Corrine and Buzz chat about the recent Backyard World Championships and how it’s possible to set a world record and DNF at the same time?! Corrine talks to elite marathoner Peter Bromka about balancing parenting and his dedication to training, diving into his popular UltraSignup News article “The Endurance Dad Dilemma.” Then Buzz talks with Brianne about how to stay positive during long races, sharing favorite run-tested mantras that work.

Presented by Ultimate Direction and with support this week from Sidas.
Use promo code “Trailhead25” for 25% off Ultimate Direction and “Trailhead20” for 20% off Sidas.

Have a question about trail or distance running? Send it to news@ultrasignup.com for a chance to chat with Buzz on an upcoming episode.

If you were to catch a glimpse of a runner hammering a beer at an aid station during a 100-mile race you likely wouldn't expect that person to go on to finish first. But that is exactly what Ruperto Romero has been doing.

After immigrating to South Central L.A. when he was 18 years old, Ruperto started running to help motivate a friend to lose weight. He found ultras in his 40s. He started to win them in his 50s. And our writer Jared Beasley has the story.

In July of 2022, Gabriel Kriel and Grobler Basson drew a line across the widest part of the Namib desert in Namibia, Africa, and attempted to run across, east to west. Confined by permits to daylight hours, they traversed the wind swept sand dunes of this massive landscape held together by duct tape, cable ties, and humor.

Ultimate Direction brings you the journey of these two ultratrail runners.

🏃 But, What IS it?: Ah, athletic talent, that nebulous term we usually put on people who are faster than us. But what is it really? And is it even measurable or definable?

🎽 Ellipti-NO?: Here, David Roche argues that it's possible we've been overlooking the elliptical machine, to our own detriment.

📖 Long Read: Can a burrito cause a failed doping test? Our EIC spent a year reporting on the Shelby Houlihan case for Runner's World trying to find out.

🎥 Video of the Week: Cocodona-curious? Watch Eric Senseman run 250 miles towards transcendence. "It's a really powerful thing to experience... It gives you the sense that you can do anything."

😭 I'm Not Crying, You're Crying: Why did you spend 13 mins crying on a rock in the middle of your long run?

🤪 Taper Crazies: Taper tantrums or easy-like-Sunday-morning — which one are you?

➡️ Lastly, here's what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week.