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Happy New Year!

As we step into a new year, I just want to say thank you for being part of the Run the Riot community. I hope 2026 starts with good health, clear goals, and a sense of excitement about what’s ahead.

This time of year is full of motivation. New plans. New races. New training cycles. And while that energy is a good thing, it can also get us into trouble if we’re not careful.

That’s why the latest Run the Riot Podcast episode is called “The Skill Every Ultrarunner Needs in the New Year.”​
That skill is what I call “Training Patience.”

Patience isn’t about doing less or holding back out of fear. It’s about knowing when to push, when to stay steady, and when to protect the long game. January isn’t the race—it’s the foundation. The runners who stay consistent all year are usually the ones who resist the urge to rush fitness early.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why “winning January” often leads to problems later
• How patience becomes a real competitive advantage in ultrarunning
• A smarter way to think about New Year goals and training progress
• Why consistency and durability matter more than early-season intensity

If you’re setting goals for the year, coming back from a break, or just want to train with more intention, I think this episode will resonate.

You can listen here:

• ​Apple Podcasts​
• ​Spotify​

Or you can find it on all of the other platforms with a search.

Thanks again for being here. I’m excited to keep sharing conversations, lessons, and encouragement with you this year.

Here’s to staying healthy, consistent, and in the game all year long.

Happy New Year! Be Blessed!

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David Theriot

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P.S. Also, don’t miss my podcast with Jeff Browning! It was a blast!

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Hey Reader!

Ever feel stuck?

Not just in training — but in life. Like you’ve let things slide for too long, and now the mountain looks too big to climb.

Let me tell you about Phil Klinkner — a Run the Riot athlete who found himself at 235 pounds, drinking daily, walking through life with zero direction.

Then one morning during deer season, sitting up in bed, he said:

“I’m going to change my life today.”

That was it.

Not a diet plan.
Not a detailed training schedule.
Just a decision.

From that one sentence, everything changed:

• He started with his Bowflex. Walking. Then running.
• Dropped over 60 pounds.
• Became a daily example of discipline and grit.
• And just finished the Badger 100 — his first 100-miler — in under 22 hours.

This isn’t just about running.
It’s about what happens when you stop waiting for motivation and start moving with intention.

So here’s your midweek challenge:​
What’s the one sentence you need to say today?

• “I’m going to train even when I don’t feel like it.”
• “I’m done making excuses.”
• “I’m signing up for that race.”
• “I’m going to believe I can change.”

Write it down. Say it out loud. Then take one step toward it.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.
It just has to be today.

You can hear Phil’s full story — raw, honest, and powerful — right here:
* Listen to the episode​

And if you’re ready to start writing your own story and want someone to walk alongside you, check out Run the Riot coaching here:
* Run the Riot Coaching​

Keep moving forward,
David

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Hey friends,

Let’s be real for a minute—running outside in the heat, wind, or rain makes you tougher. The unpredictability of the elements sharpens both your body and your mindset. There’s no climate control. No “pause” button. You learn to adapt. You build grit.

But let’s not act like the treadmill’s soft.

There’s a different kind of strength required when you’re staring at the same wall or window for miles. No breeze, no change of scenery—just the hum of the belt and your own voice whispering, “Just quit.” That, my friend, is a fight.

Full disclosure – I got 10 miles in on the treadmill this morning due to Oklahoma storms. Man, I wanted to be outside instead!

In this week’s Run the Riot Podcast, I talked with Sean Rowe, who’s training for a 100-mile solo run to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Sean spends time on the treadmill—but he knows when it’s time to head outside. He said,

Those outdoor runs push him differently. And they’ll push you too.

So here’s what I want you to hear:

• Running inside? You’re building mental endurance. You’re learning to finish what you start without distraction.
• Running outside? You’re building environmental resilience. You’re learning to push through chaos, terrain, and fatigue.

Both matter. But if you want to be complete, you want mental endurance and physical resilience.

Training for an ultra—or any big goal—means getting uncomfortable on purpose. Sometimes that means hammering out treadmill miles when you’d rather quit at mile three. Sometimes it means facing the wind, bugs, and heat and figuring out how to keep moving forward.

There’s no single path to strong.
Just one requirement: keep showing up!

Whether it’s the belt or the backroads—earn it today.

Stay gritty,
David