Dirt And Vert

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, David & Matt sit down with fellow East Coast Adventures running team member, athlete, and coach Taylor Williams. Taylor shares her unfiltered story of stepping into the ultra world, from running her first 50K at Firewater to tackling one of the most brutal mountain races on the East Coast—the Cherokee. Taylor pulls back the curtain on her massive training block leading into this year's Cherokee 130K, the mental hurdle of stepping onto the course alone, and navigating high heat, extreme humidity, and severe chafing that ultimately brought her day to a halt at mile 61. We dive deep into why a DNF doesn't define who you are, the power of leaning into a mentorship under Mary Cates, and how stepping out of your comfort zone builds lasting grit and grace. Learn more about Taylor and coaching here: https://www.endurecoach.comemail: [email protected] TakeawaysThe Cherokee Experience: What it truly takes to prepare for and face 10,000+ feet of climb in the middle of summer humidity. Overriding Imposter Syndrome: How Taylor moved past self-doubt to embrace huge miles, solo training runs in the Smokies, and leading other runners as a coach. The Reality of a DNF: Why walking away with gas left in the tank teaches you where your real boundaries are and sets the stage for future growth. Power Hiking Mastery: The strength of using the uphill as a tool to control heart rate and manage fatigue late in an ultra. Grit & Grace in Action: How finding a running family transforms your mindset on race day and keeps you grounded when things get tough.

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, we sit down with two-time Cherokee Ultra 130K finisher Aden Rogers. Aden is one of only four runners to earn the coveted Cherokee double buckle, and her story from this year's race is a masterclass in relentless forward progress. Aden breaks down her journey into trail running—from picking up the sport to find time for herself as a mom to winning her very first 100-miler at Pinhoti. We go deep into her experience on the Cherokee course this year, where brutal heat and humidity forced her to battle extreme dehydration and stomach issues starting at mile 15. Aden shares what went through her mind on the dark stretch of Doc Rogers Road, how she navigated the fine line between safety and quitting, and why she refuses to give up on herself when things get dark. The Cherokee Double Buckle: Aden breaks down what it took to finish one of the toughest mountain courses on the East Coast for the second time. Battling the Heat: Managing severe dehydration and humidity, dealing with stomach issues from mile 15, and finding a way to keep moving forward. The Dark Miles: The mental strategy Aden used on the Doc Rogers Road section when quitting felt like the only option. Refusing to Give Up: Why Aden believes hardships in life and running are temporary, and how pushing through dark moments builds lasting strength. Pinhoti to Cherokee: Reflections on her background, from winning her first 100-miler at Pinhoti to tackling brutal technical vert.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we are joined by a true legend of the ultra world: Maggie Guterl. From her humble beginnings in Philly to becoming a Team USA standout and the first woman to win the Big’s Backyard Ultra outright, Maggie’s journey is one of pure grit and constant evolution.Maggie takes us back to her first 24-hour race where she battled extreme nausea to hit 97 miles, her legendary experiences at Western States, and her deep dive into the world of Laz Lake at the Barkley Fall Classic and the full Barkley Marathons. She opens up about the "superpower" of community, recovering from major Achilles surgery, and the tactical aggression needed to stay in the Top 10 in today’s ultra scene.Whether you're curious about her hydration struggles (losing 14lbs of water weight!) or her "singular goals" during world championships, this episode is a masterclass in the mindset of a champion.Coaching Announcement! 🏃‍♀️💨Maggie is officially taking on new athletes! If you want a champion’s perspective in your corner to help you refine your training and race strategy, reach out to her at:[email protected]

The OG trio is finally back together! This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, David, Matt, and Mike reunite for a special Christmas run to close out the year and look ahead to an massive 2026.We’re revealing our 2026 Bucket List Races, including big goals for the Cruel Jewel 50 and the No Business Hundo. We also get technical on what it really takes to train for the Mid-State Mile, specifically how to dial in the elevation training necessary to survive those climbs.The guys also give their unfiltered first impressions of the new Hyperlite nutrition products, talk about the upcoming Smoky Mountain 24-hour Challenge, and share some laughs about the "gastronomic gauntlet" that is the Taco Bell 50K. Most importantly, we take a moment to reflect on the growth of this community and share our gratitude for every one of you who joined us on the trails this year.