For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Want change in the way your races are organized? Then speak up about it! Libby Jones is the owner and race director for The Active Joe, a race production company out of Dallas, Texas that focuses on the "average joes" out there getting active. She has directed running races for 17 years and currently produces trail and road running events 6 race days a year for The Active Joe. The company has a focus on affordable racing while providing opportunities to get active in a safe and inviting way for communities previously underrepresented in running. Jon chats with Libby about: ● overcoming health challenges (Fibromyalgia) ● going from runner to race director ● diversity and inclusion in running ● efforts to include underrepresented groups ● challenges and progress in race directing Follow Libby on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbyruns/ Follow Active Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theactivejoe/ Active Joe’s website: https://www.theactivejoe.com/ Active Joe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheActiveJoe/ Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dinosaurvalley100/ This episode is supported by: Tifosi Boulderthon PUMA Shokz (use code "FTLR" for $10 off)

When your motto is “young and fit,” what does it look like to train for Western States? Hans Troyer is a 25 year old pro ultrarunner who set the course record at the Bandera 100k in 2024 and who finished second at the 2025 Canyons 100k, earning him a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100. Listen to hear about: * Discovering the trail scene and becoming a pro runner * The draw of the pain cave and suffering * Preparation for Western States 100 * Hans’ fueling and nutrition strategies on and off the course * The brands Hans loves Stay connected: * Hans on Instagram: instagram.com/hanstroyer  [https://instagram.com/hanstroyer] * Hans on YouTube: youtube.com/@HansIsYoungAndFit  [https://www.youtube.com/@HansIsYoungAndFit] * THE KID documentary: youtube.com/watch?v=ZZmeB4qub_U [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZmeB4qub_U]  * Find Hans Troyer on Strava * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * Pillar: If you’re looking to step up your performance, check out PILLAR at TheFeed.com [https://thefeed.com/] and use FTLR for 15% off your first purchase. * GOES: Need a trail companion that’s smarter than your average gear? Meet GOES [https://goes.health/]—the essential outdoor app created by wilderness medicine doctors. Whether you're planning your next adventure or handling a backcountry emergency, GOES gives you expert medical guidance—even without cell service. Tap a body part, assess the risk, and get clear next steps. It’s like having a backcountry medic in your pocket—and it’s an absolute must-have in our kit. Use code 25FTLR30 for 30% off an annual GOES+ plan. GOES+ gives you access to the rewards program, plus much more additional medical content and our emergency assessment tool! * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org]. * Visit Leadville: So you think you know Leadville? Lake County has so much more to offer year-round than just the 100 miler in the summer. If you’re thinking of getting away, highly recommend booking a trip to Leadville to get up into the mountains, eat yummy food, and play outside. Check out more of what Leadville has to offer here! [https://www.instagram.com/visitleadville/]

This is a double-header episode hearing from two experienced pacers and crew members: Amelia Boone and Alex Hildebrandt. Both have experience successfully crewing and pacing elite athletes. This episode was recorded in 2023, but is full of evergreen content! In this episode we talk about: -tips for assembling your perfect crew team, starting understanding your crew needs: logistics help, gear and nutrition, cheerleading, pacing, and more -advice for crew members and things to discuss with your athlete, including logistics and crewing by bike  -dealing with DNFs, curveballs and different challenges faced by athletes and crew  -ultra pacing 101: pre race considerations, running etiquette, and real time responses  -navigating aid stations and race plans Tune in to Episode 47 [https://forthelong.run/episodes/47-amelia-boone-training-and-racing-with-an-ever-evolving-why] and Episode 97 [https://forthelong.run/episodes/97-amelia-boone-should-we-define-happiness] to hear Amelia Boone’s previous appearances on the show. Follow Amelia on Instagram @arboone11 and  Alex @alex_hildebrandt and For The Long Run @forthelrpod  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/forthelongrun/support  Past guests on For The Long Run include: 177. Molly Seidel; 226. Mike "Kofuzi"; 228. Kara Goucher; 59. Shalane Flanagan; 234. Camille Herron; 198. Courtney Frerichs; 229. Jes Woods; 207. Tyler Andrews; 197. Dean Karnazes; 206. Katie Arnold; 220. CJ Albertson; 153. Joe Holder; 199. Kelly Roberts; 188. Gwen Jorgensen; 205. Emily Abbate; 209. Sara Vaughn; 174. Nick Bare; 97 Amelia Boone; 101. Courtney Dauwalter, 219. Dylan Bowman; 191. Matt Chittim; 200. David Roche; and more!

Get an inside look at what it’s like to run Western States! Adam Peterman is a professional trail runner living in Missoula, Montana who ran for the University of Colorado. Listen to hear about: * Adam’s love-hate relationship with the Mags run in Boulder * The decision to pursue a career as a pro trail runner * Adam’s approach to racing and embracing the unknown * A sacral stress fracture and how Nordic skiing may have contributed to it * Preparing for a return to Western States * An inside look at fueling for races Stay connected: * Adam on Instagram: instagram.com/adampeterman_ [https://instagram.com/adampeterman_]  * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org. [http://www.boulderthon.org] * Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link! [https://tifosiopticsinc.pxf.io/4GWNnM] * GOES: Need a trail companion that’s smarter than your average gear? Meet GOES [https://goes.health/] —the essential outdoor app created by wilderness medicine doctors. Whether you're planning your next adventure or handling a backcountry emergency, GOES gives you expert medical guidance—even without cell service. Tap a body part, assess the risk, and get clear next steps. It’s like having a backcountry medic in your pocket—and it’s an absolute must-have in our kit. Use code 25FTLR30 for 30% off an annual GOES+ plan. GOES+ gives you access to the rewards program, plus much more additional medical content and our emergency assessment tool! * Shokz: This episode is supported by Shokz. They stay in place and you'll be safe and sound because they don't go in your ears. ⁠Use code FTLR for $10 off your purchase! [https://shokz.com/?utm_source=FTLR&utm_medium=website]

We’re only a couple of weeks from the Western States Endurance Run, so we caught up with a pro for an inside look at strategizing for it! Riley Brady is a professional ultra trail runner for Nike Trail living and training in Boulder, CO. Jon chatted with them about: * The process of earning a golden ticket to Western States * How Riley’s low salt loss rate influences fueling choices * “Collective effervescence” in a 100 miler * Managing nausea and staying focused in ultras * Aiming for a sub 2:36 at CIM * Balancing personal goals with sponsorship obligations Stay connected: * Riley on Instagram: instagram.com/rye.outside  [https://www.instagram.com/rye.outside] * Follow Riley Brady on Strava * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com [http://www.puma.com]. * Pillar: If you’re looking to step up your performance, check out PILLAR at TheFeed.com [http://thefeed.com] and use FTLR for 15% off your first purchase. * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org]. * Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link! [https://tifosiopticsinc.pxf.io/4GWNnM]