The Drop

Episode

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  The Dirt Division E043 | Mount to Coast M1, Strava, and E-Bikes (ft. Jared Smith, Hoka PLM) 19.08.2026 1j 57mnt

  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.
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  473 | Most Overrated and Underrated Running Shoes of 2026 (So Far), Blood Doping, It's It Ice Cream 14.08.2026 1j 23mnt

  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/thedropSWIFTWICKYour 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
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  The Dirt Division E042 | Merrell, Beast of Big Creek, & Coffee 12.08.2026 1j 16mnt

  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
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  472 | Hoka Tecton X 4, Summer GRIT Recap With Ranch Dressing 07.08.2026 1j 29mnt

  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 PILLOWSSleep 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
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  The Dirt Division E041 | Budget Trail Running Kit, Hoka Tecton X 4, Believe Basecamp 05.08.2026 1j 12mnt

  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.
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  471 | Josh Kerr (Re-Release) 03.08.2026 1j 1mnt

  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
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  470 | Hylo Impact 2, Obsession, Bring Back Buttons 31.07.2026 1j 12mnt

  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/thedropSWIFTWICKFall 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
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  The Dirt Division E040 | Obsessed July, Asics MetaFuji Trail 2 (ft. Dr. Jason Tso & Dr. Malene Lindholm) 29.07.2026 1j 59mnt

  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
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  469 | New Balance SC Rebel v1, Thomas vs. the White Mountains, Kerr Goes Krazy 24.07.2026 1j 21mnt

  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 DETAILSWhat: 3-mile group run followed by after partyWhen: Saturday, July 25 @ 11:30 a.m. (3-mile group run, after party starts at 12)Where: Hampden Yards, 3601 Hickory Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211Who: You and your family and friendsCost: FREESUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!LAGOON PILLOWSSleep 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/believeLMNT 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
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  The Dirt Division E039 | Brooks Cascadia 20, Trail Gear Trends, The Presi (ft. Sean Van Horn) 22.07.2026 2j 12mnt

  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.
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  468 | Blue Benadum - R.A.D 20.07.2026 1j 14mnt

  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.
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  467 | Topo Athletic Specter Elite, Tracksmith Eliot Ryder 17.07.2026 1j 27mnt

  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 DETAILSWhat: 3-mile group run followed by after partyWhen: Saturday, July 25 @ 11:30 a.m. (3-mile group run, after party starts at 12)Where: Hampden Yards, 3601 Hickory Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211Who: You and your family and friendsCost: FREESUPPORT 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/thedropSWIFTWICKYou 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
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  The Dirt Division E038 | The North Face Offtrail Ultra, Recovery pt. 2 (ft. Tommie Runz) 15.07.2026 2j 5mnt

  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
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  E466 | On Headquarters in Zurich, Western States Recap 10.07.2026 1j 38mnt

  The team has reassembled back in Baltimore, but it's been a whirlwind of the past two weeks as our running adventures took us everywhere from Western States 100 to the headquarters of On and Paris fashion week. We're tired but we're here, so that's gotta count for something.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!LAGOON PILLOWSSleep 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/believeLMNT 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
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  The Dirt Division E037 | Norda 055, Recovery (ft. Arc'teryx Athletes Kyle Richardson and Jane Maus) 08.07.2026 1j 38mnt

  The Dirt Division trio first mulls over one of the most anticipated shoes of the year, the Norda 055. Then, they dive into a two part conversation about recovery.Guest: Jane Maus and Kyle Richardson are true mountain athletes. They talk to Taylor about their draw to such terrain, background that led them there, and what it means to be supported by Arc'teryx.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSNäak 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.
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  E465 | Wei-En Chang, JANUARY Founder 06.07.2026 35mnt

  Thomas speaks with Wei-En Chang, the founder of JANUARY, a rising running shoe brand. Their first model coming to market is the Signal, their daily trainer.
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  E464 | Instagram Q&A, The World Cup, Summer GRIT, The Norwegian Method 03.07.2026 1j 44mnt

  Thomas and Meg are en España this week, so Robbe, Karl, and Brady came off the bench to fill their boots. They talk through the World Cup, the Norwegian Method of producing athletes, and even touch on the exorbitant number of Oreo flavors. They answer some listener questions from Instagram and celebrate the beginning of GRIT to round it out.JOIN US FOR SUMMER GRITRegistration for Summer GRIT is right around the corner. If you want to join the challenge, improve your base fitness, and see what you're made of, you can join here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Baltimore/GritLMNT 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/thedropSWIFTWICKYou 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
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  The Dirt Division E036 | Western States 2026 (ft. Kilian Jornet and Elhousine Elazzaoui) 01.07.2026 1j 53mnt

  Alex, Taylor, and Maria (Believe in the Run's VIP) just returned from Western States. Even though they are sleep deprived, they talk about their experience at Western States.Guest: Nnormal athletes Kilian Jornet and Elhousine Elazzaoui chat with Taylor about running in the USA, Nnormal's team, as well as a sneak peek of an upcoming Nnormal Prototype shoe that Kilian used during Western States.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
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  E463 | Pre-Western States Weekend with Max Jolliffe 26.06.2026 1j

  In the midst of a busy trail packed week with Broken Arrow, TrailCon, and Western States, Max Jolliffe stopped by the BITR Tahoe HQ to chat about the week so far, his upcoming race at Badwater 135, and dissecting a little bit more of the aftermath of the Satisfy Circle Pit. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!LMNTThe 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/thedropLAGOON PILLOWSSleep 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/believePILLARRecently, we’ve been taking PILLAR Triple Magnesium, and it’s been a game-changer for our sleep and recovery. WE take it about 30 minutes before bed each night which gives us great sleep and helps us recover better so we're ready to train again tomorrow.If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.
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  The Dirt Division E035 | The Great American Trailapalooza (ft. Aeres Reading) 24.06.2026 2j 5mnt

  It's that time of year again. Taylor headed out to what he is coining as, "The Great American Trailapalooza". He, Reese, and Alex talk about what happens during the ten day span of Broken Arrow Skyrace, Trailcon, and Western States. Taylor, also gives a first-hand account of his experience at Broken Arrow with Nike ACG. Then, Taylor talks to Aeres Reading, a trail racing young gun, who will be living, breathing, and sleeping trail running as a Trail House athlete.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