"Comfort is a disease..." 5 years ago, Tony Gillham, my guest today, had a dream. It took 2 trainers, endless training miles, countless hours, the support of family and friends and ultimately 5 arduous days and nights crossing over 250 miles in the AZ desert, but in May 2025, Tony made his dream a reality. To help tell the story, we are also joined by one of his crew and pacers (and a pretty awesome podcast host himself), Mr. Ben Mead. This is a tale not to be missed! I do apologize for the audio quality at times, but for goodness sake, Tony was calling in from an oil rig, somewhere off the coast of Alaska. Get ready for an absolutely epic episode, as we hear the story of how Tony arrived at and ultimately conquered one of the most premiere long trail races in the world...the Cocodona 250.

Tony's podcast episode on Ben Mead's Chasing Cutoffs: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qOM4TL4zNNydreJy5bqLg

Ben Mead's 2024 Cocodona 250 podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gV6At4mg3SuivT3idkucK

or

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MvIk9e2YcIUP5zYkYF6ya

The Cocodona 250 by Aravaipa Running: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona2/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

The boys are back in town, the boys are back. That’s right, Erik and Mario are back. Thanks for meeting up with us again at the back of the pack in the world of Running Behind. In this episode Mario, Erik and I talk about some of our races and experiences; including the time Mario took a wrong turn after running in a loop in the rain for 13 hours, the time Erik forgot his water bottles back in MN (but once again hob-knobbed with running royalty at his event, and the time I apparently DID NOT run, even half of the Zumbro 34 mile race. We talk a lot of other stuff too. In fact, we talk so much this time, that if you are lacing up those Topo’s for your long run, you better pack some bacon, quesadillas, cookies and a whole freaking jar of pickles, cuz we have a ways to go. Get laced up, get ready and let’s get this show...on the trail.

Erik's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mr_spiegs/

Mario's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/runmariorun91/

Buffalo Run 50K Race:

https://www.buffalorunadventures.com/buffalo-run/

Elm Creek Backyard Ultra Race:

https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/elm-creek-backyard-ultra/

Ashley Paulson on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ashkickn/

The Great World Race (7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Days):

https://thegreatworldrace.com/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Chasing Cutoffs w/Ben Mead (Go listen! It's awesome!):

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingcutoffs

Artwork by Ed Linder

Welcome again to the Running Behind start line. Nothing less than epicness will do for episode number 6. I am joined by fellow MN trail runner, Jason Reeve. In less than 36 months, Jason went from running 0 miles to completing a 100 mile trail race, at the notoriously challenging Zumbro Endurance Trail Run. We get to hear his story and history, how in his early forties he decided to get himself to a place where he could run 100+ miles, and maybe most importantly, how he got the nickname "The Undisputed Big Eddy". Get ready and get some anti-chafing cream on, because we have a long ways to go.

Zumbro Endurance Run 100 Mile Info: https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/100-mile-info/

The Storm Trail Race Series: https://www.stormsportingevents.org/event-cms/

iFIT: https://www.ifit.com/

Jason on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/105288161

Jason on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.reeve.98#

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Artwork by Ed Linder