<p>The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.<br></p><p>Join the Newsletter at:<a href="https://troymeadows.substack.com/?r=2gjcgs&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://runtraillife.com/collections/midpacker-pod-merch" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Check Out MPP Merch </a></p><p><br></p><p>Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.</p><p><br></p><p>Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? </p><p>Check out <a href="https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Troy’s Coaching Page<br></a></p><p><br></p><p>STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE</strong></a> - 10% off your order</p><p><a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>TRAINING PEAKS</strong></a> - 20% off a premium annual subscription</p><p><a href="https://playonrelief.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>PLAY ON RELIEF</strong></a> - 20% off your first order</p><p><a href="https://www.vacationraces.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>VACATION RACES</strong></a><strong> </strong>- 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest</p><p><br></p><p>USE PROMO CODE <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills?utm_source=LongRunLabs&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shift_US" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>WAHOO FITNESS</strong></a><strong> </strong>-  Use Code <strong>MIDPACK: </strong>When you pick up a <strong>Wahoo KICKR RUN</strong> get a <strong>free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. </strong>Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>“I just wanted it to exist, so I made it exist.”</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Troy Meadows talks with Kirk Cherep.</p><p>Kirk shares how a Spartan Race on his college graduation day lit the spark that eventually led him deep into trail and ultra running, and ultimately into race directing. </p><p>After falling in love with the community through films by Billy Yang and The Ginger Runner and reading <em>Born to Run</em>, Kirk now directs multiple events through <a href="https://www.trailblazerrunning.co/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Trailblazer Running</a> in Indiana.</p><ul><li><p><strong>False Spring Trail Runs</strong> </p></li><li><p><strong>Okadoke Trail Runs</strong> </p></li><li><p><strong>Trail Golf</strong> </p></li><li><p><strong>Knobstone 50</strong> </p></li></ul><p>Kirk also co-owns Tempo Run Timing, timing over 50 events a year, and partners with Runners for Public Lands to give back through trail work at Indiana Dunes National Park .</p><p>Kirk talks honestly about balance, or the lack of it, and accept that sometimes you’re just “really good at faking it” while juggling family, work, and big goals .</p><p>This year, he’s lining up for Hellbender 100 and planning big adventure runs like Painted Rocks Lakeshore and a Grand Canyon R2R2R.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Kirk&#39;s Links</strong></p><p>IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trailblazer.running/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@trailblazer.running</a></p><p>      <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kirkcherep/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@kirkcherep</a></p><p><br></p><p>Website: Trailblazer Running –<a href="https://www.trailblazerrunning.co" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://www.trailblazerrunning.co</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Relevant Links</strong></p><ul><li><p>Runners for Public Lands – <a href="https://www.runnersforpubliclands.org" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.runnersforpubliclands.org</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Hellbender 100 – <a href="https://hellbender100.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://hellbender100.com</a></p></li><li><p>Trail Running Film Festival –<a href="https://trailfilmfest.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://trailfilmfest.com</a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Partner Links: </strong></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Hyerlyte Liquid Performance</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com</a></p><p>Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.</p><p>More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.</p><p>Check them out at <a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">hyperlyteliquidperformance.com</a></p><p>Use the code <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/ZZmeB4qub_U?si=BGUk1qTGOB1fWUjr" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong></strong><a href="https://playonrelief.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>PlayOn Relief</strong></a> - <a href="https://playonrelief.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://playonrelief.com </a></p><p>Proven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief</p><p>Use <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> for 20% off your first order</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Training Peaks</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/</a></p><p>A training app as versatile as you. </p><p>Start your free trial at  <a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/</a></p><p>Use <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.vacationraces.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Vacation Races</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.vacationraces.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.vacationraces.com</a></p><p>Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.</p><p>Use <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills?utm_source=LongRunLabs&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shift_US" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Wahoo Fitness</strong></a><strong> -</strong> <a href="https://wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills?utm_source=LongRunLabs&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shift_US" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.wahoofitness.com </a></p><p>KICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.</p><p>It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.</p><p>Run Your Way</p><p>Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code <strong>MIDPACK</strong> to get a <strong>free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. </strong>Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://runtraillife.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>⁠Run Trail Life</strong>⁠</a> - <a href="https://runtraillife.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://runtraillife.com/<br></a>Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!</p><p>Use<strong> MIDPACKERPOD</strong> to double the donation from your purchase. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Kirk Cherep, Trailblazer Running, Knobstone 50, Trail Golf, Midwest trail running, race directing, ultra running, Hellbender 100, Indiana trails, Runners for Public Lands, Indiana Dunes, community building, obstacle course racing, Born to Run, Billy Yang, tempo run timing, work-life balance, trail stewardship, </p><p><br></p>