The Way In

In this episode, Teage shares how running strips away mental noise and brings him fully into the present—especially during night runs through the woods. He reflects on the intensity of competition, from a record-setting race after hours of storm delays to a barefoot finish at the Vermont City Marathon that left him feeling fully alive.

Teage explores the mental side of endurance: pushing through pain, setting tiny goals during ultras, and channeling a fierce inner energy on race day. For him, running isn’t about comfort—it’s about testing limits and finding clarity through effort. Whether you're an athlete or just curious about the mindset behind deep endurance, this conversation offers powerful insight into what it means to truly run.

Lauren started running in high school to stay in shape for softball—but what began as a side activity grew into a passion that’s led her to complete three marathons. In this conversation, she reflects on how running has helped her build confidence, connect with others, and discover a deep well of resilience.

We talk about the joy of shared experience at the starting line, how running brought her closer to nature, and why friendships formed through the sport have meant so much. Lauren also shares how recovering from a pelvic stress fracture in 2019 transformed her outlook, leading her to run more—and more gratefully—than ever before.

From slow 5Ks to being among the fastest women at the 2023 South Hero Half Marathon, Lauren’s story is about growth, joy, and life lessons that come from the practice of running.   

What happens when you push your body to its limits—and then keep going?

In this episode, ultrarunner Rob shares the story of a 170-mile record-setting run in Northern New Hampshire, where dawns and dusks blurred, the trail stretched endlessly north, and his body slowly broke down as he subsisted for 66 hours out of a small backpack. 

Rob reflects on what endurance teaches us about resilience, identity, and what’s left when all distractions are stripped away. He speaks about the strategies of keeping moving as the body falls apart, the post-effort malaise that can follow a long-sought goal, and the joy of being completely, utterly exhausted. 

This is a meditation on running, but includes broader lessons on aliveness, aging, awe, and the deep human need to disappear into something larger than ourselves.