For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Joe Corcione is an ultrarunner, coach, and host of the Everyday Ultra Podcast, where he helps runners of all levels improve not just physically, but mentally. His path into the sport didn’t follow a traditional trajectory. He found running during a period of major life change, using it as a way to rebuild structure, discipline, and a sense of direction.Since then, Joe has gone on to complete some of the most demanding races in the sport, including 200+ mile events, while also building a coaching business focused on helping athletes push beyond what they think is possible.In this conversation, Joe shares how fear has shaped his approach to both running and life. Instead of treating it as something to avoid, he’s learned to see it as a signal that something meaningful is on the other side. That mindset shows up in how he chooses goals, how he approaches competition, and how he thinks about long-term growth.He also talks about what it takes to stay in the sport over time. Not just chasing big race-day moments, but committing to the process that happens in between. Training, setbacks, and the repetition that most people don’t see are what ultimately shape the outcome.The episode is a look at how Joe has built both his running career and his life around that idea, continuing to lean into discomfort, learn from failure, and keep moving forward.This was recorded live at the Boston Marathon, at an event hosted by Mount to Coast ahead of their double Boston Campaign.
Stay connected:
Joe's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-ultra/id1600327047
Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/
This episode is supported by:
Precision Fuel & Hydration - Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com.
Mount to Coast - Built for runners who go long. From Badwater to Boston, Mount to Coast is designing footwear for the demands of real endurance. Learn more at mounttocoast.com and use code FTLR for 10% off.
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.
Good Ranchers - Better training starts with better inputs. Good Ranchers delivers high-quality, American-sourced meat and seafood so you can stay consistent with your protein and iron. We heard you! The code IRON is now worth $40 and offers the ability to try out a box before subscribing, but if you want to jump in on a subscription you get $100 off the first three months (total) plus a free bonus protein. Visit goodranchers.com to start shopping!
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.

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. 
This episode was recorded in person in February 2026.
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 Fuel & Hydration⁠ - 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.

Brendan Morgan is an ultrarunner who found running in 2023 by doing something most people avoid. He started because he hated it.
Since then, he’s gone all in. From completing a 4x4x48 just months after starting to running across Pennsylvania, Brendan has quickly built a reputation for taking on challenges that push both his body and mind to the edge. But what stands out isn’t just the distance. It’s the mindset behind it.
In this conversation, Brendan talks about why running became more than just a physical outlet. It’s something he can fully control in a world where most things aren’t. That idea has shaped how he approaches challenges, how he deals with adversity, and how he shows up for others.
He also shares how his past experiences and mental health journey influence the way he uses running as a tool, not just for himself, but to create space for others to feel seen and supported. Whether it’s running across a state to raise awareness or showing vulnerability online, Brendan is intentional about how he uses his platform.
This episode is about choosing discomfort on purpose, understanding why that matters, and exploring how far you can go when you lean into it.
Jon and Brendan talk about:
starting running because he hated it and what kept him coming back
using running as something you can fully control when life isn’t
how pushing physical limits translates into mental resilience
the role running plays in his mental health and day-to-day happiness
developing a deeper “why” through ultramarathons and long efforts
running across Pennsylvania and using extreme challenges to raise awareness
the experience of running Double Boston and what it revealed
the contrast between quiet miles and race-day energy
how past experiences shape his approach to discomfort and growth
why he shares vulnerability and mental health openly online
what draws him to longer and harder challenges like backyard ultras
advice for anyone who wants to push themselves further
Follow Brendan: https://www.instagram.com/runswithb?igsh=MXAwM3RoZGNydHdoag==

This episode is supported by:
Precision Fuel & Hydration - Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com.
Mount to Coast - Built for runners who go long. From Badwater to Boston, Mount to Coast is designing footwear for the demands of real endurance. Learn more at mounttocoast.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.
Good Ranchers - Better training starts with better inputs. Good Ranchers delivers high-quality, American-sourced meat and seafood so you can stay consistent with your protein and iron. Visit goodranchers.com and use code IRON for $25 off plus a free protein each month.
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.

Stevie Lyn Smith is a registered dietitian, board certified in sports nutrition, endurance athlete, and one of the most trusted voices when it comes to practical, realistic fueling advice for runners.
As a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, Stevie combines her passion for endurance athletics with evidence-based nutrition practices to help individuals reach their health and performance goals. She’s also an ultra-endurance athlete herself, with 10 Ironman finishes, which gives her a firsthand understanding of how nutrition impacts both performance and everyday life. When she’s not training, she’s usually outside exploring trails with her dog or experimenting in the kitchen.
In this episode, Stevie breaks down what fueling actually looks like for everyday runners, not just elites, and why so many people are unintentionally underfueling their training. The conversation covers carbohydrates, hydration, sodium, and protein, with a focus on what’s realistic to execute in both training and racing.
They also get into how fueling impacts recovery, energy levels, and long-term performance, especially for runners balancing training with work, family, and everything else in life. This isn’t about chasing perfect numbers. It’s about understanding your needs, being consistent, and making fueling something that supports your training instead of holding it back.
Jon and Stevie talk about:
• what “high carb fueling” actually means and why it’s individualized
• how to think about fueling for long runs, races, and everyday training
• why most runners are underfueling their weekly training volume
• how carbs support performance, recovery, and adaptation
• hydration, sodium needs, and how to know if you’re a heavy sweater
• fueling for longer efforts like marathons and ultras
• when and why to incorporate protein into long efforts
• balancing carbs and protein without overcorrecting
• how to identify misleading nutrition advice online
• why practical, consistent fueling matters more than perfect plans
Stay connected:
Follow Stevie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevielynlyn/
Listen to Real Fuel Podcast hosted by Stevie Smith: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-fuel-with-sls/id1746341651
Stevie's website: https://stevielynrd.com
This episode is supported by:
Precision Fuel & Hydration - Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com.
Mount to Coast - Built for runners who go long. From Badwater to Boston, Mount to Coast is designing footwear for the demands of real endurance. Learn more at mounttocoast.com.
Don't miss out on a live podcast recording in Boston at the Marathon Sports Brand House brings together Jonathan Levitt and Joe Corcionefor a candid conversation on training, strategy, and gear for runners looking to take on longer distances from their first 50K to ultramarathons. Sign up here!
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.
Good Ranchers - Better training starts with better inputs. Good Ranchers delivers high-quality, American-sourced meat and seafood so you can stay consistent with your protein and iron. Visit goodranchers.com and use code IRON for $25 off plus a free protein each month.
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.

From immigrating to the U.S. at 12 years old to representing Cape Verde at the Olympics, Ruben Sança’s story is one of consistency, patience, and staying in it long after most people step away.
Ruben Sança is a Cape Verdean Olympian and elite distance runner who competed in the 5,000 meters at the 2012 Olympic Games in London after previously representing Cape Verde at the 2011 World Championships. He is a former standout at UMass Lowell, earning multiple All-America honors and helping lead the program to conference championships during his collegiate career. Sança holds multiple Cape Verdean national records and has run personal bests of 1:05 in the half marathon and 2:18 in the marathon while competing internationally and across the U.S. road racing circuit. In addition to competing, he coaches athletes and works professionally in leadership roles focused on education and opportunity for students.
Ruben talks about how his relationship with running has evolved over time, from thinking he was “running across the country” in middle school to building the kind of durability that allows him to train at a high level for decades. 
There’s also a constant theme of balance. Balancing training with a career. Knowing when to push and when to back off. Building a life that supports running, not one that’s consumed by it.
Jon and Ruben get into:
• growing up in Boston as an immigrant and finding running by accident
• why he never wanted to think of himself as “gifted”
• building durability and handling high mileage over time
• transitioning from track to the marathon
• representing Cape Verde at the 2012 Olympics
• why he’s going after LA 2028 at age 41
• managing 100+ mile weeks with a full-time job
• what sustainable excellence actually looks like
• confidence, belonging, and showing up to races differently
• the growth of running culture in Dorchester and Roxbury
• why community matters more than pace
This is a conversation for anyone trying to figure out how to do both, pursue something meaningful while building a full life around it.
Stay connected:
Follow Ruben: https://www.instagram.com/rubenpsanca/
This episode is supported by:
Precision Fuel & Hydration - Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at www.precisionhydration.com.
Mount to Coast - Built for runners who go long. From Badwater to Boston, Mount to Coast is designing footwear for the demands of real endurance. Learn more at mounttocoast.com.
Don't miss out on a live podcast recording in Boston at the Marathon Sports Brand House brings together Jonathan Levitt and Joe Corcionefor a candid conversation on training, strategy, and gear for runners looking to take on longer distances from their first 50K to ultramarathons. Sign up here!
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.
Good Ranchers - Better training starts with better inputs. Good Ranchers delivers high-quality, American-sourced meat and seafood so you can stay consistent with your protein and iron. Visit goodranchers.com and use code IRON for $25 off plus a free protein each month.
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.