For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

From a finance pro who decided to chase what scared him, to a trail runner who's pushed the boundaries to 200 miles: Meet Dom Bubri, who discovered that the most extraordinary transformations happen when you stop thinking and just start running.Dom is a trail and ultra runner who loves the grind of long miles and the clarity that comes from spending time outside. By day, he leads finance teams, but his favorite lessons come from the trail - showing up consistently, embracing discomfort, and playing the long game. Running has shaped how he thinks about work, leadership, and life beyond the finish line. Jon chats with Dom about:his introduction to runningthe transition from road to trail runninggoing from 50K to 100 mileshis winning mental approach getting to the 200 mile race distance Stay connected:Follow Dom:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbubri/LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/dbubriThis episode is supported by:AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off. Vacation Races Run where you play and chase the extraordinary. Use code “FTLR” for 15% off their half marathons, ultras, and trail fests at vacationraces.com through the end of 2026.Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com.Mount to Coast Mount to Coast is partnering with For The Long Run because they want to tell the stories behind the runners. The why. There's something specific coming around the Boston Marathon that I can't fully get into yet. But stay tuned. It's worth it. For The Long Run it will be indeed.

Alex Larson, a registered dietitian and Ironman finisher who helps endurance athletes fuel and recover, shares practical nutrition moves. She explains how shifting meal timing can cut evening binges and boost sleep. Short fueling plans for runs, in-run carbohydrate targets, and which supplements like creatine and protein are worth trying are discussed.

Cliff Pittman, Coaching Development Director at CTS and seasoned ultrarunning coach, shares his focus on training fundamentals and stress-recovery balance. He discusses minimum effective dose, using subjective feedback with data, race-specific preparation like downhill and heat work, and managing life stress for sustainable, repeatable progress.

When pro ultrarunner Hayden Hawks faces challenging conditions on the trails, he doesn't just endure them—he transforms them into opportunities for growth, proving that sometimes the hardest moments forge the strongest athletes.Hayden Hawks has been a professional ultra runner for 10 years competing at and winning some of the biggest races in the world. He is sponsored by HOKA, AG1, Precision Fuel and Hydration, as well as many other sponsors. He has also been a huge advocate for helping and building youth group initiatives and inspiring the younger generation around the world, most notably the Trail Fam. Hayden is also a coach with Hawks Running and Centurion Running. He is a father of 2, husband to Ashley Hawks, and loves traveling with his family and being outside as much as possible. Jon chats with Hayden about:balancing competition with being a good person and giving backgradual training progression instead of extreme volume jumpsfueling runs over 90 minutes for better performancemental toughness through embracing uncomfortable mountain conditionsconsistency over time creates sustainable athletic careersStay Connected:Follow Hayden:https://www.instagram.com/hawks_hayden/“Hayden Hawks” on Stravahttps://trailfam.com/https://www.hawksrunning.com/This episode is supported by:Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.comBoulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR2026 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% offVacation Races Run where you play and chase the extraordinary. Use code “FTLR” for 15% off their half marathons, ultras, and trail fests at vacationraces.com through the end of 2026

Legendary ultra-marathoner Pam Reed has a simple solution for people who feel tired: stop sitting and start moving.Pam Reed is an accomplished ultra-runner who has been competing since 1992. She is a hyperactive person who strives to get every moment out of every day, structuring her schedule as full as possible because she considers time the most valuable asset.Beyond racing, Reed directed the Tucson Marathon for 30 years before passing it to Jamil, believing that successful race directors must be hands-on and understand every aspect of event management. She continues racing with a full 2026 schedule and maintains her philosophy of maximizing each day while gradually accepting that recovery takes longer as she ages.Jon chats with Pam about:ultra-running discovery through tennis training and progressionnatural energy and ability to bounce back quicklyheat and cold training strategies with specific tipsTriple Crown achievement: Western States, Hard Rock, Badwaterher winning mental approachStay connected:Follow Pam:https://www.instagram.com/pamreed100/This is episode is supported by:Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.comAmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off.

After transitioning from oncology physical therapy to full-time running, Rachel Entrekin discovered her true calling was not in conquering traditional hundred-mile races, but in pushing the boundaries of human endurance across multiple days and hundreds of miles.Rachel has been running since 2009, gradually making her way up from road 10ks to multi-day trail races. While born and raised in the southeast US, she currently resides in Colorado, where there is exactly zero humidity. Jon chats with Rachel about:her running journey from college marathons to ultramarathonsthe transition from physical therapy to professional running career200-mile race strategy and mental approach at Cocodonasports nutrition partnership with Precision Fuel and Hydrationphilosophy on process versus outcome-focused racing goalsStay connected:Follow Rachel:https://www.instagram.com/rachel__entrekin/Rachel’s Blog:https://blondeidiotrunning.wordpress.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPvkdJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacg8Fo31S7ggaU3zfdCDjsLlJYiyLYgJY33CdsPkrAAlbSiiguTikjxlNsSkg_aem_MZqdK3OHod6Qgy6-yC4ZEAVagabond Trails TMB tour: https://www.vagabond-trails.com/tmb-rachel-entrekin?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPvke5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaf4YWwaHMYnTW0Zrm-N4lN1TD0jl_dTVUiwIYFT_rYsVNAp8pgqd23CSj_bPw_aem_jYSHI0G1B9zMyz_Qz9VL7AThis is episode is supported by:Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.comBoulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR2026 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off.

There's a common misconception in ultra running that it's all about toughness, but Shea Aquilano believes gentleness is more important.Shea currently resides in Boulder, CO and focuses on ultra-distance trail events. At 24, she is a 2x US Mountain Running team member, and pro runner for Nike ACG. Shea loves a good pickle and has a knack for rationalizing almost any experience into a good one.Jon chats with Shea about:setting intentional pre-race goals and success definitionspursuing longer trail running distances over shorter formatsmoving to Colorado for mountain training opportunitiesjoining supportive running communities and trail teamsmaintaining joy as central motivation in competitive runningStay connected:Follow Shea:https://www.instagram.com/shea_aq/The Trail Team:https://www.trail-team.com/This is episode is supported by:AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% offPrecision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com

From suppressing emotions as a military veteran to finding freedom on Colorado trails, here’s how Jonathan Mejia discovered that running isn't just exercise, it's therapy in motion.He came to Colorado after film school when the stars aligned and he conquered his first marathon. He’s now looking to take on his first ultra in 2026.Jonathan talks about:Running as freedom and a therapeutic escapeHis military background influencing mental health journeyWhat inspired developing a consistent running habitThe trail running communityBuilding ultramarathon goalsStay connected:Follow Jonathan Mejia:https://www.instagram.com/goodvibesjon/Team RWB:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-set-your-next-big-hairy-audacious-goal-with/id1453616436?1=1000676194617This is episode is supported by:Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com

From residency training to ultramarathons - discover how Dr. Lauren Puretz balances life as a gynecologic surgeon with competing at the highest levels of trail running, including her breakthrough performance at UTMB and the mindset shifts that fuel both operating rooms and mountain peaks.Lauren Puretz, DO is a board-certified OB/GYN, elite ultrarunner, and mom of 2 based in Colorado Springs. She is the co-founder of Mountain View OB/GYN and co-host of the podcast Speaking of Labias. Outside the clinic, Lauren is intentionally making the most of her time as a competitive runner, chasing big goals, embracing challenge, and having as much fun as possible along the way.Jon chats with Lauren about:Lauren's transition from gymnastics and soccer to cross country runningbalancing medical career as gynecologic surgeon with ultra running trainingbuilding community through persistent outreach and shared running experiencesmanaging eating disorder recovery while fueling for endurance performanceovercoming fear to compete in challenging mountain races like UTMB Stay connected:Follow Lauren:https://www.instagram.com/lauren1642/This episode is supported by:Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/GORUNAmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.

At 20,000 feet, running feels like moving through molasses… but Erin Ton has found that climbing Colorado's highest peaks in stilettos actually makes her a more thoughtful athlete.Erin was born and raised in Colorado. After graduating from Cornell University in 2020, she moved back to Colorado to pursue professional mountain running. Her primary focus is on Fastest Known Time (FKT) speed records, specializing on steep, technical terrain at high altitude. She currently resides in her van and can be found chasing records all across the American West and all across the world. Jon chats with Erin about:High altitude running challenges and trainingFKT (Fastest Known Time) pursuitsfourteeners climbed in high heelsprofessional athlete sponsorship journeygoal of climbing all Colorado 13ersupcoming Aconcagua speed record attemptStay connected:Follow Erin:https://www.instagram.com/erin_ton7/Erin’s Strava:“Erin Ton”This episode is supported by:AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/GORUN