The Trailhead
Tommie Runz on Sobriety, The Speed Project, and the Ultra Mindset
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Episode notes
What happens when a road marathoner tackles one of the wildest ultra challenges out there, solo?
In this episode, Zoë and Brendan sit down with Tommie Runz (@tommie_runz): plant-based athlete, podcast host, father, and (accidentally?) ultra-endurance legend.
Tommie didn’t grow up running, but after choosing sobriety in 2017, he found clarity, purpose, and eventually, a new identity in the miles. We trace his journey from gym rat to six-star marathon finisher to taking on The Speed Project solo—six ultramarathons in six days across the desert, with no prior experience beyond 26.2.
He opens up about recovery (physical and emotional), the myth of “rock bottom,” and how a surprise video from his kids mid-race broke him down, and gave him the strength to keep going.
Also: vegan aid station food, the case for trekking poles on pavement, and whether road ultras are actually super hardcore.
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