Adam Peterman on Fueling, Injury Recovery, and Returning to Western States

Adam Peterman on Fueling, Injury Recovery, and Returning to Western States

Adam Peterman is back on the Western States start line. This time, he's bringing even more miles, mistakes, and McDoubles.

After a sacral stress fracture took him out of racing, Adam has rebuilt from the ground up. In this episode, he shares what’s changed in his training and nutrition since his 2022 win, and how he's approaching this year’s race with more confidence—and more carbs.

Why Trail Runners Still Need Road Work

While most of Adam’s miles are on dirt, he’s a big believer in balancing trail running with road workouts. He shares how the feedback from structured road intervals helps sharpen his fitness and keep things “feeling smooth,” something even the most dedicated trail runner can benefit from.

“Even if you are a trail runner and you commit to doing road workouts once a week, I feel like they really complement each other.”

Lessons from Injury

Adam’s sacral stress fracture didn’t come with flashing warning signs. He just felt tired, and kept pushing. By the time he got answers, he’d already gone too far.

He credits his recovery to smarter cross-training, honest reflection, and dietitians who helped him finally understand what his body actually needed to perform.

“You have to—if you're gonna output that much and train that much—you have to put the food back in.”

The Fueling Strategy That’s Changing the Sport

In classic ultra fashion, Adam’s fueling strategy at the 2022 Western States unraveled halfway through the race. He pivoted to whatever the aid stations had—and still won.

But this year, he’s planning ahead. With support from Skratch Labs, he’s mapped out multiple plans (A, B, and C) depending on conditions. The common thread? More carbs, better recovery, and fewer bonks.

“The best race I’ve ever had… my nutrition plan completely pivoted halfway through. So now I have A, B, and C plans going in.”

Eat First, Eat Well Second

When it comes to eating like a pro, Adam keeps it real. Burgers, milk, and even trailhead McDonald’s are all on the menu.

“I wouldn’t say I eat the healthiest meals ever... but that’s what’s necessary.”

For Adam, the lesson is clear: eat enough, fuel intentionally, and don’t overcomplicate it.

What You’ll Learn Listening to This Episode:

• Why Adam sees value in road workouts for trail runners

• How he approaches injury prevention and recovery

• What fueling lessons he’s bringing to Western States 2025

• Why eating enough is a non-negotiable

• How Skratch Labs and dietitians helped him dial in nutrition

You’re going to want to listen to this one! 👇

Long Run Labs Podcast is NOW LIVE!

We released our first THREE episodes this week on the Long Run Labs feed. We came out swinging with three amazing conversations:

• Episode 1: Marketing Your Outdoor Brand with Industry Expert, Allison Lynch

• Episode 2: Bringing More People to the Trails with David Callahan, Co-CEO of UltraSignup

• Episode 3: The Current State of Trail Media with Dylan Bowman of Freetrail

We cannot wait to continue to build these stories and conversations. Make sure you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast player so you don’t miss a thing!

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Honestly, it’s an absolutely essential piece of my adventure gear—and one I won’t head out on trails without. Download yours today! Use code 25FTLR30 for 30% off an annual GOES+ plan. GOES+ gives you access to the rewards program plus much more additional medical content and our emergency assessment tool.

About Jon Levitt and For The Long Run

Jon is a runner, cyclist, and podcast host from Boston, MA, who now lives in Boulder, CO. For The Long Run is aimed at exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated.

Follow Jon on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.