Join our discussion with Pete Kostelnick, Trans-continental record holder, multiple Badwater finisher, Team USA representative at the IAU 24-hour world championships, and so much more. We dive into what it takes to run these multi-day and multi-week efforts, his recent car accident recovery, and fun stories from out on the trail (or road). Enjoy!

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What if your body could learn to run 50 miles a day and get stronger after week two? We kick off with our Boulder Skyline project updates, then sit down with transcontinental record holder Pete Kostelnik to explore the craft of going very far, very long. From the hot, dry logic of Badwater to the humid grind that slowly cooks you, Pete breaks down heat strategy, pacing, and why some environments quietly win the war.
Pete’s story arcs from a beer-fueled 40-miler to a 100 in the Ozarks, a chance encounter with Marshall Ulrich’s book, and ultimately the decision to run coast to coast. He explains how the first 7–14 days of a transcon feel like a revolt before the body adapts, recovery speeds up, and durability rises. We dive into the Alaska-to-Florida traverse: choosing a stroller that can be serviced on the road, swapping tires mid-run, scrounging calories in remote towns, and staying alive on narrow shoulders while phones glow behind windshields. The surprise isn’t the danger—it’s how kind people are when you meet them face to face.
We also talk about why Badwater keeps calling: the crew every ten minutes, the transformation from individual race to true team effort, and the austere beauty of Death Valley to the Sierra. Then everything turns: a high-speed crash shatters Pete’s pelvis. He rebuilds with patience, PT, and a new respect for load, hikes most of Cocodona, and returns to Leadville to close the loop—with a sub-25 buckle. Now it’s on to the World 24-Hour Championships, where miles stack into team medals and 160-plus becomes the target. The theme running through every segment is practical resilience: start by getting out the door, let consistency carry you, and solve small problems before they become big ones.
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Thanks for listening to Running With Problems. Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems. DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at [email protected].
Hosted by Jon Eisen (@mildly_athletic) and Miranda Williamson (@peaksandjustice). Edited by Jon Eisen. Theme music by Matt Beer.