Episode 65: Hot Takes and High Altitude: Summer Training, Aid Station Equity, and the Future of Trail Running

Katie Asmuth hosts this lively and thoughtful episode from Leadville, Colorado, alongside Riley Brady and Ellie Pell. Fresh off a 28-mile run above 10,000 feet, the trio dives into a wide-ranging conversation that blends humor, hot takes, and real questions about the future of the sport.

Topics covered include:

• Leadville ambitions – Katie reveals her goal to race Leadville and shares what makes qualifying so unique.

• The GPS watch dilemma – Why do navigation tools still miss the mark on trail accuracy?

• Western States reflections – Riley shares insights after a tough day at States and what it was like running through a packed, high-energy escarpment.

• Should top contenders get different treatment? – A deep dive into whether elites deserve streamlined aid station support, and how the sport might better serve athletes at every level.

• Standardizing rules in ultras – From pacer regulations to course-cutting consequences, the group debates how much should be uniform across races.

• Gear gripes and wish lists – The trio wants lighter gels, faster hydration packs, better laces, and athlete-only zones for ravenous post-run athletes.

• Sponsorship honesty – They call out the all-too-common trend of athletes endorsing gear they don’t actually use.

• Coach talk – From Corinne Malcolm to Tyler Green and Rick Floyd, they shout out great coaches and emphasize the importance of honest communication and coach-athlete fit.

• Favorite sports moments – From crossword gold stars to Angel Reese’s iconic NCAA gesture, they share moments that inspired or cracked them up.

This episode blends trail talk with bigger conversations about competition, fairness, and how the sport is evolving. Whether you're racing at the front, pacing a friend, or dreaming of your first ultra, there's something here for every trail runner.

Listen in for: laughs, spicy takes, and a few ideas the trail world still isn’t talking about.

This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.

A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.