The Midpacker Podcast

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“The spirit of this community is fantastic—and none of these friendships would exist without trail running.” — MVDIt’s the final episode of Trailing Indicators for 2025, and Troy is closing out the year with a festive check-in from Corinne Shalvoy (reporting live from snowy Ouray, Colorado) and Matt Van Dalsem (holding it down in Marin). In classic TI fashion, the crew reflects on what went right—and wrong—this year, both on and off the trail.In this episode:Year-end gratitude and reflections on health, family, and the trail community.Race season recaps including Corinne’s stacked calendar, Matt’s one-and-done Big Alta, and Troy’s ultra endurance (and stomach) lessons.Honest talk about DNFs, mental fatigue, and the pressures of racing with intention.2026 race plans:Corinne: Black Canyon100k, UTMB Troy: Hellbender 100, Laurel Highlands, & Barkley Fall Classic (maybe).MVD: Big Alta 100KLessons in balance: parenting, aging, professional pivots, and pacing the long game.Corinne’s Links@corinne_shalvoyageCorinnes’s Coaching PageShalvoy Running - YouTube ChannelWomen Can Site Troy’s [email protected]’s Ultra Coaching PageMVD Links@mvd_trailrunnerRelevant LinksUTMB Mont BlancHellbender 100Black Canyon UltrasJavelina JundredGorge Waterfalls 100KSilverton Alpine 50KBehind the Rocks UltraBoulder Boulder 10KLaurel Highlands UltraBig Alta 100KBarkley Fall ClassicPartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.MidPacker Pod, Trailing Indicators, trail running podcast, running community, Freetrail podcast, Troy Meadows podcast, Corinne Shalvoy, Matt Van Dalsem, MVD, Troy Meadows, UTMB 2026, Black Canyon Ultras, Hellbender 100, Big Alta 100K, Silverton Alpine 50K, Behind the Rocks Ultra, Javelina Jundred, Boulder Boulder 10K, Laurel Highlands Ultra, Barkley Fall Classic, Gorge Waterfalls 100K, Dark Divide 50K, ultra marathon training, race season reflections, DNF recovery, long distance running, mental resilience in ultras, training for 100 milers

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“Running used to be about control — now it's about connection”In this raw and insightful episode of the MidPacker Pod, Troy sits down with Angie Lake — trail runner, outdoor industry creative, and writer behind Blood, Sweat, and Fear on Substack. Angie’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and learning to reconnect with joy through movement.Far from chasing perfection, Angie’s journey is about reclaiming space, in the outdoors, in storytelling, and in herself. In this episode, she opens up about:Growing up a natural athlete, running barefoot sprints as a kid at karate classWitnessing the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and the long road to reconnecting with running afterwardThe life-altering experience of surviving an ectopic pregnancy — and learning to listen to her body in new waysWhy she’s no longer chasing PRs or podiums — and how she finds purpose and power in the “midpack”Her creative and community work with The Cairn Project and Wild Women Trail RunsWriting as a tool for self-expression, healing, and resistanceAngie reminds us that joy is enough. Speed isn’t required. And you don’t have to fit into someone else’s mold to be a “real runner.”Subscribe to Angie’s Substack: Blood, Sweat, and FearAngies LinksAngie on LinkedInAngie’s Substack: Blood, Sweat, & FearWild Women Trail RunsThe Cairn ProjectThe Cycle Syncing HandbookOther LinksTroy’s Home Made Natural Gels Taking Charge of Your FertilityPartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Angie Lake, trail running, Boston Marathon bombing, ectopic pregnancy, healing through running, outdoor storytelling, Blood Sweat and Fear, Substack, Wild Women Trail Runs, The Cairn Project, body awareness, slowing down, midpack mindset, running community, outdoor industry, running and identity

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/"Sometimes you just do something that feels dumb, and then later you're like, ‘That actually kind of ruled."In this episode of the MidPacker Pod, Troy is joined by Miranda Williamson—trail runner and co-host of the Running with Problems podcast. Miranda shares her grounded, often hilarious journey into trail and ultra-running, one that started with a birthday 10K and evolved into crewing Barkley, pacing Dark Divide, and accidentally negative-splitting her first 100-miler at High Lonesome.From running her first trail race in road shoes from TJ Maxx to completing the San Juan Solstice 50-miler twice, Miranda brings self-awareness and good vibes to the trail scene. She unpacks her experience on the Hardrock 100 course during “Soft Rock,” discusses the emotional chaos of crewing Barkley, and opens up about the vulnerable, sometimes risky conversations she and co-host John Eisen tackle on their podcast, Running with Problems.Miranda’s LinksIG - @peaksandjusticeRunning with Problems Podcast In This Episode:Miranda’s first trail race with zero prep or gearHer back-to-back finishes at San Juan SolsticeAccidentally negative-splitting her first 100-miler (High Lonesome!)Crewing her husband Jon at Barkley Starting Running with Problems and making space for real talkBuilding a community of women that love to do hard things Relevant Links:San Juan Solstice 50Soft Rock (Hardrock Route)High Lonesome 100Dark Divide 100milerBarkley MarathonsPartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Miranda Williamson, Running with Problems, High Lonesome 100, San Juan Solstice, Soft Rock, Har Rock, Barkley Marathons, trail running, crewing, pacing, Dark Divide, ultrarunning, running podcast, midpack

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“Running is more than a race. It’s art, memory, and freedom.”On this episode Troy Meadows sits down with Malcolm Pascotti, founder of Can’t Buy Cool Studios. Malcolm’s journey is one of quiet evolution. He started as a road runner, lots of miles in high school and beyond, but during the pandemic, while living in San Francisco, he began exploring trails in the Marin Headlands and hills around Pacifica. That slow, natural shift eventually led him into mountain running and “DIY ultras” solo, self‑supported runs of 30–40 miles, all on his own terms.What makes Malcolm stand out isn’t just distance or pace, but the way he mixes movement with creativity. Outside of running, he climbs, skis, scrambles, shoots photography (both professionally and for fun), writes poems and musings. He calls it living.He also quietly gives back to the community: providing gear and support to fellow runners, like when he ran a T-shirt sale to help fund race entries for another runner,  proof that support doesn’t always need spotlight.Malcolm is quietly building Can’t Buy Cool Studios, weaving together art, running, identity, and community.Motivational HighlightsEmbrace adventure on your own terms — solo ultras don’t have to be for trophies, they can be for the soul.Running can be part of a creative life — movement, art, writing, identity — all deeply connected.Quiet generosity matters: supporting others in small ways helps build a stronger, more inclusive community.Balance is messy but possible: holding down a full-time job, a creative process, and still getting out for the run.Links & ResourcesIG: @cantbuycoolstudiosWebsite: https://cantbuycoolstudios.com/Partner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.trail running, DIY ultra, solo ultra, creativity, running life balance, community support, running brand, outdoor adventure, Puerto Vallarta UTMB, Can’t Buy Cool Studios

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS⁠ BLACK FRIDAY SALE 25% off Premium!!!! Use CYBER25 at Checkout using the link below start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker“Running became my way to process grief, build community, and explore the edges of what’s possible.”In this episode, Jon Eisen joins Troy Meadows to unpack a journey that goes far beyond miles. Jon’s career in tech didn’t prepare him for the kind of grit and self‑discovery he found on the trails, especially when he set his sights on the infamous Barkley Marathons. On the way he picked up ultra finishes at events like Niwot’s Challenge and the Yucca Bar Massacre, embraced navigation‑heavy racing, and turned running into a tool for resilience and community.Highlights:How Jon went from programming to pursing ultra adventures—with little thought for convention.What draws him to Barkley‑style races: the unknown, the navigational challenge, the refusal to accept a “normal” race.Key training takeaways: establishing strength, avoiding injury through smart prep, embracing weekly yoga and strength work (yes, even for ultra runners).Motivational nuggets: How showing up matters more than finishing; how joy in running can exist alongside the grind; why community and purpose matter just as much as pace.Practical tips: For runners looking to level up in 2025—whether you’re chasing 50 miles or chasing meaning—you’ll hear what made the difference for Jon.Jon’s  links:IG: @mildly_athleticIG: @runningwithproblems“Running With Problems” podcast infoJon’s race archive & blogJon’s Barkley 2023 race reportBarkley Marathons background infoPartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.ultrarunning, Barkley Marathons, Niwot’s Challenge, San Diego 100, navigation race, trail running, strength training, injury prevention, community running, “running with problems”, perseverance