The Midpacker Podcast

Freetrail - Hosted by Troy Meadows
  • 5.0 (62)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Freetrail presents The Midpacker Podcast, which follows middle and back of the pack trail runners and ultra runners at the heart of the trail running community. Join host Troy Meadows weekly as he talks through what it takes to balance life and running with everyday runners doing extra ordinary things on and off the trails.

  1. Jessica Loudermilk | Black Canyon 100K, Having an Adventure Mindset, & Her Burrito League Experience

    1D AGO

    Jessica Loudermilk | Black Canyon 100K, Having an Adventure Mindset, & Her Burrito League Experience

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionPLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount. “I think I’m just kind of a jack of all trades. I like to get my toes into a little bit of everything.” “I think I’m just kind of a jack of all trades. I like to get my toes into a little bit of everything.”Jessica Loudermilk didn’t grow up loving running. A former softball player and rugby athlete, she found running later in life and started with a goal of completing half marathons in different states. That curiosity eventually led her from road racing into the world of trail and ultra running. She quickly dove into ultras, taking on the Umstead 100 early in her trail journey and pushing through a tough final stretch to finish her first 100 miler. More recently, Jessica raced the Black Canyon 100K, where she adjusted her fueling mid-race and rallied late to hit her 15-hour goal finish. Outside of racing, Jessica works as a physical therapist helping patients regain mobility and spends time crewing and pacing friends at races like Southern States and Cocodona. When she’s not running, she’s chasing adventure through cave diving, travel, and building an ambulance camper for race trips. Jessica's Links IG: @jessruns50states YouTube: JessRuns50States Relevant Links Black Canyon 100K: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/blackcanyon Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run: https://umstead100.org Cocodona 250: https://cocodona.com Southern States 200: https://southernstates200.com Never Summer 100K: https://gnarrunners.com/never-summer-100k Rim to River 100: https://www.rimtoriverendurance.com Mount to Coast: https://mounttocoast.com Burrito League: https://burrito-league.com Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order Training PeaksA training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US. Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com KICKR RUN It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined. Run Your Way Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Add TRACKR to cart to apply discount. ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!   ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Jessica Loudermilk, MidPacker Pod, trail running, ultrarunning, Black Canyon 100K, Umstead 100, Cocodona 250, Southern States 200, Never Summer 100K, Rim to River 100, ultrarunning mindset, fueling strategy, caffeine in ultras, Greenville Burrito League, running community, physical therapy, endurance sports

    1h 23m
  2. MidPacker Pod Field Notes – Ep 002 | 9 Weeks to Hellbender: Finishing the Tempo Block and Starting the Endurance Phase

    MAR 4

    MidPacker Pod Field Notes – Ep 002 | 9 Weeks to Hellbender: Finishing the Tempo Block and Starting the Endurance Phase

    MidPacker Pod – Field Notes Ep 2 Title: Nine Weeks to Hellbender With nine weeks until the Hellbender 100, Troy Meadows checks in on his training as he finishes a tempo block and begins the endurance phase. In this episode of MidPacker Field Notes, Troy shares snow day miles in Asheville, plans for a mini training camp, trail work at Snooks Nose, fueling strategies, and a shoutout to a listener preparing for her first ultra. The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠ Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount. “It’s not about what you do on a daily basis, it’s about how you’re stacking and showing up consistently over a really long time horizon.” In Episode 2 of MidPacker Field Notes, Troy Meadows shares a quick update on his Hellbender 100 training. With nine weeks to race day, he reflects on finishing a tempo block and shifting into endurance-focused training. Troy previews an upcoming mini training camp designed to simulate race fatigue and dial in pacing, fueling, and gear. He also shares updates from a Snooks Nose trail work day and explains why the original Hellbender course may still be another year away from returning. Training Highlights Tempo block complete Key workout: 4 x 10 minute uphill intervals Nine weeks until Hellbender 100 Mini training camp planned six weeks out TrainingPeaks used to structure training Fueling with Hyperlyte Liquid Performance Recovery supported with PlayOn Relief Pods Community Shoutout Olivia Farr – preparing for her first 55K and the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker after returning to running following pregnancy. Relevant Links https://hellbender100.com https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/mountmitchellheartbreaker https://www.g5trailcollective.org/oldfort Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerA training app as versatile as you. Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com/Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US. Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com KICKR RUN It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined. Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!. ⁠ Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Hellbender 100, ultrarunning training, endurance block, tempo training, uphill intervals, trail running, winter running, TrainingPeaks, Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, PlayOn Relief Pods, Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker, ultra coaching, endurance training, trail stewardship, Snooks Nose Trail

    41 min
  3. #109 Carrie Baris | RD of the Hellbender 100, President of the Run 828 Foundation, Ride and Tie, & Healing Through Service

    FEB 25

    #109 Carrie Baris | RD of the Hellbender 100, President of the Run 828 Foundation, Ride and Tie, & Healing Through Service

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. “If you go back in time and look at me as a kid, I was either on a horse or on a trail somewhere.” Carrie Baris is deeply rooted in Western North Carolina trail culture. A former high school English teacher of 19 years, she left the classroom in 2021 to focus on trails, race directing, and equestrian sport. Her love for running began in middle school when cross country became her place to belong, especially on the trails behind her high school. After moving to Asheville in 2010, she fully embraced trail and ultra running through the North Carolina Mountain Trail Runners and events like the Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge. Carrie also competes in Ride & Tie, an endurance sport that pairs two humans and a horse. She’s nearing 5,000 career miles, a rare milestone that reflects her grit and teamwork. As president of the Run828 Foundation & RD of the Hellbender 100, she has helped grow the race into both a Hardrock & Western States qualifier while keeping its grassroots feel. After losing her husband in 2018, crewing and pacing her sister at Hellbender became part of her healing journey. Carrie’s Links IG: @riderunreadsnack       @hellbender100miler Run828 Foundation: https://run828foundation.org Hellbender 100: https://hellbender100.com Relevant Links Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge: https://www.blackmountainmarathon.com Street Dog Coalition: https://www.thestreetdogcoalition.org WNC Nature Center: https://wildwnc.org Hardrock 100: https://hardrock100.com Western States Endurance Run: https://www.wser.org National Ride and Tie Association: https://rideandtie.org Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com Epic Races near the most iconic National Park in the US. Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com KICKR RUN It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined. Run Your Way Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/ Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Carrie Baris, Hellbender 100, Run828 Foundation, Western North Carolina trails, ultra running, ride and tie, Mount Mitchell, Black Mountain Marathon, Hardrock qualifier, Western States qualifier, community leadership, trail stewardship, grief and healing, race directing, endurance sport

    1h 45m
  4. #108 Kirk Cherep |Building Trail Blaze Running, Trail Golf, & Building Trail Community in the Midwest

    FEB 18

    #108 Kirk Cherep |Building Trail Blaze Running, Trail Golf, & Building Trail Community in the Midwest

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠ Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount. “I just wanted it to exist, so I made it exist.” In this episode, Troy Meadows talks with Kirk Cherep. Kirk shares how a Spartan Race on his college graduation day lit the spark that eventually led him deep into trail and ultra running, and ultimately into race directing. After falling in love with the community through films by Billy Yang and The Ginger Runner and reading Born to Run, Kirk now directs multiple events through Trailblazer Running in Indiana. False Spring Trail Runs Okadoke Trail Runs Trail Golf Knobstone 50 Kirk also co-owns Tempo Run Timing, timing over 50 events a year, and partners with Runners for Public Lands to give back through trail work at Indiana Dunes National Park . Kirk talks honestly about balance, or the lack of it, and accept that sometimes you’re just “really good at faking it” while juggling family, work, and big goals . This year, he’s lining up for Hellbender 100 and planning big adventure runs like Painted Rocks Lakeshore and a Grand Canyon R2R2R. Kirk's Links IG: @trailblazer.running       @kirkcherep Website: Trailblazer Running – https://www.trailblazerrunning.co Relevant Links Runners for Public Lands – https://www.runnersforpubliclands.org Hellbender 100 – https://hellbender100.com Trail Running Film Festival – https://trailfilmfest.com Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com Proven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US. Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com KICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside. It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined. Run Your Way Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount. ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase.  Kirk Cherep, Trailblazer Running, Knobstone 50, Trail Golf, Midwest trail running, race directing, ultra running, Hellbender 100, Indiana trails, Runners for Public Lands, Indiana Dunes, community building, obstacle course racing, Born to Run, Billy Yang, tempo run timing, work-life balance, trail stewardship,

    1h 46m
  5. #107 Melissa Londry | Building Safe Trail Communities, Running 240 Miles, & Doing It All with Heart

    FEB 11

    #107 Melissa Londry | Building Safe Trail Communities, Running 240 Miles, & Doing It All with Heart

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount. “You can hold space for both family and fierce goals. It just takes intention.” In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with Melissa Londry, a trail runner, race director, business owner, and mom who’s pouring passion into every part of her life. What started as a pandemic-inspired dive into trail running has become a deeply rooted lifestyle centered on advocacy, mental health, and community. Melissa shares her journey from picking up trail shoes during lockdown to directing a growing slate of inclusive, community-driven races in Southwest Virginia. Her events, like the Woodbooger 100, New River Trail Races, and Crystal Springs Ultras are built with heart, intention, and a focus on creating safe, welcoming spaces for all. Beyond race directing, Melissa opens up about: Running a group mental health practice and how it supports her running life The emotional fuel behind her upcoming 240-mile journey across Michigan Creating trauma-informed spaces in trail and ultra-running Balancing parenthood, entrepreneurship, and long training blocks Why her favorite race distance isn’t what you might expect… Melissa's Links IG: @newrivertrailraces @woodbooger_100 @crystalspringsultras @damascusfestivalofmiles TikTok: Melissa.on.the.trail Website: https://www.swvarunning.com/ Relevant Links Melissa’s Mental Health Practice Woodbooger 100 New River Trail Races Crystal Springs Ultras Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order or your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com Proven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com KICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside. It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined. Run Your Way Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount. ⁠ Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/ Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Melissa Londry, trail running, race directing, Woodbooger 100, New River Trail Races, Crystal Springs Ultras, Michigan 240, mental health, trauma-informed running, ultra training, women in trail running, parenting and running, running community, inclusivity, SWVA running, long distance running, running entrepreneur, Troy Meadows, MidPacker Pod “You can hold space for both family and fierce goals. It just takes intention.”

    1h 43m
  6. #106 Kayla Fitzgerald | Building Palmetto Ultras, Fueling the Dream, & The Barkley Fall Classic,

    FEB 3

    #106 Kayla Fitzgerald | Building Palmetto Ultras, Fueling the Dream, & The Barkley Fall Classic,

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH    HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT “Sometimes it’s not about the finish line. It’s about finding joy in the messy middle.” On this episode of the MidPacker Pod, Troy sits down with trail runner, race director, registered dietitian, and mom: Kayla Fitzgerald for a deep, fun, and relatable conversation about how she juggles it all while still chasing big goals in the ultra world. Kayla shares her shift from road racing to trail running after realizing the road scene just didn’t vibe with her. What she found on the trails was community, connection, and a whole new way to push herself. From leading group runs to organizing local races under her brand Palmetto Ultras, Kayla has become a cornerstone of her local running community in South Carolina. We dive into: Balancing parenting, coaching, and 200-mile race training Her experience as a registered dietitian and helping runners dial in their race-day nutrition Upcoming races like Southern States 200, Barkley Fall Classic, and a possible go at Barn Creek Backyard Ultra Her story of pushing through the Beast of the East 50 Miler—with Troy jumping in as an impromptu pacer! Whether you’re a trail veteran or just dipping your toes into the dirt, Kayla’s perspective on doing what you love while doing life is refreshing and real. Athlete Spotlight: Kayla Fitzgerald Registered Dietitian, Nutrition coach, and mom Race director and founder of Palmetto Ultras Focused on inclusive, sustainable community building through trail events Training for Southern States 200 and the Barkley Fall Classic Advocate for fueling smarter and training with joy Kayla's Links IG: @palmetto.ultras Website: Palmettoultras.com Nutrition Coaching Site: Endurance-Nutritionist.com Relevant Links Southern States 200 Barkley Fall Classic Barn Creek Backyard Ultra Beast of the East 50 Miler Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription ⁠ Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.  Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Kayla Fitzgerald, trail running, ultrarunning, Barkley Fall Classic, Southern States 200, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra, Beast of the East, race director, Palmetto Ultras, nutrition for runners, mom runner, balancing life and running, Freetrail, MidPacker Pod

    2 hr
  7. MidPacker Pod Field Notes – Ep 001 | Reset to Rise: VO2 Max, Intentional Rest & the Road to Hellbender

    JAN 27

    MidPacker Pod Field Notes – Ep 001 | Reset to Rise: VO2 Max, Intentional Rest & the Road to Hellbender

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT “It’s not weakness to rest. It’s part of the long game.” In the very first edition of MidPacker Field Notes, host Troy Meadows pulls back the curtain on his early 2026 training season, offering a raw, honest check-in on life, recovery, and what'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. Listeners get a peek into Troy'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. This is a solo episode with real talk, actionable insights, and a strong reminder: rest is part of the work. Training Highlights & Takeaways Took a full week off due to illness—highlighting the value of rest as training Wrapped a 6–7 week VO2 max block featuring uphill intervals and tempo work Kicking off a new 14-week build toward Hellbender 100, with a heavy focus on tempo Planning back-to-back races: Hellbender followed by Laurel Highlands 70.5 Integrating TrainingPeaks to plan and forecast fatigue, fitness, and load management Dialing in race nutrition using Hyperlyte Liquid Performance: Half strength (50g carbs / 500mg sodium) for endurance runs Full strength (100g carbs / 1000mg sodium) for quality workouts Community Shoutouts Samantha crushed her first 50K, on the very trail that sidelined her a year ago Paul completed his first 50-miler in Tucson and is training for Sedona Canyons 125 Troy’s Links IG - @troyontherun Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page Find me on Strava Follow the Show IG - @midpackerpod Relevant Links Hellbender 100 Laurel Highlands Ultra Sedona Canyons 125 Barkley Fall Classic Looking Glass 100k Partner Links:  Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.  Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. 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

    32 min
  8. Trailing Indicators 09 | Year-End Reflections & Big 2026 Goals

    12/31/2025

    Trailing Indicators 09 | Year-End Reflections & Big 2026 Goals

    The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠ ⁠ Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠ Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?  Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH   JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE BEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT TRAINING PEAKS Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ “The spirit of this community is fantastic—and none of these friendships would exist without trail running.” — MVD It’s the final episode of Trailing Indicators for 2025, and Troy is closing out the year with a festive check-in from Corinne Shalvoy (reporting live from snowy Ouray, Colorado) and Matt Van Dalsem (holding it down in Marin). In classic TI fashion, the crew reflects on what went right—and wrong—this year, both on and off the trail. In this episode: Year-end gratitude and reflections on health, family, and the trail community. Race season recaps including Corinne’s stacked calendar, Matt’s one-and-done Big Alta, and Troy’s ultra endurance (and stomach) lessons. Honest talk about DNFs, mental fatigue, and the pressures of racing with intention. 2026 race plans: Corinne: Black Canyon100k, UTMB  Troy: Hellbender 100, Laurel Highlands, & Barkley Fall Classic (maybe). MVD: Big Alta 100K Lessons in balance: parenting, aging, professional pivots, and pacing the long game. Corinne’s Links @corinne_shalvoyage Corinnes’s Coaching Page Shalvoy Running - YouTube Channel Women Can Site Troy’s Links @troyontherun Troyontherun.com Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page MVD Links @mvd_trailrunner Relevant Links UTMB Mont Blanc Hellbender 100 Black Canyon Ultras Javelina Jundred Gorge Waterfalls 100K Silverton Alpine 50K Behind the Rocks Ultra Boulder Boulder 10K Laurel Highlands Ultra Big Alta 100K Barkley Fall Classic Partner Links: Janji - Janji.com A big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com. Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order. Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.com Portable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option.  Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean. Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order. ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/ Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.  Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. MidPacker Pod, Trailing Indicators, trail running podcast, running community, Freetrail podcast, Troy Meadows podcast, Corinne Shalvoy, Matt Van Dalsem, MVD, Troy Meadows, UTMB 2026, Black Canyon Ultras, Hellbender 100, Big Alta 100K, Silverton Alpine 50K, Behind the Rocks Ultra, Javelina Jundred, Boulder Boulder 10K, Laurel Highlands Ultra, Barkley Fall Classic, Gorge Waterfalls 100K, Dark Divide 50K, ultra marathon training, race season reflections, DNF recovery, long distance running, mental resilience in ultras, training for 100 milers

    57 min
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5
out of 5
62 Ratings

About

Freetrail presents The Midpacker Podcast, which follows middle and back of the pack trail runners and ultra runners at the heart of the trail running community. Join host Troy Meadows weekly as he talks through what it takes to balance life and running with everyday runners doing extra ordinary things on and off the trails.

Information

  • Creator
    Freetrail - Hosted by Troy Meadows
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Freetrail - Hosted by Troy Meadows
  • Show Website
    The Midpacker Podcast

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