bending Cocoa Monster to the epic Arizona Monster 300. He gets real about the challenges of solo racing, the crucial art of recovery, and the logistical chaos of preparing for these massive events. We dive deep into his unforgettable experience at Leadville, tackling the brutal reality of altitude sickness and th...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the remarkable Audrey Carter, an accomplished ultra runner from the East Coast Adventures team whose story is all about finding her fire on the trails. She's coming off two incredible podium finishes at The Cherokee Ultra 70K and Fort Frenzy Ultra Festival 24 Hours!Audrey takes us on a journey from her early days as a soccer player to discovering the world of ultra running during the pandemic. She opens up about the mental and physical hurdles she's overcome, the vital role of strength training, and...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with the incredible Crystal Wheatley, "Queen of the South," and ultrarunner whose journey is a powerful story of resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of running.Crystal shares her path from being a competitive 5K runner in high school to facing personal challenges that led her to sobriety. She opens up about how running became her lifeline and her passion, propelling her into the world of ultra marathons.We dive deep into her experiences in races, including her unforgettable partnership during the...

In this conversation, Addison Hendricks shares his journey as an ultra runner, detailing his early beginnings in running, the challenges he faces with nutrition and recovery, and the mental toughness required for endurance sports. He reflects on memorable race experiences, the lessons learned from his journey, and his aspirations for the future. Addison's story is one of perseverance, growth, and the impact of community support in the world of ultra running. In this engaging conversation, ultra runner Addison Hendricks shares his experiences and insights from various races, including the challenges of recovery, the lessons learned from his first race...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're joined by an absolute force of nature, Anna Troup! Her story is a testament to the fact that it's never too late to find your calling.Anna takes us on her incredible journey from a rowing background to becoming a dominant ultra runner who just won the Summer Spine 2025! We'll dive deep into her experiences in legendary races like the UTMB and the brutal Spine, and how she navigates the mental game of running her own race when leading alone.But it's not all about speed...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with Dylan Ledbetter, an incredible ultra runner whose journey from military service to finding freedom on the trails will truly inspire you. Dylan shares his powerful story of how running became a form of therapy, helping him navigate personal challenges and embrace a path to sobriety. We dive deep into pivotal moments like the intense 4x4x48 challenge and his experiences pushing limits at races like the Mid-State Mile and Hail Mary. But it's not just about the miles. Dylan opens up about the vital role...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, your hosts David and Matt are pulling back the curtain on their latest adventures, serving up fresh insights and hard-won lessons from the trails!We're diving deep into the World's Fair Ultras in Knoxville, TN – imagine running around that iconic Sun Sphere! Plus, we're reliving the highs and lows of Western States, the grind of Mid-State Mile, and the sweltering challenges of Yeti 50 where heat and humidity put our hydration strategies to the ultimate test.This episode isn't just about race reports; it's about the unbreakable spirit of...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're bringing you an incredible story that truly embodies the spirit of endurance, family, and grit! We're honored to sit down with Michael and Nicholas Leo, a dynamic father-son duo whose journey in ultra running is nothing short of inspiring.Michael shares his path from various sports to finding his calling in running, while Nicholas, inspired by his dad, started pounding the pavement at a young age. They dive deep into their experiences at the challenging Mid-State Mile, revealing the lessons learned about training, crucial nutrition, and the mental...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, get ready for a story that will move your heart and inspire your soles! We're honored to sit down with Tyson, Clay, and Johnny, three inspirational runners who embarked on an extraordinary journey: running across Tennessee for a cause that means the world to them – raising awareness and funds for Callie, a young girl with a rare medical condition.Clay shares his powerful personal transformation, from an overweight youth to the ultra runner he is today, and how that journey intertwined with the profound motivation behind the Callie Strong Run. We di...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up and hitting the trails with Ginny Smith, a prominent race director for Bad Beard Events and an ultra runner who’s all about building community, one stride at a time!Ginny takes us on her inspiring journey from pounding pavement to embracing the trails after moving to Chattanooga. She opens up about the wild ride of becoming a race director – from the early challenges to learning the art of delegation – all fueled by her passion for connecting people through running.We dive deep into why co...

Alright, get ready for an episode that's as wild as a zombie apocalypse (and as inspiring as crossing a state on foot)! This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're welcoming the awesome duo, Jon Cox and Becca Jones from BMFJ Events and the infamous Mid-State Mile! Becca and Jon takes us on a truly unique running journey – from initial motivation to survive a zombie apocalypse (seriously!) to finding joy in the grit of ultra running. They open up about the mental health aspects of hitting the trails, the critical role of pacing, and her absolutely incredible achievement of...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, it's a special episode with your hosts, David, Matt, and Mary, as we dive into our recent race experiences, the highs, the lows, and the grit it takes to keep showing up!Matt's sharing all the secrets behind his incredible course record at Johnston Woods – 60.9 miles of pure determination! We'll get into his fueling strategies and what it took to push past the limits. Mary opens up about her own recent race, facing down some tough health challenges and finding strength in unexpected places, even sharing how vision therapy pl...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up and diving into the incredible journey of Kyle Kraeft, an ultra runner who knows a thing or two about pushing through when everything screams "STOP!"Kyle takes us back to his very first steps into the ultra world, sharing the raw, real challenges he faced in those early races and the hard-earned lessons that shaped him. We'll hear about his leaps to longer distances, including his first 100K and the notorious Georgia Death Race, where he faced physical and mental hurdles that would break most people.<...