Cultra Trail Running

Our weekly podcast shares the unique perspective of the North East, Beast Coast Ultra running scene: raw, impulsive, and irreverent. The Cultra Trail Running Podcast is a place where we can get together and discuss all the fun stuff that happens on the trails that most normal people don't care about. Join the Cult! or maybe you already have without realizing it... resistance is futile.

353: Liz Derstine Music on the PCT Ridgeline 04/06/2026

352: Vermont 100 Beast Coast Trail Running Stories with Amy Rusiecki 03/27/2026

352: Vermont 100 Beast Coast Trail Running Stories with Amy Rusiecki Anna, Fred, Josh, and AFB sit down with Amy Rusiecki, the longtime race director of the legendary Vermont 100 Endurance Run. Amy shares the behind-the-scenes realities of directing one of the oldest 100-mile races in the country and how she ended up becoming one of the most respected organizers in the sport. If you love a great story, you’ve stumbled into a whole pasture of them, like opening the gate and finding the World’s Largest Cow waiting for you. Amy talks about her early days in endurance sports, how she transitioned from competitive XC skier and ultrarunner to race director, and the complicated logistics of managing hundreds of runners, horses, volunteers, and aid stations across rural Vermont. The group dives into the balancing act of preserving the history and culture of the Vermont 100 while adapting to the modern ultrarunning world. So many great stories! The conversation also covers the volunteer ecosystem that keeps ultras alive, the unique runner-horse dynamic at VT100, how races survive in an era of permits and land management challenges, and why community is still the heart of the sport. Amy shares how The Vermont 100 Endurance Run has long supported a nonprofit that provides year-round sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. Proceeds from the race help fund adaptive programs like skiing, cycling, paddling, and trail running throughout Vermont. Of course, it wouldn’t be Cultra without some tangents along the way, gear talk, race directing war stories, and the usual Northeast trail running chaos. Amy also reflects on what makes the Vermont 100 special, what runners often don’t see behind the curtain, and why the race continues to matter to so many people in the ultrarunning community. If you’ve ever run, volunteered at, or dreamed about the Vermont 100, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most iconic races in the sport, and the origin story of Cultra Learn more about how to support Get your official at our store! Intro music by Become a basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at and feel better Buy Fred's Book More Information on the /episode/index/show/cultratrailrunning/id/40644175

351 Time Warp, Umstead 100 and Patreon Barbershop 03/22/2026

350: Guitar Playing in the Orange Mud with Josh Sprague 03/12/2026

349: Weighted Vest Ski Jumping at Black Canyon 100K 02/20/2026

348: The Real King of Pain in The Frozen Heart 900 02/13/2026

347: Hot Takes on AMC Winter School with Martin Janoschek 02/06/2026

346: How to Become a Lifelong Runner & Olympic Skimo in The Burrito League 01/31/2026

345: Ty Gagne: Risk, Rescue, and Decision-Making in the Whites 01/18/2026

344: Across The Years Nap Tents, Plus Part 1 of Gearing up for Winter Running in the Northeast 01/06/2026

343: CUT112 and Cultra's New Digs in The Whites 12/26/2025

342: Golden Tips on Coaching High School XC and Ultra Running 11/04/2025

341: Jared Beasley on The Endurance Artist and Life with Laz 10/11/2025

340: AFB and Phred Trash Patreon, Honor Jack LaLane, The Corn Palace and the Spam Museum 10/07/2025

339: Andrew Drummond White Mountains 100 Community Builder 09/20/2025

338 New England Races and Patreon Love 09/11/2025

338 New England Races and Patreon Love AFB and Evil Becky are back with a full plate of races, mountain lore, and more than a few tangents. If you like your trail chatter served awkwardly with Swedish Fish, this one’s for you. Shan Riggs is at it again!! Race Recaps: We dive into the Cross Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness and Macedonia Trailways in Kent, breaking down the 50K, 25K, and 12K finishers like we were there (spoiler: we weren’t). Cats Tail Drama: Evil Becky drops the bomb that she’s skipping Cat’s Tail on her birthday (Sept 27th). Send your condolences in Swedish Fish. Mountain Madness: We talk Notch View Invitational, CT Donut Run, Escarpment, and why you *must* listen to our Dick Vincent episode if you want your trail cred card stamped. Art also tells us how Mount Washington once ate hikers for breakfast back in 1900. Big Trail Feats: Annie Tilden crushes the Bob Marshall Traverse, and Vigo Fish takes on the Desolation Loop in NH. Patreon Love: Our patrons keep this ship running (and stocked with candy). Huge thanks to Angela and the rest of the gang—progress, grit, and support like yours make the show possible. Wisconsin meet-up incoming! College Cross Country: Evil Becky casually name-drops Emily Mayer at a meet, while her sons make a statement at the University of Hartford Invitational by winning races. Because if you’re going to impress a college, might as well take home the W. Community Corner:Judy Proto (yes, the first female NFL kicker), Justin Kowski’s new course record, Laz’s upcoming Barclays Fall Classic, plus encounters with Bill Odendall, Brian Musiak, Celeste Fong, Cherie and Christine A Chin Hing It’s everything you love about Cultra: history, hilarity, and heaps of community love—with a side of Evil Becky eye-rolls. Shan Riggs Learn more about Shan's 1100 mile Run and Medals 4 Meddle Get your official at our store! Outro music by Become a basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Don't watch this with your kids Twitter Sign up for a race at and feel better Buy Fred's Book More Information on the /episode/index/show/cultratrailrunning/id/38184645

337: Dick Vincent: Founder of the Escarpment Trail Run & Longest-Serving Trail Race Director 09/04/2025

336: Are the Adirondacks Tougher Than the Whites? Trail Legends Weigh In 08/31/2025

336: Are the Adirondacks Tougher Than the Whites? Trail Legends Weigh In Krista Petrie and Debbie Clouthier might just be the fastest “slow hikers” you’ll ever meet. Joining forces with West Rock Ramblers Anna G(arsten), Josh Gaetjen, and AFB, these Canadian adventurers bring stories that range from the White Mountains to the Arctic and everywhere in between. We first crossed paths with Krista and Debbie during our Owl’s Head adventure in the Whites, and immediately knew we had to get them on Cultra. We expected good stuff, but at times we were flat-out speechless. The conversation covers it all: Trail running and peak bagging in the Whites and Adirondacks Multi-day treks through Iceland, Nepal, and Patagonia Debbie’s years cooking in the Canadian Arctic, with wolves, wolverines, and the occasional polar bear for company Krista’s transition from competitive soccer to marathon canoe racing—and her not-so-casual run-ins with grizzlies in Kluane National Park Somewhere between wolf attacks, soggy tents, and the classic “mile and a half” sign-off, we also discovered that progressive lenses are apparently mandatory “slide” gear once you hit your 50s. Who knew? Gear nerds, don’t worry, we also get into mountain weather prep, bear safety (Polar, Griz, Black, no Panda) and winter hiking essentials like snowshoes, microspikes, and extra layers. Along the way, we debate Adirondacks vs. Whites, swap stories about unexpected trail meetups, and laugh about why some hikers insist on packing half their house “just in case.” Spoiler alert: the legendary Debbie Clouthier is 73 years old and still hiking circles around the rest of us—even when we’re “running.” Follow Krista on Instagram Check out Follow Links to Get your official at our store! Outro music by Become a basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at and feel better Buy Fred's Book More Information on the /episode/index/show/cultratrailrunning/id/38035310

335: The Shenipsit Striders Running Club at 50 Years 08/21/2025

334: Judy Proteau and the Race for the Refuge 08/14/2025

334: Judy Proteau and the Race for the Refuge Episode 334: Judy Proteau and the Race for the Refuge This week we’re joined by the one and only Judy Proteau—ultrarunner, race director, Highland City Strider, kicker for the NFL, and all-around trail badass. Judy’s here to talk about her first year directing the Race for the Refuge, happening September 28th at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, MA. (You bet your ass...abet!)We get into the behind-the-scenes of putting on a race, tribal land permissions, course marking, volunteer wrangling, post-race beer logistics (yes, that’s a thing), and why she’s adding a guided one-mile family walk to the event. We also take a trip down Judy’s running memory lane—from her “oops I gained a few pounds in my 20s” jogs, to her first marathon at Sugarloaf, to her 50K adventures, to finishing her first 100 at Hamster Wheel. You’ll hear about the 48-hour race where she overheated, dropped, then rallied two hours later to finish with twelve seconds to spare. AFB math: 100 miles plus 12 seconds to spare= 112! Her mantras? “Get Rich or Die Trying” and “This is for all the cookies in the cookie jar.” This is a really amazing story! Enough said. Other highlights include: Art adopts a new Siamese kitten named Avery 🐾 (and yes, she’s already podcast famous). Historical tidbits on King Philip’s War and why Sudbury trails are more than just dirt paths. The welcoming vibe of Judy’s Highland City Striders, including their “slow and steady striders” crew and Tuesday muffin runs. Denali 135 dreams, Notch View 200 temptations, and a possible Cultra road trip. This one’s part race preview, part ultra origin story, and part love letter to the trail community. Judy’s enthusiasm is contagious, and we think you’ll want to lace up (or volunteer) after listening. It may be the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Links from the show: Judy’s Instagram: at our store! Outro music by Become a basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Don't watch this with your kids Twitter Sign up for a race at and feel better Buy Fred's Book More Information on the /episode/index/show/cultratrailrunning/id/37825065

333 Overcoming Escarpment Yips & The Bug-Net Hat 08/04/2025

332: The Vermont 100 "Miler" Endurance Race 07/25/2025

331: Notchview Cultra Aid Station Food Fight 07/11/2025

331: Notchview Cultra Aid Station Food Fight In this episode, AFB and Evil Becky dive deep into the madness and method behind prepping for their 48-hour showdown at Notch View. With ice towels, grilled quesadillas, and hallucination avoidance on the menu, the duo breaks down their pacing strategies, sleep plans, nutrition math, and mental game-while still finding time to argue over pee bottles and AI coaching. Art unveils his “douche canoe” plan to knock out 75 miles in the first 24 hours, relying on hydration tricks and skills gleaned from the Tour De France and Erie Canal Trail before sleeping, rinsing and repeating. Evil Becky brings the heat (or more accurately, plans to sleep through it), favoring strategic hill-walking, silence at the start, and keeping her sanity intact by avoiding Art as long as possible. They tackle the high-stakes game of ultra-fueling from Tailwind and Precision gels to grilled cheese and reflect on how runners tie self-worth to results (and why that’s dangerous). Bonus: Evil Becky shares her favorite comfort foods and confirms she will not be participating in any pee bottle experiments, thank you very much. Or is it all behind the "Pay Wall"? Highlights & Segments: (Times Quoted are most likely B.S.) 00:03:10 – Art’s “75-Mile Day One” plan and Evil Becky’s eye-roll 00:10:45 – Cooling tactics: neck ice vs. strategic napping 00:17:00 – Nutrition: 100-cal vs. 300-cal per hour philosophies 00:24:30 – Pee bottles: creative solution or horrifying idea? 00:30:15 – Favorite race foods: ramen, grilled cheese, quesadillas, and more 00:37:40 – Sleep, silence, and social limits during ultras 00:46:55 – Evil Becky’s “start in silence” mindset 00:52:10 – Western States recap: self-worth, struggle, and grace 00:59:00 – Predictions for hallucinations, mileage, and midnight snacks Quotable Moment: “Sometimes silence is my best pacer.” – Evil Becky Deep Thoughts that most won’t discuss: Is sleep deprevation worth the cognitive impairment? This may be the limiting factor… What is your limiting factor, Do you have one? Got a weird race food you swear by? Ever seen a shadow person at hour 41? Share your stories with us in the comments, tag @cultratrailrunning, or shout them at us when we’re too tired to respond. Or join our Facebook page. Get your official at our store! Outro music by Become a basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at and feel better Buy Fred's Book More Information on the /episode/index/show/cultratrailrunning/id/37373940

330: Third Date Patreon 07/07/2025

329: Is Steven Tursi Largest Known Person to Run a Sub 24 Hour 100 Miler? 06/23/2025

329: Is Steven Tursi Largest Known Person to Run a Sub 24 Hour 100 Miler? Phred is Back, BIGTIME and he finally reels in his “white whale” guest longtime friend and ultrarunning enigma Steven Tursi. Steven and Phred blab about running streaks, hashing adventures, body image, and a lifelong evolution of what it means to be a runner and a friend. Was Steve the original Johnny Appleseed for Cultra? Enjoy this fabulous Bootleg Cultra (Think Grateful Dead Barton Hall, Cornell University, May 8, 1977) Episode Highlights: Running Streaks and Ultramarathons Steven shares insights into his nearly 15-year daily running streak (over 5,200 days!)—and the debates surrounding the “continuous mile” rule. Fred and Steven unpack the motivations, sunk cost psychology, and mental games behind long streaks. Recap of Steven’s recent race at altitude in the Great Divide 100, and how Colorado elevation humbled him despite living at 5,300 feet. Hashing Culture 101 What exactly is hashing? Steven breaks down the beer-fueled, trail-marked tradition of this global, irreverent running subculture. Stories about hash names (spoiler: “Hot Schweddy Balls”), flour trail controversies, beer stops, and inclusivity in the hashing world. On Body Image and Identity Steven gets candid about his weight, body perception, and running while heavier than most—highlighting his incredible feat of running a sub-24-hour 100-miler at ~275 lbs. Friendship in Adulthood A heartfelt and humorous discussion about how men form (and define) friendships as adults. Fred and Steven reflect on their 15+ year bond, running together at events like Ancient Oaks, TGNY, and Umstead, and how group chats now serve as lifelines for long-distance friendships. The Shift to Journey Runs Steven talks about moving away from racing for results and leaning into slower, more meaningful runs—including a planned 50-mile adventure on the Colorado Trail for his 50th birthday. Memories of the Four Pass Loop, the Manitou Incline “stunt hike,” and past multi-day efforts like Milwaukee to Chicago. Bonus Nuggets Why Steven ran a 24-hour race just to bail at 20 miles and watch football. How rocket launches, mistaken finishes, and sandbagging for friendship make ultra memories. Reflections on The Fair, Starbucks runs after Rocky’s, and the joy of repeat traditions. Tune In If You Like: Not listening to AFB! The human side of ultra running Thoughtful conversations on consistency, identity, and connection A couple of old friends talking about life, beer, streaks, and everything in between Referenced Events & Topics: Palmer Lake Ultra • Ancient Oaks • Umstead 100 • TGNY • Great Divide 100K • Manitou Incline • Colorado Trail • Hash House Harriers • Running Streaks • Journey Runs • Four Pass Loop • Sub-24 100-milers • Group chats & friendship Get your official at our store! Outro music by Become a basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at and feel better Buy Fred's Book More Information on the /episode/index/show/cultratrailrunning/id/37113655

328: The Colder Boys Bring the Heat to Western States 06/19/2025

327: The Double CUT, 224 Miles with Ross Bielak 06/13/2025

326: Finding Common Ground in Politics, Running, and the Power of Curiosity 06/01/2025

325: Blind Donkey Runner John Robert Mckay 05/24/2025

324: Not Dropping is No Accident with Mount To Coast’s Lin Zhuo 05/18/2025

Cultra Trail Running

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