The Stubborn Tortoise
People often ask me why I love trail running. It's all about the stories. You meet a different kind of person on the trails: connects with nature, doesn't mind slowing down if someone is in need, says, "Good job, runner."
Trail runners are competitive, for sure. But it's also egalitarian. Seldom will you find the elites separated from the regular folk. Everyone gets lost at some point. Everyone falls. These are our badges of passage. This is my take on trail culture.
Logo: Kevin Stich
Music: "Our Sky," by Overland (via Free Music Archive)
- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 257
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
A Frustrating Week, a Sudden Exit and a Path Toward Growth
My eye situation continued last week with being told that I needed to heal a little more before I could return to wearing contacts. While I'm grateful to be able to see, running with glasses is unwie…
Paz 'n Hundo: When Your Training Goes Off the Rails
It happens to the best of us: you are more or less nailing your training workouts and then -- boom -- something happens.
For me, I was foiled by some hydrogen peroxide contact lens cleaner that was s…
Extraordinary People: Lydia Rios
Lydia Rios has one of the most uplifting stories of anyone I've talked to. She came to the US from Zacatecas, Mexico when she was 12. Her father was dying from leukemia and passed at age 39. Rios' mo…
View From the Sidelines: Tales of Tenacity
I volunteered at Reveille Peak Ranch Saturday night into Sunday at the final installment of the Capt'n Karl's Trail Race Series.
It was great to help so many runners reach their goals and help others…
Grinding, The Ultimate Sports Bra (for me and maybe you) and shoes!
Sometimes you gotta grind out those miles regardless of how ugly they may be.
I have found the best sports bra (for me)
And I got a sweet deal on some Altra Lone Peak 6 shoes...but make sure you visi…
Attitudinal Shift and an Anniversary
Over the last week, I had a minor seismic shift in how I look at things. Rather than immediately defaulting to the negative, I opted to be positive. It's been a game-changer. Whether it lasts, who kn…
Special Episode: Extraordinary People -- Brad Quinn
Brad Quinn, very quietly and without much fanfare, ran 26.2 miles (a marathon) every day for 400 days, beginning in 2019. He is a full-time occupational therapist, husband and father of four. Oh, and…
A Love Song to the Rio Grande Valley
It's been almost five years since I left the RGV for San Antonio, but there are so many things I miss from that time: huge, group runs where no runner was left behind (TM), running at La Sal Del Rey,…
Kayaking as a Metaphor and Other Stories
I went kayaking for the first time last week. After flailing around, getting stuck on every dang tree or root, I finally figured out how to paddle and it was fun. It reminded me of learning to drive …
Greetings From Up North
It's July and hotter than any summer I can remember. But for a few days, I am enjoying the 70-ish highs of Glen Arbor, Michigan. Hanging with my family, climbing dunes, biking, running and boating. I…
Remembering the Basics: Run Slower. I Know, it's Counterintuitive. Trust Me.
After running 2 miles without stopping last week, I've been trying to emulate that by running a little slower and steadier each time. It hasn't been perfect but I think I am back onto something funda…
Never Give Up.
This one is a bit embarrassing. It's about some financial stuff I've been handed this month. *I am not asking for money. I will be OK.*
But it affected my outlook and ability to push through.
But the…
Getting Tough With Your Mind
This episode includes a throwback to 2014 where I powered through and overcame my mental blocks. It is also about the ups and downs of the brain at a race.
Master's Edition: Billie Sudbrack
Billie is one of my new favorite people. She has this energy about her that draws you in. She is a frequent participant and volunteer volunteer at Tejas Trails races.
We talk about her running journe…
The One I've Waited to Share
Oh, boy. This one is personal. Very personal. It's about depression, taking medication and an unexpected trip to a mental hospital.
This may trigger some, so just know this.
Jenny Gruber: Courage in the Face of Adversity
Jenny Gruber is a tough woman. She has limped for miles on a bad ankle because she didn't want to let her husband and son down. She has tackled some tough races and persevered. Her latest challenge i…
How Do You Train For a 100-Miler? A Paz n Hundo Episode
I'm making my second attempt to run 100 miles at the end of this year. The first time, I stopped at 100K because I hurt and my mind wasn't right.
Hundo, aka Orlando Montalvo, has completed more than …
When the Gene Pool Lets You Down
Getting older is inevitable. Having health issues as you get older is likely. You can try to outrun bad genes, but sometimes you just are stuck with them.
I found out on Friday that I have high blood…
Pandora's Box of Rocks
I volunteered and ran at Reveille Peak Ranch this past weekend. It was two days of weather contrasts: cool, cloudy and breezy on Friday and blazing sun, hot and humid on Saturday. For me, it was a we…
Respect Yourself
Sweet Jesus, I really beat myself up on Saturday at the Hippie Hill challenge.
We need to respect our bodies and what they are capable of, including getting a massage, using a roller stick, massage g…