"The Dirt" Trailrunning Podcast

Galena Sky '23 Race Recap - Part 1

Kyle Braund joins OMR crew to talk about running his first Galena Sky Trail race. He crushed the 4 hour race with 28.59 miles to finish 2nd overall. Right behind Reese Slobodianuk who set a course record with 31.01 miles. It is fun to hear how he prepared, managed the course and his thoughts on the community. 

Crewing an Ultramarathon

Crewing an Ultramarathon! What is crew? Who are crew? When can you use crew? What should you consider for your crew?   Today, OMR Coach Loretta schools coach Reese on the ins & outs of what it means to be crewed during an ultra. Get ready for a knowledge bomb that's hotter than a pair of chaffed thighs.

Galena Sky Race from Coaches View

This week brings you another discussion between coaches Loretta & Reese about Galena Sky Race! Get a taste of what you’ll encounter during this looped course & how you can prepare for the event! The coaches talk about training, fueling, course specifics, & even some entertaining stories from Coach Reese’s experience at the race.

Sarah Krebs Upcoming Thru-Run on the Ice Age Trail

What does it take to run for a cause, prepare for a journey, & attempt the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail? This week, coaches Loretta & Reese have an in-depth conversation with Sarah Krebs before she embarks on her IAT thru-run attempt. They discuss the critical components of Sarah’s goal that include “why”, “how”, & “how long”. There’s value in Sarah’s story for everyone to hear - you won’t want to miss it!

Earth Day Race Recap- Loving Memory of Jim Briscoe

  This episode is in loving memory of James "Jim" Briscoe. August 15, 1959 - April 28, 2023   Our running family is very important to us. The OMR team gathered together after Earth Day Trail Races to recap the event. It meant a lot to us to be able to have Jim Briscoe on our show. We recorded the Wednesday after Earth Day. Jim eloquently talks about his love for the running community and shares wise words from his heart. We were all heartbroken when Jim left us here on Earth a couple d...

Get the Scoop on Kettle Moraine 100 & tips for racing ultras!

Kettle Moraine 100, it's that time again! Get the inside edge about the course and what it takes to have a strong finish with OMR coaches Loretta & Reese. Not running Kettle? No worries, you'll find something to take away for your next race.

How to hill train to make you a stronger athlete

On today's episode coaches Loretta & Reese express the importance of hill training for race preparation. After a short intro, Coach Reese reflects about his mindset while managing a busy schedule, the pair explore how hills can be programmed to increase your chance of success. Whether your race is flat or hilly, you'll want to hear what they thing about hills can make you a stronger athlete.

Recovery tips post training run & race recovery. Coaches' view on how to best aid your recovery

In this episode Coach Reese and Coach Loretta cover the pillars of helping to aid in post run recovery. They share knowledge in how to recover in different type of racing scenarios. Take a listen and learn tips to aid your recovery so you can come back stronger and ready for your next race or workout. Stay tuned to the very end of the episode as we answer a listener question. trailrun.coach

How do you use cross training to compliment your running?

In this episode of Coffee with Coaches, Coach Loretta and Coach Reese share about how cross training can be incorporated into your running training plan. The coaches share how they worked with a couple of athletes to utilize cross training and helped reach their goals.

How to practice your aid station strategy

Today's podcast brings us a conversation about aid stations & how they can help & hinder your race. Coaches Loretta & Reese expand the topics of how to practice your aid station strategy, how to prepare yourself before getting to an aid station mid-race, & how to use the volunteers effectively for a faster finish!

Packs, belts or bottles-which are you going to use in your next event?

OMR Coaches Loretta & Reese talk pros and cons of each gearing method & give some entertaining stories alongside! Bonus: The coaches answer a listener question at the end -let's keep them coming! P.S. You're going to want to listen to the end of the episode for a discount code on Ultraspire gear available on the OMR website as well. ornerymuleracing.com trailrun.coach

Get the Inside Scoop for OMR's Earth Day Trail Race!

Coach Reese recently ran the course and Coach Loretta is here to help understand the demands of the race as well as how listeners at home can train in the weeks before April 22nd. Even if you aren't planning on running the race, they share some expert advice on how to analyze YOUR next race to properly prepare for your goals. Bonus! They also do a listener Q & A to cap off the episode. If you have a question, DM either coach for a chance to be answered on the next episode. trailrun.coach

Fatigue-Is it good or bad? When, if at all do we expect to feel it and how do we plan for it?

This week's episode brings us a discussion on navigating training fatigue. Join OMR coaches Loretta and Reese as they discuss two components to fatigue and how they impact our training and racing. As a bonus they also answer a listener question at the end. As always, we love hearing feedback and are taking more questions to discuss on future episodes. Grab your beverage of choice and enjoy!

Split Styles - How to choose a strategy for your race

What's the best split to run your best race? Do we want to be negative splitting all of the time? This episode, Reese and Loretta explore ways to strategize for workouts and races. They both provide insight as to how OMR coaches help athletes perform their best at races while choosing a split structure given the myriad of variables that occur in an ultramarathon.

How Do You Define Your Training & Racing Goals

In this episode, Coaches Loretta and Reese break down what it means to define these two types of objectives and how to approach goal setting for your next race, next season and your future athletic career. It's time to get specific with what we want out of our running so we can have a target to shoot for while we're putting in the effort. Grab a coffee and a pickaxe: There's a lot of gold in this one.

Tempo Runs - How are they different from lactate threshold runs?

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation- the reason behind why we run

Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation is a concept we all unintentionally experience-but what is it and how does it shape your 'why"? Here we detail what both types of motivation are, how to find them within yourself, & how to practice applying them to enhance your training, racing, & enjoyment. Get listening, get motivated, & go forth with your best YOU!

Mindset for the "pain cave" in workouts, life and maintaining focus & presence during runs and life.

Join Coach Loretta and Coach Reese in a chat about how we approach speed workouts and how it applies to race day and life.

Frozen Gnome Race Recap Part 2 - Nicki & Sid

Learn about the Frozen Gnome 50k/10k with the Race Director Michele Hartwig, and Course Directors/Course Designers. Conversation is all the FUN things we are excited about for 2022 and 2023! We hope you enjoy!

Frozen Gnome '23 Race Recap - "The Jeffs"

Learn about the Frozen Gnome 50k/10k with the Race Director Michele Hartwig, and Course Directors/Course Designers Jeffrey Lenard and Jeff Goodmanson. Well known as the infamous "Jeff's" for the extremely fun & challenging race courses they design. In this episode we touch on Midwest States 100 (the Jeff's finished together), Hennepin Hundred finish line with the MUDD running club, and Soul Crusher 5 & 10 mile. Conversation is all the FUN things we are excited about for 2022 and 2023! We...

Behind the Coaching Scene - OMR Trail Run Coaching - Coach Reese and Coach Loretta

Join us for a behind the scenes coaching conversation in today's minisode with Coach Reese and Coach Loretta. They talk running with all sorts of random thoughts. Gain suggestions for your running! trailrun.coach

2022 Year in Recap

Michele, Nicki & Sid cheer in 2023 with the "behind the scenes" inside scoop on all that is going on at Ornery Mule Racing! We love hearing from you. Please like, subscribe and leave a comment! In this show we share a photos from the races and talk about: -OMR run club group runs Link to run club, you will need to be approved to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/27653... - OMR Invasion races -Our races -Midwest States 100 -Kettle Moraine 100 -Hennepin Hundred -Frozen Gnome ...

Midwest States 100 Race Recap

In this episode of the Dirt Trail Running Podcast Midwest States 100 Race Director Michele, Course Director Sid and Ultra Mom Nicki talk about what was going on behind the scenes leading up to the race. The race is held in Chequamegon National Forest in upper Wisconsin. The majority of the course is on Wisconsin's iconic Ice Age Trail.

Reese Slobodianuk Kettle Moraine 100 Male 1st overall

Reese Slobodianuk ran his first 100 mile race at Kettle Moraine 100. He was specific in his training while having fun.  This combo proved to be a winner where he finished as 1st overall male in his debut race. Reese is getting trained up for Wasatch 100 next. Great show about training, race day strategy and more!

Western States 100 finisher- Jeff Lenard

It took Jeff Lenard 9 years for his ticket to be pulled to get into the Western States 100. Our show included his pacer James Solomon and his wife Jean Lenard. They talk about managing the course. What it was like to crew and pace this race. Great information for Midwest runners preparing for Western States 100! Plus Jeff and crew are just so darn likeable!

Michelle Magagna - Kettle Moraine 100

Michelle Magagna smashes a 25 year old course record and takes the overall win at Kettle Moraine 100. In this show we get to know Michelle better-from winning a Golden ticket to Western States at Bandera 100k, then finishing Western States as the 11th overall female to her race day overall win story at Kettle Moraine 100. Fun show about this Midwest trail running rising star!

Kettle Moraine 100 Race Recap- 2022

2022 Kettle Moraine 100 race recap! Amazing performances with a Michelle Magagna taking the overall win & breaking a 25 year old course record! Michele, Sid & Nicki give a Friday night call to race entrants and volunteers to hear a variety of race day stories. Tune into the next show for a deep dive with Michelle Magagna on what brought her running history, Kettle 100 race day highlights and more fun stuff!

Ornery Mule Racing History

Krystal the Pistol interviews Michele Hartwig about how she got into Race Directing and the history of Ornery Mule Racing. 

Michele & Ryan Show - Feb 7

Michele & Ryan talk about fitness, trail & ultra running, Race Directing, trail running community, inclusion, & anything else we find fun. We bring on some of the folks they meet along the way. We want every person to feel safe to get involved & make life long friends.

Michele & Ryan Show - Jan 31

We discuss how Ryan got to know Michele and the Ornery Mule Racing Community, Ryan's weight loss journey, coaching, and Midwest States 100. Michele & Ryan talk about fitness, trail & ultra running, Race Directing, trail running community, inclusion, & anything else we find fun. We bring on some of the folks they meet along the way. We want every person to feel safe to get involved & make life long friends.

Paige Taylor - The Dirt

Paige Taylor is the only person in the history of the Hennepin Hundred that has signed up for the 50 mile race, then just kept running with no crew, drop bags or plan and finished her first ever 100 mile race. She shares about her battles that have got her to many ultra finish lines. Personal female story that is very special.

The Dirt on Phil Young

Phil Young toed the line at Tunnel Hill 100 with some of the fastest ultra runners in the world that included Zach Bitter, Taggart VanEtten, and Jacob Moss. The world may not have realized on race morning Phil's full potential competing alongside these men, but here in the Midwest, we knew he would be a force. On this episode of "The Dirt" Phil tells an amazing story about the ups & downs of his first 100 mile race. It is an honest story of his thoughts throughout the race. It includes whe...

The Dirt on Conor Holt

Conor Holt is a talented runner, and # 1 crew man for Camille Herron. Together they run a successful coaching business and travel around the world running races. We get to know the inside Dirt. Enjoy!

Grace Crowe & Jen Heller- The Dirt

Hennepin Hundred race perspective from Sauk Valley Yeti Trail & Ultrarunners Grace Crowe and Jen Heller.  Jen shares an interesting method of pacing that worked great. Grace Crowe talks about her running store in Dixon Illinois as well as captaining Aid station 10/12 where she has become famous for the blow up lounge chair. Lot's of laughs with these ladies! Enjoy!

The Hennepin hundred

Tune in to hear the behind the scenes "dirt" on the Hennepin Hundred. The Dirt Crew: Michele, Krystal, Ryan, Sid, Michele Schueler, and Nicki talk about everything from their personal race performance at Hennepin, to funny stories on the trail, & behind the scenes challenges that happened on race day and how we handled them. Race weekend was a blast with 2 new course records set. We also share some BIG news for the 2022 race! 

Emily Ford - The Dirt

Emily Ford chats with us about her winter trek on the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail. Emily made history by being the first women to make this challenging journey in the winter months, through cold weather and deep snow. She also is the first black person to ever through hike the entire Ice Age trail. She did it with her dog Diggins. We had a great time getting to know Emily, her daily life & some sweet stories about Diggins and the folks she met on her journey.

The Dirt on Dustin Canestorp

Dustin Canestorp retired from the Marine Corps after 20 years of service in 2014. He has struggled with PTSD & shares how running helps him. It is very clear that Dustin cares deeply about people & loves the United States. It was an honor to have this American hero on our show.  

Edna Jackeline Vazquez- The Dirt

Mexican American competitor Edna Jackeline Vazquez Núñez discovered a love for athletics in her hometown of Monterrey in Nuevo León México. In her teens, she developed a love for ultramarathons thanks to her aunt Maria Elena. Behind her determination and philosophy for survival and prosperity there is a story to be told. She is a stellar example of the Latino community. She’s been swimming, doing gymnastics and performing ballet since the age of 3. While in middle school, a group of milita...

Sam Skeels - The Dirt

Sam Skeels is an accomplished athlete from Adrian, Michigan with a long list of career highlights that we list below. He is a school principal, cross country coach and a trail running coach at Ornery Mule Racing. He shares great insight on how he juggles family, work, and hard training as well as diving into a bit of his coaching techniques.   Couse Records: Indiana Trail 100 The Trail Marathon 50k LT JC Stone 50k Huff 50k Furlong 250 Top 10 at USATF National Championships: 100 mile...

The Dirt on Jason Hardrath

Jason is spending the summer peak bagging Washington Bulgers 100 peaks. Teaching is Jason's day job, and he scheduled doing all 100 peaks during his summer vacation. Jason shares with us thrilling stories about some of his big adventures leading up to him attempting Washington Bulgers 100 peaks! 

The Dirt on Karl Meltzer

Karl Meltzer lined up for the 25 year anniversary race of the Kettle Moraine 100.  The race had record heat & humidity that took many out of the race. We chat with Karl about what he learned at the race, and heard some fun ultra stories. Great conversation. We really enjoyed Karl and his wisdom & passion for the sport. 

Kettle Moraine 100 Race Recap

Kettle recap show! We have a variety of people that experienced race day as runners or volunteers sharing about their experience at the Kettle Moraine 100- 25 year anniversary race.   Sam Stimac- 100 mile finisher, 2nd overall female and 4th overall finisher Ryan Chukuske- Sub 24-100 mile finisher Krystal the Pistol- 100k finisher Carrie Wagner- super volunteer Sid Wegener- Course set up & Aid station captain Steph Dannenberg- course set up and crew Michele Hartwig- R...

The Dirt on Sarah Moore

The inside Dirt on Sarah Moore at Big's Backyard ultra & Desert Solstice race. We dive into conversation on the trail, race strategy and discuss if she may have offended Courtney Dauwalter & Laz at Big's Backyard Ultra with her joke telling. She shares the joke, so you can decide for yourself. Sarah is a great athlete and so much fun to get to know. We are cheering for her continued successes!

Katie O'Connor

Last year, Katie O'Connor was registered for the 2020 Kettle Moraine 100 when COVID-19 hit and shut down all races. She did not let that stop her. She went on to attempt a solo 100 mile race. Hear all about it!

Ornery Mule Dirt News Show

Team Ornery Mule gets together to discuss Earth Day Trail Races. The was OMR's first "in person" event since COVID-19.  Super fun show with runners & crew that discuss the happenings of the day!

The Dirt on Pam Reed

Pam Reed is the first women to ever overall win the Badwater Ultramarathon, then went on to repeat that the very next year. Pam's ultramarathon resume spans over 20 years with many podium finishes, world records and a wide variety of racing styles. We get to know Pam with incredible conversation on training and her history in the sport. We talk about her Cocodona 250 race coming up, and finishing over one hundred 100-mile races. We did not want the interview to end. This is one incredible la...

The Dirt on Charles Steele

Charles Steele is a professor at Hillsdale College, located in Michigan. Charles has a passion for recruiting students to run ultras and find adventure in life. He has ran and finished the Le Grizz 50 miler in Montana for many years. The Le Grizz is Montana's oldest 50 miler and one of the nation's oldest 50 milers, starting off in 1982. We have fun learning about the race with Charles and why this race holds a special place in the world.

The Dirt on Kari Gibbons

Kari goes on the adventure of a lifetime. The Iditarod 350 mile winter foot race. The Iditarod is a 900+ mile route through Alaska. Kari heads to the frigid Alaskan trail to take on this monumental challenge, and is an amazing story teller on all she experienced. Kari Gibbons finishes as the ITI 2021 women’s foot champion in 9 days and 9 hours. Listen and be inspired!

The Dirt on Mike Ehredt

Mike Ehredt ran cross country on the same trails that the Hennepin Hundred race starts in Sterling, Illinois. His love of running has gave him the opportunity to run iconic races like Hardrock 100,  Dragon Back Race in Wales (described as the World's toughest Mountain race) and was on the show Human Race. We talk about all the cool adventures that Mike has experienced and were left inspired to try his creative race!

The Dirt on Emma and Max McCormick

Emma & Max are brother and sister that love adventure. They set their sites on running across Idaho. We learn how they managed the solo run. Plus fun stories about their Mountaineering, camping &  sailing adventures!