Endurance State of Mind

Episode 61: From Economics Professor to Ultra Addict | Ward Sayre on Longevity in Running

In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, Anthony Herrington and Zach Vogt sit down with ultrarunner, marathoner, and economics professor Ward Sayre for a deep dive into endurance sports, longevity, and the mindset behind racing over 70 ultramarathons. Ward shares how he went from running cross country in a small Texas town to completing some of the most challenging trail races in the country. From the Flying Pig Marathon to Bighorn 100, Sedona Canyons 125, and countless 50Ks and 100 milers, Ward explains how consistency, patience, and smart training have allowed him to keep showing up year after year. The conversation covers: *  How Ward balances ultrarunning with life, work, and family  *  Why recovery and sleep matter more than most runners realize  *  The role of strength training and 80/20 running  *  Lessons learned from DNFs at mountain ultras  *  Training for altitude as a runner from Mississippi  *  The hidden costs of endurance sports  *  Building community through local trail races  *  Why ultrarunning is more about longevity than speed  If you love trail running, ultramarathons, marathon training, endurance sports, or hearing real conversations about the mental and physical side of going long, this episode is packed with insights and stories from decades in the sport. Whether you're training for your first 50K, chasing a 100 miler, or dreaming about races like Western States, Cocodona, or Leadville, this episode with Ward Sayre delivers wisdom every endurance athlete can learn from. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

Episode 60: From DNFs to 200 Miles: Blake Colton’s Journey Through Loss, Grit, and Ultra Running

In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Zach and Anthony sit down with ultra runner Blake Colton to talk about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to keep showing up when things get hard. Blake shares his journey from high school running and BMX racing to tackling some of the toughest endurance events in the country, including the Mississippi 100, Run Rabbit Run, and Cross Florida 200. We dive into the viral “flood year” at Mississippi 100, pacing strategy, training while working full-time as an electrician, and the reality of balancing endurance sports with family life. The conversation also goes deeper than racing. Blake opens up about battling multiple DNFs, dealing with gut issues during long races, meeting David Goggins at Cross Florida 200, and using running as a way to process the loss of his brother-in-law to cancer. Through it all, Blake talks about finding purpose through endurance sports and how the ultra running community helped shape his outlook on life. We also cover: *  Running 200-mile races while working full-time  *  Trail running vs marathon culture  *  Mississippi 100 race stories and flood year conditions  *  Nutrition mistakes, Taco Bell cravings, and ultra fueling  *  Mental toughness and recovery during ultras  *  Social media, content creation, and documenting the journey from day one  *  The future goal of using endurance and content creation to give back  Whether you’re training for your first ultra marathon or just looking for motivation to keep pushing forward, this episode is packed with honest conversation, real struggle, and the mindset needed to endure. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

Episode 59: 125 Miles in Sedona: What We Saw From the Pacer's Seat

In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Anthony Herrington and Zach Vogt recap an unforgettable trip to Arizona while crewing and pacing their friend Hezekiah through the brutal Sedona Canyons 125 ultramarathon. From delayed flights and desert adventures to sleepless nights, aid station chaos, hallucinations, and emotional highs and lows, this episode gives a raw behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to survive a 125-mile ultra. Anthony and Zach break down the entire experience — pacing through the night, managing nutrition failures, dealing with sleep deprivation, and learning firsthand how quickly things can unravel in extreme endurance events. The conversation also dives into lessons learned from the ultra world, including fueling strategies, pacing mistakes, recovery, mental toughness, and why real food may matter more than gels during multi-day races. Along the way, they share stories from Sedona, encounters with elite ultrarunners, thoughts on Cocodona 250, and how the experience left all of them “Coco curious” about taking on even bigger endurance challenges in the future. Whether you’re an ultrarunner, trail runner, endurance athlete, or someone fascinated by the mental side of pushing human limits, this episode delivers an honest and entertaining look into the world of 100+ mile racing and the people crazy enough to chase it. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

Episode 58: Fondren Urban Ultra Recap: 80 Miles, Ultra Running Strategy & Mindset

In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, we break down an elite-level performance at the Fondren Urban Ultra, where Arrmon Abedikichi reached the 80-mile mark in a 12-hour race format. This wasn’t just a big day—it was the result of years of consistency, small improvements, and a completely different way of thinking about training and racing. Arrmon walks us through what it actually took to get there, from dialing in every detail to pushing through the mental battle in the final hours. We cover ultra running strategy, endurance training, mental toughness, and race-day execution, including: *  Ultra marathon fueling and hydration strategies  *  Eliminating downtime and building efficient crew systems  *  Mental strategies for staying present and managing pain  *  Training structure (10-day blocks vs traditional 7-day weeks)  *  Visualization, breathing techniques, and mindset work  *  The role of competition and how it elevates performance  Then the episode takes a turn—Arrmon flips the script and starts asking the questions. We get into mindset, life outside of running, fear, growth, and what it actually means to push yourself in different areas of life. It turns into a deeper conversation than we expected, and honestly, one of the more interesting parts of the episode. Whether you're training for your first ultra marathon or trying to level up your endurance, this episode provides real insight from someone actively pushing the edge of what’s possible. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

Episode 57: Hot Takes, Sub-2 Madness, and a Trip We’re Not Ready For (Don't listen to this Hezekiah)

In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Zach and Anthony break down one of the biggest weeks in endurance sports, covering the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, and the shocking breakthrough of the sub 2 hour marathon barrier. We start with a recap of the Boston Marathon, highlighting standout performances from Mississippi runners and friends of the show, including elite level finishes and what it takes to compete at that level. From pacing strategies to race day conditions, we dive into what made Boston such a strong showing this year. Then we shift to the London Marathon and one of the most historic moments in distance running. Multiple athletes breaking the 2 hour marathon mark has completely changed the landscape of professional running. We discuss what led to this breakthrough, including advancements in super shoes, fueling strategies, training volume, and the increasing depth of elite competition. This episode also explores the impact of modern running technology, including lightweight racing shoes, carbon plates, and how brands like Adidas and Nike are pushing the limits of human performance. Is this a new era in marathon running or just the beginning? To wrap things up, we preview our upcoming trip to Sedona, Arizona, where we will be crewing and pacing a 125 mile ultramarathon. We talk about what goes into supporting an ultra runner, the challenges of multi day endurance events, and what we are expecting from the experience on the ground. If you are into marathons, ultra running, Ironman training, endurance sports, or just want to understand how athletes continue to push the limits of performance, this episode is for you. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu