Endurance State of Mind

It's a hosts-only episode to celebrate Episode 62, and Anthony and Zach come loaded with topics. Zach kicks things off breaking down his spontaneous Saturday 50K through the streets of Hattiesburg — planned the night before, fueled by electrolyte watermelons, and executed with the kind of locked-in energy that only comes when the family's out of town. Anthony counters with a nostalgia-soaked 10-miler through Oxford, Mississippi, retracing his college stomping grounds and realizing that a walk he used to dread is now just a warm-up.

The guys then dive deep into the weekend's biggest endurance news: the infamous mud chaos at Unbound Gravel 200, where "peanut butter mud" clogged drivetrains, ended races, and had pros walking their bikes through two-mile stretches of Mississippi-style muck. From gravel, the conversation shifts to road cycling as Anthony breaks down the Giro d'Italia results, Jonas Vingegaard's dominance, and — most importantly — introduces the audience to 19-year-old French phenom Paul Seixas, the youngest Tour de France starter in 90 years and a name you'll want to know before July.

Speaking of the Tour, Anthony and Zach preview what to watch for: the opening team time trial, Remco Evenepoel's mysterious first-half absence and what it means for Red Bull's strategy, and whether Tadej Pogačar is simply untouchable at this point.

Then things get genuinely thought-provoking. The guys unpack the Cam Haynes vs. Sage Canaday peptide controversy that's been dividing the ultra running community — debating where the line is between medical necessity, performance enhancement, and transparency, especially for masters athletes competing in non-elite fields. It's a nuanced conversation with no easy answers, and they want to hear where you stand.

To close it out, Anthony teases a documentary on microplastics that will make you rethink everything in your kitchen, and the guys announce two big upcoming events: their first-ever live podcast at the Fleet Feet Big Race at Sopro in Hattiesburg, and Podcast Alley at the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama this December — where both hosts will be racing and looking to cause a little trouble.

If you're into ultra running, gravel cycling, road racing, endurance culture, or just two guys who genuinely love this stuff talking shop, this one's for you.

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In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, Anthony Herrington and Zach Vogt sit down with ultrarunner, marathoner, and economics professor Ward Sayre for a deep dive into endurance sports, longevity, and the mindset behind racing over 70 ultramarathons.

Ward shares how he went from running cross country in a small Texas town to completing some of the most challenging trail races in the country. From the Flying Pig Marathon to Bighorn 100, Sedona Canyons 125, and countless 50Ks and 100 milers, Ward explains how consistency, patience, and smart training have allowed him to keep showing up year after year.

The conversation covers:

•  How Ward balances ultrarunning with life, work, and family 
•  Why recovery and sleep matter more than most runners realize 
•  The role of strength training and 80/20 running 
•  Lessons learned from DNFs at mountain ultras 
•  Training for altitude as a runner from Mississippi 
•  The hidden costs of endurance sports 
•  Building community through local trail races 
•  Why ultrarunning is more about longevity than speed 

If you love trail running, ultramarathons, marathon training, endurance sports, or hearing real conversations about the mental and physical side of going long, this episode is packed with insights and stories from decades in the sport.

Whether you're training for your first 50K, chasing a 100 miler, or dreaming about races like Western States, Cocodona, or Leadville, this episode with Ward Sayre delivers wisdom every endurance athlete can learn from.

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In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Zach and Anthony sit down with ultra runner Blake Colton to talk about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to keep showing up when things get hard.

Blake shares his journey from high school running and BMX racing to tackling some of the toughest endurance events in the country, including the Mississippi 100, Run Rabbit Run, and Cross Florida 200. We dive into the viral “flood year” at Mississippi 100, pacing strategy, training while working full-time as an electrician, and the reality of balancing endurance sports with family life.

The conversation also goes deeper than racing. Blake opens up about battling multiple DNFs, dealing with gut issues during long races, meeting David Goggins at Cross Florida 200, and using running as a way to process the loss of his brother-in-law to cancer. Through it all, Blake talks about finding purpose through endurance sports and how the ultra running community helped shape his outlook on life.

We also cover:

•  Running 200-mile races while working full-time 
•  Trail running vs marathon culture 
•  Mississippi 100 race stories and flood year conditions 
•  Nutrition mistakes, Taco Bell cravings, and ultra fueling 
•  Mental toughness and recovery during ultras 
•  Social media, content creation, and documenting the journey from day one 
•  The future goal of using endurance and content creation to give back 

Whether you’re training for your first ultra marathon or just looking for motivation to keep pushing forward, this episode is packed with honest conversation, real struggle, and the mindset needed to endure.

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In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Anthony Herrington and Zach Vogt recap an unforgettable trip to Arizona while crewing and pacing their friend Hezekiah through the brutal Sedona Canyons 125 ultramarathon.

From delayed flights and desert adventures to sleepless nights, aid station chaos, hallucinations, and emotional highs and lows, this episode gives a raw behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to survive a 125-mile ultra. Anthony and Zach break down the entire experience — pacing through the night, managing nutrition failures, dealing with sleep deprivation, and learning firsthand how quickly things can unravel in extreme endurance events.

The conversation also dives into lessons learned from the ultra world, including fueling strategies, pacing mistakes, recovery, mental toughness, and why real food may matter more than gels during multi-day races. Along the way, they share stories from Sedona, encounters with elite ultrarunners, thoughts on Cocodona 250, and how the experience left all of them “Coco curious” about taking on even bigger endurance challenges in the future.

Whether you’re an ultrarunner, trail runner, endurance athlete, or someone fascinated by the mental side of pushing human limits, this episode delivers an honest and entertaining look into the world of 100+ mile racing and the people crazy enough to chase it.

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In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, we break down an elite-level performance at the Fondren Urban Ultra, where Arrmon Abedikichi reached the 80-mile mark in a 12-hour race format.

This wasn’t just a big day—it was the result of years of consistency, small improvements, and a completely different way of thinking about training and racing. Arrmon walks us through what it actually took to get there, from dialing in every detail to pushing through the mental battle in the final hours.

We cover ultra running strategy, endurance training, mental toughness, and race-day execution, including:

•  Ultra marathon fueling and hydration strategies 
•  Eliminating downtime and building efficient crew systems 
•  Mental strategies for staying present and managing pain 
•  Training structure (10-day blocks vs traditional 7-day weeks) 
•  Visualization, breathing techniques, and mindset work 
•  The role of competition and how it elevates performance 

Then the episode takes a turn—Arrmon flips the script and starts asking the questions. We get into mindset, life outside of running, fear, growth, and what it actually means to push yourself in different areas of life. It turns into a deeper conversation than we expected, and honestly, one of the more interesting parts of the episode.

Whether you're training for your first ultra marathon or trying to level up your endurance, this episode provides real insight from someone actively pushing the edge of what’s possible.

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In this episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Zach and Anthony break down one of the biggest weeks in endurance sports, covering the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, and the shocking breakthrough of the sub 2 hour marathon barrier.

We start with a recap of the Boston Marathon, highlighting standout performances from Mississippi runners and friends of the show, including elite level finishes and what it takes to compete at that level. From pacing strategies to race day conditions, we dive into what made Boston such a strong showing this year.

Then we shift to the London Marathon and one of the most historic moments in distance running. Multiple athletes breaking the 2 hour marathon mark has completely changed the landscape of professional running. We discuss what led to this breakthrough, including advancements in super shoes, fueling strategies, training volume, and the increasing depth of elite competition.

This episode also explores the impact of modern running technology, including lightweight racing shoes, carbon plates, and how brands like Adidas and Nike are pushing the limits of human performance. Is this a new era in marathon running or just the beginning?

To wrap things up, we preview our upcoming trip to Sedona, Arizona, where we will be crewing and pacing a 125 mile ultramarathon. We talk about what goes into supporting an ultra runner, the challenges of multi day endurance events, and what we are expecting from the experience on the ground.

If you are into marathons, ultra running, Ironman training, endurance sports, or just want to understand how athletes continue to push the limits of performance, this episode is for you.

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This episode of Endurance State of Mind brings together real race experience and expert insight into the mental side of endurance sports.

We start with a full recap from the Fondren Ultra, breaking down race-day strategy, lessons learned, and how the endurance community continues to grow. From first-year reflections to experienced race execution, we talk through what actually changes when you spend time in the sport—both physically and mentally.

Then we sit down with Sierra Morris, a sports and performance psychologist and ultra runner, to dive deep into the mindset required for endurance racing.

If you’re training for a marathon, ultramarathon, Ironman, or any long-distance event, this conversation will give you practical tools you can apply immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

•  Ultramarathon race recap and real-world endurance lessons 
•  How to mentally prepare for a race (24 hours, race morning, and start line) 
•  Sports psychology techniques for endurance athletes 
•  How to handle pain, discomfort, and mental fatigue during long races 
•  The difference between positive thinking and productive thinking 
•  Self-talk strategies and mental performance tools 
•  Building confidence and resilience through training 
•  Why endurance sports are more mental than physical 

Whether you’re running your first 5K or training for a 100-mile race, this episode will help you better understand the mental side of performance and how to stay strong when things get hard.

Because at some point in every race, it stops being physical—and becomes a decision.

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We’re back.

After a couple weeks off, we finally catch up—and yeah, there’s a lot to unpack. Anthony just got back from Europe, and what was supposed to be a vacation somehow turned into an endurance event (24 hours of travel will do that to you). We talk Switzerland, Lake Como, Milan, and why running through those cities hits different.

We also get into what’s been going on back home—Hattiesburg Half, Rattlesnake Rumble, and some big performances from people in our circle.

Then we shift into cycling for a bit because Paris-Roubaix was absolute chaos. If you don’t follow cycling, this is the one race that’ll pull you in—crashes, cobblestones, and a sprint finish after 160 miles.

And somehow… Fondren Urban Ultra is already here. We talk about where we’re at going into it (mentally and physically), and what we’re looking forward to this weekend.

Just a good old-fashioned catch-up episode.

Also—if you’ve been listening and enjoying the show, go leave us a rating and review. We’re terrible at asking, but it helps more than you think.

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Anthony is currently somewhere in Europe pretending he’s on a “business trip” (we all know it’s mostly espresso and views), so Zach is holding down the fort and keeping Endurance State of Mind rolling.

In this episode, Zach sits down with Grayson Taylor to talk about what it looks like to trust your instincts and bet on yourself. After building an impressive high school running career at Oak Grove and setting school records in the two mile and 5K, Grayson seemed to have a clear path in front of him. Instead, he made the bold decision to step away from running and fully commit to cycling.

Grayson opens up about burnout, outside criticism, and the pressure that comes with walking away from something you are known for. He shares how that transition happened, what gave him confidence in the decision, and how quickly things began to click once he got on the bike.

The conversation also dives into his rapid early success in cycling, what he is learning about the sport, and why trusting the pivot has already started to pay off. This episode is about more than running and cycling. It is about having the courage to choose your own path even when other people don’t understand it.

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In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Mississippi endurance athlete Jamie Stevison, a runner who has quickly built a reputation for doing what most people won’t—waking up at 2 a.m. to train before work, putting in double-digit miles daily, and showing up no matter what.

Jamie’s journey into endurance sports didn’t start with a lifelong passion for running. It started during one of the hardest seasons of his life. After going through a divorce, he turned to running as an outlet—and what began as a way to cope quickly turned into something much bigger.

In just a short period of time, Jamie went from running his first miles on a treadmill to competing across multiple distances including 5Ks, half marathons, marathons, and 50Ks. Along the way, he dropped over 40 pounds, ran a sub-3-hour marathon, and even won his first ultra race.

But this episode isn’t just about results—it’s about discipline.

We dive deep into:

• How Jamie structures his life around consistency
 • Why he wakes up at 2–3 a.m. to train
 • The mindset shift from motivation to discipline
 • Lessons learned from early race mistakes, including hitting the wall in his first marathon
 • How he balances work, marriage, and high-level training
 • His transition from road racing into the ultra world
 • Why “I don’t have time” is the most common excuse—and how to overcome it

Jamie also shares his future goals, including stepping into longer distances like 50 miles and 100-mile races, and preparing for the Boston Marathon.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying consistent, finding time to train, or pushing past your limits, this episode will challenge you to rethink what’s possible.

Because at the end of the day, endurance isn’t just about how far you can go—it’s about how often you’re willing to show up.

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