HappyCast

In this gripping episode of the Happy Cast, we sit down with ultrarunner Dena Carr, whose recent endeavor at the Barkley Marathons has captivated the hearts of many. Known as the race "that eats its young," the Barkley Marathons is not for the faint of heart, pushing the limits of human endurance, resilience, and spirit. Dena shares her journey from the call of the conch shell to the final, grueling miles, revealing the preparation, challenges, and unexpected lessons learned along the way. F...

10 Huhti 20241h 16min

This week on HappyCast, we're thrilled to welcome back Jenni Ashcroft, fresh from her awe-inspiring debut at the 100-mile Prairie Spirit Trail in Kansas. This episode is extra special as Jenni is accompanied by her husband and stalwart crew chief, Sean, to unpack the intricate dance of a 50-mile out-and-back challenge. While the Prairie Spirit Trail may have been a rails to trails race, Jenni's stellar finish time of 22 hours and 15 minutes is a testament to her grit and determination. ...

3 Huhti 20241h 15min

This week on a special episode of the HappyCast, we examine what it’s like to “run fast and fly young” with Hans Troyer, an up-and-comer in the ultra running game who was shot out of a cannon and made his presence known in the elite scene with one of the most interesting and intense first two months you’ll hear about in ultra running. We examine his memorable performance at Bandera 100k - where he broke Jim Walmsley’s course record, but also somehow later DIDN’T break it. This lead to ...

27 Maalis 20241h 20min

This week on the HappyCast, the crew heads over to the LBJ Grasslands in North Texas to partake in one of the biggest trail racing events in the area - the Grasslands Trail Run. Stephanie, Dylan, and Andrew all participated, and we get to hear about their experiences. From running, pacing, and DNFing straight into crewing, we cover all facets of this event. And during this roundtable discussion, the crew is joined by 100 mile finisher Gus Rodriguez from Houston to talk about his race as well....

20 Maalis 20241h 17min

For this week's episode of Happy Cast, we're diving deep into Stephanie's journey at the Mountains to Sea Trail 100 Endurance Run (MST 100). The MST 100 offers an iconic single-track trail race that stretches along the scenic Mountains to Sea Trail. Participants had the option to tackle various distances, but the 100-mile challenge is notably rigorous, with a 32-hour time limit. The event, held in Raleigh/Durham, NC, featured beautiful vistas of Falls Lake, numerous bridge crossings, an...

13 Maalis 20241h 22min

In this inspiring episode of the Happy Cast podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Aum Gandhi, co-owner of Run Tri Bike and a beacon in the world of endurance running. Fresh off his nomination as Runner of the Year by Runner's World, Aum shares the riveting journey from his initial steps into running to becoming an ultra-endurance athlete and a philanthropist. Dive into Aum's transformative tale of sobriety, which redefined his life and running career, propelling him to achieve unimaginable dista...

6 Maalis 20241h 32min

This week on the HappyCast, we keep things simple and ramble on about all things trail running with our debut of “HappyChat”. In the first segment, Stephanie details her amazing and nerve wracking time at the rugged and remote LOViT 100 in Arkansas. She spent her weekend supporting previous guest and manliest runner in the country, Will Bryant. She describes a harrowing scenario where they both got lost with just four miles left to go. What would YOU do in a situation similar to theirs?&nbsp...

28 Helmi 20241h 16min

In this week’s inspiring episode of HappyCast, we spotlight Lisa Decker, a remarkable runner from the Houston Area Trail Runners (not North Texas), who has not only conquered the Jackalope Jam 100 hour race (with over 150 miles) but did so with the added challenge of a weighted vest. Join us as Lisa shares the highs and lows of her unique adventure, her impactful weight loss journey, and her future in the racing world. Weighted Vest, Weightless Spirit: Lisa dives deep into her experience at t...

21 Helmi 20241h 9min