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Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

By: Josh Rosenthal | Ultra Runner
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About this listen

 Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running is a storytelling podcast for ultra runners who love this sport deeply, the iconic races, the legendary athletes, the gear, and the culture that makes all of it worth caring about. Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running, this show exists to collect the ultra running stories that define the sport, from spending a day at Laz Lake's home to deep conversations with Scott Jurek, Dean Karnazes, Camille Herron, and the everyday runners doing extraordinary things out on the trails. This podcast covers the full world of ultra and trail running: race coverage and analysis of marquee events including Western States Endurance Run and UTMB, honest trail running shoes reviews and ultra running gear breakdowns from someone who has tested 44 pairs over 6,000 miles, and big conversations about where the sport is headed, including what dirtbag runners bring to a sport that's growing fast. This show gives ultra runners the stories, perspectives, and gear knowledge to go deeper into a sport they already love while celebrating what makes trail and ultra running unlike anything else. We'll answer questions like: - Who is Laz Lake, and why does everyone in ultra running revere him? - What makes the Barkley Marathons the hardest race in the world? - How does Western States Endurance Run work, and why is it so hard to get in? - What are the best trail running shoes and ultra running gear right now? - Who are the greatest ultra runners of all time? - What does dirtbag running culture actually mean? - How is ultra running changing, and is that a good thing? - What does it take to run a 100 mile ultra marathon? - What should ultra runners eat during training and on race day? If you want the stories, the gear, and the culture that make ultra and trail running the most addictive sport on earth, you're in the right place.All Rights Reserved Borderlands Industries LLC Hygiene & Healthy Living Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • Why You Keep Running When It Hurts

    Why You Keep Running When It Hurts
    Apr 27 2026

    Ultra running promises performance, progress, and control. But for a lot of people, it’s filling a gap that normal life doesn’t. This episode explores what ultra running actually gives people and why it becomes something they need, not just something they do.

    Joshua Landvatter and Kaden Coleman are attempting four 100-mile races in one summer. They both have real lives, real responsibilities, and no interest in chasing podiums. What comes out of this conversation is something deeper than training or racing, and it reframes what this sport really is.

    This one’s for runners who feel like comfort isn’t enough and are looking for something more.

    Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.

    If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.

    Topics / Timestamps

    00:00

    Resources / Links
    1. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races
    2. Josh Rosenthal on IG
    3. Borderlands.cc
    4. La French Trail
    5. High Tones
    6. Subwhatever

    Related Episodes
    1. Ultra Running isn't Just Running

    Presented by Kiprun.

    ----

    Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

    Watch on YouTube

    Read on Substack
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Why Ultrarunners Keep Going When Their Body Says Stop | Matt Johnson

    Why Ultrarunners Keep Going When Their Body Says Stop | Matt Johnson
    Apr 20 2026

    Why do some people keep going when everything says stop? If you’ve ever hit a breaking point in endurance sports and wondered what actually determines whether you quit or keep moving, this conversation is for you. This episode explores the real mechanics of the ultrarunning mindset, beyond training or toughness.

    Matt Johnson has spent a lot of time at that edge, where the body is failing and the decision gets simple but brutal. Instead of motivation, this conversation gets into what actually happens in that moment, the thoughts, patterns, and behaviors that allow someone to keep going when stopping feels inevitable.

    This one’s for runners and endurance athletes trying to understand what really happens at their limit. Follow the show for more conversations like this.

    Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.

    Resources / Links
    1. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races
    2. Josh Rosenthal on IG
    3. Borderlands.cc
    4. La French Trail
    5. High Tones
    6. Subwhatever

    Related Episodes
    1. Ultra Running isn't Just Running

    Presented by Kiprun.

    ----

    Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

    Watch on YouTube

    Read on Substack

    Listen on any podcast platform

    Belong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or Android

    More at borderlands.cc
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • How People Become Ultrarunners (No Clear Path)

    How People Become Ultrarunners (No Clear Path)
    Apr 14 2026

    Nobody plans to become an ultra runner. There’s no clear path into the sport, no obvious starting point, and most people don’t grow up anywhere near it. So how do people actually find their way here?

    In this conversation, Josh sits down with Emory Atterberry, founder of Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, and rising ultrarunner Cade Michael to explore how three people from the same unlikely place all ended up in the sport. What emerges is a deeper look at rebellion, isolation, and why some people feel pulled toward something harder.

    This one’s for anyone trying to understand where ultrarunners really come from. Subscribe for more conversations that go deeper into the culture of the sport.

    Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.

    Topics / Timestamps
    • 00:00 The Journey to Becoming an Ultramarunner
    • 01:34 The Journey to Ultrarunning
    • 12:55 The Spirit of West Texas
    • 15:58 Transitioning from Football to Ultra Running
    • 25:16 The Mosaic of Inspiration in Running
    • 33:12 The Journey to Ultrarunning: Growth and Transformation

    Resources / Links
    1. Hyperlyte Liquid Performance
    2. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races - May 30
    3. Josh Rosenthal on IG
    4. Borderlands.cc
    5. La French Trail
    6. High Tones
    7. Subwhatever

    Related Episodes
    1. Ultra Running isn't Just Running

    Presented by Kiprun.

    ----

    Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

    Watch on YouTube

    Read on Substack

    Listen on any podcast platform

    Belong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or Android

    More at borderlands.cc
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
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