This week on the HappyCast, we talk all things hockey with our favorite runner from up north, Trevor Meding! Not really, though. As cool as that would be, we decide to discuss the latest edition of Southern States 200 with Trevor, who just ran the race and is slowly recovering from his epic trek from Georgia to Alabama.  The Southern States 200 is the only point-to-point mountain race east of the Rockies. With 85% of the race taking place on the Pinhoti trail, and a shade under 28,000ft of climbing, this is an epic, scenic and “runnable” 200 miler. We talk to Trevor about his experience on the course, his strategies, and shockingly, how it was to run the ENTIRE race with no crew OR drop bags. Yes, he carried EVERYTHING he had on his back, which apparently was only “7-8lbs”. As someone who enjoys running alone, we also hear about Trevor’s experience running with three other men who eventually were dubbed “the four amigos”. We also dive deep into his epic sprint at the end to finish sub-72 hours.  We discuss all of this and more, on another epic edition of the HappyCast!  Don’t forget to check out Trevor’s blog that goes over his races:<a href='https://trevormeding.blogspot.com/?m=1'>#ultrarunningdad</a>Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'>Facebook Group</a> and follow us on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'>Instagram</a> and check out our website for the <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'>more episodes</a>, posts and <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'>merchandise</a> coming soon. Have a topic you&apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&apos;d like to nominate? Email us at <a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'>info@happyendingstc.org</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week on the HappyCast, we talk all things hockey with our favorite runner from up north, Trevor Meding!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Not really, though. As cool as that would be, we decide to discuss the latest edition of Southern States 200 with Trevor, who just ran the race and is slowly recovering from his epic trek from Georgia to Alabama. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;The Southern States 200 is the only point-to-point mountain race east of the Rockies. With 85% of the race taking place on the Pinhoti trail, and a shade under 28,000ft of climbing, this is an epic, scenic and “runnable” 200 miler. We talk to Trevor about his experience on the course, his strategies, and shockingly, how it was to run the ENTIRE race with no crew OR drop bags. Yes, he carried EVERYTHING he had on his back, which apparently was only “7-8lbs”.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;As someone who enjoys running alone, we also hear about Trevor’s experience running with three other men who eventually were dubbed “the four amigos”. We also dive deep into his epic sprint at the end to finish sub-72 hours. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We discuss all of this and more, on another epic edition of the HappyCast! &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Don’t forget to check out Trevor’s blog that goes over his races:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://trevormeding.blogspot.com/?m=1'&gt;#ultrarunningdad&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'&gt;Facebook Group&lt;/a&gt; and follow us on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and check out our website for the &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'&gt;more episodes&lt;/a&gt;, posts and &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'&gt;merchandise&lt;/a&gt; coming soon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Have a topic you&amp;apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&amp;apos;d like to nominate? Email us at &lt;a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'&gt;info@happyendingstc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

This week on the HappyCast, we talk all things hockey with our favorite runner from up north, Trevor Meding!  Not really, though. As cool as that would be, we decide to discuss the latest edition of Southern States 200 with Trevor, who just ran the race and is slowly recovering from his epic trek from Georgia to Alabama.   The Southern States 200 is the only point-to-point mountain race east of the Rockies. With 85% of the race taking place on the Pinhoti trail, and a shade under 28,000f...

No Crew, No Dropbags, No Problem: Trevor’s Southern States 200

In this episode of HappyCast, we welcome Kathryn “Kat” Stewart, Charmin McKee, and Gus Rodriguez—three incredible ultrarunners who completed the 2024–25 Lone Star Slam. This ambitious challenge—completing six 100-mile races across Texas in just eight months, including Habanero Hundred, Cactus Rose, Dinosaur Valley, Brazos Bend, Rocky Raccoon, and Grasslands—sets the stage as the crew dives deep into what it takes to conquer the Slam.Each guest shares what got them into the challenge and how their motivation evolved with every race. Charmin juggled a demanding job and motherhood while using trail running as her personal outlet. Kat transformed the challenge into a fundraising campaign for her daughter’s rare genetic condition. Gus embraced the Slam as a way to discover new parts of Texas and test his pacing strategy across diverse terrain. From dancing into aid stations to sleepwalking into emotional breakthroughs, this episode reveals how joy, grit, and community can carry runners through the darkest miles.The crew reflects on their highs and lows—from near DNFs and energy drink-fueled hallucinations to ghost energy (both literal and figurative) and the dreaded terrain of Cactus Rose. With stories of unconventional nutrition (shoutout to chicken salad, Bobos, and Ghost Energy), sandal running legends, and surprising race favorites, this conversation captures the spirit of ultrarunning in its most rugged and rewarding form.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'>Facebook Group</a> and follow us on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'>Instagram</a> and check out our website for the <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'>more episodes</a>, posts and <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'>merchandise</a> coming soon. Have a topic you&apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&apos;d like to nominate? Email us at <a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'>info@happyendingstc.org</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;HappyCast&lt;/em&gt;, we welcome &lt;b&gt;Kathryn “Kat” Stewart&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;Charmin McKee&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;b&gt;Gus Rodriguez&lt;/b&gt;—three incredible ultrarunners who completed the 2024–25 &lt;b&gt;Lone Star Slam&lt;/b&gt;. This ambitious challenge—completing six 100-mile races across Texas in just eight months, including Habanero Hundred, Cactus Rose, Dinosaur Valley, Brazos Bend, Rocky Raccoon, and Grasslands—sets the stage as the crew dives deep into what it takes to conquer the Slam.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each guest shares what got them into the challenge and how their motivation evolved with every race. Charmin juggled a demanding job and motherhood while using trail running as her personal outlet. Kat transformed the challenge into a fundraising campaign for her daughter’s rare genetic condition. Gus embraced the Slam as a way to discover new parts of Texas and test his pacing strategy across diverse terrain. From dancing into aid stations to sleepwalking into emotional breakthroughs, this episode reveals how joy, grit, and community can carry runners through the darkest miles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The crew reflects on their highs and lows—from near DNFs and energy drink-fueled hallucinations to ghost energy (both literal and figurative) and the dreaded terrain of &lt;b&gt;Cactus Rose&lt;/b&gt;. With stories of unconventional nutrition (shoutout to chicken salad, Bobos, and Ghost Energy), sandal running legends, and surprising race favorites, this conversation captures the spirit of ultrarunning in its most rugged and rewarding form.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'&gt;Facebook Group&lt;/a&gt; and follow us on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and check out our website for the &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'&gt;more episodes&lt;/a&gt;, posts and &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'&gt;merchandise&lt;/a&gt; coming soon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Have a topic you&amp;apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&amp;apos;d like to nominate? Email us at &lt;a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'&gt;info@happyendingstc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of HappyCast, we welcome Kathryn “Kat” Stewart, Charmin McKee, and Gus Rodriguez—three incredible ultrarunners who completed the 2024–25 Lone Star Slam. This ambitious challenge—completing six 100-mile races across Texas in just eight months, including Habanero Hundred, Cactus Rose, Dinosaur Valley, Brazos Bend, Rocky Raccoon, and Grasslands—sets the stage as the crew dives deep into what it takes to conquer the Slam. Each guest shares what got them into the challenge and how ...

How to Survive Six 100-Milers (and Still Laugh About It)

The HappyCast team takes on the Rabid Raccoon 100, an ultra in Pennsylvania that delivered relentless mud, unpredictable storms, and plenty of surprises. Stephanie Leake shares her emotional journey through the race, from navigating steep climbs and descents to finding strength in her crew and pacers. Ultimately conquering her fear of the mud with the help of trekking poles.Rachel Moore joins the conversation to break down her first-place finish and new course record, sharing insights into her pacing strategy, mental approach, and the moment she realized she had won. Jason Hanley and Kathleen Hanley played a huge role in keeping the runners going, with Kathleen stepping in as Stephanie’s pacer and teaching her how to use trekking poles effectively in the deep mud. Jason, who was also crewing and pacing, kept a close eye on race standings and played a key role in confirming Rachel’s frontrunner status before she crossed the finish line. Their crew experience, patience, and humor helped keep spirits high through long, wet, and grueling miles.From first-time pacers to seasoned runners, the team dives into the camaraderie and perseverance that make 100-milers so special. They reflect on the women’s buy-one-get-one entry initiative that brought six Texas women to the event, the seamless crew logistics with an indoor start/finish area, and the small yet fierce competition that kept the field moving. They also discuss frogs, unexpected fan encounters, and the importance of community in the ultrarunning world. Whether you’re a seasoned ultrarunner or just love hearing about extreme endurance feats, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and plenty of laughs!Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'>Facebook Group</a> and follow us on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'>Instagram</a> and check out our website for the <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'>more episodes</a>, posts and <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'>merchandise</a> coming soon. Have a topic you&apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&apos;d like to nominate? Email us at <a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'>info@happyendingstc.org</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;The &lt;em&gt;HappyCast&lt;/em&gt; team takes on the &lt;b&gt;Rabid Raccoon 100&lt;/b&gt;, an ultra in Pennsylvania that delivered relentless mud, unpredictable storms, and plenty of surprises. &lt;b&gt;Stephanie Leake&lt;/b&gt; shares her emotional journey through the race, from navigating steep climbs and descents to finding strength in her crew and pacers. Ultimately conquering her fear of the mud with the help of trekking poles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rachel Moore&lt;/b&gt; joins the conversation to break down her &lt;b&gt;first-place finish&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;new course record&lt;/b&gt;, sharing insights into her pacing strategy, mental approach, and the moment she realized she had won. &lt;b&gt;Jason Hanley&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;Kathleen Hanley&lt;/b&gt; played a &lt;b&gt;huge role in keeping the runners going&lt;/b&gt;, with Kathleen stepping in as Stephanie’s pacer and teaching her how to use trekking poles effectively in the deep mud. Jason, who was also crewing and pacing, kept a close eye on race standings and played a key role in confirming Rachel’s frontrunner status before she crossed the finish line. Their crew experience, patience, and humor helped keep spirits high through long, wet, and grueling miles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From first-time pacers to seasoned runners, the team dives into the camaraderie and perseverance that make 100-milers so special. They reflect on the &lt;b&gt;women’s buy-one-get-one entry initiative&lt;/b&gt; that brought six Texas women to the event, the seamless crew logistics with an &lt;b&gt;indoor start/finish area&lt;/b&gt;, and the small yet fierce competition that kept the field moving. They also discuss frogs, unexpected fan encounters, and the importance of community in the ultrarunning world. Whether you’re a seasoned ultrarunner or just love hearing about extreme endurance feats, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and plenty of laughs!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'&gt;Facebook Group&lt;/a&gt; and follow us on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and check out our website for the &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'&gt;more episodes&lt;/a&gt;, posts and &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'&gt;merchandise&lt;/a&gt; coming soon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Have a topic you&amp;apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&amp;apos;d like to nominate? Email us at &lt;a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'&gt;info@happyendingstc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The HappyCast team takes on the Rabid Raccoon 100, an ultra in Pennsylvania that delivered relentless mud, unpredictable storms, and plenty of surprises. Stephanie Leake shares her emotional journey through the race, from navigating steep climbs and descents to finding strength in her crew and pacers. Ultimately conquering her fear of the mud with the help of trekking poles. Rachel Moore joins the conversation to break down her first-place finish and new course record, sharing insights into h...

Texas Women Take on Pennsylvania: The Wild Ride at Rabid Raccoon 100

This week on a special edition of the HappyCast, we have our Arizona Monster 300 race and course preview episode! This race is the newest, biggest, and baddest race in the ultra (ultra) distance running world. This is Destination Trail’s first 300+ mile race, and the hype surrounding this event has been palpable. Selling out in a matter of days a year ago can do that. With race day (April 4) fast approaching, we talk all things Arizona Monster.  The crew is joined by four special guests who all chime in about the race and some of their biggest questions going into it. Rachel Bambrick returns to the podcast to talk about her mindset entering the race. Three-time podcast guest Garren Hill joins us again along with his daughter Emily Hill as they talk about training together and running the race together, with some competition mixed in. And finally, Carol Northrup, who is no stranger to the Arizona Trail, talks about her experience doing recon of the course. She has hiked the Arizona Trail before as well, so she sheds some light on what to expect during our course preview. She has probably done more recon of the course recently than anyone around!  With less than a month to go until race day, the anticipation is reaching an all-time high. Join us as well all share our nervous excitement together and talk about the upcoming experience and what to expect.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'>Facebook Group</a> and follow us on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'>Instagram</a> and check out our website for the <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'>more episodes</a>, posts and <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'>merchandise</a> coming soon. Have a topic you&apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&apos;d like to nominate? Email us at <a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'>info@happyendingstc.org</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week on a special edition of the HappyCast, we have our Arizona Monster 300 race and course preview episode! This race is the newest, biggest, and baddest race in the ultra (ultra) distance running world. This is Destination Trail’s first 300+ mile race, and the hype surrounding this event has been palpable. Selling out in a matter of days a year ago can do that. With race day (April 4) fast approaching, we talk all things Arizona Monster. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;The crew is joined by four special guests who all chime in about the race and some of their biggest questions going into it. Rachel Bambrick returns to the podcast to talk about her mindset entering the race. Three-time podcast guest Garren Hill joins us again along with his daughter Emily Hill as they talk about training together and running the race together, with some competition mixed in. And finally, Carol Northrup, who is no stranger to the Arizona Trail, talks about her experience doing recon of the course. She has hiked the Arizona Trail before as well, so she sheds some light on what to expect during our course preview. She has probably done more recon of the course recently than anyone around! &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;With less than a month to go until race day, the anticipation is reaching an all-time high. Join us as well all share our nervous excitement together and talk about the upcoming experience and what to expect.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'&gt;Facebook Group&lt;/a&gt; and follow us on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and check out our website for the &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'&gt;more episodes&lt;/a&gt;, posts and &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'&gt;merchandise&lt;/a&gt; coming soon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Have a topic you&amp;apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&amp;apos;d like to nominate? Email us at &lt;a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'&gt;info@happyendingstc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

This week on a special edition of the HappyCast, we have our Arizona Monster 300 race and course preview episode! This race is the newest, biggest, and baddest race in the ultra (ultra) distance running world. This is Destination Trail’s first 300+ mile race, and the hype surrounding this event has been palpable. Selling out in a matter of days a year ago can do that. With race day (April 4) fast approaching, we talk all things Arizona Monster.   The crew is joined by four special guests...

Arizona Monster 300 Race and Course Preview

In this episode of HappyCast, we welcome ultra runners Chuck Clark and Ben Bridgeman to recount their epic (and sometimes disastrous) attempt at running two brutal 100-mile races just two weeks apart: Outlaw 100 and Lovit 100. What started as a simple challenge turned into a saga of icy wipeouts, brutal climbs, poor life choices, and a whole lot of stubbornness. From navigating Jeep roads littered with boulders at Outlaw to dealing with a brand-new course layout at Lovit, the guys break down the highs, the lows, and everything in between—including the moment when Ben took an all-time classic fall that had his friends doubled over in laughter.With course changes, extreme conditions, and the mental battle of pushing through back-to-back races, Chuck and Ben share their strategies (and mistakes) in managing fatigue, staying fueled, and making sure they crossed the finish line. Along the way, they discuss why pacing each other sometimes feels more like a competition than teamwork, why the smallest aid station breaks can kill your race time, and what it’s like watching your friend’s race completely fall apart in real-time.Plus, we debate the age-old ultra-running question: Is it better to go out fast or play it safe? And, of course, no episode is complete without some well-earned roasting, a look ahead at future races, and the latest Can’t Let It Go segment. Tune in for an episode filled with laughs, lessons, and the kind of suffering only ultra-runners willingly sign up for!Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'>Facebook Group</a> and follow us on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'>Instagram</a> and check out our website for the <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'>more episodes</a>, posts and <a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'>merchandise</a> coming soon. Have a topic you&apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&apos;d like to nominate? Email us at <a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'>info@happyendingstc.org</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;HappyCast&lt;/em&gt;, we welcome ultra runners &lt;b&gt;Chuck Clark and Ben Bridgeman&lt;/b&gt; to recount their epic (and sometimes disastrous) attempt at running &lt;em&gt;two&lt;/em&gt; brutal 100-mile races just two weeks apart: &lt;b&gt;Outlaw 100&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;Lovit 100&lt;/b&gt;. What started as a simple challenge turned into a saga of icy wipeouts, brutal climbs, poor life choices, and a whole lot of stubbornness. From navigating Jeep roads littered with boulders at Outlaw to dealing with a brand-new course layout at Lovit, the guys break down the highs, the lows, and everything in between—including the moment when Ben took an all-time classic fall that had his friends doubled over in laughter.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With course changes, extreme conditions, and the mental battle of pushing through back-to-back races, Chuck and Ben share their strategies (and mistakes) in managing fatigue, staying fueled, and making sure they crossed the finish line. Along the way, they discuss why pacing each other sometimes feels more like a competition than teamwork, why the smallest aid station breaks can kill your race time, and what it’s like watching your friend’s race completely fall apart in real-time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, we debate the age-old ultra-running question: &lt;b&gt;Is it better to go out fast or play it safe?&lt;/b&gt; And, of course, no episode is complete without some well-earned roasting, a look ahead at future races, and the latest &lt;em&gt;Can’t Let It Go&lt;/em&gt; segment. Tune in for an episode filled with laughs, lessons, and the kind of suffering only ultra-runners willingly sign up for!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/538800797580897'&gt;Facebook Group&lt;/a&gt; and follow us on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/happyendingstrailcrew/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and check out our website for the &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/stream/'&gt;more episodes&lt;/a&gt;, posts and &lt;a href='https://happyendingstc.org/shop-2/'&gt;merchandise&lt;/a&gt; coming soon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Have a topic you&amp;apos;d like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you&amp;apos;d like to nominate? Email us at &lt;a href='mailto:info@happyendingstc.org'&gt;info@happyendingstc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of HappyCast, we welcome ultra runners Chuck Clark and Ben Bridgeman to recount their epic (and sometimes disastrous) attempt at running two brutal 100-mile races just two weeks apart: Outlaw 100 and Lovit 100. What started as a simple challenge turned into a saga of icy wipeouts, brutal climbs, poor life choices, and a whole lot of stubbornness. From navigating Jeep roads littered with boulders at Outlaw to dealing with a brand-new course layout at Lovit, the guys break down ...

Back-to-Back 100s? Chuck & Ben’s Wild Idea

From the folks who bring you Happy Endings Trail Crew. Dylan, Stephanie and Andrew talk about how they started Happy Endings and the vision they have for building the community around trail running even stronger.

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