On this episode of Running Toward Life John Trent is joined by San Diego 100 race director Angela Shartel.

A distinguished ultrarunner, Angela shares her inspiring story of overcoming personal battles to reach unprecedented heights in the sport of ultrarunning. As she and John get into the conversation, she shares that her path to running came from a challenging journey of weight loss, overcoming food addiction, and personal struggles which led her to find solace in running.

Starting with a 20-mile trail behind her house, leading her to win significant ultramarathons, including the prestigious Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run (where she held a course record) and Fat Dog 120 Trail Race (she's second all-time fastest here!). Her story will resonate with runners seeking to find meaning and happiness in their own running journeys. And her experiences highlight the importance of perseverance, self-reflection, and supportive relationships in achieving personal growth and success.

Listen in to learn the insights Angela shares to help you gain a new perspective on running and discover how to find fulfillment in every step of your own journey.

Photo courtesy of Angela Shartel

On this episode of the Running Toward Life podcast John's guest is Diana Fitzpatrick.

Diana Fitzpatrick is no ordinary ultra runner. As an accomplished athlete with multiple Western States endurance run finishes and holding age group records, she also gives back to the community. Diana has dedicated over a decade to coaching incarcerated men at San Quentin, and her deep understanding of the transformative power of running has made a significant impact on the lives of those she coaches. Diana also shares her passion for running as a respected leader, currently serving as the first woman president of the Western States Run. Get ready to be inspired by her incredible journey and the ways in which running can bring about positive change.

SHOW NOTES:

• Read more about Ronnie Goodman: https://sanquentinnews.com/remembering-ronnie-goodman-painter-champion-runner-friend/
• Learn about the documentary 26.2 to Life: https://www.sanquentinmarathon.com/
• Get the scoop on the Dipsea Race: https://www.dipsea.org/
• Check out the Western States Endurance Run and consider participating or volunteering: https://www.wser.org/
• Get your copy of John's books everywhere books are sold! Running Toward Life: https://broadbookpress.com/running-toward-life Second Sunrise: https://broadbookpress.com/second-sunrise

Photo credit: Western States Endurance Run

In this episode of Running Toward Life, Scott Mills joins John Trent as he shares his story of how he became a part of the ultra community wherever he was stationed, and the importance of passing the baton to the next generation of race directors.

Scott is a legendary ultra-runner who has also made a name for himself as a dedicated race director. Over the years, Scott has accumulated a remarkable list of race achievements including finishing the Western States Endurance Run 20 times and completing the Hardrock Endurance Run 100 Mile on ten occasions. His dedication to the sport has been further showcased in his involvement as a race director for iconic events such as the Bull Run Run 50 Miler and the San Diego 100. Scott's life in ultrarunning has led to the formation of meaningful connections with communities across the country. Leveraging on his extensive experience, Scott is now guiding the next generation of race directors to continue his legacy in maintaining top-notch race experiences.

The key moments in this episode are:

• 4:26 - Race Directing
• 7:23 - San Diego 100
• 13:19 - Passing the Torch
• 15:41 - The Importance of Volunteers in Ultra-Running
• 31:22 - The Importance of Running Community
• 33:12 - The Allure of Running 100 Miles
• 34:09 - The Power of Friendship

Learn about the Western States Endurance Run: https://www.wser.org/

Learn about the San Diego 100: https://sandiego100.com/

Lean about the Hardrock Endurance Run 100 Mile: https://www.hardrock100.com/

Pick up a copy of John's latest books, Running Toward Life: Finding Community and Wisdom in the Distances We Run and Second Sunrise: Five Decades of History at the Western States Endurance Run, everywhere books are sold.  ​

Photo credit: Western States Endurance Run

Have you ever been struck by the unexpected, something so out of the blue that it changes your entire course of life? Shannon Weil certainly has.

In this episode of the Running Toward Life podcast we have the co-founder of Western States Endurance Run Shannon Weil. Shannon is an ultra-running luminary who devoted her life to the establishment and growth of the Western States Endurance Run. With a background in equestrianism, she brought her expertise in endurance sports to help create a trailblazing event that would celebrate human potential and perseverance.

It was her unique talent for branding and design revolutionized the race's visual appearance, enticing ultra-runners from around the world to vie for the coveted silver buckle. Listen in as we dive into Shannon's captivating journey and her lasting impact on the Western States Endurance Run and beyond.

Photo credit: Shannon Weil

As we worked on episodes of Running Toward Life with John Trent we realized we needed to bring it back to the start and record a special episode for those new to ultrarunning.

Buckle up and prepare to be inspired by the stories of grit, determination, and passion that define the world of ultrarunning as producer Paul Roberts digs into the sport, the why behind it all, and how it all comes together with your host John Trent.  In this episode, John and Paul discuss:

• The powerful role ultrarunning plays in shaping both body and mind.
• The remarkable ways the human body adapts to extreme conditions.
• Why mental fortitude, humility, and never giving up are essential in ultra running.
• How people realize the potential of ultrarunning as a conduit for personal growth and spiritual awakening.

To learn more about the Western States Endurance Run visit www.wser.org.

Pick up a copy of John's latest book, Running Toward Life: Finding Community and Wisdom in the Distances We Run, everywhere books are sold. 

BUY SECOND SUNRISE: https://bookshop.org/a/3785/9798985191325 BUY RUNNING TOWARD LIFE: https://bookshop.org/a/3785/9781737517825

In this episode of Running Toward Life, John is joined by Jenny Capel.

Jenny's journey into ultrarunning began with her father, Roland Martin, a runner himself who encouraged her to try the trails. Initially resistant, she soon found herself captivated by the beauty and challenges of trail running. As she embraced the sport, her father became her strongest supporter, always there to cheer her on and share in her accomplishments. Through his unwavering belief in her abilities, Roland instilled in Jenny the confidence and determination to overcome any obstacle. Today, Jenny carries the lessons her father taught her, both on the trail and in life. In his memory, she is also committed to giving back to the ultra running community by helping organize and support small, community-focused races that preserve the spirit of the sport.

Listen in as John and Jenny discuss the following:

• Discover the life-changing effects of incorporating running into your daily routine.

• Uncover the significance of a supportive community in the world of ultra-running.

• Explore the impact of Jenny's father on her personal development and belief system.

• Learn about the importance of backing small-community races and volunteering in the ultra-running scene.

• Delve into the highs and lows of ultra-running, and acquire tools to conquer the challenges.

To learn more about the Western States Endurance Run visit www.wser.org.

Pick up a copy of John's latest book, Running Toward Life: Finding Community and Wisdom in the Distances We Run, everywhere books are sold. 

Photo credit: Jenny Capel

Craig Thornley on Preserving Western States: A Community of Runners

In this episode of Running Toward Life, John's guest is Craig Thornley. Craig is a prominent figure in the ultra-running community who has spent over a decade at the helm of the Western States Endurance Run as race director. Craig's impressive resume includes top ten finishes at Western States and years of involvement in the community through volunteering at aid stations since his youth. Craig's experience, passion for the sport, and dedication to community spirit make him an ideal guest to discuss the preservation of Western States accessibility to runners and the significance of community involvement.

Listen in as they talk about the:

• Hidden importance of Golden Hour for everyday runners tackling ultrarunning

• Mental resilience demanded by ultrarunning and its broader implications

• Leadership mindset that's crucial to success in ultrarunning

• Need to maintain Western States accessibility for avid runners and supporting camaraderie

• The human side of running and the story behind Craig's Twitter handle @lord_balls

To learn more about the Western States Endurance Run visit www.wser.org and be sure to follow Craig on Twitter (@lord_balls)!

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Pick up a copy of John's latest book, Running Toward Life: Finding Community and Wisdom in the Distances We Run, everywhere books are sold. 

In this special episode of the Pub Date podcast, the book broads are joined by sports journalist John Trent and book designer Vicky Vaughn Shea to talk about books, ultra running, and community. 

John and Vicky embarked on a journey to uncover the story of the Western States Endurance Run and its rich history. Through their research and conversations with the founders, they discovered the inspiring community, wisdom, and spirit of the ultra running world. The result of their work became two books: Running Toward Life: Finding Community and Wisdom in the Distances We Run and Second Sunrise: Five Decades of History at the Western States Endurance Run.

By creating two books, John and Vicky sought to bring this story to the masses. With their unique perspectives, they created a narrative that encouraged readers to lace up their shoes, explore the trails, and find the joy and self-reflection running provides. In this episode, we discuss: 1. The inspiring stories behind the Western States Endurance Run and its founders 2. The creative process behind producing two new books 3. And explore the unique sense of community and togetherness found in the ultrarunning world

Subscribe to the Running Toward Life podcast for new episode releases with John Trent as your host.