The Midpacker Podcast

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT“The $hittiest mile in a hundred miler would still probably be better than the mile I could run at 85.”This week on the MidPacker Pod, Troy Meadows sits down with Ryan Thrower for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations the show has had in a while. Ryan opens up about his journey from bartending in Indianapolis and living out of his car while exploring the American West… to becoming one of the key creative voices behind Freetrail and modern trail running media.The conversation dives deep into curiosity, creativity, and learning to say yes to opportunity before you feel ready. Ryan shares stories about discovering trail running through Born to Run and Eat and Run, volunteering at Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run, and eventually building a life around storytelling, mountains, music, and community.The two also unpack Ryan’s unique approach to ultrarunning—especially his love for “step-for-step” adventures with friends at races like the Swiss Alps 100 and upcoming adventures filming Courtney Dauwalter at Cocodona 250 and running the Mammoth.But the heart of this episode centers around a bigger topic: the fragility of life. Ryan reflects on gratitude, staying present, creative burnout, and why even the hardest miles are gifts when viewed through the right lens.Topics DiscussedBuilding a creative career in trail running mediaMusic, photography, and storytellingFreetrail, TrailCon, and race-week chaosStep-for-step ultrarunning adventuresThe power of curiosity and learning in publicGratitude and the fragility of lifeMammoth training and redefining “moseying”Ryan’s LinksIG: @ryanthrower@freetrailRelevant LinksFreetrailCocodona 250Western States Endurance RunThe Freetrail Podcast with Dylan BowmanFreetrail YouTube ChannelPartner Links: PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comProven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderTraining PeaksA training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerUse MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium SubscriptionVacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.comEpic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or TrailfestWahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.comKICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.Run Your WayBuy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free KICKR HEADWIND smart Bluetooth fan. Remember to add the HEADWIND to the cart and the code will apply to discount.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.comFind Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.comVisit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Ryan Thrower, Freetrail, trail running, ultrarunning, Cocodona 250, Western States, Mammoth, storytelling, photography, music, creativity, gratitude, fragility of life, ultramarathon, trail culture, Dylan Bowman, community, endurance sports, trail media, curiosity

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT“Training doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.”In episode 03 of Field Notes, Troy is three weeks out from the Hellbender 100 Mile Endurance Run and things are getting real. From navigating travel during peak training to dialing in the final details, this one is packed with honest reflections, lessons learned, and that pre-race energy we all know so well.Episode HighlightsTraining on the Road (Baltimore Trip):Adjusted long run midweek to make space for a family weddingLogged fast, flat miles around the Inner Harbor, a rare shift from mountain trainingKey lesson: consistency beats perfection when life shows upTraining Camp Wins:~80 miles, ~18 hours, ~17K+ feet of vertFirst time using a pole quiver, a game changer for efficiency on rolling terrainDialed nutrition with Hyperlite, real food like crepes and cookies, and added protein strategyTested gear like the Tantrum Crest 6 vest under full race loadRecovery & Durability:Stayed consistent with strength training, even after big effortsIntegrated PlayOn Relief for post-run recovery and inflammation managementEmphasis on long-term consistency paying offHeat Acclimation Strategy:Hot water immersion protocol with a 10-day buildFocus on increasing plasma volume, sweat rate, and heat tolerance“It sucks… but it works.”Race Planning Mode:Using Time on Trails to map pacing, aid stations, and nutritionCrew and drop bag strategy coming togetherRealistic goal is around a 26 to 27 hour finishAthlete Shout-OutSamantha crushes her first 100K at the New River 100K, a huge milestone and proof that trusting the process pays offMotivational TakeawaysAdapt your training, do not abandon itConsistency over time builds real durabilityPractice everything before race day, nothing new on race dayThe work is done, now it is time to executeTroy’s LinksIG: @troyontherunPersonal Site: Troyontherun.comCoaching Page: Troy’s Ultra Coaching PageRelevant LinksHellbender 100 Mile Endurance RunTime on TrailsNew River 100KPartner Links: PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comProven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderTraining Peaks A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerUse MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium SubscriptionVacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.comEpic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or TrailfestWahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.comKICKR RUN It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.Run Your WayBuy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free KICKR HEADWIND smart Bluetooth fan. Remember to add the HEADWIND to the cart and the code will apply to discount.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.comFind Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.comVisit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Hellbender 100, ultramarathon training, trail running, training camp, heat acclimation, race strategy, endurance fueling, midpacker mindset, ultra coaching, time on trails app, recovery tools, strength training, long run strategy, crew planning

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT⁠WAHOO FITNESS⁠ -  Use Code MIDPACK When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free KICKR HEADWIND smart Bluetooth fan. Remember to add the HEADWIND to the cart and the code will apply to discount.“What do I want to be today and what do I want to be when I’m 90?”In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with Jordan Battaglia, a former college football player turned entrepreneur, coach, and co-founder of PlayOn Relief. What starts as a conversation about pain relief quickly turns into a deeper dive into performance, durability, and what it really means to train for the long game.Guest Spotlight: Born and raised in San Diego, Jordan grew up immersed in sports and eventually played college football at Pomona College.Initially on the path to law school, his journey shifted after a family business setback and a pivotal back injury during his final football season.That injury led to the creation of PlayOn Relief, a natural, long-lasting pain relief solution built from his family’s original pharmaceutical technology.Now a coach with nearly a decade of experience, Jordan focuses on helping athletes build strength, improve mobility, and stay active for life.Key Takeaways:Solve your own problems first. Great ideas often come from real needLongevity matters more than short-term gains. Train for who you want to be at 90Consistency beats intensity when it comes to strength and mobilitySmall habits, even 5 to 10 minutes a day, can lead to big performance gainsKey Topics CoveredThe origin story of PlayOn Relief and its delivery systemWhy most pain relief products fall shortStrength training for ultra runners and why it mattersMobility as a missing link in endurance performanceSimple exercises to improve joint health and durabilityJordan’s Links: IG: @jordanbattagPlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comIG: @playonreliefRelevant Linkshttps://playonrelief.com/pages/aboutushttps://playonrelief.com/pages/the-sciencePartner Links: PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comProven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderTraining Peaks A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerUse MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium SubscriptionVacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.comEpic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or TrailfestWahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.comKICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.Run Your WayBuy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free KICKR HEADWIND smart Bluetooth fan. Remember to add the HEADWIND to the cart and the code will apply to discount.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.comFind Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.comVisit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Jordan Battaglia, PlayOn Relief, strength training, mobility, joint health, ultra running, endurance training, injury prevention, recovery, arnica, trail running, performance, longevity

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT“More is not always better for everybody.”This episode came together thanks to one of our awesome partners, Vacation Races, who connected Troy and Stevie to dive into all things fueling for ultras—and it turned into a seriously valuable conversation.Stevie Smith’s journey is rooted in curiosity…from a former lacrosse goalie who couldn’t run a quarter mile to completing marathons, multiple Ironmans, and even 10K open water swims. Her path wasn’t linear, but that willingness to explore and adapt is exactly what shaped her into the athlete—and coach—she is today.Now a registered sports dietitian and business owner, Stevie helps endurance athletes fuel smarter and perform better. She shares her transition from clinical nutrition to launching her own business, embracing the uncertainty of entrepreneurship, and building a career around helping others thrive.The conversation goes deep on ultra fueling, why more carbs isn’t always better, how to find your personal “sweet spot,” and why logistics can make or break your race. From real food options like potatoes and pierogies to hydration, sodium, and gut training, Stevie keeps it real and practical for everyday runners.Key Takeaways:Curiosity can spark major transformationCross-training builds durability and longevityFueling is personal—there’s no universal formulaLogistics are just as important as the planBuilding a business takes risk, patience, and persistenceStevie’s LinksIG: @stevielynlynWebsite: https://stevielynrd.comPartner Links: PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comProven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderTraining PeaksA training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerUse MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium SubscriptionVacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.comEpic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or TrailfestWahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.comKICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.Run Your WayBuy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.comFind Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.comVisit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Stevie Smith, sports nutrition, ultra running fueling, endurance nutrition, Ironman, open water swimming, marathon training, hydration strategy, sodium intake, carbohydrate intake, fueling logistics, trail running, midpack runners, sports dietitian, endurance performance

#113 Dr Jeff Hammond | Cocodona Dreams, Foot Health, Plantar Fasciitis, Injury Lessons, & Chasing Big GoalsThe MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTWAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.“We’re not putting you in textbook normal, we’re putting you in your normal.”In this episode of the MidPacker Pod, Jeff Hammond, owner and head doctor at Hammond Foot & Ankle, returns to the show with a whole new perspective. What started as crewing at Cocodona has turned into a full dive into trail running, with Jeff now preparing to toe the line at the Cocodona 250 himself.Jeff shares what it’s like to balance life as a medical professional and an everyday runner chasing big goals. From building his training with coach Alyssa Clark to navigating injury scares and dialing in race logistics, his journey is one many mid-packers will recognize.Jeff’s LinksIG: @jeff.r.hammond@hammondfootandankleWebsitehttps://hammondfootandankle.com/Athlete SpotlightJeff went from trail running “newbie” to training for a 250-mile race in under a yearFinished top 10 in his first 50K while just “having fun” and learning the sportAttempted a 100-miler that didn’t go to plan, reminding listeners that setbacks are part of the processNow deep in Cocodona prep with structured coaching, detailed planning, and full crew supportTakeaways:You don’t need to be elite to chase big goalsProgress isn’t linear, and failures often fuel growthConsistency and patience beat chasing big mileageKey Topics & TakeawaysWhy taper injuries happen and why you shouldn’t panicThe importance of stretching, especially calves, for foot healthPlantar fasciitis explained in simple termsWhy runners shouldn’t always run through painStaying active during injury using bike, swim, or ellipticalFinding practitioners who understand endurance athletesPartner Links: PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comProven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderTraining Peaks A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerUse MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium SubscriptionVacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.comEpic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or TrailfestWahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.comKICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.Run Your WayBuy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Jeff Hammond, Cocodona 250, trail running, plantar fasciitis, ultrarunning, injury prevention, endurance training, foot health, running injuries, taper, coaching, midpack runners