When two premium carbon-plated trail shoes battle for supremacy, which one truly deserves your hard-earned dollars? We dive deep into the $220 Adidas Terex Agravic Speed Ultra and $275 Hoka Tecton X3 to discover their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

The Adidas delivers a responsive, race-ready feel that mimics road super shoes but raises stability concerns. Meanwhile, the Tecton X3 provides confidence-inspiring stability on technical terrain but disappoints with its durability relative to its premium price point.

We tackle the questions that matter most to trail runners: Do these shoes justify their $200+ price tags? Which one performs better for different distances and terrain types? How do factors like foot strike pattern and fit preferences influence performance? And most importantly, will either shoe actually make you faster on the trails?

Whether you're considering these specific models or simply trying to navigate the increasingly expensive world of premium trail shoes, this episode provides the honest insights you need. Subscribe, share your own experiences with these shoes, and let us know which trail shoes you'd like us to review next!

In this captivating conversation, seven-time Emmy-nominated sound engineer Brian Parker returns to share his LA Marathon journey, complete with all the triumphs and challenges that followed.

Brian takes us through his training, including how California wildfires disrupted crucial long runs and how he encountered "the wall" at mile 16 during preparation. "I had a hard time walking in a straight line and my brain did not feel good," he reveals, describing that moment of glycogen depletion that every marathoner fears. His candid discussion of fueling mistakes offers invaluable wisdom for anyone attempting long-distance running!

Beyond the running talk, we explore Brian's work as supervising sound editor on the hit medical show "The Pitt" and dive into the subtle artistry behind creating realistic soundscapes that viewers often don't consciously notice.

Whether you're training for your first marathon, curious about sound design in television, or just enjoy authentic conversations with passionate people, this episode delivers with humor, insight, and entertaining detours.

What happens when you blend elite-level racing with coaching dozens of athletes? Rachel Tomajczyk knows a thing or two about this balancing act. Fresh off her victory at the Ventura Half Marathon, Rachel joins us to discuss her first road race in nearly four years while sharing how she maintains her competitive edge on the trails.

The conversation takes us deep into the world of professional trail running as Rachel reveals her ambitious plans for this years Golden Trail Series, with races spanning from China to Austria.

As a coach with Wild Strides (co-founded with fellow elite runners Grayson Murphy and Courtney Coppinger), Rachel brings valuable perspective to athlete development. She treasures the deep connections formed with long-term athletes, viewing coaching as a collaborative partnership rather than a directive relationship.