Borderlands Trail (+ Ultra) Running

Josh Rosenthal, Runner
  • 4.8 (40)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Borderlands Trail (+ Ultra) Running

This is a podcast about the heart of ultra running and trail running. We answer questions like: • How do you keep going when you want to quit? • Where is the Trail Running Capital of North America? • What happend to Leadville 100, Badwater, + Dean Karnazes? • Is East Coast or West Coast Trail Running better? We offer our take on such topics like: • UTMB's impact on trail running • Is Katie Schide chasing Courntey Dauwalter for GOAT status? • The impact of "BIG TRAIL RUNNING" on dirtbag running. • Is Trail Running ready for superfans? • Who are the gatekeepers of trail running and how do we get past them? Our bodies can't possible run every ultra race around the world so this podcast does occasional deep dives into the great known and unknown races of the world. Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running. This podcast is formerly known as DFL Before DNF Podcast.

  1. 1 HR. AGO

    Can Trail Runners Thrive in Urban Spaces? with Tommy Lewis

    How do trail runners survive in cities? Josh Rosenthal and Tommy Lewis dive into the challenges and rewards of maintaining a running lifestyle in urban environments. They discuss the unique rhythms of road running compared to trail running, exploring how each offers different forms of joy and fulfillment. Tommy shares his journey from trail enthusiast to urban runner, emphasizing the importance of redefining what it means to be a runner beyond traditional races like marathons. Together, they highlight the beauty of finding community, appreciating the outdoors, and embracing the daily practice of running, regardless of the terrain or distance. Tommy Lewis took the dive and left his dayjob to lean all the way in on ThatsRunnable.com. He writes a brilliant weekly newlsetter and speaks to heart of runners like few others can. ---- Call the Borderlands Hotline - RUNMORE649 That's (786)667-3649. Leave a voice message I can play in a future podcast. We're looking for hot takes, disagreement, agreement, anger, happiness, indifference, etc. ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn Takeaways: Finding joy in running is about defining it on your own terms, not others'. The community aspect of running can enhance the experience, regardless of the environment. Many runners mistakenly believe they must run marathons to be considered legitimate runners. Incorporating variety in training, such as mixing road and trail runs, is crucial. Embracing the daily practice of running fosters a lifelong love for the sport.

    50 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Running Brand Ambassador Problems: BAD RUNNERS TAKE

    Bad Runners Take is back again with Wolffrunner. Running Brand Ambassador relationships. We get it. But they don't always work out. In this episode we run through it all calling out bad programs, celebrating good ones, soliciting some brands to build one. Please take this 60 second survey about the podcast. ---- Call the Borderlands Hotline - RUNMORE649 That's (786)667-3649. Leave a voice message I can play in a future podcast. We're looking for hot takes, disagreement, agreement, anger, happiness, indifference, etc. ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn

    1h 8m

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    Storytelling in Running with Matt Trappe

    Matt Trappe recently started a Trail Running lifestyle brand called Auteur Sportif. He writes a brilliant substack (a Matter of Brand) celebrating running brands and their storytelling. In this episode we celebrate the great brands and enjoy a brainstorm how to make the good ones better. Please take this podcast survey. Please take this survey for our upcoming app, wylder. ---- Call the Borderlands Hotline - RUNMORE649 That's (786)667-3649. Leave a voice message I can play in a future podcast. We're looking for hot takes, disagreement, agreement, anger, happiness, indifference, etc. ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn

    1h 4m

  4. NOV 15

    Breaking Down DNF Culture: Why We Need to Celebrate Our Miles.

    This podcast episode dives deep into the controversial culture surrounding DNFs (Did Not Finish) in ultra running, with hosts Brian and Josh discussing the social constructs and emotional weight attached to these outcomes. Brian passionately argues that runners should be able to celebrate their efforts, regardless of whether they complete a race, pointing out the absurdity of labeling a significant distance as a failure. The conversation expands to explore the pressures and expectations placed on amateur runners compared to elite athletes, highlighting the different motivations and mentalities in play. Additionally, the hosts reflect on the implications of race metrics and how the ultra running community could evolve to better recognize the achievements of those who may not finish but still push their limits. With a mix of humor and serious reflection, the episode encourages listeners to reconsider how they perceive and react to DNFs in the sport. ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn Takeaways: The DNF culture in ultra running creates unnecessary stigma around not finishing races. Runners invest significant time and effort into training, making DNFs feel like failures. There should be alternative metrics for race completion rather than just DNF statuses. Celebrating accomplishments in running, even if they don't result in a finish, is important. The podcast discusses how elite runners view DNFs differently than amateur runners. There is a need for a cultural shift in how we perceive and discuss DNFs.

    46 min

  5. NOV 14

    Just the Music.

    In Episode 100 I introduced 4 songs along with their stories. In this episode I offer brief introduction and give you the music back to back without interuption. I'm calling this music project CAVALE. And this group of songs is called 'Into the Virgin Desert'. Again, thank you so much for listening and supporting. The future looks bright. I can't wait to do the next 100 episodes. ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Sealevel Insights. Imagine yourself complete in control of your small business finances. Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn

    16 min

  6. NOV 12

    [MUSIC] Suffering and surviving an ultratrail race, EPISODE 100

    I wrote 4 songs of what I think midrace suffering sounds like. On the occassion of episode 100, I am releasing them along with what inpsired them and this podcast. Survey ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn

    41 min

  7. NOV 9

    Ultra Runners on a Sanctioned Russian Plane to Antarctica: Exposing the Controversy

    In this episode we talk about articles by Marley for Canadian Running Magazine. In my opinion there is no better magazine on running news. U.S. running tourism company using disguised Russian plane for Antarctic raceRuth Chepngetich shatters women’s world record at Chicago MarathonU.S. ultrarunner Camille Herron involved in Wikipedia controversyRunning influencer Matt Choi disqualified from New York City Marathon The latest episode of the Borderlands Trail podcast dives deep into the complexities of recent stories in the running world, including a significant discussion on the implications of using pacers in marathon races, highlighted by Ruth Chepngetich's record-setting performance in Chicago. Host Josh Rosenthal and journalist Marley Dickinson explore how the use of pacers can alter the nature of competition, raising questions about authenticity and strategy in elite races. The conversation also touches on the ongoing saga surrounding Camille Herron and the fallout from her recent controversies, as well as a scandal involving a Russian airline used for a major marathon event. The duo examines the broader implications for athletes and the sport, including the potential for increased scrutiny and the ethics of competitive running. As they unpack these narratives, listeners are invited to consider what defines true competition in the world of athletics. ---- Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn

    54 min

  8. NOV 7

    HOKA Revolution: How a Brand Changed Trail Running Forever

    Hoka is directly repsonsible for much of the exponential growth of trail running. The Best Hoka Running Shoes Right Now. Josh Rosenthal and Taylor Bodin (Lead Trail Reviewer, Believe in the Run) dive deep into the world of HOKA, a brand that has revolutionized trail and ultra running with its innovative footwear. They discuss how HOKA emerged during a time dominated by minimalist trends, introducing a maximalist approach that has reshaped expectations in the running community. Taylor shares insights about the evolution of HOKA's shoe technology, including the introduction of high stack cushioning and rocker designs that enhance performance. The conversation highlights the brand’s impressive growth, underscored by their recent success in exceeding sales projections, and its impact on the broader trail running landscape. Throughout their discussion, Josh and Taylor emphasize HOKA's commitment to the running community, showcasing how the brand continues to engage with athletes and enthusiasts alike. ---- [Sponsor] Sealevel Insights: Imagine mastering your small business finances. Devil's Gulch 100 miler, 50 miler, 13.1 miles. Wenatchee, WA - July 13, 2025 Salt Lake Footshills Trail Races. Salt Lake City, UT - May 31, 2025 VKTRY Insoles - I wear these every run, 20% off. PATH Projects - My favorite running shorts, Borderlands10 for 10% off. --- Borderlands Instagram YouTube Threads LinkedIn Takeaways: HOKA has revolutionized the ultra trail running market with its maximalist shoe design. The brand's unique approach contrasts sharply with the minimalist trend popularized by Born to Run. HOKA's deep connection to the community is evident through their support of events like Devil's Gulch 100 Miler. Taylor Bodine's insights provide a comprehensive view of HOKA's shoe technology evolution since 2009. The Speedgoat shoe, named after Carl Meltzer, is a favorite among ultra runners for its performance. HOKA's success is attributed to its innovative marketing strategies and commitment to quality gear.

    57 min
See All (106)

4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

This is a podcast about the heart of ultra running and trail running. We answer questions like: • How do you keep going when you want to quit? • Where is the Trail Running Capital of North America? • What happend to Leadville 100, Badwater, + Dean Karnazes? • Is East Coast or West Coast Trail Running better? We offer our take on such topics like: • UTMB's impact on trail running • Is Katie Schide chasing Courntey Dauwalter for GOAT status? • The impact of "BIG TRAIL RUNNING" on dirtbag running. • Is Trail Running ready for superfans? • Who are the gatekeepers of trail running and how do we get past them? Our bodies can't possible run every ultra race around the world so this podcast does occasional deep dives into the great known and unknown races of the world. Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running. This podcast is formerly known as DFL Before DNF Podcast.

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