Trail Success Podcast

Husband and father JP Lavoie is one of 369 endurance athletes participating in the 2023 Western States Endurance Run 100 (WSER). After 15 years of sobriety, JP set his sights on his first family 5k fun run, which quickly evolved into half marathons, marathons, and his first 50k ultramarathon in 2017. While steadily escalating the distances he ran from 50 miles to 100 miles, JP ran an annual qualifier for Western States with a vision to run in his bucket list race some day in the future. That day is fast approaching as JP was selected in the Western States lottery in December 2022 to participate in the 2023 race to be held on June 24th - 25th, 2023. JP shares his running origin story, how he got into WSER, and what he looks forward to and fears on the day of the race. Learn how he balances training, family relationships, and work responsibilities as an everyday athlete preparing for the the "special" and "epic" adventures he experiences as an endurance athlete. This is how JP Lavoie is inspired by trail running, and how he inspires others with his trail successes - on the Trail Success Podcast.

The usual host of the Trail Success podcast, Mark Friess, switches seats to be today's guest, with guest host Dag Hinrichs leading the podcast, as Mark shares his recent experience participating in the Moab 240. With 6 years of ultramarathon experience under his belt, including a sub-24 hour 100 miler, a UTMB TDS finish, and another dozen or so ultras from 50k-100miles, Mark recently tackled his first 200+ mile race in the Moab 240. He outlines his 2022 training plan and race strategy in preparation for the race and then reviews each section of this iconic race from Destination Trail. Mark then shares his experience as he headed toward the finish line and his race outcome changed quickly and dramatically, leading him to cherish a new and important finish line, surviving to live and race another day.

Everyday athlete and trail running unicorn Peter Mortimer is one of the few and the fortunate who persevered to get selected in the lottery of the Western States Endurance Run 100 (WSER) for the 2022 race. After time in the military, Peter's weight increased to a level where he turned to running to manage his health. Through an intense medical device career and through various family challenges, Peter found HEALTH and HEALING through trail running with nearly 70 ultras to his name, including 19 podiums. Peter tells us his origin story, how he got into WSER, and what he looks forward to on the day of the race. Learn how he balances training and daily relationships and responsibilities to prepare for the runs that bring him "goosebump moments". This is how Peter Mortimer is inspired by trail running and how he inspires others with his trail successes - on the Trail Success Podcast.

Everyday athlete and trail running unicorn Michael Morales is one of the few and the fortunate who persevered to get selected in the lottery of the Western States Endurance Run 100 (WSER) for the 2022 race. After battling serious life challenges, including tipping the scales at 350 pounds with a medical death sentence from his doctor, Michael turned his diagnosis into his motivation to become a passionate trail running athlete with nearly 40 ultras to his name. As a Western States uber-fan - Michael tells us his origin story, how he learned he got into WSER, and what he fears and looks forward to on the day of the race. Learn how he balances training and daily relationships and responsibilities to prepare for the runs that bring joy and energy to his heart and soul. This is how Michael Morales is inspired by trail running and how he inspires others with his trail successes - on the Trail Success Podcast.