<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><br></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>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><br></p><p>USE PROMO CODE <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>“It’s not weakness to rest. It’s part of the long game.”</p><p><br></p><p>In the very first edition of <em>MidPacker Field Notes</em>, host Troy Meadows pulls back the curtain on his early 2026 training season, offering a raw, honest check-in on life, recovery, and what&#39;s ahead. Coming off a tough bout of sickness in January, Troy talks about the importance of intentional rest, easing back into structured training, and setting the tone for the Hellbender 100.</p><p>Listeners get a peek into Troy&#39;s latest training block, complete with hill repeats, tempo intervals, and long endurance sessions, along with shoutouts to athletes in the MidPacker coaching community and updates on his race calendar.</p><p><br></p><p>This is a solo episode with real talk, actionable insights, and a strong reminder: rest is part of the work.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Training Highlights &amp; Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Took a full week off due to illness—highlighting the value of rest as training</p></li><li><p>Wrapped a 6–7 week VO2 max block featuring uphill intervals and tempo work</p></li><li><p>Kicking off a new 14-week build toward Hellbender 100, with a heavy focus on tempo</p></li><li><p>Planning back-to-back races: Hellbender followed by Laurel Highlands 70.5</p></li><li><p>Integrating TrainingPeaks to plan and forecast fatigue, fitness, and load management</p></li><li><p>Dialing in race nutrition using Hyperlyte Liquid Performance:</p></li><ul><li><p>Half strength (50g carbs / 500mg sodium) for endurance runs</p></li><li><p>Full strength (100g carbs / 1000mg sodium) for quality workouts</p></li></ul></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Community Shoutouts</strong></p><ul><li><p>Samantha crushed her first 50K, on the very trail that sidelined her a year ago</p></li><li><p>Paul completed his first 50-miler in Tucson and is training for Sedona Canyons 125</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Troy’s Links</strong></p><p>IG - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/troyontherun/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@troyontherun</a></p><p><a href="https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page</a></p><p><a href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/1649667" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Find me on Strava</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the Show</strong></p><p>IG - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/midpackerpod/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@midpackerpod</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Relevant Links</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.hellbender100.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Hellbender 100</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.redpointproductions.com/laurel-ultra" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Laurel Highlands Ultra</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona-old/sedona-canyons/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Sedona Canyons 125</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?eid=4327" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Barkley Fall Classic</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/lookingglass100k" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Looking Glass 100k</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><strong> - </strong><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 <em><strong>MIDPACKER</strong></em> for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.</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><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. 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 <em><strong>MIDPACKER </strong></em>at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription</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 <strong>MPP Merch</strong> on RTL!!</p><p>Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. </p><p>Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T&#39;s.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://freetrail.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠<strong>Freetrail</strong>⁠</a> - <a href="https://freetrail.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://freetrail.com/</a></p><p>Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>VO2 max, Hellbender 100, Laurel Highlands Ultra, TrainingPeaks, Hyperlyte, solo episode, ultrarunning, rest and recovery, tempo block, uphill intervals, Sedona Canyons 125, coaching, winter training, endurance, community shoutouts, pacing, fueling, running mindset</p><p><br></p>