HappyCast

In this jam-packed episode of the HappyCast, the whole gang recaps and relives their time at Rocky Raccoon 100, one of largest 100 milers in the country. They are joined by Javier Gutierrez and his crew, Connor Bessell and Michael McGinnis. Javier.  Javier returns to Rocky after surviving the onslaught of rain at last year’s edition. He ran a spectacular and very calculated race, and was joined by...

In this episode of the Happy Cast, hosts Stephanie Leake, Dylan Rueff, and Andrew Marvin sit down with ultra runner Steph Smith , who has taken the trail-running world by storm—by running 100-mile races in Crocs . From her early days as a marathoner to her first ultra, Steph shares how she discovered her love for endurance racing and why traditional running shoes never quite worked for her. After...

In this episode of the Happy Cast, we dive into the the Long Haul 100 in Florida with special guests Rachel Grabow and Brandon Veltman. Hosts Stephanie Leake and Dylan Rueff guide the conversation through the highs, lows, and unexpected moments of this challenging ultra-marathon in Florida’s unpredictable January weather. From overcoming flat-course mental hurdles to battling the intense humidity,...

We’re back for season 4 of the HappyCast! On this episode, the gang recaps their holiday shenanigans, such as Dylan preparing for Rocky Raccoon 100, Stephanie doing the annual Dallas to Cowtown run in hopes of redemption, and Andrew running the incredible Snowdrop 55 hour event for children’s cancer in Houston.  And in the main segment, Andrew and Stephanie recap an amazing Bandera 100k down in Te...

In this season finale of HappyCast , the team takes a reflective dive into the highs and lows of 2024, celebrating both the victories and the hard lessons learned. Hosts Stephanie, Andrew, and Dylan recount their most memorable moments, from Stephanie’s incredible feat of pacing 377 miles this year to Andrew’s transformative experience battling DNFs. Through laughter and honest conversations, the...

In this powerful episode of HappyCast , the team welcomes two extraordinary guests: Aimee Jacobs, the new overall course record holder at the Dinosaur Valley 100 Miler, and her crew chief, Marina Germain. Fresh off her incredible sub-20-hour performance, Aimee shares her deeply moving journey from early beginnings in triathlons to her rise in the ultra-running world. However, her story goes far be...

In this episode of HappyCast, we dive into the incredible stories from the Dino Valley 100, a race that’s captured the hearts of the ultra-running community. Aimee Jacobs’ record-breaking performance takes center stage as she not only sets a new female course record but breaks the male record as well, solidifying this year’s race as a historic moment in ultra-running. The crew reflects on the race...

This week on the HappyCast, we’re excited to feature an episode from another inspiring ultra-running podcast, Ultra Runs in the Family . Liz and Ben Bridgman, the hosts of this heartfelt and humorous show, share the unique challenges of balancing life as a family with their love for running. In this featured episode, ‘No Whiners, Wimps, or Wusses! Tales from Cactus Rose 100’ , Liz recounts her jou...

Buckle up for an episode full of laughter, reflection, and incredible trail vibes as Dylan Rueff and Stephanie Leake take you on a journey through the Indiana Trail 100, the only 100-mile ultramarathon in the Hoosier State. Known for its welcoming community and scenic yet approachable trails, this race is a favorite among runners seeking camaraderie and a challenge. With its 25-mile looped course...

In this episode of HappyCast , we dive into the incredible journey of Addy and her triumphant finish at the Javelina Jundred . Known for its party atmosphere and relentless desert heat, Javelina pushed Addy to her limits as she tackled high temperatures in the 90s, fully exposed trails, and the goal of breaking the coveted 30-hour mark. With determination and a carefully executed plan for each loo...

This week on the HappyCast, we recap the most recent Moab 240, which ended up being one of the hottest years on record! Our very own Andrew was sent over to volunteer and was on-site for over a week witnessing the beauty and carnage of this race.  But more importantly, and impressively, we have Jess Greene join us to recap her experience. This was Jess’ 5th Moab experience, so we get to deep-dive...

In this powerful and inspiring episode, Andrew, Stephanie, and Dylan sit down with Meg Eckert, an ultrarunner who recently achieved a stunning feat at Big’s Backyard Ultra by completing 87 laps, setting a new women’s world record with a total of 362.5 miles. Known for its grueling format, the backyard ultra challenges runners to complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour until only one remains. It’s an...

This week on HappyCast, Stephanie and Darren welcome Erin MacNabb to discuss her recent finish at the Bear 100, a race renowned for its rugged terrain, stunning autumn scenery, and grueling 22,000-foot climb. Starting in Logan, Utah, and stretching 100 miles north to Fish Haven, Idaho, the Bear 100 tests runners with demanding elevation gains and technical descents through the Wasatch and Bear Riv...

On this episode of the HappyCast, we talk about fear of heights and how we manage racing through it! Not really…but that does come up at the end. For this episode, we are joined by returning guests Gus Rodriguez and Ashley Forshey as they discuss finishing their first 200 mile race: the Cowboy 200 by Ultraverse Supplements!  Not only did they just finish this race, they planned from the very start...

In this episode, we sit down with Simon Guérard , an ultra-runner and filmmaker with an unbroken streak of finishes. Fresh off his impressive runs at the Saddle 100 in Arizona and the Tor des Géants in the Italian Alps, Simon shares his unique approach to ultra-running. Known for his mental toughness, Simon has never experienced a DNF, and in this episode, he reveals some mental strategies and tri...

In this episode of the HappyCast, we go traverse the Canadian Rockies with Rachel Bambrick in one of the hardest “new” 200 milers in the country: The Divide 200 by Sinister Sports. Rachel talks about preparing for this race, having done Cocodona 250 previously and setting out to do more unsupported efforts. She talks about the difficulty of the now infamous first 50k, and how Mother Nature came in...

The crew heads towards the Alps for this episode of the HappyCast, with prolific 200 mile runner, Mika Thewes, who is fresh off of completing one of the hardest 200 mile races in the world, Tor des Géants 330. In this episode, Mika talks all things Tor, including the ups, downs, and everything that went sideways (who needs sleep anyways?), and her brush with déjà vu, and more appropriately, déjà v...

In this special episode of the HappyCast, the hosts sit down with ultra-runner Kenneth Anderlitch to discuss his ambitious 1,700-mile run from Washington D.C. to San Antonio. The run is not just about endurance but also aims to raise awareness and funds for Haven for Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families experiencing homelessness. Kenneth opens up about the physical and mental preparatio...

In this episode of HappyCast, Stephanie and guest host Ben Bridgeman sit down with Chance Helmick to talk about his incredible journey at the Crazy Mountain 100. This grueling race, set in the breathtaking yet treacherous Crazy Mountains of Montana, is known for its steep climbs, rocky terrain, and stunning alpine views. With over 22,000 feet of elevation gain, it’s one of the most challenging ult...

In this episode of HappyCast, Stephanie takes us through her experience at the Hallucination 100, held during the groovy Run Woodstock festival in Michigan. While the weather and conditions were manageable, this race became a personal challenge that brought valuable lessons for Stephanie as she continues to evolve as an ultra-runner. Set against the backdrop of vibrant festival activities and peac...

In this episode of HappyCast, we’re excited to welcome Roberto Gonzalez, who recounts the incredible experience of pacing blind runner Jeff Hardaway to his 100-kilometer finish at the infamous Habanero 100. Known for its scorching heat and brutal sandy terrain, the Habanero 100 is one of the toughest ultra races in Texas. Held in mid-August, the race kicks off at noon, challenging runners to endur...

On this week’s episode of the HappyCast, we are joined by returning guest AND recently crowned Bigfoot 200 winner, Jessica Schiller! This was Jessica’s first 200 mile race, and she was up against some stiff competition.   This year, Bigfoot 200 had a major reroute last minute after a file broke out near the middle of the course. So instead of the traditional point-to-point 200+ mile course that tr...

In this lively episode of HappyCast, Stephanie teams up with local runner Peg Donahue and her brother for a deep dive into their recent adventure at the Badger 100 in Wisconsin. The Badger 100, part of the Ten Junk Miles Racing Series, is known for its mix of scenic beauty and relentless challenges, winding through the picturesque trails of the Midwest. With temperatures soaring to 90 degrees for...

In this episode of HappyCast, we delve into the epic journey of this year’s Badwater 135, a race so intense it could be likened to a real-life game of Jumanji. We’re joined by ultra runner Brandy Ray and her entire crew as they recount the trials and tribulations of facing the world’s toughest foot race. Brandy, built for the extreme conditions of this event, shares her meticulous training regimen...

In this episode of HappyCast, we are thrilled to welcome ultra runner Walter Handloser. Fresh off his recent finish at the grueling Summit 200, Walter sits down with us to share his experiences and insights from the inaugural race. Attempting three challenging races in just nine days, Walter covered nearly 400 miles, successfully completing the Ouray 100 and Summit 200 while narrowly timing out at...