Show notes
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!
