Strides: A Trail Running Podcast

Boy Scouts meets endurance sports with a touch of Wes Anderson and Rocky; that is what nearly 30 athletes will experience next month in the Texas Hill Country, courtesy of Javian Quinones and U:LTRA EQUIPMENTS. For weeks, Javian has been teasing bits and pieces of what campers can expect—from sponsors such as LMNT electrolytes and Rayo Energy—over Instagram. Javian is carving a unique experience w...

Amos Lozano goes by many names. From Coach Famous Amos to The Juiced Up Ninja, and, perhaps unofficially, the back-to-back 53K champion at the San Antonio Road Runners’ Rocky Horror Trail Run.  But at the center of all the monikers—all of the accolades—is a devout student of movement; a curious student of routine. Amos is generous with his wisdom and knowledge, as evidenced by his commitment to he...

From Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the desert of Arizona on part of the Cocodona course, Shaun Jones needs no introduction. He is a friend of the show and a vital part of the San Antonio scene. Shaun last chatted with me on January 2, speaking candidly of being “thrown off” due to a change in course during a 50-mile attempt at Cactus Rose. He would eventually DNF the race due to subsequent ankle is...

Aimee Warnke's ultrarunning resume, this year alone, is impressive: First place at the HURT100 and first place two-peat at the Prickly Pear 50K. That does not account for all of her accomplishments in 2025, including a finish at the Leadville 100. The 2025 Prickly Pear was the event that put Aimee on my radar, not long before Strides dropped its first episode. Aimee's commitment to the s...

Jimmy Segura's mindset for running is rooted in routine, with a sprinkle of zeal.  Jimmy sat down with me not long after completing a 100-miler at Rocky Raccoon in January—his first completion at the coveted distance. However, Jimmy is always looking for bigger challenges. In this conversation, we discuss how he was first introduced to running and how proximity to his favorite trail spot in S...

Less than a year ago, on this podcast, Edgar Navarrete made up his mind: He was going to run the Black Canyon 100K.  Edgar and 1,000 other runners will tee off on Black Canyon's point-to-point course through the Arizona desert this weekend. I've wanted to return to this part of our July 2025 conversation since Edgar laid the groundwork.  Edgar is coming off a finish in the 55K at the Big...

A face behind Southwest Elixirs and the Extra Credit crew, Madison Ortega is shaping her running journey surrounded by community.  You could say running "runs in the family," as the sport dots the lives of many of Madison's family figures. Now, alongside her husband and friend of the show, Santiago, Madison channels that history into her running. In this conversation, we discuss how...

Roy Gallegos returns to the race that started it all, and graduates to the 50K distance in the process.  In his second time at Bandera, Roy is preparing to toe the 50K start line, having knocked out a stellar 2025, which included a 50K finish at Sky Island in September. In this conversation, we touch on Roy's processes for the effort and what he hopes to pursue post-Bandera.  Follow Roy on St...

Two is the recurring number for Cait Gomez: It's her second time running at Bandera, and her second 50K. Cait is coming into this weekend's race having spent physical time on the course alongside her coach and other Bandera runners. Coupled with focused training and some homemade nutrition, Cait is confident in crossing the finish line, even if the effort will be long.  Follow Cait on St...

Erick Rendon is coming into this year's Bandera trail race, nearing his tenth time in some distance at the esteemed Hill Country race. For his third attempt at the 100K distance, Erick is not scared of the distance; for him, it is more of a mental battle. Erick is confident his cross-training on the bike will help him cross the finish line this weekend. Follow Erick on Strava Follow Strides o...

Santiago Ortega is coming into this year's Bandera trail race with back-to-back-to-back efforts planned.  Not only is Santiago looking to check the Bandera 25K off his list, but he is also planning to race the 20K at the Big Bend Ultra not long after. He will cap it off with another 50K at the Rocky 50 in February. Hear how Santiago is planning for all of the efforts, and his plans to stay on...

Katie Glasheen is coming into her time at Bandera calm, cool, and calculated.  Running the 50K distance for the second time, Katie is confident that her training block and composition of strength training and physio will pay off.  In this conversation, hear how Katie sprinkled in some fun during her 15-week training block and what she plans to pack for nutrition and hydration. Follow Katie on Stra...

Shaun Jones is coming into this year's HOKA Bandera trail race with redemption and first-time experiences on his mind. Despite this being his first attempt at any distance at Bandera, Shaun is eyeing a finish following an unfortunate DNF at Cactus Rose last year. Nonetheless, Shaun is expecting his focused training to help him cross the finish line. Follow Shaun on Strava Follow Strides on In...

The Bandera course is something of a homecoming for Courtney Rouse, a local legend in San Antonio's trail scene. It was the first course she ran when she moved to San Antonio, and one she has continually returned to.  Courtney is coming into this year's 50K race looking to have fun and improve on her 5-hour time last year, albeit on a last-minute course change.  Follow Courtney on Strava...

In September, ahead of the Sky Island trail race, Will Rocha famously said he was going to "f**k around and find out." I suppose you could say it paid off—Rocha took the top spot on the 25K, finishing the race in just under two-and-a-half hours. An impressive finish, especially considering it was Rocha's first trail race. However, Rocha is no stranger to the endurance chase. In our...

Jordan Gracey may be an average runner, but his itch for the heart of running and creating is palpable. Gracey is one of three behind " AVRG ," a DIY-zine tailored for all runners.  Check out Issue 001 from AVRG. We recorded this episode back in September. While we do touch on running and AVRG in this conversation, Jordan graciously shared in my meanderings about trail shoes, the beauty...

Heading into this year's Sky Island, third time is the charm for Cale Williams. Cale Williams has stuck to what he knows in his preparation for Sky Island -- hill repeats and long trail runs, especially at the Babcock Powerlines in San Antonio. As for nutrition, Cale is looking toward gummy bears. And some Huma gels, of course. But for Cale, he is eyeing a chill ride on the 25K and looking fo...

In his first 50k, Roy Gallegos is not letting Sky Island's distance get to his head. Roy Gallegos' mindset is one rooted in a humble mentality; a devotee to the endurance experience. From 5:00 a.m. training runs to acclimating to the necessary elevation gains, Roy is prepared for the experience of a lifetime. At the end, one thing awaits: finishing as an ultramarathoner. What's next...

West Texas has come calling again for Joe Sierra, who is looking for the finish in his second trail race of the year at Sky Island.  Joe Sierra is coming off a Big Bend Ultra 50-mile finish from earlier this year, though he is also battling a bad shin splint. Despite that, however, Joe describes how prioritizing recovery and cross-training on the bike has prepared him for the longevity of the Sky...

In his first trail race, Will Rocha is going to fuck around and find out in his home away from home. There is a beauty in coming into an endurance feat with the intent to find out one's limits. For Will Rocha, the Sky Island 25k will be a test of mental fortitude. Listen to find out how Will is coping with injury, approaching the start with patience, and how he landed racing at Sky Island. Fo...

Running with her dad and husband by her side, Madison Ortega is ready for the magic of Sky Island and West Texas. In this episode, Madison Ortega describes her mentality coming into her second trail race. Fitting that it is another West Texas race, as she did the 20k at the Big Bend Ultra earlier this year. Trading frigid temperatures for the blazing sun, Madison discusses her training post-injury...

The heart of the athlete shines with Javian Quinones, a faithful devotee to the endurance chase. Quinones, who is rehabbing and rebuilding from his third knee surgery, has chased endurance on two wheels and two feet.  A seeker of the ultra distance, Quinones has big goals and bigger miles. We chat about what brought him into running and how that evolved to cycling, the importance of optimism when...

Santiago Ortega is eyeing the finish line on his first 50k and preparing to fill that experience with joy. In this episode, hear how Santiago is mentally preparing for the effort, what fuel sources he plans to utilize–including the underrated (gluten-free) peanut butter and jelly sandwich—and how a trip to Mexico City earlier this year is affecting his mindset going into the race. Follow Santiago...

Hey everybody! I’m happy to introduce this project: Strides’ pre-race coverage of the Sky Island trail race.  The race, one of West Texas’ finest, is in its ninth year. Boasting views of Fort Davis, the McDonald Observatories, and the skies of Texas, the race is much-loved — and it's calling the name of some badass runners. For this coverage, I sat down with nine runners from San Antonio who...

There is an air of calm and creativity to Shaun Jones’ view on running, much of which is often evoked through the camera lens of his phone. Influenced by his interests in street photography, Jones sometimes dedicates runs to finding striking images, all while covering miles on the trails or parts of the San Antonio River Walk from the steps of his front door.  In this conversation, we discuss how...