008: Rusty Smith Navigating the Challenges of Trail Races Through Embracing the Pain and Remembering What You Are Grateful For #Maxs5

Author: Elizabeth Myers
Published: Fri 05 Jul 2024
Episode Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lizmyers1213/episodes/008-Rusty-Smith-Navigating-the-Challenges-of-Trail-Races-Through-Embracing-the-Pain-and-Remembering-What-You-Are-Grateful-For-Maxs5-e2llteu

Summary

In this episode, Rusty shares his running journey and how he got into ultra running. He talks about his why for running, which is to honor his grandson Max (#maxs5). Where he reminds us all to be grateful for life. Rusty emphasizes the strong sense of community in the ultra running world and the connections he has made with other runners. He also discusses the challenges and unique experiences of trail races, including the mud at Forgotten Florida. Rusty shares his experience running the Cruel Jewel race. He emphasizes the importance of not being surprised by the pain and embracing it as part of the journey. Rusty also highlights the supportive and helpful nature of the running community, where runners are always willing to lend a hand or offer assistance to fellow runners. He believes that the running community is a tribe built on a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Getting to Know Rusty

06:23 Rusty's Journey into Ultra Running

13:25 Running with Gratitude: Max's 5

23:16 Navigating the Challenges of Trail Races

29:15 Connecting with Runners: The Impact of Social Media and Races

33:47 Running the Cruel Jewel race

34:16 The best worst experience of my life

35:29 The vibe and community of the Cruel Jewel race

37:25 Upcoming races and future plans

39:04 Dabbling in 200+ mile races

41:26 The importance of problem-solving and adapting in ultra running