A note from Freetrail: You know Ellie Pell from the Freetrail Fam Pod, but did you know she has an insatiable need to get to know you, and I mean REALLY get to know you? Like, what’s your favorite kind of cheese? “You Made it Weird” is Ellie’s brainchild because while she loves that these athletes are mega-talented she also wants to know what ELSE IS THERE?! Look for You Made it Weird every Friday.
You Made it Weird With Eric LiPuma
My first encounter with Eric LiPuma was watching Golden Ticket Talks before the 2022 Black Canyon 100km. I cannot remember what he said, but I remembered I immediately noticed he was drinking out of a maple syrup container, and that he was from Vermont (by way of New Jersey). Having just started my own podcast highlighting East Coast athletes, I was eager to get him on my show. Eric did awful at Black Canyon that year (I say that with love!) because training in -20F temperatures does not translate well to a hot race in the desert. Since that kerfuffle, Eric has had a string of incredible results including taking second at Broken Arrow, third at Canyons Endurance runs 50km, and representing Team USA at the World Championships (back to back 7th place finishes), helping the men’s team bring home a gold medal in 2022 and silver in 2023. Eric recently signed a contract with Adidas, spent his summer training in Europe, and is definitely on the radar as a Beast Coast runner to watch.
Find Eric on Instagram, Strava, and Ultrasignup.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Eric LiPuma and I do a bunch of stuff.
Do any of your group chats have names? If so, what are you willing to share? How did they get that name? What is a major topic of discussion in them?
The first one that came up on my phone is “Mostly Runners”. It’s a group chat with the Waterbury Wolfpack which is a group of old men I run with sometimes in and around Waterbury, Vermont. The major topic of discussion is usually who is running when or just making fun of various members.
If you could change one thing about your favorite social media platform, what would it be?
I would like to change how addicted I am to Instagram and Strava.
What is a book of fiction that you really enjoyed, for no other reason than you liked it?
I think I’m one of the only runner’s I know (besides you) who reads primarily fiction. Lately I’ve been reading the Horus Heresy series which is part of Warhammer 40k. False Gods is the name of my current book and I can’t put it down!
What is one song you’ve been listening to on repeat recently?
At this exact moment it’s Old Friends by J Mascis. The music video is also really cool.
What is one trend that started in 2020 that you love?
More jobs being open to remote work!
What is one trend that started in 2020 that you hate?
Everything is really expensive now.
What are the last three emojis you used?
😂🤗👑
What is the last thing you bought online?
The book I was talking about earlier!
What is your most controversial food opinion?
I’ve never eaten mayonnaise or anything made with it in my entire life.
What three videos are at the top of your YouTube recommended homepage?
Exercise Scientist Critiques Jake Pauls Ineffective Training
Which Allie is your favorite?
My cousin Allie.
What argument in mass media do you not understand or think is a worthless issue?
They’re all dumb.
When you go home for the holidays, what is the food or tradition that it wouldn’t be the holidays without?
My Aunt Karen always buys this cheese I really like around Christmas. It’s called Ricotta Salata. It’s basically just compressed ricotta cheese.
When I say in-seam you say…?
This changes for me all the time. It’s probably around 3 [inches] right now. I’m not onboard with the long shorts yet.
When has your ego caused you to do something you sort of regret but also would describe as wild and worth it?
Quitting my job in March 2023, except I don’t regret it.
What was your worst running fuel decision? What was the surprising best?
I ate an entire loaf of italian bread before Chuckanut which caused Kris Brown and Jeff Stern to make fun of me, so probably that. I stay pretty “boring” with my fueling during races but one time I had a PBR on a 20 mile run during Covid times (with the Waterbury Wolf Pack) and I felt really good after that.
What is your death row meal?
An onion and olive pizza from one of my favorite New Jersey pizza places. Kinchley’s in Ramsey, Patsy’s in Patterson, or Nellies in Waldwick. I’d have a bottle of budweiser too which is the best beer to pair with pizza in New Jersey.
Out and back or looped course? Why?
I like both but I’ll defend out and backs since nobody likes them. I think it’s really fun to see everyone on your way back in.
Barkley or 24 Hour track race? Why?
24 hour track for sure. I run in horrible weather all the time. I don’t want to race in it for 60 hours. I also wouldn’t finish the Barkley!
When I say PTRA you say?
I made that logo! [That he did! Rumor has it they made him change it like a dozen times… sorry Eric!]
What is one thing that absolutely scares you? Why?
I’m pretty scared of dogs after my beautiful little 6 pound dog, Hazel was attacked.
What is a time you felt you didn’t measure up? How did you get through that?
I was pretty bummed after CCC this last year. My teammates Yngvild and Emily went first and second so the excitement from that and then hanging out with Joanna, my family, and friends helped!
Who is another runner that flies under the radar that we should all get to know?
Is David Hedges still under the radar?