Fails On The Trails

Justin Smith
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  • Running
  • Updated fortnightly

Because failure is the best coach. We interview runners about their DNFs and DFLs, the races that blew up, fell apart, or just plain sucked. Together, we dig into what went wrong and pull out real lessons you can use so your next race goes right.

  1. 24 Jul

    Lisa's Vol State Recap

    Lisa shares her experience traveling 314 miles across Tennessee.

  2. 24 Jul

    Vol State Pre Race Thoughts

    Lisa hops on before Vol State to share her goals for this year’s race and reflections from last year’s journey.

  3. 12 Jun

    Before and After War Eagle Trail Run

    The girls talk to Justin before he heads out to run the War Eagle 50 K. Once the race was completed, everyone comes back together to discuss how the race went. This podcast covers both the before and after of the race.

  4. 26 Apr

    The Heat Is On: Lessons from the Keys 100

    Pam Lockhart joins the crew to break down her experience at the Keys 100. We dive into what went right, what didn’t, and what adjustments she’s planning to make to secure a finish next year. She also shares how she got her start in ultrarunning at age 50 and highlights some of her favorite races along the way.

  5. 3 Apr

    Two Minutes to Spare: Finishing the Grasslands 100-Mile Trail Run Just Before the Cutoff

    Marissa shares her DFL finish at the Grasslands 100, crossing the line just two minutes before the cutoff, and how Running Familia kept her going. The crew also digs into cutoffs, Panther City Ultra, and the mysterious sweater and the “poop pack.”

  6. 27 Mar

    From Firehouse to Finish Lines Angie Retzloff

    On this episode of Fails on the Trails, Angie Retzloff joins us to share her path to becoming the first female firefighter in Tahlequah, how she rebuilt her identity after stepping away from CrossFit, and her full-send leap into ultrarunning, including processing her heartbreaking DNF at the Outlaw 135. The crew also dives into the surprisingly chaotic art of fueling with baby food and oatmeal crème pies.

  7. 20 Mar

    Racing with Empathy, Humility & the Power of Your Story

    Dr. Sheila Nevarez joins the DNFsperts to talk about all things endurance, sobriety, how to be kind to others, and the importance of being kind to yourself. We talk about the dangers and current culture of the Ironman community, and she tells us how one ass ruined a race while another ass changed her life. Get a pen ready to write down all the lessons learned on this episode of Fails on the Trails.

  8. 13 Mar

    The Long Road to the Hitchcock Buckle

    Meghan Wallace joins the DNFsperts to talk about her relentless pursuit of finishing the Hitchcock Experience 100-mile race. She also tempts us with tales of the beautiful Shawnee Hills 100 Miler and why it should be on every runner’s radar. The crew dives into racing in extreme cold and extreme heat, and yes… boob ice is absolutely a thing. So many lessons were learned on this episode of Fails on the Trails.

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About

Because failure is the best coach. We interview runners about their DNFs and DFLs, the races that blew up, fell apart, or just plain sucked. Together, we dig into what went wrong and pull out real lessons you can use so your next race goes right.

Information

  • Creator
    Justin Smith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Justin Smith
  • Show Website
    Fails On The Trails