In this episode, I chat with Rachel Blinn about her 2nd finish in 2 years at the Tor des Geants! We do a deep dive into the race and how she went about getting to the finish line! I also answer another cross country coach's question about doing anaerobic work in a long run. Enjoy!

Active warmup - https://youtu.be/hgBB9de1Hdk

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

Continuing with #'s 14-21 from the article - https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/21-super-effective-habits-of-highly-successful-people/91101433

Ernest Hemingway once wrote: "The hardest lesson I have had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how broken I feel inside.

This truth is raw, unfiltered, and painfully universal. Life doesn’t stop when we are exhausted, when our hearts are shattered, or when our spirits feel threadbare. It keeps moving—unyielding, indifferent—demanding that we keep pace. There is no pause button for grief, no intermission for healing, no moment where the world gently steps aside and allows us to mend. Life expects us to carry our burdens in silence, to push forward despite the weight of all we carry inside.

The cruelest part? No one really prepares us for this. As children, we are fed stories of resilience wrapped in neat, hopeful endings—tales where pain has purpose and every storm clears to reveal a bright horizon. But adulthood strips away those comforting illusions. It teaches us that survival is rarely poetic. More often than not, it’s about showing up when you’d rather disappear, smiling through pain no one sees, and carrying on despite feeling like you're unraveling from the inside out.

And yet, somehow, we persevere. That’s the quiet miracle of being human. Even when life is relentless, even when hope feels distant, we keep moving. We stumble, we break, we fall to our knees—but we get up. And in doing so, we uncover a strength we never knew we had. We learn to comfort ourselves in the ways we wish others would. We become the voice of reassurance we once searched for. Slowly, we realize that resilience isn’t always about grand acts of bravery; sometimes, it’s just a whisper—“Keep going.”

Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, it’s unfair. And yes, there are days when the weight of it all feels unbearable. But every small step forward is proof that we haven’t given up. That we are still fighting, still holding on, still refusing to let the darkness consume us. That quiet defiance—choosing to exist, to try, to hope—is the bravest thing we can do."

Keep moving forward!

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

This episode is based off an article that can be found here - https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/21-super-effective-habits-of-highly-successful-people/91101433

Training for the Uphill Athlete is the book I referred to. Authors Steve House, Scott Johnston, & Kilian Jornet. https://uphillathlete.com/product/training-for-the-uphill-athlete-book/ 

Misogi - Michael Easter's article titled "What's Your Misogi" will give you some more on the concept - https://www.twopct.com/p/whats-your-misogi

I also reference Michael Easter's book, "The Comfort Crisis" - https://eastermichael.com/book/

Enjoy!

Part 2 will be released on Oct. 10th, 2025. 

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

I always like to take a song and mix in my own lyrics. To summarize Tor I'd use the song "Where It's At" by Beck. Where it's at! I got 2 broke ribs and a scapula. 

In all seriousness, it was amazing, and here is my account...

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

In this episode, I discuss my gear choices for the Tor de Geants 330k. I have listed all items below with their respective websites for you. I'll post track info on my social channels and Strava in the coming week ahead. I'll be taking a 2 week break form the podcast while in Italy. Once I return, I'll give a full race recap. Thank you for your continued support!

-Aaron

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Depploy Down .5 Pullover Hoody - https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/mens-deploy-down-0-5-pullover-hoody?_pos=2&_psq=men%27s+deploy+down&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Rab Phantom Waterproof Pant - https://rab.equipment/us/phantom-waterproof-pants?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22768176652&gbraid=0AAAAAC6UPyvYtVK2FJhzh0mH3riDfWTpN&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzt_FBhCEARIsAJGFWVkkZ9BNJLHbbeYBdBn-BjYc8Iz8UEF9BbrSoYRSxWLkZ-cbdNWmDWkaAkuFEALw_wcB

Cross Point Waterproof Knit Gloves - https://showerspass.com/collections/crosspoint-gloves?srsltid=AfmBOooasMEqkGyWUxT4EPD0PkMSjg9T03TrW8NgjsdaoCr7zn_IEANp

Mont Bell Rain Trekker Jacket - https://www.montbell.com/us/en/products/detail/1128729

UltrAspire Zygos 6.0 Pack - https://ultraspire.com/products/zygos-6-0/?attribute_pa_size=large&attribute_color=Steel+Blue&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20734187901&gbraid=0AAAAAD2xUSs2UlS-ze1DMB8eW8_TBdA9D&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzt_FBhCEARIsAJGFWVnJhWOPDVIqmi2d-9qa8q-XRLWIzPE-d-egIrQM5WC10MAECxkKidsaAn-CEALw_wcB

UltrAspire Pole Quiver - https://ultraspire.com/products/ultraspire-pole-quiver/

Black Diamond Carbon Z Poles - https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/distance-carbon-z-poles

Altra Olympus 275 - https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/trail/mens-olympus-275/AL0A85RT.html

Kahtoola MICROspikes - https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/?srsltid=AfmBOoqM-Cl_wRT2Zs4K0tq3oC3qYF2s0eMHajBZteq6n26ZuIVHGSR9

Xoskin Xotoes Crew Sock - https://www.xoskin.us/50-Pro-Series/50-XOTOES-Toe-Sock-Crew/

I also mention their ¾ length short liners.

Petzl Swift RL - https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Headlamps/SWIFT-RL

UltrAspire Lumen 800 Solstice - https://ultraspire.com/products/lumen-800-solstice/

BiolLite Charge 40 PD - https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/charge-40-pd

Garmin Enduro 3 - https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/851039/

Amazfit T-Rex3 - https://us.amazfit.com/products/amazfit-t-rex-3?srsltid=AfmBOor7MkgmzjqbcOdYcO9JTUxKGuNxImLCcJnU6XQDnK950cl_y1en

Black Diamon Desert Mullet - https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/desert-mullet

Other hat I mention is the Stead Stratos Airflow Mesh Cap - https://wearstead.com/collections/hat/products/stratos-airflow-mesh-cap

Smartwool base layer wool shirts - https://www.smartwool.com/en-us/men/shop-by-activity/run

Ketl Nofry Shirts - https://ketlmtn.com/products/nofry-sunhoodie?variant=32668964782146

I also mention their shorts - https://ketlmtn.com/products/blackwood-trail-run-shorts-7?variant=42122610540610

USWE Puls Trail Running Combo shorts - https://uswe.com/en-us/puls-trail-running-combo-shorts-m-black-m-1?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22326263997&gbraid=0AAAAAC_7o8iDX48uL6yDLpanIr96UucfQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzt_FBhCEARIsAJGFWVmHBp2yj_q0pr1TUKE16y1PkYfu9GzUGgjd6-Q2iOl3nyDZ_lzpBsIaAmsfEALw_wcB

SOL Emergency Bivvy - https://www.surviveoutdoorslonger.com/collections/emergency-survival-bivvies?srsltid=AfmBOoq7DupQWAgUSKGGNJE0lVtNR8_GGC2DUOT0SVUfLDgi5cKAYM9H

HydraPak Velocity Reservoirs - https://www.hydrapak.com/products/velocity%E2%84%A2-1-5-l?variant=44292058382569

UltrAspire 800mL Soft Flasks - https://ultraspire.com/products/800-ml-softflask-w-bite-cap/?srsltid=AfmBOorlHcV3dmHa__7RwAoQh3sGFtP0KOdYysb3CEzztF2O5RnEfjlM

Dry Guy portable shoe drier - https://www.dryguy.com/

Silicon Collapsible Cup w/ Metal Rim - https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Collapsible-Portable-Drinking-Reusable/dp/B08NFZH35F/ref=sr_1_2?crid=9Z9Q49NJBH5Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hfzYmmm0pxyo_9Bn7wqPJyBGQufXCZ9aQY9as18YgCYzl2grZKiLZmNi7BtCLBLv0Ud-BIUjU_KHL4Qq1rFd2D9Qf2gQXA3fDdZFVT4brrIlGBxfbKTXnLpwH-CGtVRcXwLgyHGlLymQH92fqE4Gafi6kvHuWf_lsCbNksfZBgyyJoLyGm1HRJjsFEI0Jzoaxu3u6CjxCW7P1FYJ78GTklNQOYpKPW9aOy6BZAO8VJxHx1Dz_jHnzzoWxwdir6s6AoU71Y9Zt-QVLF0ot3EoLQgVpD0Mu8dLbdAhdDDJtgo.6gPAkJl8RKDd6YONGoY7H8_uWiWqx6FkqkuYzzYwpRY&dib_tag=se&keywords=collapsible+cup+with+metal+rim&qid=1756915656&sprefix=collapsible+cup+with+metal+rim%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-2

Trekkinn - https://www.tradeinn.com/trekkinn/en

In this episode I pay tribute to the life of my friend Victor Mariano and talk through my training for the Tor de Geants 330k. Enjoy!

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

In this Episode, I interview Keagan Saft on his senior season and recruitment process just hours before dropping him off at the University of Portland to begin his Freshman year. Enjoy!

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

Here is my latest adventure...The Art Loeb Out-n-Back run. Enjoy the episode!

The Art Loeb Trail Route - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/art-loeb-trail--2

Rab Phantom Raincoat - https://rab.equipment/us/mens-phantom-waterproof-jacket?srsltid=AfmBOoquXxrCehdVKIVRaGs5PTeFawcbJMQjQuJoeUP_minYcnAO3qh8

Book - Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter - https://eastermichael.com/book/

Science In Sport (SIS) Double Espresso Gels - https://thefeed.com/products/sis-go-energy-caffeine-gels?variant=39990580248639&ship=GS&g_acctid=598-107-7261&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=PMax%3A+GSN+-+Smart+-+Science+In+Sport&g_campaignid=18183054880&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&utm_source=google&campaign_id=18183054880&ad_id=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%3A+GSN+-+Smart+-+Science+In+Sport&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwndHEBhDVARIsAGh0g3DwRe5oEjSXneUwbmKqwDU5BW_Q9GNvOougBb3wZfeWv8VVl8JCQ4EaAvklEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17412898521&gbraid=0AAAAADpLaeansVL7gcXPpxa5aDa7P0oG9

Saftlek Workout:

15:00 warmup jog > 4 x :10 strides > 2 x 2:00 Fast w/ 2:00 recovery > 4 x 1:00 Faster w/ 1:00 recovery > 8 x :30 Fastest w/ :30 recovery > 10:00+ cool down jog

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Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

Hi everyone!

Thanks to your questions & comments, there is a lot in this episode! So many topics and things to discuss. From summer training reminders, to the new discussion on the merit of zone 2 training, to talk about Tor de Geants and gear reviews. I hope you learn something and enjoy! 

Resources:

1. My episode on HRV - https://runningislifepodcast.podbean.com/e/should-we-use-hrv-as-a-predictor-episode-239/

2. The book "Feed Zone Portables" I mentioned - https://www.skratchlabs.com/products/feed-zone-portables?srsltid=AfmBOopvi6-4RX4WnU5bw3qJvrMUjsKdm_eS1pzTEaNQy1tUa8eGg8dt

3. Inside Sports Nutrition Podcast on Killian Jornet's Western States nutrition plan - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-high-carb-was-killian-jornet-at-western-states-100-ep-191/id1597491931?i=1000718722764

4. Z2 Training Training Discussions:

a. https://uesca.com/podcast/episode-34-the-lore-of-zone-2-the-scientific-reality-with-guest-dr-brendon-gurd/

b. https://www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/p/is-zone-2-training-optimal-for-mitochondrial

c. https://stevemagness.substack.com/p/the-debate-over-easy-vs-high-intensity?triedRedirect=true

5. Trail Runner Nation Podcast BS Episode w/ Ian Sharman -https://trailrunnernation.com/2025/07/ep-737-cutting-through-the-bs/

6. Sisyphus Hill Workout - https://themorningshakeout.com/workout-of-the-week-the-sisyphus-session/#:~:text=One%20set%20of%20repeats%20looks,back%20down%20to%20the%20bottom.

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Aaron Saft

Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

Hi everyone!

I missed this! It feels liberating to record again; even if it's on a tough subject. 

In this episode, I discuss my build and race at Western States. As always, it's emotional, so forgive me for being open and honest!

I look forward to sharing again. If you have anything you want to hear about, please, let me know!

Enjoy!

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Aaron Saft

Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast