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A short trail host, a 214-mile finish, and a brutally honest look at what it really takes to cross a 200-mile line with your head still on straight. Franc returns fresh off the Mammoth 200 to unpack the race that started as a joke and turned into a test of logistics, mindset, and pain tolerance. We talk about the fast first day that had him mixing it with the leaders, the sandy fire roads that shredded his feet, and the moment—somewhere around mile 114—when he had to find a real why or walk off the course.

We go deep on the parts most recaps skip. How do you structure sleep so you stop dozing while walking? What does smart foot care actually look like under constant sand—washing, lube, taping, sock swaps—and how fast does neglect ruin a great engine? Why does some pain feel worse when you walk than when you jog? Franc shares what worked in his fueling (steady gels and real food, zero stomach drama), what didn’t (delayed foot fixes), and why crew can make or break a second night. We also zoom out to the front of the race: how Jimmy Elam proved 200s can be fast and how Rachel Enterkin’s relentless push hints at a new era for the distance.

Training takeaways are clear and actionable: build volume patiently, treat heavy strength work as a durability cornerstone, and test your sleep and foot systems long before race week. We touch tough edges too—microdosing debates, WADA rules, appetite suppression risks, and the boundaries of sobriety—without glamorizing shortcuts. If you’re eyeing Sedona 125, Cocodona, or any race where days blur and aid stations feel like islands, this conversation gives you a roadmap and a reality check.

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