Christen McFarland can be found at Northeast Ohio’s favorite specialty run shop, Vertical Runner. There, Christen offers much more than personalized service and gait analysis. Christen really listens to the needs and goals of runners both seasoned and new and serves as a wonderful ambassador of our sport. Christen herself is an accomplished trail runner having competed in many races including Mohican 50 mile and The Burning River 100. In today’s show, I chat with Christen about all the wonderful things a specialty run shop has to offer, both inside and outside their brick and mortar locations. This is a great show to share with folks just getting into running as well as a valuable reminder of all the amazing things our run shops do for our community.

Shop Local with Christen McFarland - Ep 90

Sports

Wilderness

Running

This past May a new ultra race was born in the desert of central Arizona. They call it the Cocodona 250, a combination of the names Coconino and Sedona. The Cocodona takes runners on an epic point-to-point course from Black Canyon City to downtown Flagstaff leading runners through desert, canyons, pine forests, up and over mountain ranges, down Whiskey Row, and through historical mining towns. 42,313 ft of elevation gain across 255.8 miles with a 125-hour cutoff, Aravaipa Running is calling this a life-altering ultramarathon and we think they are spot on. In its inaugural year, Ryan Birkemeyer decided to run the thing. Being fairly new to ultra distances, having only done a single one hundred miler himself, and the epic scope of the challenge, Ryan asked friends Sketch Ditty and John Banister to support his racing through crewing and pacing. They eagerly accepted the opportunity. I was fortunate to meet all three gentlemen at the aid station I volunteered at around mile 127 in Jerome, again at an after-race breakfast in Flag, and now, here, on today’s podcast. Ryan, John, and Sketch discuss what it took to cross that finish line in Flagstaff and collect the buckle of Arizona copper to join the ranks of the few brave souls who have tackled the 200-mile + division of trail and ultra running. 

Cocodona 250 - Ep 89

Kristopher Cargile is a man of many talents. Kris works as an EMT, a trail running guide for Top Out Adventures,  a course ambassador for Trans Rockies, and volunteers and works at trail and adventure races across the United States, and so much more. I first connected with Kris for Eat Clean Run Dirty Magazine for the photos he took at H9. Kris is truly building something special with Group Run Finder and I am proud to be able to share it with you. I take the opportunity in this podcast to discuss what Group Run Finder is and more so what the running community has meant to Kris and me. Since the day I was first introduced to Kris I have found him to be both inspired and inspiring. Kris is a generous human with so very many skills and a big heart. We were fast friends. I hope you enjoy what I hope is the first of many conversations with Kris on the Eat Clean Run Dirty Podcast. His Group Run Finder project is incredible and adds to our sport and community in a big way. Take a moment and visit www.grouprunfinder.com and add your run or share it in your favorite run groups and clubs. Tell your friends. Share it on your socials. This is going to be huge.

Kristopher Cargile and Group Run Finder - Ep 88

Jeremy Peterson wrote an article for Eat Clean Run Dirty Magazine about the Holiday Lake 50k titled Horton’s Holiday. The Holiday Lake 50k is a loop course circling Holiday Lake itself as well as using country roads and trails in that area. The weather can be from nice and pleasant to running in a foot of snow. Jeremy tells the story of how the legendary Race Director, David Horton, started the race and how it has grown over the past 25 years. 2020 was a very special year in that Horton handed over the duties of Race Director to Brenton and Jamie Swyers. The Lynchburg Race Director duo are both ultramarathon runners and former Liberty University students where David Horton serves as Professor. Horton’s Holiday is paired with the photography of the very talented Jay Proffitt who aside from taking fantastic photos of the race is also the Producer of this very podcast. I hope you enjoy this audible article episode featuring Jay Proffitt, Jeremy Peterson, and David Horton, himself. My name is Jess Vandenbush and you are listening to the Eat Clean Run Dirty Podcast.

Horton's Holiday - Ep 87

Sabrina Stanley is a trail and ultra runner who lives and trains in Silverton, CO. Sabrina’s resume includes a win at HURT 100, Grand Raid La Reunion, and Hardrock as well as an F3 finish at Western States. While Sabrina’s wins are impressive what really makes her glow is her drive, determination, and focus. Sabrina sets big goals and does the work to make them a reality. In Volume 1 of Eat Clean, Run Dirty Magazine Sabrina writes an article titled How to Coach Yourself. When I first approached Sabrina about writing an article I asked her about tips on choosing a coach and finding a good fit. Sabrina herself has coached many runners alongside her partner Avery Collins through their Power Couples Coaching. It was so refreshing to have Sabrina say that folks do not need a coach at all, With a little planning anyone can map out a successful training plan for their next big race. In a beautiful and comprehensive feature article in Eat Clean, Run Dirty Magazine, she shows us all how to do just that.  To accompany this fantastic article we’ve recruiting Colorado’s Jordan Chapell and his photo series from one of my personal bucket list races, The High Lonesome 100. Jordan captures the rugged and sweeping landscapes in a way that the viewer can feel the grandeur of the course and the incredible difficulty in navigating it. The images are captivating and inspired.  In today’s podcast, I sit down to chat with Jordan and Sabrina to do a deep dive on the How To Coach Yourself article. I am your host, Jessica Vandenbush, and this is the Eat Clean Run Dirty Podcast.  


Shop Local with Christen McFarland - Ep 90

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