At just 17 years old, McKenna “MJ” Marino became the youngest female finisher of the Colorado Trail Race under race rules, completing more than 500 miles of rugged Colorado singletrack in 12 days, 8 hours, and 11 minutes.
In this episode of The Endurance Studio, McKenna shares how she went from her first overnight bikepacking trip to taking on one of the most demanding bikepacking routes in the country.
We talk about growing up in an endurance-focused family, discovering bikepacking, racing Pinyons and Pines, and what eventually convinced her to attempt the Colorado Trail. McKenna also opens up about one of her biggest fears going into the ride: being alone in the wilderness at night—and how nearly two weeks on the trail changed her relationship with that fear.
Along the way, we get into the realities of the CTR: high-elevation passes, hike-a-bike, exhaustion, resupply strategy, Cathedral Cabins, gear choices, sleep, unexpected trail closures, and the moments when she wondered whether something might actually force her to stop.
But this conversation goes well beyond bikepacking. McKenna talks about why she intentionally stays away from social media, the value she finds in disconnecting and being present in nature, how experiences like the Colorado Trail have built her confidence, and why she describes the CTR not as “life-changing,” but as life-defining.
We also talk about what her friends think of her adventures, her interest in sustainability and restoration ecology, college plans, and the much bigger adventures she might pursue in the future.
Photographer, filmmaker, and ultra-endurance athlete Matt Shapiro joins The Endurance Studio for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a creative career in endurance sports.
Matt has worked with some of the biggest brands and athletes in ultra-endurance sports, documenting iconic races and some of the world's best trail and ultra runners. But this episode goes far beyond photography. We dive into storytelling, creativity, addiction and recovery, social media, AI, endurance culture, and the realities of making a living as a creator.
In this episode, I sit down with Cruz Blue to recap his experience at Pinyons and Pines, discuss becoming the youngest solo finisher of the Arizona Trail Race, and look ahead to his upcoming Tour Divide debut. We talk about gear failures, race strategy, sleep systems, the mental challenge of loneliness during ultra-endurance events, trail friendships, wildlife encounters, and the lessons learned from long days in the saddle.
In this episode of The Endurance Studio, I sit down with ultra-endurance mountain biker Jeff Kerkove to talk about nearly two decades of bikepacking racing, from the Colorado Trail Race to international events like Silk Road Mountain Race and Atlas Mountain Race. We dive into race strategy, sleep deprivation, resupply tactics, gear choices, pacing mistakes, and the mental side of pushing through massive distances. Jeff also shares stories from races like Stagecoach 400, Doom, Vapor Trail 125, Pinyons and Pines, and more — along with lessons learned from years of DNFs, big wins, and hard-earned experience in the ultra-endurance world.
In this episode, I sit down with Karin Pocock just days before Pinyons and Pines to unpack last year’s Triple Crown season—the podium at Tour Divide, the heartbreak of scratching at the Colorado Trail Race due to smoke inhalation, and the emotional toll of watching a season-defining goal unravel.
We talk about what it means to come back: rebuilding fitness, shifting to high-intensity training, rethinking race strategy, and lining up again with unfinished business. From holding position at the front of the field to learning when to pull the plug, this is a candid conversation about risk, resilience, and returning stronger.
If you’ve ever had a big goal fall apart—and chose to try again anyway—this one’s for you.
In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the 2026 Pinyons and Pines “race-not-race” in Northern Arizona.
We cover key logistics including grand depart info, parking, pre-race gathering, required permits and last-minute route updates (including potential mud reroutes). We also dive into sponsorship support, water reliability, resupply strategy, and how to prepare for Arizona’s unpredictable weather—from freezing temps to desert heat.
The second half is a detailed course preview of this year’s 413-mile, 39,000-foot route. We explain why this edition is one of the toughest yet, what makes it unique, major changes from past years, critical resupply points (especially the Cottonwood Maverik), water carries, and what to expect from key sections like Mingus, Crown King, the Bradshaws, and the Prescott Circle Trail.
If you’re registered, on the waitlist, or just curious about ultra bikepacking in Arizona, this episode will help you prepare mentally and strategically for what’s shaping up to be a big, demanding year on course.
In this episode, Dana Ernst joins me to dive deep into the mindset behind endurance sports, self-reliance, and why doing hard things still matters in a world built for convenience.
The conversation explores how modern culture—shaped by instant gratification, easy access to credit, and curated experiences—has shifted our relationship with effort, risk, and failure.
You’ll hear reflections on competition, personal growth, and why bikepacking and ultra-endurance events offer something many people feel is missing: real challenge and earned experience. We also unpack themes like financial philosophy (“die with zero”), balancing spending vs. saving, and how pursuing experiences over possessions can shape a more meaningful life.
Toward the back half of the episode, I share a recap of my recent effort at SAUER—the Sonoran Ultra Endurance Ride—including key takeaways, lessons learned, and how the experience is shaping the rest of my season.
In this episode, I sit down with Scott Morris to explore the origins of some of the sport’s most influential ideas and technologies. Scott shares the story behind creating the Arizona Trail Race, including the now-legendary decision to carry bikes across the Grand Canyon to preserve a fully self-supported route. He also explains how early GPS technology, long-distance adventure riding, and a DIY ethos helped shape the foundations of modern bikepacking events. The conversation also dives into Scott’s role in building the tools that power the sport today, including Trackleaders and TopoFusion, and how satellite trackers sparked the phenomenon of “dot watching.” Along the way, we discuss the evolution of endurance racing, the challenges of running a small tech company in the outdoor space, tracking massive ultrarunning events, and how new technologies like Starlink are changing the way people live and work in the backcountry. Viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the history of self-supported racing, the technology behind modern endurance events, and the mindset that helped shape bikepacking into what it is today.
In this episode, Nick Smolinske, the founder of Flagstaff-based Rogue Panda Designs, joins the podcast for an in-depth exploration of the intersection between technical innovation and small-business resilience in the outdoor gear industry. Nick shares his journey of building a premium bikepacking brand from the ground up, detailing how he transition from self-taught sewing to advanced industrial manufacturing and the development of digital tools like the Pandavision photo-template system to streamline custom frame bag production. The conversation offers a masterclass in bike ergonomics, specifically focusing on the science of handlebar sweep to eliminate hand pain, while also providing behind-the-scenes insights into the challenges of domestic manufacturing, such as managing rising production costs and navigating the complexities of global supply chains.
In this episode, Kara Woolgar shares an inside look at her journey from first-time bikepacker to finishing the Arizona Trail 800. We dive into how she trained with limited time, overcame self-doubt, and committed to one of the toughest bikepacking races in the U.S. Kara breaks down her approach to nutrition with celiac disease and multiple food allergies, lessons learned about fueling and gear, managing fear and safety in the backcountry, and why community and mentorship matter—especially for women getting into bikepacking.
(00:15:45) Managing health, nutrition, and Celiac disease during long-distance racing
(00:24:53) Meaningful encounters with through-hikers and solitude on the trail
(00:31:47) Pushing through severe blisters and a low point at Picketpost
(00:48:53) Strategic charging and water resupply logistics at Hijinks Camp
(00:51:36) Troubleshooting mechanical failures and keeping a positive mindset
(00:53:06) Balancing professional life as a nurse with endurance goals
(01:09:36) Navigating the Grand Canyon with specific water management strategies
(01:53:07) Looking ahead to the Colorado Trail and European bikepacking dreams
(02:18:22) Final community resources and event links for interested riders
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