Michael Poole just recently completed the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run in Colorado, which just so happens to be a dream race of mine, so I was excited to talk to him about his experience. Michael has been trying to get into Hardrock for 11 years, and finally he was pulled from the waitlist just a little over a week before the race and told he was in. Crazy! I loved hearing about his running journey through the beautiful, yet unforgiving mountains of Colorado. Out of the 22 one hundred milers that he has done (yes, I said 22!), Hardrock took him the longest, but was one of the most gorgeous races that he has experienced. The amount of ultras that Michael has done is unbelievable, and he just continues to get stronger and fall more in love with the sport and this community. Michael was so easy to talk to, incredibly laid back and super humble. Michael, thank you for FaceTiming with me and sharing your running journey. And thank you to your amazing wife, Claire, and your two girls for their patience while I kept you on the phone! I am looking forward to seeing you continue to add belt buckles to your collection!

Michael's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtpoole/

Michael's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/18746734

Facing Vert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facingvert/

Thank you for listening!

Laura Rollins has had the Western States 100 as a bucket list race since 2017 when she first entered the lottery. Finally her chance came this year, and I was so stoked to follow her on the live stream and tracking whenever I got the chance. When I saw her cross the finish line, I was so incredibly proud of her, and I immediately wanted to know every detail of her experience. That sit-down happened about a week later, and now I get to pass it on to you! What a powerful woman Laura is, and what an epic race of ups and downs she waded through. I loved our time together. She really made me want to do this race! Thank you, Laura!

Laura's Mental Performance Consultant: Marisa Romeo (https://www.marisaromeo.com/coaching)

Running Coach: Aaron Saft (https://www.runningislife.run)

Laura's Instagram: @lrollruns

Laura's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/7695708

Following Facing Vert on Instagram! @facingvert

Thank you for listening!

Rob Berry is extremely passionate about all things running, and that fact soared to the surface on this podcast. Once he discovered that ultra-running existed, he wanted to soak in all he could about the sport. Rob's journey is all about discovering, adapting, learning, changing...just to be better.

Rob Berry and I first met at the Cruel Jewel 100, back in 2023, when we were both running the race. Since then, he and I have kept in touch through Facing Vert's Instagram. When he sent me the live tracking to follow him in the Cocodona 250, I knew no matter how this went for him, I wanted to know all the details! I can't imagine stepping on the line and knowing that I have 250 miles in front of me. For Rob, Cocodona was one of those races that quickly became a dream race. So what happened? Listen to find out. ;)

When you talk with someone about their passion, it becomes so much more than one moment. Thank you, Rob, for sharing so many moments that made you the runner and the person that you are.

Rob had taken all the knowledge and experience and is now a coach! So if you are interested in running an ultra, look no farther! flatlanderrunning.com

Rob's Instagram: rob.b.berry

Facing Vert's Instagram: facingvert

Thank you, as always, for listening!