This solo episode is equal parts major announcement, status update, and classic Cultra over-share. AFB checks in on where the show has been, announces a big geographic expansion for Cultra TRP, lays out full details for the 2026 #CUT112 / #CUT50, and closes with a personal update on a long-overdue shoulder replacement.

Intro music by Nick Byram

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More Information on the #CUT112 

 

Ian Golden from The Trails Collective, Finger Lakes Running Co., Red Newt Racing joins Evil Becky Burke to talk about the challenges of coaching runners of all ages and abilities. 

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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More Information on the #CUT112 

 

 

AFB and Evil Becky Burke are back at it, serving up a full platter of ultra goodness from Vermont to Rhode Island, with detours through the Catskills, Soapstone, Notchview, and the Squatchy Surprise in NJ. We're breaking down the highs, lows, and bug bites from recent races, plus dishing on who crushed it, who gutted it out, and who set new course records. 

Art wrestles with "The Yips" on technical trails, Evil Becky relives her sandy Ocean State Ultra dropout at mile 50, and we both agree-some courses need to rethink their "short loop at the end" strategy.

We tip our trucker hats to our Patreon trail legends. There's also talk of Escarpment ambitions, a potential Badger 100 return, awning insurance, and Evil Becky's upcoming birthday week.

Episode Highlights:

• Vermont 100, Escarpment Trail Run, Catskills 30K
• Squatchy Surprise magic & Soapstone Assault grit
• Ocean State Ultra: dunes, shuttles, and sand in bad places
• Notchview highs, lows, and shoe swap disasters
• Bug-proof hats that actually work

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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More Information on the #CUT112 

Escarpment Trail Run

Soapstone

Squatchy Surprise 

Notchview Ultra

Ocean State Ultra

Its time for Western States. And Manitous Revenge, and everything else!  Dont miss this  show!

 

Obitutary for Chris Bustard 

Western States Info

Manitous Revenge

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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More Information on the #CUT112 

 

The Undisputed World Champion Fixer of Ultra Runner's Feet, and author John Vonhof joins the Cultra Crew as we get expert advice on how to handle and prevent many of the foot disasters such as blisters, maceration, and toe nail losss that befuttle and perplex ultra runners everywhere!  John shares his vast experience from Western States, Badwater, and the deep dank jungle and helps us make sense of it all. His famous book "Fixing Your Feet" is now in its 7th edition and serves as a graduate level reference document that is designed to offer easy to find well organized and complete advice. So stop posting dumbass questions on your MyFace page and listen to this episode and buy his book.

We also hit the Patreon list, and talk a little more CUT112!

Pick up his book Fixing Your Feet

Austrailian Sock Company wildernesswear

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Evil Becky Burke, Ellie Pelle and Art F'n Byram interview a bunch of crazy beautiful people who ran across Connecticut as part of the 2023 #CUT112 Ultra Marathon, a point to point trail running event with three options: 112 Miles, 100K or 50 Mile. The courses follow the Blue Blazes of the New England Trail (NET) from the MA-CT border to the Long Island Sound in Guilford, CT. This route strings together some of the best trail running in Connecticut including Suffield Mountain, Peak Mountain, Hatchet Hill, Wilcox Park, Penwood State Park (Traprock 50k), Heublein Tower, MDC Reservoirs, Rattlesnake Mountain, Pinnacle Rock, Crescent Lake, Ragged Mountain (Run Ragged), Castle Craig, Lamentation Mountain, Chauncey Peak, Mount Higby, Powder Ridge, Tri-Mountain State Park, Bluff Head (Bimblers Bluff 50k) , Cockaponset State Forest, East River Preserve, and the Guilford Point waterfront. The Course is not marked except by the blue blazes of Connecticut Forest and Parks. Runners need to navigate themselves and know the route. We have fun with Jessica Crandall, Jamie Miller, Jacque Sarbaach, Lee Davis, Matt Geary, and Fred Wills as they recount all the fun that happens on the trails that most people don't care about!

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Evil Becky sits down with the talented Jessie Makela to talk ultra numbers. As long-distance runners, we are often pegged as being a bit neurotic, and there's one thing we all seem to love...NUMBERS. Whether those numbers represent distance, elevation, pace, speed, time, calories, heart rate or something else, chances are we're all keeping one or more "running" tallies. EB and Jessie talk about the joys of running and how all that number counting can both clear and clutter our path. So, can we count on you to listen in (get it...count...numbers).   Jesse's Results  

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Fastest Known Time, Falcon Trail Guide author, photographer-stud-funny-man Eli Burakian went 13 days unsupported across Iceland, and then calls up AFB just before he takes down his Rhode Island North South unsupported FKT.  He then blazes down the patreon list kicking ass and scalping names!   And begs AFB to tell the story of the Erie Canal. Welcome to the shit show....

Check out his FKTs

UltraSignup Results

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Ellie Pell joins Evil Becky, the Fredmill, and AFB in a high spirited Jackassing episode and review of Lake Waramaug which is the longest 100k in the country. OK longest running 100k.  

Amazing Breakneck Video from 2022

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. This episode shines in the beginning as AFB and The Murolovator Jackass around, talk literature, Nike, and more. About 45 minutes later, we are joined by our guest Chris Fisher. Instead of staying holed up in a hotel all winter, Chris went out and summited all 59 of Colorado's highest peaks.  OK so the Cultra Crew has limited dank Beta on climbing, but we do our best to play it cool, with our cool guest.  Then Chris just demolishes the Patreon list! 

Fastest Known Times 

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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We get to know Denver's Alex Cummings a humble good hearted trail runner who tells us an amazing story of what happened to him and his friends on the way to Desert Rats, as they turn a car accident into a random act of kindness for a Ukraininan family. Thanks to little Babby Bobby Byram for making the connection!

We also hear about Runamuck 50K  try to talk Boston Marathon.

Do you have a "Pocket Ross"?

Are you able to train a pig to say your name? 

 

Uniting for Ukraine

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Traprock 50k and 17K is a rite of passage for many New England Runners. AFB gets a chance to talk about all the FS that happens on the trails that most normal people don't care about. Stories are told, and monkeys scream!  We hear from first timers, six timers, old timers and youngsters. And AFB gets some great Manitous Revenge advice from running legend Kehr Davis, so  Buckle up!

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Traprock 50K looks stacked and its gonna be Hot! We take a look at "Whats up in the West" Talk some Boston Marathon, and recap the 4th Annual Hoppin Hodges 50K! We got our audio back this week! We also enjoy playing a call to the Cultra Karaoke Hotline 203-Dog-Gent, Talk about gambling and Ultra Running, and so much more.

We then have a discussion about Kara Goucher and Nike.  

If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse please seek professional help.

Sign up to run or volunteer at Lake Waramaug sign up for the Cultra Monkey Aid Station!

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Steve Magnus

Davey Crocket's Book on Frank Hart

Outro music by Nick Byram

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332: The Vermont 100 "Miler" Endurance Race

Our very own podcast famous Jamie Miler, a.k.a., Jamie Miller recently ran VT100, one of the oldest and most iconic trail races in the US, so we take some time to get all the explicit details from Jamie and her crew. This is a great episode to listen to during a long run, and in preparation to either Crew, or run the Vermont 100. We also take some time to recognize the top finishers and some of the friends of the podcast who participated, and in some cases set records at this classic old school ultra trail running event. 

We cover:

• The unique nature of Vermont 100's hybrid runner-and-horse format
• Course insights, challenges, and the magic of overnight miles
• Crew logistics, aid station drama, and why pierogies matter
• Reflections on race culture, the evolving social contract, and what "support" really means in ultrarunning
• Why this race still punches you in the gut and why we keep coming back to the #VT100

Credits:
Produced and hosted by Cultra TRP
Featuring Jamie Miler, Alex McDaniel, Emily Vollmer, and Jacki Smith. Kudos to Brandon Hubbard.
Pierogies by Cowshed Aid Station 🥟

Vermont 100 Endurance Race

Beast Coast Trail Running

Vermont 100 Endurance Race

Here is a great interiew by TJM of Race Director Amy Rusiecki 

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Really bad audio on this episode... but it is is tolerable.  Lake Waramaug 100k is the oldest 100k in the country, and its not that far from the Belly of the Beast Coast, so we are all going to be there to support it. And support is good! 

If you dont like the Cultra Patreons then the first 2 hours of this episode may not be for you!

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Buy Freds Book Running Home

Outro music by Nick Byram

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The Speed project is a free flowing relay race between LA and LV, without a defined route, or even set rules. The OG route was first run by a relay team 10 years ago.  Cole Crosby set out to find out what it would be like to retrace their steps solo. Cole shares his highs and lows with us and makes us a part of his 346 mile run.

 

Learn more about Lake Waramaug Ultras

The Speed Project Article

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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12 Hours of cold hail, sleet, rain and mud didnt stop Matt Pacheco and Brenda Fortin from breaking the course records.  Brenda's husband Rufus Chaffee who also posted an impressive result joins AFB and EB who had great days out there as well. Ellie Pell is back to lead the discussion on an episode that digs into how to stay in a race when it would otherwise be easy to bail out. 

Spring on the Trails

Manitous Revenge

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Ellie Pell brings it to Cultra, offering an update to her exploits, and lots of other good stuff as we discuss Des Linden, and Kara Goucher, Barkleys, injuries and more.

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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Born to a teenage mother, Stephen Littlewood survived an extremely difficult childhood marked by uncertainty and change. He escaped that world and launched a career in the Marines gaining experience in the Intelligence Community and Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations. After nearly 20 years he left military service and has focused on helping others survive and thrive. As a new father he has faced the demons of his past and has used these skills to be present in his family life as he nurtures a son through unimaginable early life difficulties. He is a certified endurance coach and also operates a Search and Rescue training company, and has written a book entitled When Good Trails Go Bad: Planning, Surviving, & Being Rescued From Your Worst Day On the Trail. In this book, he not only draws from his vast experience, but references the work of others and it becomes evident that he wrote this book to help others, not to simply make a profit.

This man has clearly made a difference in the world and the people he has come in contact with.

 

Check out his book: When Good Trails Go Bad: Planning, Surviving & Being Rescued From Your Worst Day on the Trail

Sign up for Vertical Madness: 

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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The Cultra Crew hangs out with the "undisputed" 2018 Boston Marathon Champion Des Linden and discusses her first Memoir CHOOSING TO RUN which has some of the best blow by blow race descriptions ever. Des tells us what its like to set up a race plan, but be nimble enough to switch gears and really give it everyhthing you have, but then the Crew kicks in and porta potty humor prevails.  We actually learn the secret hand signals that Elite Marathon Runners use to communicate during races!

Des will be making her transition into trail running, and we look forward to seeing her in a mile, mile and a half.

Buy her book, because it is excellent and AFB will likely not be letting go of his copy!

 

Information on Pre Ordering Choosing To Run

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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"When I was young, no dogs could vote!" - AFB

Art and Fred launch their own brand of tertiary quality TRP content, sharing stories of what it was like in the good old days. We also continue our soft open of the Cultra Clothes line of Pod gear, now featuring our Totally Joking Man parody T We also discuss what happens when the weather is nice and we never really back off? Do we need a down season? Tune in to find out, or risk it all. Hey we warned you…

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Colchester Half Marathon or the one and a half double half. See ToNy Bonanno for more details

Outro music by Nick Byram

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The captain is in the house! Yes Sam "Tiberious" Kirk joins Evil Becky Phred and AFB and shares insight into Mt Biking racing and a short but action packed Elite Ultra Running life. Sam is so much fun, and recounts stories of his 7th place JFK finish. He also lets us into his head as he prepares his bid to grab a Golden ticket at the upcoming Black Canyon 100K next week!  With his PMA, mustache and graduate level advice received from the Cultra Crew, our money is on him!

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Black Canyon 100k

Outro music by Nick Byram

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We were going to record an Episode with Kim Levinsky, but then Ian invited her over for a 
Trails Collective party (that we crashed) and ablsolute legend Ultrarunner John Geesler is there, and he is telling stories, that are pure Podcast gold about sleep running and other graduate level ultra  shit.  Ray-Gun Fitzgibbons (AKA Monkey Stuffer) joins Evil Becky and I and we all just groove on the vibe of the old school party tunes.  So yeah in the end we just Hijack the show.

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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If you are offended by road noise this is not your episode. AFB and Evil Becky join Tolerable Bill Odendahl and "Monkey Stuffer" Fitzgibbons for a before and after hot take on the 6 Hour Frosty Fat Sass put on by Kim Levinsky the Trail Party peeps at Sass Squad.  We give our explicit and raw views and recount a very fun day spent with the great New Jersey trail folks at South Mountain Reservation.

Outro music by Nick Byram

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In this episode, AFB and Evil Becky dive deep into the madness and method behind prepping for their 48-hour showdown at Notch View. With ice towels, grilled quesadillas, and hallucination avoidance on the menu, the duo breaks down their pacing strategies, sleep plans, nutrition math, and mental game-while still finding time to argue over pee bottles and AI coaching.

Art unveils his "douche canoe" plan to knock out 75 miles in the first 24 hours, relying on hydration tricks and skills gleaned from the Tour De France and Erie Canal Trail before sleeping, rinsing and repeating. Evil Becky brings the heat (or more accurately, plans to sleep through it), favoring strategic hill-walking, silence at the start, and keeping her sanity intact by avoiding Art as long as possible.

They tackle the high-stakes game of ultra-fueling from Tailwind and Precision gels to grilled cheese and reflect on how runners tie self-worth to results (and why that's dangerous). Bonus: Evil Becky shares her favorite comfort foods and confirms she will not be participating in any pee bottle experiments, thank you very much. Or is it all behind the "Pay Wall"?

 

Highlights & Segments: (Times Quoted are most likely B.S.)

• 00:03:10 – Art's "75-Mile Day One" plan and Evil Becky's eye-roll
• 00:10:45 – Cooling tactics: neck ice vs. strategic napping
• 00:17:00 – Nutrition: 100-cal vs. 300-cal per hour philosophies
• 00:24:30 – Pee bottles: creative solution or horrifying idea?
• 00:30:15 – Favorite race foods: ramen, grilled cheese, quesadillas, and more
• 00:37:40 – Sleep, silence, and social limits during ultras
• 00:46:55 – Evil Becky's "start in silence" mindset
• 00:52:10 – Western States recap: self-worth, struggle, and grace
• 00:59:00 – Predictions for hallucinations, mileage, and midnight snacks

 

Quotable Moment:

• "Sometimes silence is my best pacer." – Evil Becky

 

Deep Thoughts that most won't discuss:

Is sleep deprevation worth the cognitive impairment?  This may be the limiting factor… What is your limiting factor, Do you have one?

Got a weird race food you swear by? Ever seen a shadow person at hour 41? Share your stories with us in the comments, tag @cultratrailrunning, or shout them at us when we're too tired to respond. Or join our Facebook page.

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Outro music by Nick Byram

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More Information on the #CUT112 

 

Kat is awesome! and she has now joined the Cultra Crew. We re-live our time together at Badger 100, talk about Manatous, The CUT112 and The Mines of Spain.  Plus so much more on this hilarious episode.

Learn more about Cathy Troisi

Information on The King of Pain (road race)

Mines of Spain TrIal Races

Sign up for Jimmy Mac's Vertical Madness

Outro music by Nick Byram

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Here we come with some baller winter running advice on how to keep your hands warm and your muffin toasty.

Mary Shelly was kicking monster ass at 19

Outro music by Nick Byram

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RUNNING & BIRTHDAYS. Evil Becky sits down with the Monkey Stuffer (aka Reagan Fitzgibbons) on her birthday to discuss the running traditions, challenges, resolutions and goals she has set for herself over the years. We reflect on where we've BEEN, where we ARE, where we're GOING and, most notably, how none of it is ever how we planned. Are ya one, are ya two..... And yes, I made the executive decision to use a picture of her vomiting after a race while I'm smiling into the camera for this episode because that's what friends are for!   

Outro music by Nick Byram

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THE SHOW NOTES (A PLAY in One Act) written by Cultra Bot

 

Art: (puts down his vegan burrito) hey Jimmy could you put some other good stuff here?

Jimmy: yeah but it's going to cost you (does that money thing with his fingers in the air.)

Art: fuck no- you have cost us enough. Are you even worth it? (Art knows Jimmy is not worth it...)

Jimmy: oh most defintely not, but what I lack in talent I make up for in opinions about books. And authors. I am well read. Quite.

Art: (eyes light up, gets idea for the remaining 2023 shows and stifles the urge to give Jimmy ten thousand dollars) okay I'll throw in an extra... five... no, ten grand!

Jimmy: sick deal my guy, I got you fam (proceeds to open large suitcase for the cash)

Art: (fuck what did I just do?) iViva la Cultra!

FIN

 

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We had 49 episodes in 2022 and so many great memories spent with all of yall.  This episode is kind of like a Whitman's Sampler with lots of sweet spots and something for everyone.  We also recognize and celebrate Fred Murolo's 41 year running streak* and look back at the year. 

*with a poop break 

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Riley is a runner. We talk about Riley's rise through the sport and what is ahead- we know what is happening for Riley on the last weekend of June though! And we will have a new friend to follow at Western States. High fives! 

We also discuss the potential fate of the monkey, and Cultra Bot arrives at the end of the episode to save the day.  

Western States Non-Binary policy

Canadian Trail running's article on WS100's policy

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The Cultra Crew get down with the world famous ultra influential authors Christopher McDougall and Coach Eric Orton and discuss all the fun shit that happens on the trails and in life that most normal people dont care about. We also take a deep dive into their new book "Born to Run 2- The Ultimate Training Guide". All of this is done in our explicit and raw-like-the-trails-we-run-on  Cultra style.

Dont miss this one!

Buy Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide

Buy The Cool Impossible

Buy Running with Sherman: HOW A RESCUE DONKEY INSPIRED A RAG-TAG GANG OF RUNNERS TO ENTER THE CRAZIEST RACE IN AMERICA

Check out Born to Run

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We jackass for about 20 minutes before the one and only Scotty Kummer from Ten Junk Miles joins us for a rousing chat!

Luis Guzman explains the "game"

Ten Junk Miles Podcast

Les Turner ALS Foundation

Manchester Road Race Results

Brooksvale Trails Results

Hey we love each and every one of you. 

That's it, that's the episode.

Manchester Road Race

JFK 50 Results

Fall Fling Results

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Call the Cultra Karaoke Line at 203-DOG-GENT

We take a minute, minute and a half to say thank you to all of our patreons, and to see what some of them are up to.  

 

Highlander Hustle Portland High

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Can't stop won't stop! More cowbell? Aw hell naw, MORE HAMSTERWHEEL! The man himself Bill Conley, Just Keep Running's head honcho is with us to talk about a New England classic ultra, the now legendary Hamsterwheel 30-hour. 

Just Keep Running puts on awesome races!

Check out the Silk City Striders and the Know Your Pace Race on the Manchester Road Race course

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What do you do when your emotional pain exceeds the pain of your blisters? Ask for help, and turn things over to your friends. Fred and Art join the rest of the Crew as we look at the Hamsterwheel races and try to express how if feels to be carried for 100 miles. 

Hamsterwheel results: BOOM

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The Crew has a heart to heart about dealing with sadness prior to and before a race.

Come out and Win the KNOW Your Pace Race with the Silk City Striders

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Jacques Saarbach is a Frenchman in America and he is certifiably rad. Hear how he started running and why- also his unique approach to not only life and all of its ups and downs but his approach to trail running. Anyone want a baguette? Yes I know we say episode 211

Bimbler's Bluff 50k Results

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Lotta races fam! We get after it and leave no stone unturned, lest ye be disappointed; then get ye gone. We out here doing the lord's work by bringing you hot-off-the-press action. Forgive us if we don't sing in your key. We go into full recap mode a la Ghost Train and Bigs. We take look at our inner voice, then we look forward to all of the crazyness that will be Hamsterwheel 30 hour Cultrafest. AFB tries to register during the show if he could only spell...

Details on Oil Creek

Check out Team Belgium at Big's Backyard Team World Championship

Run your first 50K at Bimbler's Bluff

Get on the waitlist if you can spell Hamsterwheel 

I aint scared of no Ghost Train

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AFB Recounts his DNF at Midstate Massive where he got cut off at 100K after suffering from bad decisions, & body and brain freeze. Fred Recounts his finish at Tesla Hertz 100 where he overcomes a fall that threw out his back at 75 miles and left him hardly able to walk.  But still finished. Lots of fun practical information in this one.  Jimmy and Evil Becky offer great insight and provide laughter to mak us all feel better. 

Come join us on the Sunday after Thanksgiving for a 5k 10k trail race at the

Brooksvale Trails Turkey Trot

Tesla Hertz

Midstate Massive

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A double header coming at you fam! First up we have "new to the scene but feels like she's been here forever", Miss Kelly Wei. Kelly was born in Hong Kong and fell in love with the long stuff after running the Philly Marathon in 2015, as a tribute to a close college friend that lost his life.  In her 32 years she's already put together an impressive trail running resume with top ten finishes at the perennially stacked west coast race Lake Sonoma 50 as well as top tens at both Cayuga Trails 50 miler and the Breakneck Marathon, as well as a ton of podiums. Kelly has a keen sense of purpose in that she'd love to see more women of color on the trails. A call to action that the gents on the podcast have heard loud and clear! 

Then we have brand new to the scene Alex Brown- Alex has just completed one of the toughest back-to-backs in Northeast trail running, the "CatNip" which for the uninitiated is simply a Cat's Tail Marathon in the Catskills on Saturday, then the Nipmuck Marathon on Sunday. Hear how he discovered running (hint: NOT childhood trauma) and what his approach to trail running is like.

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The Full Cultra Crew takes a look at why we race, and compare it to creating our own adventures. We question if/why there seems to be a recent decline in race attendance?  Are we cannibals, or are we just cheap? And if no one is racing anymore, why is it so damn hard to get into Western States?  We look at things through our grass roots microscope, and give a hot take on this and so much more.

AFB tries to figure out what happened at Blue 2 Blue,we talk Pauling 24 Hour race with Phred, get ready for Nipmuck and look again at last week's episode. It is also jam packed with Jackassing around…

Sign up for Brookvale Trails Turkey Trot today

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An all female Crew discusses what they do to stay safe and have fun on the trails. Evil Becky Burke invites Gelato, Jessica Crandall, and Emily "The Mayor of Cultra City" Mayer and they kick the dudes to the curb, (because they need to listen, not speak) before giving the scoop on some of the issues most important to Women on the trail. But this episode is so much more!  Be sure to listen to the very end for a special hilarious tutorial on how to take a screen shot with your PC!  

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We had a plan but then the Crew dives down more rabbit holes than Watership Down.  But we do get to talk about Amy Mower's excellent book Run To Save Your Life, plus we review  lotsa races before taking a look at the finisher's rate broken out by Gender at this year's UTMB and compare it to many other races, then asked the question.  Why are there so few women running the "most prestigious" ultra race in the world, and why is it so much lower than other comparable races? (spolier alert) We just guess, because we really don't know shit about it. What do you think?

Plus it is the 2 year anniversary of AFB's 419 mile Erie Canal Bike Trip!

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Phred is Back, BIGTIME and he finally reels in his "white whale" guest longtime friend and ultrarunning enigma Steven Tursi. Steven and Phred blab about running streaks, hashing adventures, body image, and a lifelong evolution of what it means to be a runner and a friend. Was Steve the original Johnny Appleseed for Cultra? Enjoy this fabulous Bootleg Cultra (Think Grateful Dead Barton Hall, Cornell University, May 8, 1977)

 

 Episode Highlights:

Running Streaks and Ultramarathons

• Steven shares insights into his nearly 15-year daily running streak (over 5,200 days!)—and the debates surrounding the "continuous mile" rule.
• Fred and Steven unpack the motivations, sunk cost psychology, and mental games behind long streaks.
• Recap of Steven's recent race at altitude in the Great Divide 100, and how Colorado elevation humbled him despite living at 5,300 feet.

Hashing Culture 101

• What exactly is hashing? Steven breaks down the beer-fueled, trail-marked tradition of this global, irreverent running subculture.
• Stories about hash names (spoiler: "Hot Schweddy Balls"), flour trail controversies, beer stops, and inclusivity in the hashing world.

On Body Image and Identity

• Steven gets candid about his weight, body perception, and running while heavier than most—highlighting his incredible feat of running a sub-24-hour 100-miler at ~275 lbs.

Friendship in Adulthood

• A heartfelt and humorous discussion about how men form (and define) friendships as adults.
• Fred and Steven reflect on their 15+ year bond, running together at events like Ancient Oaks, TGNY, and Umstead, and how group chats now serve as lifelines for long-distance friendships.

The Shift to Journey Runs

• Steven talks about moving away from racing for results and leaning into slower, more meaningful runs—including a planned 50-mile adventure on the Colorado Trail for his 50th birthday.
• Memories of the Four Pass Loop, the Manitou Incline "stunt hike," and past multi-day efforts like Milwaukee to Chicago.

Bonus Nuggets

• Why Steven ran a 24-hour race just to bail at 20 miles and watch football.
• How rocket launches, mistaken finishes, and sandbagging for friendship make ultra memories.
• Reflections on The Fair, Starbucks runs after Rocky's, and the joy of repeat traditions.

 

 Tune In If You Like:

• Not listening to AFB!
• The human side of ultra running
• Thoughtful conversations on consistency, identity, and connection
• A couple of old friends talking about life, beer, streaks, and everything in between

 

Referenced Events & Topics:
Palmer Lake Ultra • Ancient Oaks • Umstead 100 • TGNY • Great Divide 100K • Manitou Incline • Colorado Trail • Hash House Harriers • Running Streaks • Journey Runs • Four Pass Loop • Sub-24 100-milers • Group chats & friendship

Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store!

Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

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Cultra is Chillin' with Dillon! Dave Dillon is a quality human being and he's YouTube famous- over 67,000 subscribers can't be wrong! Dave offers sharp insight on trail running and stellar product reviews, all delivered in a professional and matter-of-fact manner in HD. So What Watch should you buy? Tune in to find out about this plus latest news on some FKT's and other dank beta.

Chase the summit YouTube

podcast

website  

North Shore Surfing Film

Offspring 

 

This episode has everything but Jimmy Mac! We give a professional AF jackassessment  of UTMB, or was it UTMP? Cultra Bot gets feisty with the Crew.  Then we give tips for how to get to Aspen via Leadville as part of a workaround if Glenwood Canyon shits the bed, and shout out Harvey Lewis.  Ultra walker Andy Cable has completed one of the most beautiful projects, running at least 5 miles in every one of Connecticut's 169 towns, and connects them into a single connected maze! Phred cross examines AFB about what it was like to run every Blue Blaze Trail in CT. We preview the Dumbass Dice Challenge, talk some Nipmuck Alpaca Llama love aid stations, and even preview early leaf catching season. Have you read Amy Mower's book Run To Save Your Life: A Compilation of Poetry and Short Stories by Runners

But this all is just a warmup for AFB's review of the $35 Nevo Rhino Hydration Pack AKA: Ultimate Wrong Direction.  Do we really need to spend more than $100 for a hydration pack? Tune in to find out.

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Eastern States 100 is some graduate level shit, and eats people up with its elevation, and tough AF tecnical BS. What happens when life gets in the way and you toe the line and your not fully trained? Bessic shares his experience at this race and tells the story of his grind.  He also gives a masterful reading of the Patreons. Don miss this. 

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