The Year of Return of Ultra is still on!

Well, here’s the update I absolutely hoped I’d be writing just a few days before my goal race of the year!

After spending much of May/June on the struggle bus and return to injury train, the last few weeks have been an absolute dream training-wise.

I raced in Aspen, ran a three hour road run the next weekend, then headed up to Leadville for the 100 and ran a 6.5 hour day up Mt Massive with Rachel Entrekin, her boyfriend Kevin, and their other friend Jake, followed by the hardest workout of my life the following Tuesday, and am no worse for the wear, now getting ready for a few more 10+ mile runs before a quick taper, SWAP style.

I was planning to run Mt Massive on Thursday before the craziness of the weekend, but the AQI (air quality index) was far too high, and I couldn’t even see the mountain over the smoke. So I bailed, ran 0 miles that day, 5 the next, and then spectated the start of the 100 at my buddy Kevin’s house.

After we saw David Roche run by at 6:20 am, we spent the next four hours watching everyone from the front to the back of the pack (plus some who were time cut), and then set off on our own run. We planned to do 5 or so together, but ended up running into Rachel and her crew, who excitedly mentioned they were doing Massive. It was about 11 am at that time, and they were at the least popular and longest approach trailhead.

Knowing it would be a 20-mile day with much of that spent above 13,000’, I thought of every excuse I had to say it was a bad idea. “I just took out my extra gels” was met with “Oh, we have some!”, “I took out my raincoat too,” (you definitely want some sort of bad weather gear, especially when planning to be on a mountain summit in the afternoon) was met with “you can borrow one of ours.” Kevin urged me to go, saying the universe was delivering exactly what I was looking for.

So I went. We started rolling uphill, which is no small feat at 10,000. We climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed (ok you get it).

We had two miles that totaled 2000’ of gain. Eventually, we made it to the summit, snapped some selfies, and then headed back down. I had a massive headache from the altitude and needed some more water (and electrolytes, which I had definitely unpacked when I didn’t think I’d be running for that long), which I finally got a few miles later after getting back below treeline.

6.5 hours later… we finished. And it was one of those extremely satisfying, deeply fatiguing days that I’d been craving for so long. I’ve got one more of those ahead this summer, and I can’t wait to get after it. And I’ll be doing so with more confidence (and respect for the distance) than ever before. We can do hard things. We GET to do hard things.

What late summer adventures are you stoked for? I wanna hear it!

— Jon Levitt, Host and Creator of For The Long Run 

I was on the Running Explained Podcast!

In this episode of Running Explained, I sit down with Coach Elisabeth to explore how storytelling elevates the sport of running, why trail running is booming, and the business side of women’s athletics.

We discuss the controversy around Boston Marathon qualifying standards and discuss how brands can authentically support and elevate women’s sports. Tune in for insights into running culture, athlete branding, and the evolving landscape of race accessibility.

From “Bike Curious” to Building a Community

Aaron Lutze didn’t grow up racing mountain bikes, but when a friend finally convinced him to give it a try, he was hooked. As he got deeper into the sport, he noticed a missing piece: a platform that could explain the mechanics, skills, and culture of MTB to new and intermediate riders.

That’s where SuperRiderTV came in. With a blend of humor, storytelling, and serious skill instruction, the channel quickly became a trusted resource for riders looking to grow their confidence, not just their bike collection.

Why Community > Influence

Aaron’s approach to content is clear: build trust first, monetize second. He emphasizes that real community doesn’t come from polished influencer partnerships or sponsored posts—it comes from showing up consistently and sharing useful, entertaining, or educational content.

He’s candid about how long that process takes, how often people give up too early, and why a small, dedicated audience will always outperform a large, disengaged one.

Starting the Second Nature Podcast

Alongside co-host Dylan Bowman, Aaron launched Second Nature to spotlight the people, problems, and possibilities within the outdoor industry. It’s not a technical business podcast, but it is strategic.

They explore topics like how brand partnerships are evolving, why inclusivity and representation can’t be an afterthought, and how outdoor companies can actually build trust with the communities they hope to serve.

Outdoor Brand Camp and the Rise of DIY Education

As Aaron’s consulting work grew, so did his interest in teaching others how to navigate this space. Outdoor Brand Camp was born as a digital program helping outdoor creatives and brand teams get better at partnership strategy, pitch decks, audience development, and more.

It’s not just about theory. The program is packed with real-world examples, plug-and-play templates, and community calls where attendees can ask questions, share ideas, and workshop what they’re building.

How to Approach Brand Partnerships

Aaron’s advice for creators and brand marketers is practical, refreshingly honest, and backed by experience:

1. Don’t pitch on the first call. Aaron stresses that the first meeting with a brand should never be about selling. It’s about listening. “The first call is where you learn what they actually need,” he says.

2. Ask better questions. “Who is this for?” “What are your biggest pain points?” “What’s missing from your marketing strategy right now?” These are the questions that lead to collaboration, not rejection.

3. Don’t just pitch deliverables. Talk about outcomes. What does success look like for them? How will your work help them get there?

4. Think longer-term. Aaron advises against thinking of partnerships as one-off exchanges. Whether you’re a freelancer or a full-time team member, trust is earned over time.

You’re not going to want to miss this one 👇

Return to Ultra 👟

In my race preparation, I signed up for the Aspen Backcountry Heavy Half. And it was SUCH an awesome race!

Check out the full video of my experience 👇

To keep you running for the long run 👇

Thanks to our major sponsors this month, Shokz, PUMA, Hyperice, Boulderthon, Tailwind, Eternal, Superfiliate, and Tifosi. By supporting our sponsors, you are supporting the show and the whole team behind it. Y'all are the best!

More goodies we love 👇

As a newsletter subscriber, you get any of the discount codes and special promos that we work out with our partners:

1. BonkBreaker - These are my FAVORITE energy chews, they taste incredible. Get yours directly from the company here or on Amazon here and get 20% off when you use those links!

2. SaltStick FastChews - Get your chewable electrolytes directly from SaltStick here or on Amazon here and get 20% off when you use those links!

3. Skratch Labs - Get all your sports nutrition and hydration needs at Skratch. Use code FTLRPOD for 20% off.

4. Huron - The best men's soap and hygiene products. 15% off at this link!

5. Ketone-IQ - 30% off your first order!

6. Sidekick: want a great recovery tool for you to prevent injuries in your training? Check them out to support the show. Or take the tool quiz to get $5 off.

7. Running Warehouse: if you want to support the show, use this link to get all your running shoes.

8. 1Password: need better protection for all your important passwords? Try 1Password for 14 days on us by using this link. 

9. velofix/AVT bike: whether you're looking to purchase a bike, upgrade your current bike, or just add some parts, use FTLR for 10% off.

10. BOCO Gear: FTLR for 15% off website orders on the retail site.

11. BetterHelp - Use the code FTLR at this link for 10% off your first month.*
    *As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

About Jon Levitt and For The Long Run

Jonathan 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, Threads, and Twitter.