<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>.</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><a href="https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><br></a></p><p>STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  </p><p><br></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.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://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<br></p><p><br></p><p>“Training doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.”</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Highlights</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Training on the Road (Baltimore Trip):</strong></p></li><ul><li><p>Adjusted long run midweek to make space for a family wedding</p></li><li><p>Logged fast, flat miles around the Inner Harbor, a rare shift from mountain training</p></li><li><p>Key lesson: consistency beats perfection when life shows up</p></li></ul><li><p><strong>Training Camp Wins:</strong></p></li><ul><li><p>~80 miles, ~18 hours, ~17K+ feet of vert</p></li><li><p>First time using a pole quiver, a game changer for efficiency on rolling terrain</p></li><li><p>Dialed nutrition with <strong>Hyperlite</strong>, real food like crepes and cookies, and added protein strategy</p></li><li><p>Tested gear like the Tantrum Crest 6 vest under full race load</p></li></ul><li><p><strong>Recovery &amp; Durability:</strong></p></li><ul><li><p>Stayed consistent with strength training, even after big efforts</p></li><li><p>Integrated <strong>PlayOn Relief</strong> for post-run recovery and inflammation management</p></li><li><p>Emphasis on long-term consistency paying off</p></li></ul><li><p><strong>Heat Acclimation Strategy:</strong></p></li><ul><li><p>Hot water immersion protocol with a 10-day build</p></li><li><p>Focus on increasing plasma volume, sweat rate, and heat tolerance</p></li><li><p>“It sucks… but it works.”</p></li></ul><li><p><strong>Race Planning Mode:</strong></p></li><ul><li><p>Using <strong>Time on Trails</strong> to map pacing, aid stations, and nutrition</p></li><li><p>Crew and drop bag strategy coming together</p></li><li><p>Realistic goal is around a 26 to 27 hour finish</p></li></ul></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Athlete Shout-Out</strong></p><ul><li><p>Samantha crushes her first 100K at the New River 100K, a huge milestone and proof that trusting the process pays off</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Motivational Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Adapt your training, do not abandon it</p></li><li><p>Consistency over time builds real durability</p></li><li><p>Practice everything before race day, nothing new on race day</p></li><li><p>The work is done, now it is time to execute</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>Personal Site: <a href="https://troyontherun.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Troyontherun.com</a></p><p>Coaching Page: <a href="https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page</a><strong></strong></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 Mile Endurance Run</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.timeontrails.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Time on Trails</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.swvarunning.com/newrivertrailraces" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">New River 100K</a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Partner Links: </strong></p><p><br></p><p><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> </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 <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 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 KICKR HEADWIND smart Bluetooth fan. </strong>Remember to add the <strong>HEADWIND</strong> 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</a></p><p>Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!</p><p>Use<strong> MIDPACKERPOD</strong> to double the donation from your purchase. </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>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</p><p><br></p>