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
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174. Rosemary Mitchell | A Story of Pain, Tradition, and Community in South Africa’s Most Iconic Ultramarathon
Rosemary Mitchell is a 62-year-old ultrarunner whose story with the Comrades Marathon is as powerful as the race itself. In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Rosemary for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about endurance, tradition, and what it truly means to run with purpose.We explored her personal journey—how challenges and setbacks shaped her path—and what it took to conquer the emotional and physical demands of Comrades. Rosemary opened up about the meaning behind the Green Number, the incredible community that surrounds this race, and how running continues to transform her life at every age.We also talked about the legacy of Comrades in South Africa, the camaraderie of ultra running, and how age can become a source of strength, not limitation. Her wisdom is a reminder that running is as much about heart as it is about speed.🎧 If you’ve ever dreamed of running Comrades—or just want to feel reconnected to why we run—this episode is for you.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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173. Max Keith | Beyond the Finish Line: Racing, Resilience, and the Evolving Spirit of Trail Running
Max Keith is a trail runner, coach, and cofounder of Vert.run—and someone who’s been shaping the sport from both the frontlines and behind the scenes. In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Max for a deep and honest conversation about racing, coaching, and the evolution of trail running today.We reflected on the emotional highs and lows of recent races, the path of athletes like Abby Hall, and the internal pressure that comes with performance. Max opened up about what competition really means, the importance of finding joy in racing, and how both winning and losing can shape an athlete.We also touched on the technical challenges of the trail, how athletes adapt to different terrain, and why patience is the most underrated trait in training. Plus—some thoughts on the Tour de France and what it can teach us about endurance sports.🎧 If you care about the future of trail running, this is a conversation worth listening to.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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172. Ken Seals | Content, Community & Change: Navigating Trail Running Media with The Ultra Minute
Ken Seals is a trail runner, storyteller, and the creator of The Ultra Minute, a newsletter and media platform that covers the evolving world of trail and ultra running. I was a guest on Ken’s platform to dive deep into the state of running media today—and we had such a rich conversation that it felt like a necessary one to share.We talked about how Ken found his way into the sport, what it’s like to juggle family life and content creation, and the unique challenges of building independent media in such a tight-knit and passionate community. We also explored how trail running storytelling is changing, the move toward creator-led platforms, and what it means to preserve authenticity in a media landscape that’s constantly shifting.Discount code: 30% off your first month of training with Vert.run with RUNNINGLONG30.PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA IF YOU ENJOYED IT!Follow @vert.run on IGDownload our app and sign up to our training plans on vert.runFrancesco’s links: Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website
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171. Katie Asmuth | Identity, Resilience & Racing: A Journey Through Western States and Beyond
In this episode, Katie Asmuth—elite ultrarunner and Western States finisher—joins Francesco to reflect on the emotional highs and lows of racing, recovery, and personal growth in the sport of trail running.They explore Katie’s connection to Western States, the identity challenges athletes face, and how she balances motherhood with high-level training. Katie shares lessons on resilience through injury, the joy of returning to the process, and the importance of community, age, and experience in long-distance running.This conversation is honest, powerful, and full of insight for any runner navigating life, goals, and identity on the trails.Want to train smarter and stronger? : Try Vert Pro for just $9.90/monthDownload the Vert app on iOS or AndroidUse the code RUNNINGLONG30 to get 30% off your first month of training with Vert.run.PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA IF YOU ENJOYED IT!Follow @vert.run on IGDownload the app and explore plans 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.
South Africa