The Trailhead

Ryan Goodman grew up on a cattle ranch in Arkansas, studied beef cattle science at Oklahoma State University, and now manages WSU's beef cattle research program as Beef Cattle Operations Manager in Pullman, Washington, where he also teaches hands-on lab courses to the next generation of pre-veterinary students. Online, he goes by @BeefRunner. He also runs a lot of 100-mile races. In this conversation, Zoë and Brendan talk with Ryan about what six weeks of calving season: sleepless, high-stakes, completely indifferent to your training plan, taught him about finishing a hundred-miler, and why "one thing at a time" works as well in the Crazy Mountains of Montana as it does on a ranch at 2 a.m. They get into the complicated but more negotiable than you'd think relationship between ranchers and trail runners, the farm-versus-ranch distinction (I-35 is the line, roughly), why the heifers following you on BLM trail are curious not threatening, and Red Dirt music as the ultrarunning soundtrack you didn't know you needed. Also: cow tipping, the correct post-ultra meal, and whether Pullman counts as a town. This week's featured race is Mujeres and Marigolds, a women's only event with a 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, and 100k relay! Thanks to TrailCon for supporting the podcast. Register now to attend!

C. Thi Nguyen, philosopher and author of The Score, explores games as art and agency. He discusses ultrarunning as a deep-form game, how scoring systems like Strava reshape desires, and when tech or rules enhance versus capture value. Short, lively takes on cheating, tool use, fishing, and why clear metrics both motivate and mislead.

Pavel Cenkl, a climate writer, ultrarunner, and academic leader who founded Climate Run, recounts running 150 miles across Iceland and long routes in the Arctic. He talks about witnessing disappearing glaciers, the vulnerability and clarity of solo midnight-sun runs, a cathartic “goose scream” moment, and why resilience and relational engagement matter more than simple fixes.

Christie Aschwanden, science journalist and former elite Nordic skier and cycling champ, brings skeptical rigor to the recovery industry. She discusses cold plunges and cryotherapy fads, why sleep trackers can harm more than help, the value of boring recovery tactics like rest and heat, and how trend pressure and marketing shape athlete choices.

Brad Stulberg, author and coach who studies sustainable peak performance, explains excellence as caring deeply and aligning with values. He breaks down zombie burnout, why chasing flow backfires, and how tools can help until they hinder. Short, practical ideas on balancing fierce discipline with fierce self-kindness.

What happens when you strip away sleep, ego, and every external measure of success for 330 kilometers? Doug Mayer, founder of Run the Alps, former Car Talk producer, and three-time Tour de Géants finisher, has spent years trying to answer that question. His new graphic novel, Last of the Giants, is his best attempt yet. In this episode, Doug joins Zoë and Brendan to talk about leaving a 25-year career in radio to build a trail running tour company in Chamonix, why he kept going back to one of the world's most grueling ultramarathons, and how he translated the experience of hallucinating in a snowstorm at 3am into a visual story. He shares what he learned from interviewing neuroscientists, a Buddhist monk who specializes in suffering, and the world's leading expert on pilgrimages, all in service of understanding why we do hard things and what we bring back from them. The conversation touches on "meeting the dragon" (a Buddhist concept for the moment when your usual tools stop working), the hero's journey, why Tour de Géants feels like "the PhD of ultrarunning," and how Doug accidentally started dating someone mid-race because her prefrontal cortex was too exhausted to know better. Links: • Last of the Giants by Doug Mayer, available at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and wherever books are sold •Run the Alps – trail running tours in the European Alps •Running Warehouse – gear guides and the Salomon Genesis •Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races – May 30, 2026 (10k, half, 50k, 50 miler) More from UltraSignup Podcasts: •The Buzz with Buzz Burrell – deep dives into ultrarunning culture and philosophy •Between Two Pines – A trail running podcast that doesn't take itself too seriously

Pat Cade, PhD mathematician and Leadville teacher/coach who has finished the Leadville 100 multiple times, shares stories from life at 10,000 feet. He talks about choosing Leadville, building a community of athlete-teachers, and why coaching is more conversation than commands. He explains how math habits mirror endurance training, why altitude changes recovery, and what the Dream Chaser fundraiser means to local students.

Steve Magness, a performance scientist, discusses the power of running as a healthy 'cult' that fosters community and emotional connection. He explains how shared challenges can strengthen relationships. Dan Lieberman, an evolutionary biologist, calls ultra running 'totally bizarre,' offering insights into our evolutionary mismatches with long-distance running. Their engaging conversation dives into the effort paradox, exploring why we value hard-earned achievements, and highlights how running can serve as a laboratory for personal growth and virtue.

Romy Ancona, a DJ and trail runner from Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, shares their unique journey blending music and outdoor adventures. They discuss the vibrant finish lines they create at races and their efforts to promote inclusivity in the ultrarunning community. After a serious accident that broke their back, Romy reflects on how their relationship with running has changed. They also explore the significance of mixing tracks for live events, their love for eclectic music, and the quirky habit of watching pro paintball on the treadmill!

Lindsey Freeman, a sociologist and author of Running, brings a queer and feminist lens to the world of athletics. In this conversation, she dives into treating running as a practice that fosters self-discovery through repetition. Lindsey emphasizes the importance of showing up, the joys and challenges of consistency, and the rise of queer run clubs. She also shares insights on the emotional complexities of endurance and the connection between running and indie music, all while offering practical advice for overcoming writer's block and fatigue.