A 5K with nearly 3,000 feet of gain, a choose-your-own-line climb, and a descent that’s basically controlled chaos. Bayden Menton joins me right after a huge Mount Marathon performance to break down what it actually feels like to race one of the most iconic mountain running events in Seward, Alaska and why the smallest decisions on cliffs, scree, and in the gut can decide your day.

We also rewind to where Bayden comes from: Joseph, Oregon, early cross-country roots, and a life built around mountains. He shares how Western Colorado University’s trail running team shaped his development, why good coaching is often about communication and consistency, and how he tries to chase progression without burning out or turning running into a joyless checklist.

Then we get into the Trailhouse, a new training-house project supported by Hyperlite, Wynn, and Lever, with coaching from Matt Daniels. Baden talks about the selection process, what day-to-day training looks like with housemates, and the part nobody warns you about: being on camera and navigating social media without letting it hijack your focus. We close with what’s next, including the High Five 100, Kodiak 100K as a UTMB qualifier, and long-term dreams like Zegama and UTMB.

If you enjoy deep race breakdowns and honest talk about building a sustainable trail running career, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review.

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