179. Toni McCann | Beyond the Podium: finding meaning in the process
South African trail running star Toni McCann joins host Francesco Puppi for an honest and vulnerable conversation about rediscovering her love for the sport, handling pressure after success, and what happens when winning doesn’t feel like winning.After dropping out of The Otter Trail with an ankle injury, Toni shares how that DNF unexpectedly reminded her why she runs—the community, the connection, and the simple joy of being on the trails. She opens up about post-race emptiness after her CCC victory, the guilt of burnout, and the lessons that came from slowing down.They also dive deep into the state of trail running today—from growing media attention and sponsor pressure, to how the sport can evolve while keeping its authenticity and grassroots spirit alive.If you’ve ever felt lost after a big race or questioned your “why” as an athlete—this one’s for you.What you’ll learnWhat it’s like to find peace in a DNFThe hidden emotional cost of success and burnoutHow Toni reframed pressure and expectationsThe balance between brand obligations and personal fulfillmentWhere the future of trail running is headingListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.Want to try VertPro?Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training.Follow @vert.runDownload the app and sign up at vert.runFrancesco’s links:Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website
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178. Francesco Puppi & Max Keith | CCC to Worlds: The Art of Recovery
Vert.run co-founder and coach Max Keith joins host Francesco Puppi for a wide-ranging conversation about the end of a long racing season—what recovery really means, how to avoid burnout, and why finishing strong sometimes means doing less.Fresh off his CCC win and top-10 finish at the World Championships, Francesco shares what it felt like to go from 49th to 9th after cramping from the first downhill, how he managed the CCC–Worlds double just one month apart, and what it taught him about patience, motivation, and balance.They also discuss how the sport is evolving—from the growing competitiveness of Worlds and the rise of athlete-led storytelling, to the importance of community and content that shows the real side of trail running.If you’ve ever wondered how the world’s best athletes recover, reflect, and reset after a big season—this one’s for you.What you’ll learnThe reality of managing a full ultra season from February to OctoberLessons from the CCC–Worlds double: recovery, resilience, and mindsetHow to build sustainability into your training and racingWhy “rest” is an active part of performanceThe growing future of storytelling and authenticity in trail runningFrancesco's CCC video.Want to try VertPro?Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training.Follow @vert.runDownload the app and sign up at vert.runFrancesco’s links:Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website
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177. Eva-Maria Sperger on the Mental Side of Trail Racing
Psychologist and elite trail runner Eva-Maria Sperger joins host Francesco Puppi for a candid conversation about the mental side of performance—self-compassion, motivation, and racing with vulnerability—just ahead of the World Championships in Canfranc-Pirineos. Eva explains why naming emotions builds real toughness, how to balance “listen to your feelings” with “do the opposite,” and a simple model to unlock motivation: autonomy, confidence, and belonging. They also unpack the difference between working with a sport psychologist vs. a mental coach, why athletes over-do volume to calm anxiety, and how to make better decisions when pain or fear show up.If you’ve ever wondered “Do I even belong here?” this one will feel like a deep breath and a plan.What you’ll learnHow self-compassion becomes a performance skill (not fluff)A practical way to handle negative thoughts without obeying themAutonomy–confidence–belonging: a simple framework to rekindle motivationWhen to choose a sport psychologist vs. a mental coach (and why)Process > outcome: redefining “success” before your next start line-----------Want to try VertPro?Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training.👉 Follow @vert.run👉 Download the app and sign up at vert.runFrancesco’s links: Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website
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176. CCC Win Breakdown: Strategy, Fueling & The New Smartest Coach for Trail Runner
We sit down with Francesco for a clear CCC recap: pacing the early climbs without forcing, the move after Champex-Lac, fast aid-station execution, and his fueling plan (~90–100 g carbs/h with a structured caffeine strategy). Then we look ahead to the World Championships and whether to accept a tempting Western States Golden Ticket. We also share what’s shipping inside the app: the new Coach Vert.run built from half a million real coach–athlete interactions.UTCT GiveawayDid you hear we’re doing a giveaway to race UTCT? We’re sending one runner to Ultra-Trail Cape Town. Choose your distance—we’ll cover race entry, flights, and a 3-night stay. To enter, start any Vert.run subscription. Full details here. Free trials don’t count toward eligibility. Winner announced at the end of September.Want to try VertPro?Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training.👉 Follow @vert.run👉 Download the app and sign up at vert.runFrancesco’s links: Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website
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175. Francesco Puppi & Max Keith | Road to UTMB: Inside the World of Trail Running
Francesco catches up with Max to debrief a packed couple of weeks: the HOKA training camp, a fast-and-furious Sierre-Zinal, and the final touches before Francesco’s CCC debut at UTMB. We get into all the nuances.We cover:Key takeaways from camp: how fun it is to meet teammates, train together, and connect with folks across the brand—plus a great chance to test products for the future.Sierre-Zinal recap: why this race is so special and insanely competitive every single year—plus crazy performances like Katie Schide’s in this year’s edition. Francesco even hints at a break after running it 9 times… but you know he’ll be back.All things CCC: the last big sessions and how training has evolved, knowing this will be Francesco’s longest race (in time) to date.Lastly, some mixed thoughts on aid stations, crewing, and just how wild UTMB week is nowadays.If you’re racing CCC/UTMB (or just love geeking out on mountain prep), this one’s for you. Did you hear we’re doing a giveaway to race UTCT? That’s right—we’re sending one listener to Ultra-Trail Cape Town (UTCT)! Pick your distance—we’ll cover race entry, flights, and a 3-night stay. To enter, start any Vert.run subscription. You can find all the details here. Free trials don’t count toward eligibility; winner announced at the end of September. Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training.👉 Follow @vert.run👉 Download the app and sign up at vert.runFrancesco's links: Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website
About Running long - A trail and ultra running talk
Vert is the home for every trail & ultra runner. On this podcast we host conversations with key members of our Trail & Ultra running community from all over the world. From professional world class athletes to our Vert.run members and community. Narrating captivating stories and learning from and about this amazing sport.
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