For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

When pro ultrarunner Hayden Hawks faces challenging conditions on the trails, he doesn't just endure them—he transforms them into opportunities for growth, proving that sometimes the hardest moments forge the strongest athletes.
Hayden Hawks has been a professional ultra runner for 10 years competing at and winning some of the biggest races in the world. He is sponsored by HOKA, AG1, Precision Fuel and Hydration, as well as many other sponsors. He has also been a huge advocate for helping and building youth group initiatives and inspiring the younger generation around the world, most notably the Trail Fam. Hayden is also a coach with Hawks Running and Centurion Running. He is a father of 2, husband to Ashley Hawks, and loves traveling with his family and being outside as much as possible. 
Jon chats with Hayden about:
balancing competition with being a good person and giving back

gradual training progression instead of extreme volume jumps

fueling runs over 90 minutes for better performance

mental toughness through embracing uncomfortable mountain conditions

consistency over time creates sustainable athletic careers

Stay Connected:
Follow Hayden:
https://www.instagram.com/hawks_hayden/
“Hayden Hawks” on Strava
https://trailfam.com/
https://www.hawksrunning.com/

This episode is supported by:
Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com
Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR2026 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off
Vacation Races Run where you play and chase the extraordinary. Use code “FTLR” for 15% off their half marathons, ultras, and trail fests at vacationraces.com through the end of 2026

Legendary ultra-marathoner Pam Reed has a simple solution for people who feel tired: stop sitting and start moving.
Pam Reed is an accomplished ultra-runner who has been competing since 1992. She is a hyperactive person who strives to get every moment out of every day, structuring her schedule as full as possible because she considers time the most valuable asset.
Beyond racing, Reed directed the Tucson Marathon for 30 years before passing it to Jamil, believing that successful race directors must be hands-on and understand every aspect of event management. She continues racing with a full 2026 schedule and maintains her philosophy of maximizing each day while gradually accepting that recovery takes longer as she ages.

Jon chats with Pam about:
ultra-running discovery through tennis training and progression

natural energy and ability to bounce back quickly

heat and cold training strategies with specific tips

Triple Crown achievement: Western States, Hard Rock, Badwater

her winning mental approach

Stay connected:
Follow Pam:
https://www.instagram.com/pamreed100/

This is episode is supported by:
Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!
Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com
AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off.

After transitioning from oncology physical therapy to full-time running, Rachel Entrekin discovered her true calling was not in conquering traditional hundred-mile races, but in pushing the boundaries of human endurance across multiple days and hundreds of miles.
Rachel has been running since 2009, gradually making her way up from road 10ks to multi-day trail races. While born and raised in the southeast US, she currently resides in Colorado, where there is exactly zero humidity. 

Jon chats with Rachel about:
her running journey from college marathons to ultramarathons

the transition from physical therapy to professional running career

200-mile race strategy and mental approach at Cocodona

sports nutrition partnership with Precision Fuel and Hydration

philosophy on process versus outcome-focused racing goals

Stay connected:

Follow Rachel:
https://www.instagram.com/rachel__entrekin/

Rachel’s Blog:
https://blondeidiotrunning.wordpress.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPvkdJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacg8Fo31S7ggaU3zfdCDjsLlJYiyLYgJY33CdsPkrAAlbSiiguTikjxlNsSkg_aem_MZqdK3OHod6Qgy6-yC4ZEA

Vagabond Trails TMB tour: https://www.vagabond-trails.com/tmb-rachel-entrekin?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPvke5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaf4YWwaHMYnTW0Zrm-N4lN1TD0jl_dTVUiwIYFT_rYsVNAp8pgqd23CSj_bPw_aem_jYSHI0G1B9zMyz_Qz9VL7A

This is episode is supported by:
Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!
Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com
Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR2026 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off.

There's a common misconception in ultra running that it's all about toughness, but Shea Aquilano believes gentleness is more important.
Shea currently resides in Boulder, CO and focuses on ultra-distance trail events. At 24, she is a 2x US Mountain Running team member, and pro runner for Nike ACG. Shea loves a good pickle and has a knack for rationalizing almost any experience into a good one.
Jon chats with Shea about:
setting intentional pre-race goals and success definitions

pursuing longer trail running distances over shorter formats

moving to Colorado for mountain training opportunities

joining supportive running communities and trail teams

maintaining joy as central motivation in competitive running

Stay connected:
Follow Shea:
https://www.instagram.com/shea_aq/
The Trail Team:
https://www.trail-team.com/

This is episode is supported by:
AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off
Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com

From suppressing emotions as a military veteran to finding freedom on Colorado trails, here’s how Jonathan Mejia discovered that running isn't just exercise, it's therapy in motion.
He came to Colorado after film school when the stars aligned and he conquered his first marathon. He’s now looking to take on his first ultra in 2026.

Jonathan talks about:
Running as freedom and a therapeutic escape

His military background influencing mental health journey

What inspired developing a consistent running habit

The trail running community

Building ultramarathon goals

Stay connected:
Follow Jonathan Mejia:
https://www.instagram.com/goodvibesjon/

Team RWB:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-set-your-next-big-hairy-audacious-goal-with/id1453616436?1=1000676194617

This is episode is supported by:
Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
Precision Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com