Episode 46: Alex Minor - Rabid Raccoon Course Record, Black Canyon Lessons, and What It Takes to Run Up Front

In this episode of the Blueprint to Ultra podcast, Steve and Jeff interview Appalachian trail standout Alex Minor, winner of races like the Hurricane 100K and holder of the Rabid Raccoon 100 Mile course record (15:42:57). Alex shares how he transitioned from road/track running at Marshall into trail ultras during COVID, influenced by training partners like Caleb Bowen and Dan Green. We discuss why the Hurricane 100K looped format and community keep him coming back, and Alex explains how Black Canyon 100K became his lowest—and most educational—race, teaching him to prepare for terrain, build smarter race plans, and dial in fueling. We talk about getting a sodium sweat test, increasing sodium and carbs, and how he balances training (typically 60–80 miles, ~11 hours with vert) while running a shoe store and managing life commitments.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Alex on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alminor3Check out Country Roads Running and Walking on IG:@countryroadsrunningShop: https://countryroadsrunning.com/Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Looking for a coach?Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/