The Evolving Adventure

Thank you for listening today, friends! We're back, this time with an episode detailing my running journey.

It hasn't been linear, and has involved nearly a dozen uses of the phrase "you'll never run again." The journey has taught me patience, courage, determination and perseverance to reach my goals.

I've struggled to finish a one-kilometer run, watched the entire PE class move on to the next activity before I completed the Cooper test (6 lap run of 1.5 miles/2.4km), and DNF'd my first two 100 milers.

Focusing on strength, flexibility, nutrition and overall wellness, being open to trying new things such as barefoot shoes, throwing away my orthotics, and incorporating yoga into my routine has kept me healthy to compete in ultras twenty-plus years after the first "you'll never run again."

I've had an interesting and non-linear journey as a runner from that first 10km race with WAY too many people, to an injury at a marathon 3 short weeks later to finishing the hottest Javelina Jundred on record. Tune in today to hear about the journey, the decision to become a UESCA ultra running coach, and the training philosophy I offer. I'm here to get you to the finish line with a smile on your face.

As always, connect with me on Instagram or through my website.

Recovery from participating in endurance activities is imperative for those who desire longevity in their career, passion and/or hobby. But what is it, and how do we go about it?

Recover can be defined as the exercises, modalities and therapies that are used to reduce soreness, promote healing, reduce the risk of injury, and increase range of motion. Put another way: it's what we do to repair, rebuild and strengthen the body to maximize performance and support health.

Today's episode details the various methods that I use to recover from sustained physical efforts and why I use them. I'm sharing this information today to help others find what works best for them.

My wellness philosophy includes several modalities eschewed by proponents of the allopathic treatment system in place in North America. Some of these may seem unusual, questionable and unreliable, but they have given me results that the allopathic model could not produce. I encourage everyone to listen to the episode with an open mind: what worked for me may or may not be of interest to you, but it did work.

My journey through these modalities is a direct result of being told by Western medical doctors and practitioners multiple times that I would never run again, that I would never run without orthotics, and that surgery was necessary if I dared even hope of running again.

The good news is that I followed my intuition to avoid surgical interventions and have not just returned to running, but running pain-free, AND completed 8 ultramarathon races and counting. There is magic in the power of belief, courage, perseverance and the ways that holistic modalities work.

In no particular order, the modalities that I have used follow in the list below. If you are curious for recommendations, and live in an area that I mentioned during the episode, please contact me on Instagram or through cactus moos[aT] protonmail[DoT] com. Note that I ONLY refer to people who I have paid for their services, and from whom I have had results.

-massage gun

-nutrition: electrolytes, protein increase

-acupuncture

-dry needling

-chiropractic

-massage: deep tissue, trigger point, myofascial release

-yoga: heated power, yin, haha, kundalini

-meditations

-cross-training: cycling, strength training, paddle boarding, canoeing, hiking, stair mill, mobility

-prioritize sleep

-barefoot grounding

-removed alcohol

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please pass it along to a friend, click the subscribe or follow button, and leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.

-gregii

Thank you for listening, friend! Today I'm talking about my experience training for a 100 miler, Javelina Jundred, while working a physically demanding job.

A coach help me achieve my goal of completing the 100 miler, in what was my third attempt at the distance. That supportive coaching catalyzed my decision to also pursue ultramarathon coaching through the UESCA certification process.

My challenge was to not overtrain while working a job in which I am on my feet all day and burn over 5,000 calories with physical activity. Recovery was a challenge for me, as was fitting in all the life things.

In this episode I share my experiences over the summer of 2024, as well as my new process now that I am self-coached. It's an evolving process in which I am using myself as a guinea pig to see how my theory works.

Researching strategies for athletes working physically demanding jobs yielded some tips but not a lot of data or personal experiences of the training process. I found resources from CTS Coaching, UESCA, RunningShoesGuru online and combined that with what I am currently doing.

Some takeaways from this episode include tips to avoid overtraining, tips to enhance recovery from training, the importance of realistic goals, the benefits of working with a coach, how to maximize training sessions and what cross-training methods can be more supportive.

It's an evolving adventure as a self-coached athlete... and one who trains solo at least 95% of the time.

If you're in a physical job and looking for support and coaching, I'm happy to chat with about your life situation, goals and current training. I am accepting athletes, and look forward to helping you achieve personal success in whatever form that takes.

Remember, you can always contact me through Instagram or at cactus moose[at]protonmail[dot]com with questions, comments, guest suggestions and ultrarun coaching.

Enjoy your day, friends!

After a brief pause for station identification, we're back! It's been awhile since the last episode due to some life changes. Today's episode details my experience running the Moab Red Hot Ultra, the 55k race, produced by Mad Moose Events.

It's a fun course in a gorgeous location--truly, one of my favorite places to explore in North America. I go through my race experience, the terrain, and decision to run the race.

This episode also covers how to use an ultra as a supported long run. My training had slacked due to life circumstances and an unfortunate rib injury that limited both running and strength training. I chose this race to have fun, meet new people--and maybe make new friends--and to film it using my 360 camera. It was fun to go out and be part of the community, see the pride, joy, pain and relief on the faces of finishers, and remember that there are multiple reasons people run ultras.

If this episode inspired you or you learned something, please consider sharing it with someone who will benefit. We're all here to help each other out when we can.

A video compilation of my race is in the works, and will be available soon on my Instagram page and YouTube channel.

You can always connect with me on Instagram @cactusmoose with questions, comments and guest suggestions.

Hello! Thanks for listening, and welcome back. Today's episode is one that's a lot more in-depth than the title suggests.

I chat about why it's good to learn new skills... which can also be construed as why it is good to suck at something new. The episode is inspired by my acquisition of a 360 camera--the Insta360 X4--and the adventures of trying to document my outdoor adventures.

It's been a steep learning curve for me between learning new camera programming, editing software, export settings and filming angles. It has in no way be as easy as I thought it would be, but it has been a fun challenge. Knowledge from a photography course in high school, learning a digital camera a decade ago, and having ideas in my brain have combined so that I'm mediocre at bringing my vision to life... but I'm getting better.

I wanted to share my experiences to diminish the stigma around learning new things, particularly as one is over 30. There's a lot of naysayers out there, but it turns out that learning new skills is a wonderful way to work your brain, mitigate against dementia and Alzheimers ,and to increase confidence.

The episode also details some benefits of learning new skills, and addresses common fears that can prevent individuals from trying something new. From fear of looking stupid to fear of wasting time and money, the conscious and subconscious programming we received can limit our potential. Overcoming these fears and being okay with being a beginner can lead to greater happiness, build confidence, grow your social circle, expand your comfort zone and improve resilience.

Take a listen today to learn how my journey with the camera is going, plus some ways to move through any resistance you have to trying a new things. Our life experience can be enhanced by moving beyond our limits and learning new skills.

Resources for this episode include my personal experience and thoughts, a GrowthHackers post, Alicia Clark article entitled "Why it's okay to suck at something new" and a Central Connecticut State University article. Enjoy!

As always, connect with me on Instagram or email me cactusmoose[at]protonmail[dot]com

Hot Springs is today's topic, friends! I love going to soak in hot springs, preferably when it's just myself and a small group enjoying their ambiance.

Today's episode details some of the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of taking a trip to a hot springs. From absorbing trace minerals to reconnecting with a sense of peace and tranquility, hot springs can truly rejuvenate the soul. Listen in for more benefits... and even one of the places I visited in 2024.

I decided against sharing a list of my favorite locations to visit hot springs: if you're really curious you can contact me on Instagram or email to inquire.

Courage can be defined as taking any action that involves facing a fear. An example would be asking someone out on a date despite facing the fear of rejection.

Today's episode focuses on how to build courage. I share some tips from personal experience as well as from sources such as Kripalu and BetterUp.

Thank you for listening! Connect with me on Instagram or via [email protected] with questions, comments and guest suggestions.

Motivation!

Motivation:the internal state that drives persons to engage in goal-directed behavior.

What are some tips and strategies for accessing the internal force that guides behaviors? How can we stay motivated? Listen to today's episode to find out more.

Connect with me by email at [email protected] or on Instagram

Thanks for listening to this solo episode today!

Grief can be a complicated experience: even finding a definition can be challenging. Grief is the sense of loss that develops from a loved one or something close to our heart being gone from our life.

Today's episode discusses grief, and strategies to be aware of if you're experiencing grief, or someone you care about comes to you for support. I go through some of the physical symptoms, emotions, situations in which grief can experienced, the Kubler-Ross framework for grieving process, and strategies to navigate grief using nature. Family or friends can be an invaluable resource when navigating the grief process, as can support groups, nature, and professionals such as counselors and therapists.

If you are experiencing grief and struggling with it, please contact someone or connect with me and I can help you get started.

Connect with me via [email protected] or on Instagram with questions, comments and guest suggestions.

Thank you for joining another episode of The Evolving Adventure(r) podcast! 

Today's guest is Sophie Rouge, recording with me from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sophie is an ultrarunner, musician and vegan who has completed several 100 mile races in the past 4 years. Her first ultra was completing Rim to Rim to Rim (R3) of the Grand Canyon after a friend invited her along. 

Sophie shares some of her adventures with us, and talks about how time spent in nature has helped with her mental health. Shifting into gratitude for being able to run has been key to her growth. Balancing risk in nature is a challenge, and Sophie offers some tips for how to navigate situations from solo running in the bosque to being on exposed ridgelines during hailstorms. 

Our original recording was lost to technology: this is a second take at covering the topics we first discussed. Luckily on this episode, we chatted more about Sophie's music and her experience volunteering to play music at a hospice. Sophie can be found on Instagram or in her band Catcalling Canines. Sophie has a great lineup of races for 2025 including Jackpot Ultras 48 hour, a 100 miler near Albuquerque and more. We met in Cuba, New Mexico during the Deadman Peaks trail race in 2022. 

Some of the topics we discuss include:

Sandia Mountains 

Albuquerque

New Mexico

Great Divide Ultra

Crested Butte Ultra

Jackpot Ultras

Ute 100

Revenant Running

Ultra Cheei Relay & Solo (Albuquerque, NM)

Catcalling Canines is playing at Launchpad Albuquerque on Wednesday, January 29