The Drop

Meg just picked up her 7th major marathon in Sydney, but it came with a side of sickness that almost left her in Los Angeles. She's mostly back to normal, enough to recap her journey to the other side of the Earth. We cover that, as well as the Asics Sonicblast 2 Sunrise Edition. Thanks to Asics for the support over the past couple weeks, and to everyone that said hello from down under. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LMNT Fall marathon training is in full swing, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade or Lemonade Iced Tea. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop SWIFTWICK Your feet are sweating with all those workouts, so treat them with the best pair of socks for training and race day. We use Swiftwick for all our races, which keep us cool and blister free. Pick up your pair and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believe

Buckle up for all the rabbit holes. Taylor and Alex recap the last couple weeks of trail madness including UTMB, family vacations, bike mishaps, and gear they have been enjoying. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Lagoon: Sleep is one of the most underrated training components. We've been fans of Lagoon for years and use their custom pillows nightly to support a great night of sleep and, of course, our running. Go to http://lagoonsleep.com/believe to take a quick quiz to find the best pillow for you. Get 15% off your purchase by using code BELIEVE

Thomas and Karl are back from Chamonix while Meg is somewhere in the skies above the Pacific. They recap the full UTMB experience, from hot dogs to haute couture in the French Alps. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LAGOON PILLOWS Sleep is training. Lagoon Pillow is built around your sleep position and preferences — so you wake up recovered and ready to run. We use them every night and you should too. Find your perfect pillow at lagoonsleep.com/believe

Thomas and Meg interview Alex Arslan of Hylo Athletics to discuss his upbringing in the footwear industry and the new daily trainer from Hylo Athletics, the Impact 2.

Thomas, Taylor, and Karl come to you from the Alpina Hotel in the heart of Chamonix during UTMB week with Hoka. Thomas and Taylor recap their epic race at MCC. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LMNT Fall marathon training is in full swing, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade or Lemonade Iced Tea. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop SWIFTWICKYour feet are sweating with all those workouts, so treat them with the best pair of socks for training and race day. We use Swiftwick for all our races, which keep us cool and blister free. Pick up your pair and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believe

August is THE month of trail running. Many of the most prolific races happen during this time and it is prime peak bagging season. Taylor and Alex talk about UTMB, Leadville, and an the new Norda x Black Diamond collaboration which includes the Norda 000. Guest: Hans Troyer is a Hoka athlete who has gained a large following through amazing performances but mostly because of his genuine likeable character. They chat about his first time in Europe, some takeaways from Wester States, and his outlook on his upcoming race, CCC. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to naak.com to explore and purchase. Lagoon: Sleep is one of the most underrated training components. We've been fans of Lagoon for years and use their custom pillows nightly to support a great night of sleep and, of course, our running. Go to http://lagoonsleep.com/believe to take a quick quiz to find the best pillow for you. Get 15% off your purchase by using code BELIEVE

The Megs ran the Falmouth Road Race with Asics while Thomas tapped into his culinary side with some hot dog ramen (sounds delicious). We also dive into the Nike Pegasus Plus 2, which features an all new Air Zoom unit in the forefoot. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LAGOON PILLOWS Sleep is training. Lagoon Pillow is built around your sleep position and preferences — so you wake up recovered and ready to run. We use them every night and you should too. Find your perfect pillow at lagoonsleep.com/believe

Taylor and Alex dig into multiple topics this week including their personal tendencies when it comes to Strava, thoughts on E-bikes, and wrap up with a conversation about the new Mount to Coast M1. Guest: Jared Smith is Hoka's Senior Product Line Manager. He and Taylor talk about his history with Hoka, the current "technical" terrain lineup that includes the upcoming Tecton X 4, plus insight about the return of the Evo Speedgoat and more. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to http://naak.com to explore and purchase.

We don't have a shoe to highlight this week, so we thought we'd give you our picks for the most overrated and underrated running shoes of 2026 (so far). Meg also gives her top 5 picks for race day shoes, which may surprise you. We also discuss the latest blood doping scandal in running and Thomas proposes a novel idea to catch them if you can. Plus- shout-out to It's-It ice cream sandwiches for giving Thomas core childhood memories. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LMNT Fall marathon training is in full swing, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade or Lemonade Iced Tea. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop SWIFTWICK Your feet are sweating with all those workouts, so treat them with the best pair of socks for training and race day. We use Swiftwick for all our races, which keep us cool and blister free. Pick up your pair and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believe

Long time trail reviewer, Sam Edgin, joins Alex and Taylor this week to talk about his experience at The Beast of Big Creek with Merrell...after they talk about coffee that is. Sam gives insight on the event, beta on an upcoming 2027 Merrell trail shoe, and much more.Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to http://naak.com to explore and purchase.Lagoon: Sleep is one of the most underrated training components. We've been fans of Lagoon for years and use their custom pillows nightly to support a great night of sleep and, of course, our running. Go to http://lagoonsleep.com/believe to take a quick quiz to find the best pillow for you. Get 15% off your purchase by using code BELIEVE

Turns out that Thomas doesn't like ranch dressing, which would get you excommunicated from Guy Fieri's cruise line in a matter of minutes. No worries, you can head over to Estes Park and hang with him and Taylor as they take on the trails in the upcoming Hoka Tecton X 4, improved in all the right places over the last version. Congrats again to all our Summer GRIT participants, and to the winner Connor Bessell who racked up a marathon a day! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LAGOON PILLOWS Sleep is training. Lagoon Pillow is built around your sleep position and preferences — so you wake up recovered and ready to run. We use them every night and you should too. Find your perfect pillow at lagoonsleep.com/believe

This week, Alex posed a challenge to pick out a budget-friendly trail running kit. They give insight on how to shop, things to look for, etc. Outside of that conversation they talk about about a special Rocky Mountain mission for Taylor and Thomas as well as the upcoming Hoka Tecton X 4. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to http://naak.com to explore and purchase.

We watched Josh break the world-record last month, and we went back and listed to our original conversation with him back in 2023. It's worth a re-release. We hope you enjoy. From the original episode: He won the 5th Avenue Mile two weeks after he took down Jakob Ingebrigtsen on the sport's biggest stage, outkicking him en route to a world title in the 1500m. And now he's a guest on the greatest podcast in history of the universe. So yeah, you could say it's been a whirlwind of a month for Brooks elite Josh Kerr. We had a lot of fun talking to him about running, winning, and eating to much fast food in America.Follow Josh on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joshhkerr

Be careful what you wish for, or your girlfriend might love the Boston Marathon more than anything else in the whole world. In our case, we're already obsessed with running so we can't get any crazier. We recap GRIT standings before dipping into our experience driving an electric car and wishing we had knobs and buttons again. We also preview the Hylo Impact 2, a new version of the daily trainer offered from the London-based brand. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LMNT Summer is in full swing, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade or Lemonade Iced Tea. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop SWIFTWICK Fall marathon season is on the way, which means you'll need the best pair of socks for training and race day. We use Swiftwick for all our races, which keep us cool and blister free. Pick up your pair and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believe

Alex, Reese, and Taylor talk about what they are obsessed with in the month of July. Everything from minivans, to horses, to stack heights was fair game. They wrap up their conversations with early imperessions of the upcoming Asics Metafuji Trail 2. Guest: Reese chats with Dr. Jason Tso and Malene Lindholm who are conducting a study at Stanford that's focused on common genetic markers for endurance performance. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to http://naak.com to explore and purchase. Lagoon: Sleep is one of the most underrated training components. We've been fans of Lagoon for years and use their custom pillows nightly to support a great night of sleep and, of course, our running. Go to http://lagoonsleep.com/believe to take a quick quiz to find the best pillow for you. Get 15% off your purchase by using code BELIEVE

What a week for running as Josh Kerr does the unthinkable in breaking the mile world record. Thomas also does the unthinkable by attempting the Presidential Traverse in adverse conditions, but manages to make it out alive with some stories to tell. We also run down the New Balance SC Rebel v1, an all-new super trainer coming in August for $200. ASICS GRIT PARTY DETAILS What: 3-mile group run followed by after party When: Saturday, July 25 @ 11:30 a.m. (3-mile group run, after party starts at 12) Where: Hampden Yards, 3601 Hickory Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211 Who: You and your family and friends Cost: FREE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LAGOON PILLOWS Sleep is training. Lagoon Pillow is built around your sleep position and preferences — so you wake up recovered and ready to run. We use them every night and you should too. Find your perfect pillow at lagoonsleep.com/believe LMNT The temperatures are climbing up and up, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. Or, opt for the sparkling slim cans with half of everything you get in the standard packets. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

Western States and Hardrock are over. Hear the Dirt Division's thoughts on gear-related trends between the two events as well as trends in trail running gear in general this year. Alex and Taylor then talk about the Brooks Cascadia 20 and Taylor's wild ride in the White Mountains with Thomas and the Mount to Coast crew. Guest: Sean Van Horn is a mountain runner from Colorado who has experienced all ends of the spectrum as an athlete. Not too long ago he was gunning for world records. More recently, health scares have him limited to an unknown. Listen to his story as well as get a sneak peak at some of La Sportiva's upcoming models for Spring/Summer 2027. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to http://naak.com to explore and purchase.

Thomas and Meg sit down with Blue Benadum from R.A.D to talk about their lineup as well as his extensive history in the business, starting with his days at Nike.

We got flooded houses, dead fish in the harbor, wildfires, and grit. And we say to ourselves, what a wonderful world. July is throwing a tempter tantrum but it's all been made easier with some fantastic shoes in the way of the Topo Athletic Specter Elite and the Tracksmith Eliot Ryder. We're also looking forward to the annual Summer GRIT party, which is happening next weekend here in Baltimore at Hampden Yards. Hope to see you there! ASICS GRIT PARTY DETAILS What: 3-mile group run followed by after party When: Saturday, July 25 @ 11:30 a.m. (3-mile group run, after party starts at 12) Where: Hampden Yards, 3601 Hickory Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211 Who: You and your family and friends Cost: FREE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LMNT The temperatures are climbing up and up, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade or Lemonade Iced Tea. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop SWIFTWICK You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. Now, you can get the special collab pair we wore in the Grand Canyon. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believe

Reese, Alex, and Taylor first lay out their thoughts on the upcoming North Face Offtrail Ultra. Then, they round out their conversation on recovery, which inevitablyturns macro before getting to some of the gear that they use regularly for it.Guest: Tommie Runz has become a well-known runner due to his inspiring story and "stay ready" attitude. Hear about his experience getting into trail running and how this led to some of his most challenging (and rewarding) running experiences yet. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Näak Nutrition: The Drop Listeners can get 15% off any Näak products by using code BITR15. Näak is a nutrition brand the leverages natural ingredients and research backed formulas to help athletes perform. They have a host of products like gels, drink, mixes, broths, bars, and recovery fuel. Their highest performance Boost line doubles down on the carbs for high-performance fuel that's also gut-friendly. Go to http://naak.com to explore and purchase. Lagoon: Sleep is one of the most underrated training components. We've been fans of Lagoon for years and use their custom pillows nightly to support a great night of sleep and, of course, our running. Go to http://lagoonsleep.com/believe to take a quick quiz to find the best pillow for you. Get 15% off your purchase by using code BELIEVE