Weathering The Run

I have logged hundreds of miles with Joe Osborne and it was great to have him come on the podcast to share some of his stories and background. He opened up about his mental health and how running helps. We also discussed plans for races on the horizon for us.

This episode features Cameron Balser, an endurance athlete redefining what’s possible in long-distance running.Cameron recently completed an incredible 11,000+ mile self-supported run around the perimeter of the United States, averaging close to 40 miles per day for nearly 10 months . But for him, that was just the beginning.By the time this episode drops, Cameron is already underway on his next challenge: a transcontinental run from California to New York, where he’s aiming to break the record by averaging an astonishing 75 miles per day, targeting a 40-day finish.This conversation dives into what fuels that kind of effort, how he approached nearly a year on the road, and what it takes mentally to step back up to an even bigger starting line.In this episode:What it’s really like to run around the entire United StatesLessons from months of fully self-supported runningThe strategy behind a 75-mile-per-day cross-country effortThe mental shift from finishing one massive goal to chasing anotherWhy this run is about more than just recordsFollow Cameron’s journey:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camerondeanbalser/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CameronDeanBalserStrava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32195374Support the mission:GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-cams-coasttocoast-record-attemptCameron’s runs are about more than distance. They’re about pushing limits, building connection, and showing what’s possible when you fully commit to something bigger than yourself.

John loves a good challenge. He has done well over 100 ultras and he loves races that are not easy. He has a lot of energy and you can feel that in this episode. Enjoy!Follow John on Instrgram: @BreezyTrailhead.

Rob King grew up in Ohio and now is traveling around the country and world. He took a break from running after school, but is now racing back onto the scene at a blistering pace. He recent ran Tunnel Hill 100 miler in 12 hours and 19 minutes! He will be one of the elite runners at Black Canyon 100k this coming weekend.He grew up in Washington Court House, Ohio, but joined us from the state of Washington for this episode.Follow Rob on Instagram: @RobKingRuns

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Dowdle; an ultrarunner whose journey through extreme endurance, self-discovery, and unconventional racing will challenge everything you think you know about grit and resilience.Mark has pushed his body and mind into places most of us only imagine: from Calendar Club challenges where he ran every day as many miles as the date on the calendar to deep, multi-day backyard ultras that test the limits of sleep, strategy, and sheer will.🏃‍♂️ What We Covered-How Mark discovered his love for ultra distance running and what continues to drive him beyond traditional racing.-The Calendar Club 365 challenge, where he matched daily mileage to the calendar date: an epic test of consistency and heart.-Backyard ultras & last-person-standing races — the brutal mental game, fueling strategies, sleep decisions, and living in the loop with little more than resolve between laps.-Lessons in mental toughness: Mark opens up about the inner work that endurance running demands, from self-doubt to self-trust.-Training philosophies and how consistent effort, even on the hard days, compounds into extraordinary outcomes.-Follow Mark on Instagram to keep up with his runs, insights, and adventures: https://www.instagram.com/mark.dowdle/

On this week’s Weathering The Run, I sit down with Chris Glover who is a cornerstone of the Columbus running community known for bringing people together, spreading joy in the sport, and building connection one mile at a time. Whether it’s organizing group runs, showing up in a superhero outfit, or simply cheering on fellow runners, Chris’s enthusiasm and servant’s heart define his approach to running and life. He also has his own podcast called Safe Space Running. Follow Chris on Instagram.

In this inspiring episode of Weathering The Run, I sit down with Jaime Fensterl, a trail and ultra runner based in Ohio. Jaime is no stranger to the ups and downs of endurance racing: she’s tackled 100-mile ultras where she’s faced her fair share of heartbreak & injury, yet keeps coming back stronger. She just finished Rim To River 100 after taking a long break from 100 miles races, due to injury.Jaime’s journey is a testament to grit and perseverance. She’s not afraid to go back out, learn from the hard runs, and reset her goals. Whether she’s covering 50K, 100K, or 100 miles, Jaime’s philosophy is grounded in consistency, self-kindness, and embracing the process; not just chasing the finish line. We also dive into what motivates her, how she mentally rebuilds after tough races, and why the journey matters just as much as the result.

In this episode of Weathering The Run, I talk with Amy Haas. She is a seasoned runner, coach, and adventurer whose goal to run a half-marathon in every U.S. state has grown into a mission of exploring all of our national parks.Amy shares how she balances training, travel, and life, what happens when you’re out there logging miles state after state, and how the quest keeps evolving into something bigger than just finish lines.In the conversation we cover:What motivated Amy to tackle 50+ half-marathons, one in each stateHow the journey has expanded into “run in all of the national parks too”The highs and lows of travel, terrain, weather, and pacing across different statesHow she coaches and mentors runners while still chasing her own goalsConnect with Amy:Instagram: @raceacrossthestates

This was a lot of fun! Chelsea and Jordan met at an obstacle course event many years ago. They fell in love and now have two kids. They support each other's journey into running ultras and being a fit family while also juggling life and teaching. I run a lot of my training miles with Jordan and this was a lot of fun to dive into their philosophy as a couple and lifestyle.Follow Chelsea's & Jordan's journey on Instagram!

This week on Weathering The Run, I chat with Darrell Crain recommended by a past guest, Chikage Windler(Episode 11). Darrell and his son turned to running when his son was in college. Now they're a dynamic duo pursuing ultras to score Western States lottery tickets.Their most recent challenge? The Burning River 100, where relentless rain destroyed their feet with blisters, yet the pair persevered through an unforgettable run. Darrell even joked, “I don’t even know how to spell DNF,” highlighting his determination and playful spirit.

This is a great conversation with Hannah McCorkle. She helps lead Columbus’s Marathoner-in-Training (MIT) program at Fleet Feet, a program guiding over 700 runners toward half and full marathon goals. Hannah lives her life with the mantra of "Change Your Life, One Mile at a Time." She is also diving deeper with personal coaching for female athletes. She is helping them reach their full potential using philosophies that power her approach: building community, resilience, and smart consistency.📲 Connect with Hannah:Instagram: @runnerwithmoxie Learn more about MIT (Marathoner‑in‑Training): Marathoner-in-Training Program

In this episode of Weathering The Run, I sit down with rising Ohio ultra star Alec Cline, a runner who’s been on an absolute tear this year, including a podium finish (3rd place) at the notoriously brutal Georgia Death Race. I first crossed paths with Alec at the Ohio Backyard Ultra, but our interview got delayed… and in hindsight, I’m glad it did because nearly every race since then, Alec has won.We dive into Alec’s training mindset, his rapid climb in the ultra scene, and his upcoming race calendar, including:🏃‍♂️ Burning River 100 – July 26, 2025🏞️ Bob's Big Timber Backyard Ultra – Aug 2, 2025⛰️ Tuscazoar Endurance Race (100 miler) – Aug 30, 2025⏱️ NEO24 (24-hour race, Oct 4, 2025) – Goal: 140+ milesAlec shares three keys to his training success:Make Wednesdays Hard – Midweek 20-milers to boost volume earlyInsert Fun – “We get to do this”—find joy in the processConsistency – Show up, even when you don’t feel like itHis grit and gratitude are contagious, and this conversation is a must-listen for anyone chasing big goals or needing a push through the daily grind.🔗 Follow Alec’s journey:Instagram: @alec_k_clineStrava: Alec on Strava

In this episode of Weathering The Run, we sit down with Paul Johnson—a former Naval officer turned ultrarunner who’s not only run across the United States but also set a world record by completing 100 miles in Antarctica in under 24 hours. Paul shares how running became his outlet for managing anxiety and depression after his military service. We discuss his 2024 transcontinental run, where he covered over 3,000 miles in just over 51 days, raising more than $500,000 for Team Red, White & Blue, a nonprofit supporting veterans' mental and physical health. Now based in California, Paul is embracing new challenges, including mountain running, and continues to advocate for mental health awareness.Connect with Paul:Website: pauljohnson.runInstagram: @pauijohnsonYouTube: Paul JohnsonLearn more about Team Red, White & Blue: teamrwb.orgWatch Paul's Antarctica 100-Mile World Record Run: YouTube VideoTune in to hear Paul's inspiring journey and how he's using endurance sports to make a difference.