Wes Cornett was born in Hawkins, Indiana...well, maybe not Hawkins, but basically though. While still just a kid, a bad breakup and a love of cheap tacos lead him to the military. After a 20 year career that included deployments in Bosnia and Afghanistan, his military career left a wake of hard realities...the loss of his best friend, struggles with PTSD, anxiety, depression, sobriety and his mental health. Eventually though, he found his footing and a love for trail running and hiking. Even though some struggles continue, Wes is finding success, including a recent raffle ticket win to run the Western States Endurance Run (cuz hey, you can't spell Western States without "Wes"), and a tremendous accomplishment of publishing his first novel. Needless to say, this episode covers a lot of ground...we're talking like Tor Des Geants ground. So, get those comfy shoes, tape your toes and grab your poles, because we've got a lot to learn about Wes.

Wes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wes_author_ultrarunner/

Wes' book Tumblin Dice on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9FvE3VL

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Artwork by Ed Linder

IN A TIME BEFORE FIREBALL...around mile 20, somewhere along highway 61 just north of Duluth, MN, Dr. Tonya hit a low in her first marathon, when suddenly four hands from the Reef Bar reach out with some much needed Jack Daniels. It was one of several inspirational moments that helped her complete her first of ten straight Grandma's marathons. Or there was the time when she moves to a new town and becomes a tour guide on her first day of living there! Or her lifelong love of horses and how they have shaped her entire life both personal and professional. Okay, yeah...we do talk a LITTLE footcare. I mean, after all, she is one of the premiere footcare experts in the world of endurance athletics, and she does lead footcare for THE Western States Endurance Run, but really, this is all about getting underneath the kinesiology tape and getting to know the real Dr. Tonya. Get ready for some good old Minnesota story telling...

Dr Tonya's website: https://www.drtonyafootcare.com/

Dr Tonya's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaKOlson

Dr Tonya on IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonyakolsondpt/

Dr Tonya on FB: https://www.facebook.com/tonyakolson/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Artwork by Ed Linder

This is Neeraj's story... He was born in India and grew up with the typical norms and traditions of his community, spending a few of his key formative years nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the idyllic village of Nainital. In 1994, he had the opportunity to visit the US through an exchange program, and it was quite the culture shock. He ultimately stayed though. Settling in Louisville, eventually getting married and landing in a career as a Physical Therapist. And while not athletic as a youth or young adult, he found his way to running and eventually to trail running. In late 2024, Neeraj won the lottery...the 2025 Western States Endurance Run lottery that is. In a race where the odds of getting selected are somewhere between the Powerball and Kentucky Derby Trifecta, Neeraj got in. He trained and ran the best race he could that day, but ultimately the timing clock on the Auburn track went blank about two minutes before Neeraj was able to cross the finish line - no belt buckle, no official finish time and no certainty that he would ever get the chance to run Western States again...and then something magical happened. Sometimes fate has a way of knowing just who to shine down on. This is his moment and this is his story.

iRunFar Article: https://www.irunfar.com/neeraj-egbert-2025-western-states-100-golden-hour-ticket-winner-profile

Town of Nainital: https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/destination/nainital

Western States: https://www.wser.org/

Hurt 100 Trail Race: https://hurt100.com/

Neeraj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egbertne47/

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Artwork by Ed Linder