It's All About Community
The Ultra Community Never Ceases To Amaze Me!
Okay, so this is long overdue. Life has been exceptionally crazy on my end, which has been getting in the way of writing for the newsletter.
Thank you for your patience!!!
Some housekeeping before we get into it.
I am stoked to partner with a few brands on the pod, and their support helps me not only train well but also puts a little bit of money in the coffers to keep the pod going.
I love these brands and use their products all the time, and if you should, hard pitch there;)
Check out these amazing brands and use MIDPACKER for a sweet discount at checkout.
I have posted and talked very little about my day at Laurel Highlands this year. While it was not the result I was looking for, I finished almost two hours slower than last year, it did leave me with a few moments of reflection that I will hold onto for a long time.
I got to race my son at the 31 mile aid station.
I rallied strong when I needed to in order to get that Western States lotto QT.
I made a lifelong friend from a stranger.
This installment is not going to be in my work, but his. What started with a simple comment in the Cocodona livestream chat at 4 a.m. turned into something really special.
All I have to say is that Vincent is the best crew I have ever had. Full Stop. This guy took such good care of me and I cannot express enough how grateful I am to call him my friend.
Here is his experience at Laurel Highlands in his words:
From Chat Window to Celebration: A Crew Story on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail By Vincent Anderson
Late one May evening, somewhere between a work trip and wanderlust, I found myself watching the Cocodona 250 livestream. As the road unfurled beneath my tires and the host’s voice filled the car, a simple question was asked: “What’s your next race?”
On impulse, I sent a message into the chat. “I live nearby. Happy to crew if needed.” A long shot, tossed into the digital wind as midnight neared on the West Coast. But somehow, Troy Meadows—host of The MidPacker Podcast—saw it.
A message turned into a video call. Then into plans. Then into something more. What started in a livestream chat box became a journey neither of us could have predicted: the Laurel Highlands Ultra, a 70-mile point-to-point race through the rugged terrain of southwestern Pennsylvania.
From Strangers to Supporters
I’ll admit, I was nervous. I hadn’t met Troy in person. I didn’t know how he ran, or what his quirks might be mid-race. Would I be able to anticipate his needs? Could I get to each aid station on time? Would I let him down?
Our first in-person meeting was at The Barn, where runners were gathering for packet pickup. Troy was in his element, surrounded by friends, fans, and fellow runners. His family greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm. Over dinner, we hashed out the game plan: aid station meetups, hydration strategies, gear swaps, and the ever-essential cola and snacks. The adventure was officially underway.
The Art of the Aid Station
Race day brought chaos in the form of weather. Storms rolled in and out. The heat surged, then dipped. Humidity clung to the trees like fog. At each aid station, I hauled supplies: ice, water, HyperLyte, bandannas, snacks, wipes, lube, drink bottles, towels, dry socks, and enough first aid gear to open a trail-side clinic.
We shared fleeting moments, me setting up a potential triage center, him rolling in battered and exhausted. It’s a strange kind of relationship, built in minutes but bound by purpose. I’d ask him What do you need? Sometimes he knew. Sometimes I had to guess and suggest.
Around mile 50, dusk arrived. I urged him to call his family before heading back into the night. He sat on a plastic bin, clutching a cup of ramen, aching but steady. The call gave him more than hydration ever could.
A Shared Mission.
At each stop, the camaraderie among crew members grew. Strangers became allies. We shared food, gear, advice, and emotional support. By the final aid station, we were a family of sorts, partners, friends, and volunteers, all united by a shared mission: get our runners to the finish.
We judged approaching headlamps in the darkness like detectives searching for clues. Was that him? Could it be? When the final moment came, Troy emerged from the woods. The glow of the illuminated finishing banner highlighted his soaked, dirty, and determined day. Phone in hand, hearts in our throats, we captured the moment.
More Than Miles
No, I didn’t run the race. But I lived it. I carried its weight, sweated in its storms, and found something deeply fulfilling in being part of someone else’s success.
I didn’t get a wooden trophy. I didn’t earn that one. What I took home was better: connection, purpose, and a story that began with a random message and ended at a finish line beneath moonlit trees.
Crewing isn’t glamorous. It’s a lot of waiting, lifting, worrying, guessing, and adapting. But it’s also witnessing resilience, offering hope, and celebrating the human spirit in motion.
I’ll be back. Not because I have to. But because, when we meet on trails like these, runner and crew, stranger and friend, we remind each other why we’re out here in the first place. Community.
–– Vincent Anderson
This community never ceases to amaze me.
What I am watching....
THE KID: If you have not yet, you need to watch The Kid, the documentary about you and fit Hans Troyer. Not just because Hyperlyte took a flyer on this kid, and yes, their drink mix slaps;), but because Hans is exactly what this sport needs in the next generation.
This is a must-watch!!!!!
Episodes Not To Be Missed:
#83 Emory and Jeremy
I Really enjoyed this convo with the duo behind Hyperlyte Liquid Performance. We got into how a thru-hiker and a former 300-lb lineman ended up building one of the most values-driven endurance brands I’ve come across. They’re not chasing clout—they’re building clean, salty fuel for the long game, and backing athletes like family. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build something with purpose from the ground up, this one’s a must-listen.
A History of Western States w/ Tim Twietmeyer & Andy “AJW” Jones-Wilkins
In this special episode we dig into the rich, gritty history of the Western States 100. We talk about snow years, brutal heat, duct-taped bottles, and how the sport evolved from its scrappy amateur roots to the polished pro scene we see today. Tim walks us through his legendary 1995 “Fire and Ice” win, and Andy shares the lore behind the Ice Cream Sandwich Run. This one’s full of stories, laughs, and pure trail running gold.
#85 Lindsey Dwyer
In this episode, I sit down with a good friend of mine, Lindsey Dwyer. She is an absolute force on the trails and in the classroom. We talk about her recent second-place finish at the Cocodona 250, how she pushed through a brutal respiratory issue, and what it’s like balancing elite-level training with teaching middle school full-time. Lindsey’s story is all about showing up, staying gritty, and finding purpose in both finish lines and everyday life. This one left me seriously inspired.
You can find the MidPacker Pod on all major players.
All right, friends, round five of the newsletter is in the bag.
Let me know what you think.
The good and the bad: I have thick skin and am all about improvement.
Thanks for your continued support.