Some races spend decades building a reputation. Eastern States didn't need that long. This race has only been around since 2014, but in just ten runnings it has become one of those races that makes ultrarunners stop and pay attention. That's not because of marketing. It's because the course has a way of exposing exactly who showed up prepared. This week on The Running Mullet, we're looking at the history of one of Pennsylvania's signature ultramarathons. Since its debut, Eastern States has challenged runners with over 100 miles of relentless climbs, technical singletrack, and the beauty of the Pennsylvania Wilds. While the race itself is relatively young, it has quickly established itself as one of the premier endurance tests on the East Coast. We'll talk about how Eastern States carved out its identity, showcasing Pennsylvania's toughest trails, and why runners from across the country and beyond circle this weekend on their calendars. This episode isn't just about the course, however. It's about the people who've spent months, and often years, preparing for this moment. Nobody accidentally ends up on this starting line. You don't stumble into Eastern States. You earn your way there through months of early mornings, long weekends on the trails, and more than a few days where quitting would've been easier. Every runner standing on that starting line has already accomplished something long before the race begins. Whether you're racing, crewing, volunteering, or following along from home, join us Monday, 8/3 at 7:30pm as we discuss the history, the people, and the tradition that have turned Eastern States into one of the most respected races in East Coast trail running. Some races become important simply by surviving the test of time. Eastern States became important because it demanded excellence — from the people who built it, the volunteers who sustain it, and every runner willing to answer its challenge.

Forgetting your drop bag on race day is one thing. Losing your pacer at a crucial point because nobody remembered where they were supposed to meet you? That's a whole different problem. This week on The Running Mullet, we're diving into the behind-the-scenes logistics that can make or break a big ultramarathon. Pacers. Crew. Timing. Aid station planning. Drop bags. Communication. When do you actually need a crew? When is a pacer worth having? And how do you keep everyone on the same page when the race starts to unravel? We'll talk through the planning that happens long before race day, the mistakes we've made, and the little details that can save a lot of headaches when the miles start piling up. And because it's us, we'll spend the rest of the episode doing what we do best: comparing crew mistakes (and making fun of the other person’s poor planning) and proving that even the best-laid plans rarely survive 100 miles. Whether you're tackling your first ultra with a crew or trying to streamline your fifteenth, there's something here to help you get to the finish line with fewer surprises. 🎧 New episode drops Monday, July 27th at 7:30pm or wherever you get your podcasts after the show.

This week on The Running Mullet, we're talking about a brand new Pennsylvania ultra, The Wicked Windstone, and why runners are already paying attention. Before the inaugural event has even happened, the team behind Wicked Windstone has been asking questions, collecting feedback, and making changes based on what runners want, creating a race that feels built with the trail community instead of simply for it. It's a refreshing approach in a sport where traditions and race flow often take years to evolve. Of course, the course has plenty to say for itself too - a 5K loop at Windstone Landing Farms. Rolling farmland, wooded singletrack, creek-side trails, pine forest, a climb known as The Wall, and a unique format (The Wicked Reversal!) that could have you running the course in reverse after an air horn sounds. It's a race designed to keep you thinking as much as running. This race includes 100 mile, 100k, 50k, and 5k distances with a universal 30 hour cutoff. We'll dig into why a first-year race is worth a chance, why community input matters, and whether this could become Pennsylvania's next must-run trail event. Sometimes the best races aren't the ones with the longest history. They're the ones willing to build something better from day one. Catch the latest episode of The Running Mullet on Monday, July 20th at 7:30pm EST or after the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Most ultras send you into the woods before sunrise.Ironstone says, "Nope, let's start at 2:00 in the afternoon."This week on The Running Mullet, we're digging into one of Pennsylvania's most distinctive ultramarathons: the Ironstone 100K.A late-afternoon start means runners spend the hottest part of the day getting to the real challenge before tackling long stretches of rocky ridgelines and technical singletrack through the night. It's a race that rewards patience, smart pacing, and specific training as much as overall fitness.We'll talk about what makes Ironstone such a different experience, why that 2 p.m. start changes everything, and what it's like to move across Pennsylvania's rugged terrain when every step demands your attention. We’ll also touch base with 2026 Ironstone Finisher Gina Ruck who, honestly, was only in it for the coveted finisher’s flannel. Whether you've run Ironstone or it's still on your bucket list, we've got plenty to talk about.New episode of The Running Mullet drops this week, Monday, July 13, 7:30pm EST.New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount!

This week, we're talking with a guy who just did something absolutely incredible... and somehow made it look almost normal.Fresh off his overall win at the Last Annual Heart of the South, Phil Perkins joins us to break down one of the most unique races in ultrarunning.The race covers an eye-popping 355 miles through Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, giving runners nearly six days to chase the finish line—and this year, Phil chased it all the way to the top, taking the win in an incredible 5 days, 15 hours, and change.And if the race sounds a little off... that's because it is.Last Annual Heart of the South is the brainchild of Gary 'Lazarus Lake' Cantrell—better known simply as Laz. The legendary race director behind the infamous Barkley Marathons has built a reputation for creating events that are equal parts endurance challenge, scavenger hunt, and psychological experiment. His races aren't just about covering miles; they're about discovering what happens when people are pushed far beyond what they think is possible.Heart of the South fits that mold perfectly. It's not just a race from point A to point B. It's an odyssey across three states, through brutal summer heat, sleep deprivation, and the kind of fatigue that strips everything down to your most basic self.But Phil isn't just another guy collecting belt buckles. He's also one of the more thoughtful voices in the ultra community, known for his blog Chasing 10K, where he writes about everything from avoiding burnout to finding what "good enough" really means in a sport that constantly asks for more.We'll talk about:What draws someone to a race this longThe highs, lows, and hallucinations of multi-day runningHow to stay in the sport for the long haul without burning outWhether winning changes the way you look at yourself as a runnerWhat it's like to take on a race dreamed up by Laz himselfIf someone handed you a bib for a 355-mile race tomorrow... would you say yes?Join us Monday, July 6th at 7:30pm (EST) for an incredible conversation with one of ultrarunning's most thoughtful grinders, and a guy proving that endurance isn't just about how far you can go—it's about how long you can keep showing up.New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount!

They say one is the loneliest number, but is two really any better? This week, we're celebrating all things #2. From Francesco Puppi's incredible runner-up finish at the Western States Endurance Run to the strange reality that second place can be both heartbreaking and heroic, we're diving into what it means to be number two. And because this is The Running Mullet, we're also exploring every kind of "crappy situation" imaginable: the races that went sideways, the plans that fell apart, the moments that tested our sense of humor, and the stories that become our favorites later. Because in running, and in life, sometimes: Second place is a victory, number two gets all the jokes, and the messiest situations make for the best stories. Join us this week as we ask the important questions: Is one really the loneliest number? Is being number two underrated? Why do the crappiest moments always seem to stick with us the longest? It's an episode full of silver medals, second chances, and situations that stink… but make for great conversation. Only on The Running Mullet, 7:30pm EST, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Summer is here. The humidity is oppressive. Your shoes are permanently damp. Your long run started three hours ago and somehow you're still not back at the car. This week on The Running Mullet, we're talking about maintaining your mojo in midsummer. When the novelty of race season wears off, the weather gets brutal, and the training calendar starts feeling more like a chore than an adventure, how do you keep showing up? We want your stories: 🔥 What's the craziest thing you've ever done to boost morale during a run or race? 😂 What's the best pacer shenanigans you've ever witnessed (or committed)? 🏃 What's the wildest thing you've done to trick yourself into getting more miles? Accidental out-and-backs? Loop math? Promising yourself "just one more mile" seventeen times? 🍕 What's the most worth-it bribe you've used on a friend—or on yourself—to finish a training run? Food? Coffee? Race registration? Cold beverages? Questionable promises? Whether your midsummer mojo comes from friends, snacks, or stubbornness, we want to hear about it. Drop your answers below and we'll share some of our favorites on this week's episode, airing Monday at 7:30pm EST, or wherever you get your podcasts after the show.

This week on The Running Mullet, we're covering the legendary Laurel Highlands Ultra, a tough East Coast race (of the choose your own adventure variety: 70.5 mile or 50k) that definitely lives up to the hype. This year was the 47th running of the 70.5 and the 21st running of the 50k. The iconic 70.5-mile point-to-point runs from from Ohiopyle to Seward, while the 50k leaves off at the 31 mile point. Both once again delivered epic performances and survival stories. We'll break down an incredible day for Pennsylvania trail running, where we’ll hear from Andy Styer, who crushed his 4th running of this epic race, and the remarkable story of Abby becoming the youngest finisher in Laurel Highlands 70 history—proving once again that trail runners keep getting faster, tougher, and apparently younger. Join us for stories, results, trail suffering, and probably a few rabbit trails along the way as we do. Or, catch us after the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Summer has officially arrived, and whether you're chasing a PR, surviving marathon training, or running at odd hours where the sun isn’t out, this week's Running Mullet is bringing the heat. We're diving headfirst into the sweaty, salty world of hot-weather running: 🔥 The gear that actually works 🧂 Salt tabs, sports drinks, electrolyte mixes, pickles, and every other trick runners swear by 🥵 How to survive summer training 🛣️ Road-running heat hacks for those days when shady trails aren't an option From ice bandanas to hydration mistakes, we're sorting through what works, what's marketing nonsense, and what keeps you moving when it is hotter than the surface of the sun out there. Episode 169 of The Running Mullet is turning up the temperature: Business in the Front. Party in the Back. Heat Stroke Somewhere in the Middle. Join us Monday, June 8th at 7:30 pm (EST) or whenever you get your podcasts after the show.

Last week, we told you all about Worlds End. This week... we're telling you all about Worlds End again. You didn't really think we'd spend an entire episode previewing one of Pennsylvania's biggest ultramarathons and then just move on when the race actually happened, did you? The trails have been run. The climbs have been conquered. The legs have been trashed. Now, it's time to unpack everything that went down at World’s End 2026. We’re breaking down the highs, lows, surprises, and standout performances from the 50K and 100K. Whether you were out there chasing cutoffs, chasing podiums, volunteering at an aid station, or following along from afar, we’ve got stories from the trails and all the reasons Worlds End continues to hold a special place in Pennsylvania ultrarunning lore. We spent last week asking what might happen. This week, we're talking about what actually did. 🎧 Episode 168 of The Running Mullet goes live Monday, June 1st at 7:30 - or find us wherever you get your podcasts after the show.