Julie and Simon Freeman have decided to do the hard thing. In this age of quick-hit media, they have been creating a beautiful print magazine about the sport they love. Their stories live in the physical space, but we thought we'd help them bring a select few to the online world and our readers here at UltraSignup. So, we've partnered with them to publish a selection of their best work.

In this week's offering by Eric Sutliff, a peanut butter amoeba takes no prisoners and leaves us with a few applicable lessons for running long distances.

Like the Wind is also giving away 300 free magazines (details at the end of the article).

This week, Corrine and Buzz talk about what it takes to become a sponsored athlete—is it really just follower count?

Corrine interviews Jenn Hughes, former editor-in-chief of UltraSignup News about her experience facing dragons and searching for joy during the blizzard year of Tor des Géants. You can read Jenn’s article “How to Tame a Dragon” at UltraSignup News.

Then, Buzz interviews ultrarunner Jeff Colt about the difference between New England trails and Colorado trails, seeking balance, and how the pandemic actually helped him get to where he is today.

The Trailhead Podcast is a production from UltraSignup News. This episode is presented by Ultimate Direction. Use promo code “Trailhead25” for 25% off at Ultimate Direction.

Ultimate Direction’s 2023 athlete team has been announced! The wonderful individuals at the core of Ultimate Direction includes community movers and shakers, FKT setters, and course record holders. To this day, we at Ultimate Direction take our tagline Designed by Athletes, for Athletes, serious. We continuously have our athletes test product and apparel and bring them in for product and design reviews. Most recently, we held two athlete summits this winter to discuss how we can improve and innovate within the market. We are looking forward to cheering them on throughout the year and supporting their endeavors!

Shop our athlete’s favorite gear and apparel and receive 25% off when you enter your email with us.

🎁 Veteran Coaching: Sharman Ultra Coaching is offering a free 6-month coaching spot for a military veteran with the amazing Liza Howard. Let them know more about yourself and why you'd benefit by Sunday for a chance to win.

🏃 After 223 ultramarathons, coach Ian Torrence has some sage advice for new ultramarathon runners.

💀 Infection, blood poisoning, & death? All things you don't consider happening when you buy a cooler for that big race. Yeti had to recall 1.9 million gear cases and coolers.

🌈 In Living Color: See how they used to climb mountains in this restored footage from 1899 of four blokes descending Mont Blanc, in the French Alps. And while we're at it, watch some of the 1921 Dublin County Harriers cross country race.

👏 Tubman > Columbus: Last Wednesday was International Women's Day and this week Newark, New Jersey replaced a monument of Christopher Columbus with one of Harriet Tubman. Round of applause, please!

... let's also go read this thought provoking piece by Women's Running managing editor, Zoë Rom. Meaningful Action > Hashtags. 👏

🏃🏿‍♂️ Kipchoge's Challenge: At the Berlin Marathon in 2018, Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon world record of 2:01:39. How fast is that? Runner's World and Total Running Productions have it figured out:

👟 200 meters in 0:34.75
👟 400 meters in 1:09.5
👟 600 meters in 1:44
👟 800 meters in 2:19
👟 1,000 meters in 2:53
👟 1,200 meters in 3:28
👟 1400 meters in 4:02
👟 1,600 meters in 4:38

How far can you get at Kipchoge's pace?

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