The Midpacker Podcast

MidPacker Pod – Field Notes Ep 2
Title: Nine Weeks to Hellbender
With nine weeks until the Hellbender 100, Troy Meadows checks in on his training as he finishes a tempo block and begins the endurance phase.
In this episode of MidPacker Field Notes, Troy shares snow day miles in Asheville, plans for a mini training camp, trail work at Snooks Nose, fueling strategies, and a shoutout to a listener preparing for her first ultra.

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠
⁠
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 Page

STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  
HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription
PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order
VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest
USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT

WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.

“It’s not about what you do on a daily basis, it’s about how you’re stacking and showing up consistently over a really long time horizon.”

In Episode 2 of MidPacker Field Notes, Troy Meadows shares a quick update on his Hellbender 100 training. With nine weeks to race day, he reflects on finishing a tempo block and shifting into endurance-focused training.
Troy previews an upcoming mini training camp designed to simulate race fatigue and dial in pacing, fueling, and gear. He also shares updates from a Snooks Nose trail work day and explains why the original Hellbender course may still be another year away from returning.
Training Highlights
Tempo block complete

Key workout: 4 x 10 minute uphill intervals

Nine weeks until Hellbender 100

Mini training camp planned six weeks out

TrainingPeaks used to structure training

Fueling with Hyperlyte Liquid Performance

Recovery supported with PlayOn Relief Pods

Community Shoutout
Olivia Farr – preparing for her first 55K and the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker after returning to running following pregnancy.

Relevant Links
https://hellbender100.com

https://www.tanawhaadventures.com/mountmitchellheartbreaker

https://www.g5trailcollective.org/oldfort

Partner Links: 

Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.
More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.
Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.
“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary

PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com
All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief
Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order

Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker
A training app as versatile as you.
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription

Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com/Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest

Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com
KICKR RUN It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.
Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap.

⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/
Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!.
⁠
Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

Hellbender 100, ultrarunning training, endurance block, tempo training, uphill intervals, trail running, winter running, TrainingPeaks, Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, PlayOn Relief Pods, Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker, ultra coaching, endurance training, trail stewardship, Snooks Nose Trail

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack

⁠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 Page

STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  

HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription
PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order
VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest

USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT

WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap.

“If you go back in time and look at me as a kid, I was either on a horse or on a trail somewhere.”

Carrie Baris is deeply rooted in Western North Carolina trail culture. A former high school English teacher of 19 years, she left the classroom in 2021 to focus on trails, race directing, and equestrian sport.
Her love for running began in middle school when cross country became her place to belong, especially on the trails behind her high school. After moving to Asheville in 2010, she fully embraced trail and ultra running through the North Carolina Mountain Trail Runners and events like the Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge.
Carrie also competes in Ride & Tie, an endurance sport that pairs two humans and a horse. She’s nearing 5,000 career miles, a rare milestone that reflects her grit and teamwork.
As president of the Run828 Foundation & RD of the Hellbender 100, she has helped grow the race into both a Hardrock & Western States qualifier while keeping its grassroots feel. After losing her husband in 2018, crewing and pacing her sister at Hellbender became part of her healing journey.

Carrie’s Links
IG: @riderunreadsnack      
@hellbender100miler
Run828 Foundation: https://run828foundation.org
Hellbender 100: https://hellbender100.com

Relevant Links
Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge: https://www.blackmountainmarathon.com

Street Dog Coalition: https://www.thestreetdogcoalition.org

WNC Nature Center: https://wildwnc.org

Hardrock 100: https://hardrock100.com

Western States Endurance Run: https://www.wser.org

National Ride and Tie Association: https://rideandtie.org

Partner Links: 
Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.
Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.
“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary

PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com
All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief
Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order

Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription

Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com
Epic Races near the most iconic National Park in the US.
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest

Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com
KICKR RUN It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.
Run Your Way
Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap.

⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/
Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!
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.

Carrie Baris, Hellbender 100, Run828 Foundation, Western North Carolina trails, ultra running, ride and tie, Mount Mitchell, Black Mountain Marathon, Hardrock qualifier, Western States qualifier, community leadership, trail stewardship, grief and healing, race directing, endurance sport

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠
⁠
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 Page

STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  

HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription
PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order
VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest

USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT

WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.

“I just wanted it to exist, so I made it exist.”

In this episode, Troy Meadows talks with Kirk Cherep.
Kirk shares how a Spartan Race on his college graduation day lit the spark that eventually led him deep into trail and ultra running, and ultimately into race directing.
After falling in love with the community through films by Billy Yang and The Ginger Runner and reading Born to Run, Kirk now directs multiple events through Trailblazer Running in Indiana.
False Spring Trail Runs

Okadoke Trail Runs

Trail Golf

Knobstone 50

Kirk also co-owns Tempo Run Timing, timing over 50 events a year, and partners with Runners for Public Lands to give back through trail work at Indiana Dunes National Park .
Kirk talks honestly about balance, or the lack of it, and accept that sometimes you’re just “really good at faking it” while juggling family, work, and big goals .
This year, he’s lining up for Hellbender 100 and planning big adventure runs like Painted Rocks Lakeshore and a Grand Canyon R2R2R.

Kirk's Links
IG: @trailblazer.running
      @kirkcherep

Website: Trailblazer Running – https://www.trailblazerrunning.co

Relevant Links
Runners for Public Lands – https://www.runnersforpubliclands.org

Hellbender 100 – https://hellbender100.com

Trail Running Film Festival – https://trailfilmfest.com

Partner Links: 

Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.
More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.
Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.

“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary

PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com
Proven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief
Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order

Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
A training app as versatile as you.
Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription

Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com
Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest

Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com
KICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.
It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.
Run Your Way
Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.

⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/
Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!
Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase. 

Kirk Cherep, Trailblazer Running, Knobstone 50, Trail Golf, Midwest trail running, race directing, ultra running, Hellbender 100, Indiana trails, Runners for Public Lands, Indiana Dunes, community building, obstacle course racing, Born to Run, Billy Yang, tempo run timing, work-life balance, trail stewardship,

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠

⁠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 Page

STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  
HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription
PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order
USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT

WAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.

“You can hold space for both family and fierce goals. It just takes intention.”

In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with Melissa Londry, a trail runner, race director, business owner, and mom who’s pouring passion into every part of her life. What started as a pandemic-inspired dive into trail running has become a deeply rooted lifestyle centered on advocacy, mental health, and community.
Melissa shares her journey from picking up trail shoes during lockdown to directing a growing slate of inclusive, community-driven races in Southwest Virginia. Her events, like the Woodbooger 100, New River Trail Races, and Crystal Springs Ultras are built with heart, intention, and a focus on creating safe, welcoming spaces for all.

Beyond race directing, Melissa opens up about:
Running a group mental health practice and how it supports her running life

The emotional fuel behind her upcoming 240-mile journey across Michigan

Creating trauma-informed spaces in trail and ultra-running

Balancing parenthood, entrepreneurship, and long training blocks

Why her favorite race distance isn’t what you might expect…

Melissa's Links
IG: @newrivertrailraces
@woodbooger_100
@crystalspringsultras
@damascusfestivalofmiles
TikTok: Melissa.on.the.trail

Website: https://www.swvarunning.com/

Relevant Links
Melissa’s Mental Health Practice

Woodbooger 100

New River Trail Races

Crystal Springs Ultras

Partner Links: 

Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.
More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.
Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order or your first subscription order.
“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary

PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com
Proven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief
Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order

Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription

Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com
KICKR RUN invites the rhythm, flow, and freedom of outdoor running inside.
It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.
Run Your Way
Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.
⁠
Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/
Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!

⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

Melissa Londry, trail running, race directing, Woodbooger 100, New River Trail Races, Crystal Springs Ultras, Michigan 240, mental health, trauma-informed running, ultra training, women in trail running, parenting and running, running community, inclusivity, SWVA running, long distance running, running entrepreneur, Troy Meadows, MidPacker Pod

“You can hold space for both family and fierce goals. It just takes intention.”

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠

⁠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 Page

STOKED TO PARTNER WITH
  
HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription

USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT

“Sometimes it’s not about the finish line. It’s about finding joy in the messy middle.”

On this episode of the MidPacker Pod, Troy sits down with trail runner, race director, registered dietitian, and mom: Kayla Fitzgerald for a deep, fun, and relatable conversation about how she juggles it all while still chasing big goals in the ultra world.
Kayla shares her shift from road racing to trail running after realizing the road scene just didn’t vibe with her. What she found on the trails was community, connection, and a whole new way to push herself. From leading group runs to organizing local races under her brand Palmetto Ultras, Kayla has become a cornerstone of her local running community in South Carolina.

We dive into:
Balancing parenting, coaching, and 200-mile race training

Her experience as a registered dietitian and helping runners dial in their race-day nutrition

Upcoming races like Southern States 200, Barkley Fall Classic, and a possible go at Barn Creek Backyard Ultra

Her story of pushing through the Beast of the East 50 Miler—with Troy jumping in as an impromptu pacer!

Whether you’re a trail veteran or just dipping your toes into the dirt, Kayla’s perspective on doing what you love while doing life is refreshing and real.

Athlete Spotlight: Kayla Fitzgerald
Registered Dietitian, Nutrition coach, and mom

Race director and founder of Palmetto Ultras

Focused on inclusive, sustainable community building through trail events

Training for Southern States 200 and the Barkley Fall Classic

Advocate for fueling smarter and training with joy

Kayla's Links
IG: @palmetto.ultras
Website: Palmettoultras.com
Nutrition Coaching Site: Endurance-Nutritionist.com

Relevant Links
Southern States 200

Barkley Fall Classic

Barn Creek Backyard Ultra

Beast of the East 50 Miler

Partner Links: 

Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.
More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.
Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.
“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary

Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription
⁠
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.

Kayla Fitzgerald, trail running, ultrarunning, Barkley Fall Classic, Southern States 200, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra, Beast of the East, race director, Palmetto Ultras, nutrition for runners, mom runner, balancing life and running, Freetrail, MidPacker Pod