Update! The Touching the Trail Podcast will be taking a hiatus for the summer. I, the host Jarod Contreras, feel that I need to take this time to refocus and reevaluate where I’m at and where I’m headed. To give myself the space and the opportunity to figure some things out that I’ve been neglecting figuring out for quite awhile. Thank you all so much for listening and remember that this is not the end, Touching the Trail and I will return. I hope that you take the time as well to refocus, reevaluate and to always keep in mind the journey of bettering yourself. I will see you again when Touching the Trail returns. Muchas gracias.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

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“The bicycle gear, and the wheel, and everything it just increases your own power and makes you a superhero!”

-Ultra Romance

Ultra Romance is known by many names, Ronnie, Benedict, Poppi, etc., and this Instagram sensation, if that is even the right word, has captured the fascination of thousands through his depiction of the bicycle as lifestyle. A few years ago he captured my fascination and I have been following his human-powered, bikepacking adventures ever since. The ultra-endurance cyclist spends most of his time traveling the country, riding far. Today Ronnie, as he asked me to call him, and I sit down to pull back the curtain on the character, the myth, the persona that he presents on Instagram and delve into the philosophy he has built through all of the time that he has spent in the saddle, living simply. Consider this episode as part one of my discussion with Ronnie, as I have much more that I want to explore and discuss with this fascinating man.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

Find Ultra Romance:

ronsbikes.com

Instagram: @ultraromance instagram.com/ultraromance/ 

Instagram: @ultraromance_mach2 instagram.com/ultraromance_mach2/

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“You can really make huge strides just by sticking to the simple concept of consistency.”

-Steve House

This week’s episode is the complement to last week’s, as it tells the other half of the story behind Training for the New Alpinism and Uphill Athlete. Steve House was the climber who Scott Johnston, last week’s podcast guest, was coaching when they both decided to share with the world the training techniques that had been so beneficial for Steve. That idea eventually became Training for the New Alpinism, their new book Training for the Uphill Athlete, and their coaching company Uphill Athlete. Steve himself is an accomplished climber who built a name for himself through practicing alpinism, ascending mountains via the most aesthetic lines while leaving as little a trace as possible. While the idea of alpinism may sound simple, it is actually one of, if not the, hardest and most complex endeavors that a human being can attempt and Steve became one of the best in the world at it. He brought that experience in the mountains into his work with Scott to build a training framework that is both practical and beneficial. Today Steve and I delve into his story, the sport of alpinism, community, overcoming challenges, consistency, and how to train smart to achieve your goals.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

Find Steve:

stevehouse.net/

uphillathlete.com/

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“Every good training program needs to have qualities to it: continuity/consistency, progression, and modulation.”

-Scott Johnston

Scott Johnston is the co-author, along with alpinist Steve House, of the bestseller Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete (2014) and the recently released Training for the Uphill Athlete: A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers (2019). Both Scott and Steve are the co-founders of the endurance and mountain sports coaching company Uphill Athlete, as well. I first heard about Scott and Steve by hearing about Training for the New Alpinism, which changed the training landscape for alpinism and endurance sports in general by applying tried and true training techniques from more conventional sports to endurance sports. With their new book, Training for the Uphill Athlete, they are continuing to shift the sports’ perspective on training for the better. Today Scott and I sit down to discuss his story, his experience with skiing and climbing, and how he became fascinated by training. We explore how he developed his own training framework, how he took that framework to successfully coach athletes like Steve House, and how he and Steve took that framework and provided it to the world with their books and coaching.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

Find Scott:

uphillathlete.com/

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Each year in May, the Born to Run Ultramarathon Extravaganza draws people from the world over to a small valley, nestled amongst oak woodlands, on the Central Coast of California. After stepping onto that ranch, you enter an entirely different world, a world of passion and of community. Born to Run is a highlight of my year and is now much like a family reunion for me. This year was hallmarked by a juxtaposition between wild, chaotic moments, like wheelchair jousting, lucha libre wrestling, or moshing to Metalachi, and quiet, calm moments, like running 30 miles, making new friends, and simply hanging out. That dynamic shaped my Born to Run experience for the positive because it gave me a healthy mix of both sides of the spectrum. Today I tell the story of my Born to Run adventure, incorporating various voices from the event answering the simple question, “What is Born to Run to you?”

Gracias,

Jarod Contreras

Special Thanks:

Luis Escobar

Chris “Tarzan” Clemens

Tyler Clemens

Michelle Evans

Chris Harper

Fraser Koroluk

Kaori Peters

Scott Kufferath

Tracy Thomas

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Music: purple-planet.com/

“Suffering purifies you if you accept it as God’s will.”

-JB Benna

Over the past two years since the last time my friend JB Benna, ultrarunner and filmmaker, and I spoke on this podcast, we have both undergone quite dramatic shifts in our personal journeys. Shifts that have been both good and bad but that have both landed with spirituality. Today JB and I explore that journey and how Christianity has come to play a major role in JB’s life. Now I know for some of you, reading that we are going to discuss Christianity may rub you the wrong way. However, I advise you to keep an open mind and listen with curiosity to this conversation that, when it comes down to it, explores the relationship between spirituality and ultrarunning. JB and I delve into what God and Christianity mean to him and to me, how suffering can be seen as a teacher, and the various forms that spirituality can take in one’s life.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

Find JB:

journeyfilm.com/

tmrrealestate.com/

Instagram: @jbbenna instagram.com/jbbenna/

Twitter: @jbbenna twitter.com/jbbenna?lang=en

Facebook: JB Benna facebook.com/jbbenna

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After heading back home to Los Angeles for Mother’s Day weekend I began to think a lot about the people in my life and what roles they play in helping me to be my best. Those that are in my circle, my friends and family, are those that I turn to for advice and support and they do the same to me. Trusting in that support from the people in your life that mean the most to you is a vital tool in living better. Bottling everything up or solely working through it on your own are not healthy tactics. Instead, rely on the people around you who are positive influences on your life and work to be the same to them. Join me today in a quick reminder of the importance of your circle.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

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Throughout my journey of personal betterment, I have found that a key tool is to list out what is working and what I can improve upon. This tactic led me to realize that I am have not been incorporating functional exercises, bodyweight workouts, at all into my running regimen. To improve as a runner you cannot only focus on running, you must also put in work outside of the run. Strengthening muscles throughout the entirety of your body allows you to become a more well-rounded runner that can confidently and safely tackle any challenge. Your body is a machine and you have to care for the entire machine, not only a few parts. The complex mechanics of that machine require a runner to be strong from their head to their toes. Today I explore why building strength outside of the run is a vital tool to becoming a better runner.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

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“The race doesn’t matter, the experience does and we shouldn’t be creating situations where there’s exclusivity, we should instead be creating experiences where there’s inclusivity.”

-”Sherpa” John Lacroix

John Lacroix, known in the ultrarunning world by his nickname “Sherpa John,” is the founder of the Human Potential Race Series, the largest race series in Colorado and the fifth largest in the nation. This series focuses on providing an “old school” atmosphere to their events and incorporating a strong sense of community into the experience. Preferential treatment is not given to front runners at the event, every finisher is given the same award, there is no prize money, and times are recorded by pen and paper. John’s unique approach to his races extends to the approach that he takes to the ultrarunning world at large. He is unafraid to speak his mind openly and honestly, always making sure to support his opinions with evidence. This propensity towards brutal honesty has led John to rub some people the wrong way and for him to become a polarizing figure within the sport. John’s experience in the sport, having run or race directed ultramarathons for the past 15 years, leads him to speak wisely on all things ultrarunning, which is exactly what he does in today’s wide-ranging discussion.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

humanpotentialrunning.com/

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Sometimes a quick reminder that the small things matter too can be the best help. Join me today as I explore why the little things that you do in life, like crossing the street or pushing in your chair after a meal, are what count. Those are the moments when you train your self-discipline and commitment. By paying attention to the little things, you better yourself to be disciplined in the big things, like a daily workout or meditation.

AUM,

Jarod Contreras

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