Episode 63: We Went Live 5K PR, Rocket City Announcements, and Zion 100 with Rhonda Hayden, Ben Green, Chris Lott & Brian Murphy

Episode 63: We Went Live 5K PR, Rocket City Announcements, and Zion 100 with Rhonda Hayden, Ben Green, Chris Lott & Brian Murphy

Anthony and Zach recap their first ever live podcast recorded on location at Southern Prohibition's Big Run 5K in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They break down race day performances including Anthony's 5K PR, reflect on what made the live format so electric, and share what's coming next for the show including bringing on a dedicated videographer named Jeremiah who was weaving through the race course all night capturing content, and their plans to do more live events moving forward. The energy at a live race is just different and after this one, there is no going back. Then stick around for four back to back guest interviews recorded straight from the event. Rhonda Hayden of Kinda Gritty joins to officially announce Endurance State of Mind's Podcast Alley partnership with the Rocket City Marathon, giving listeners a preview of what the 50th anniversary race weekend will look like for runners and fans alike. She breaks down the full podcast alley concept, the six podcasters coming in from across the southeast, and her vision for transforming both the pre race and post race experience for every runner who toes the line in Huntsville this December. Southern Prohibition owner Ben Green talks about catching the running bug at 39, what the mental side of running has meant to him in recent years, building one of the most welcoming run communities in South Mississippi through Wednesday run clubs and Fleet Feet pub runs, his Big Butts 25K goals, his obsession with finding rare sneakers nobody else has on the rack, and what's on tap literally at one of Hattiesburg's best kept secrets. Ultra endurance athlete and certified Sherpa Chris Lott stops by fresh off the 5K to talk about watching Unbound Gravel, heat training for Big Butts, the exploding ultra running scene across Mississippi, and how races like Mississippi 50 are selling out faster every single year. He also reflects on the influence of storytelling and podcasting on the growth of the sport and what it means to have a community of people pushing each other to do hard things. And finally in his third appearance on the pod, Brian Murphy makes it official. He's signing up for the Zion 100, a hundred mile race in Utah next April alongside Zach, Anthony, and what's shaping up to be the largest group of Mississippians ever assembled in the state of Utah at one time. Brian talks through the mental process of leaping from a 50 mile to a 100 mile, why the training is not as different as you might think, what it means to do a destination race with your people, and how a 5K bib number with the digits 1 0 0 on it was the final sign he needed to stop overthinking and just say yes. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

Episode 62: Chosen Violence - Solo Runs, Unbound Mud, Tour de France Preview & The Cam Haynes Peptide Debate

It's a hosts-only episode to celebrate Episode 62, and Anthony and Zach come loaded with topics. Zach kicks things off breaking down his spontaneous Saturday 50K through the streets of Hattiesburg — planned the night before, fueled by electrolyte watermelons, and executed with the kind of locked-in energy that only comes when the family's out of town. Anthony counters with a nostalgia-soaked 10-miler through Oxford, Mississippi, retracing his college stomping grounds and realizing that a walk he used to dread is now just a warm-up. The guys then dive deep into the weekend's biggest endurance news: the infamous mud chaos at Unbound Gravel 200, where "peanut butter mud" clogged drivetrains, ended races, and had pros walking their bikes through two-mile stretches of Mississippi-style muck. From gravel, the conversation shifts to road cycling as Anthony breaks down the Giro d'Italia results, Jonas Vingegaard's dominance, and — most importantly — introduces the audience to 19-year-old French phenom Paul Seixas, the youngest Tour de France starter in 90 years and a name you'll want to know before July. Speaking of the Tour, Anthony and Zach preview what to watch for: the opening team time trial, Remco Evenepoel's mysterious first-half absence and what it means for Red Bull's strategy, and whether Tadej Pogačar is simply untouchable at this point. Then things get genuinely thought-provoking. The guys unpack the Cam Haynes vs. Sage Canaday peptide controversy that's been dividing the ultra running community — debating where the line is between medical necessity, performance enhancement, and transparency, especially for masters athletes competing in non-elite fields. It's a nuanced conversation with no easy answers, and they want to hear where you stand. To close it out, Anthony teases a documentary on microplastics that will make you rethink everything in your kitchen, and the guys announce two big upcoming events: their first-ever live podcast at the Fleet Feet Big Race at Sopro in Hattiesburg, and Podcast Alley at the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama this December — where both hosts will be racing and looking to cause a little trouble. If you're into ultra running, gravel cycling, road racing, endurance culture, or just two guys who genuinely love this stuff talking shop, this one's for you. https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

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