Mark Dowdle Asks: Does Trail Media Even Care About Backyard Ultras?

Mark Dowdle joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 The 87-yard qualifying math
03:40 Should backyards change formats?
05:11 Where to chase 88 yards in 2027
07:47 107 yards at Big’s
09:23 Results vs. distance
13:43 The Dennis Rodman of ultrarunning
15:16 “Running is boring”
18:07 Loop 87 at Last Soul
20:37 Competition vs. trail running’s friendly culture
25:36 Where trash talk crosses the line
29:56 Mistakes in public
31:24 The Charlie Lawrence challenge
33:24 Same sport? Ultrarunner of the Year
40:23 Who counts as a pro?
42:58 Where trail media got it wrong
45:12 Mark asks: why now?
49:29 Should media specialize?
52:41 My 200-mile mistake
55:00 “We don’t need it”
57:59 Gatekeeping
01:07:51 Theory of change
01:10:55 Owning Last Soul
01:12:06 Racing Sam Harvey four times
01:16:19 Last Soul and Big’s
01:17:06 “It’s not all about me”
01:21:40 Fame
01:23:15 Faith
01:24:40 Training for durability
01:26:28 You can’t run from yourself
01:29:16 Micro-naps and caffeine
01:30:48 Phones mid-race
01:33:36 What fuels him now
01:36:28 The Last Dance
01:38:04 Barkley

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