Episode 50: The Mississippi 50, and Life with David Slowik

In Episode 50 of Endurance State of Mind, Zach Vogt and Anthony Herrington are joined by returning guest David Slowik to recap the 2026 Mississippi 50 trail run. With Episode 50 lining up just days after Mississippi 50, the crew dives into one of the most fitting race recaps the podcast has had yet.The first half of the episode focuses on Anthony’s experience finishing his first 50-mile trail race. They talk through the atmosphere of Mississippi 50, race-day strategy, pacing, hydration, fueling, creek crossings, heat, pollen, recovery, and the mental side of running 50 miles on trail. Zach and David also reflect on their own race performances, the ultra community, what makes Mississippi 50 such a unique event, and why trail running continues to pull people back year after year.The conversation also highlights what makes ultramarathons special beyond finishing times, from aid station energy and race-day camaraderie to the challenge of pushing physical and mental limits. Whether you are training for your first ultra, preparing for a 50K, 50-miler, or 100-mile race, or you simply love hearing real race recaps from runners in the trenches, this episode has something for you.In the second half, the conversation shifts from racing to real life as David shares what it has been like becoming a father. He talks about welcoming his daughter, navigating the emotions of new parenthood, balancing family, work, and training, and how becoming a dad has changed his perspective on competition, community, and endurance sports. The crew also talks about what races are ahead this year, including Fondren Urban Ultra, Big Butts, and No Business 100.The episode wraps with the announcement of the raffle winner connected to Adam’s GoFundMe and a thank you to the Endurance State of Mind community for showing up in a big way.If you enjoy trail running, ultrarunning, marathon training, race recaps, Mississippi running culture, and conversations around endurance sports, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu