Golden Hour Adventures Podcast

What does it take to dream up a 100-mile ultra marathon in the mountains — and then actually pull it off? In this episode, we sit down with Megan, the race director behind the Crazy Mountain 100, to pull back the curtain on one of the most demanding and beloved mountain ultras around.

From navigating complex landowner relationships to solving the logistical puzzle of moving hundreds of athletes through rugged, remote terrain, Megan shares the full story — the triumphs, the headaches, and the deep passion that keeps her coming back year after year.

• The origin story — How the Crazy Mountain 100 came to life and what inspired Megan to create it
• Course design & challenges — What makes this race uniquely brutal and rewarding for even the most seasoned ultrarunners
• Landowner relationships — The behind-the-scenes work of building trust and access across private and public land
• Race logistics — Aid stations, crew access, safety planning, and the countless details that make race day possible
• The runner experience — What Megan wants every participant to feel when they cross that finish line
• Advice for aspiring race directors — What she wishes she'd known before taking on a project of this scale

The Crazy Mountain 100 is a mountain ultra marathon designed to test the limits of even experienced trail runners. Set against stunning high-country terrain, the race challenges athletes with relentless elevation, remote stretches, and the kind of raw, untamed landscape that only the mountains can offer.

Join us as we explore the West Virginia Trail Fest with organizer Alexander Papadopoulos. Discover the race details, scenic trails, family activities, and what makes this event a must-visit for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. Trail Running, West Virginia, Trail Fest, Ultra Marathon, Mountain Trails, Family Activities, Race Planning, Scenic Trails, Ultra Races, Adventure Travel Race details and course layout Family-friendly activities and amenities Unique trail features and scenic highlights

West Virginia Trail Fest Official Site - https://wvtrailfest.com

Snowshoe Resort - https://www.snowshoemtn.com

Greenbrier Trail - https://www.greenbriertourism.com

Pocahontas County Tourism - https://pocahontaswv.com

Robbie's back from the trails with stories, sweat, and hard-won wisdom. In this episode, Robbie and Justin break down what it really takes to tackle a 200-mile race — including Robbie's strategy heading into The Pilgrimage, coming up the first week of May. From training blocks and pacing plans to mental resilience and the surprisingly joyful chaos of running with a stroller, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and plenty of heart. Whether you're chasing your first ultra or just love a good adventure story, this one's for you

What does it take to leave a stable corporate career, build something of your own, and push your body to its limits on mountain trails? Isabella Janovick is doing all three — and she makes it look almost effortless.

Isabella is a marketing strategist turned entrepreneur and competitive ultra runner. In this episode, she opens up about the leap of faith behind starting her own business, how trail running became more than just a sport, and what it really takes to toe the line at an ultra.

In this episode, we cover:

• Isabella's transition from corporate marketing to running her own business — what pushed her to make the leap and what she wishes she'd known sooner
• How ultra running found her, and why the trails became her greatest teacher in resilience and mindset
• Her approach to race preparation — from training blocks and nutrition to the mental frameworks that carry her through the hard miles
• The power of community in both entrepreneurship and endurance sports, and how she's helped build spaces where people genuinely show up for each other
• Advice for anyone standing at their own crossroads — whether that's a career pivot, their first trail race, or simply looking for more purpose in their everyday

Isabella's story is a reminder that the golden hour isn't just a time of day — it's what happens when you bet on yourself.

Connect with Isabella: Follow her adventures on Instagram — @ultraizzyb

Resources mentioned: • Cocodona 250 – Aravaipa Running — the iconic 250-mile Arizona race Isabella referenced in the episode

Miles Beyond the Mission: An Air Force Ultra Runner's Journey with Jason DeGrasse

What does it take to push your body — and mind — past every limit you thought you had? In this episode, we sit down with Jason DeGrasse, active Air Force service member and accomplished ultra runner, to explore the parallel worlds of military discipline and endurance sport. Jason shares how he found his way into long-distance running, what keeps him lacing up for races that stretch far beyond a marathon, and why he believes the toughest miles have less to do with your legs and everything to do with your head. In this episode, we cover: How Jason got started in ultra running and what drew him to the extreme end of the sport How military service has shaped his mental approach to training and racing Training strategies that work for athletes balancing demanding careers and big mileage goals Race-day nutrition — what fuels Jason through hours (and miles) of effort The unique culture of the ultra running community and what makes it unlike any other sport Why leaning into discomfort — rather than avoiding it — is the real key to growth as an athlete

Key Takeaway: Mental toughness isn't something you're born with — it's built in the hard moments, one mile at a time.

Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner, a curious beginner, or someone who finds inspiration in

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Robbie’s recent trail run 01:28

Grapple vs. Dippin' Dot Snow: New running terms 02:29

Justin’s race and pushing a stroller in challenging weather 03:24

Beethoven’s Fifth Race: Unique race experience 04:43

Race day highlights and race strategy 06:07

Introduction of guest Jason DeGrasse 07:24

Jason’s entry into running and military background 10:21

First long-distance race and runner’s high 11:27

Jason’s plans for 100K and 100-mile races 12:53

Running across the Gulf Coast: 84 miles goal 15:15

Training in different weather conditions 16:36

Race preparation and race day experience 19:18

Race nutrition and fueling strategies 21:32

Race day challenges and overcoming adversity 24:39

Reflections on completing a 50-mile race 26:28

Training in tough conditions and mental toughness 28:33

Air Force PT standards and physical training culture 32:26

The importance of consistent training and mental resilience 36:14

Running shoes and gear recommendations 40:28

Favorite nutrition and fueling tips 43:04

Humorous insights on race food and gear 44:11

Where to find Jason on social media 45:06

Closing remarks and podcast wrap-up

Jesse Ellis of Let's Wonder Productions pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a media brand in the ultra running world. From scrappy beginnings to a full-fledged live streaming operation, Jesse walks through the evolution of Let's Wonder Productions — how it started, what shaped it, and where it's headed. He digs into the unique challenges of live streaming ultra races: unpredictable terrain, remote locations, and the logistical puzzle of keeping a production running when athletes are racing through the night for 24+ hours. Jesse shares what he's learned about keeping audiences engaged across those long windows, and how storytelling becomes just as important as the technical setup. Looking ahead, Jesse teases upcoming tech innovations that could change how race coverage is produced and consumed, along with new strategies for expanding Let's Wonder Productions' reach in the ultra racing calendar. Whether you're a race director, an ultra fan, or someone curious about the business side of endurance sports media, this episode is a masterclass in passion-driven entrepreneurship.

Lance Smith didn't set out to become a name in ultra running — he just laced up and kept going. In this episode, Lance tells the unfiltered story of his journey through the sport: the grind, the setbacks, and the moments that made it all worth it.

We get into his Mickelson Trail FKT — what it took to chase it down, what broke him along the way, and what pushed him across the finish line. But Lance's story doesn't stop at personal records. He's been building something bigger: community-driven events and challenges rooted in purpose, proving that running can be a force for real impact.

Gritty, honest, and fueled by a deep love for running — this one hits different.

Lance Smith's running journey and community involvement

Setting and breaking FKTs in South Dakota

Creative and fun running challenges like gas station runs and track races

resources

Lance Smith's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LanceSmith1970

Lance Smith's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lance_smith_1970/

Join Justin Andreas and guest Chris Riley as they explore ultra marathon topics, race strategies, race experiences, and the evolving landscape of trail running. Gain insights into race planning, gear choices, and the mental aspects of ultra running.

ultra marathon, trail running, race strategies, race experiences, gear, mental toughness, race planning, ultrarunning community

key topics

Pacers in elite ultra races Race preparation and strategy for 200-mile events Trail race experiences and course insights Gear and nutrition for ultra running Mental resilience and recovery in ultrarunning

sound bites

"Black Hills is my hometown course." "Tailwind is my go-to nutrition." "Follow me on Strava for updates."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Chris Riley 03:01 The Role of Pacers in Ultra Races 05:46 Chris's Journey into Ultra Running 08:37 Experiences with Various Ultra Races 11:27 Favorite Races and Future Aspirations 14:09 The Cost of Ultra Racing and Race Selection 23:15 Exploring 200-Mile Races 28:33 Planning for Ultra Races 29:40 Motivation and Mental Breaks in Training 35:18 Setting Goals and Managing Expectations 39:00 Favorite Gear and Nutrition Strategies 45:42 Red Sunset Mountain Background Thanks for Watching Youtube Outro .mp4