
The Trail Network Podcast
The Trail Network Podcast brings the untold stories of magical moments amongst trail runners to life. These stories of runners on and off the trail capture the spirit of trailrunning and the power of friendship and connection.
Latest episodes

Jan 11, 2025 • 1h 1min
Episode 40: Allie Ostrander - New Sponsorships, Balancing Roles, and Prioritizing Mental Health
In this episode of the Trail Network podcast, hosts Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth are joined by elite runner and content creator Allie Ostrander. Allie shares insights into her new sponsorship with Oiselle, her experiences balancing a professional running career with content creation, and how she navigates both trail and track worlds. The conversation delves into the lessons she’s learned on the trails, her passion for mental health advocacy, and the hobbies that help her find balance outside of running. It’s a fun and thoughtful discussion that highlights Allie’s journey, her reflections on 2024, and her aspirations for the future.
Talking Points:
-What shoes Allie is currently using for her runs
-Her new sponsorship with Oiselle and why she chose them
-Transitioning from NNormal and Brooks Beasts to Oiselle
-Navigating contract negotiations with sponsors
-How she initially reached out to brands
-The many roles Allie juggles as an athlete and creator
-Starting her podcast, Every Step of the Way
-How her relationship with Spencer Brown has influenced her content creation
-Finding hobbies and interests outside of running
-Lessons learned on the trail in 2024
-Being coached by David Roche
-Prioritizing mental health while striving for peak performance
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!
Follow Allie:
Allie on Instagram: @allie_ostrander
Allie on YouTube: @allie_ostrander
Allie’s Podcast: Every Step of The Way

Jan 2, 2025 • 56min
Episode 39: Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to Big Things in the New Year
In this special New Year’s episode, hosts Hilary Yang, Leah Yingling, Rachel Drake, and Katie Asmuth come together on New Year’s Eve to reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons of the past year. From creative endeavors and unexpected turns to balancing race calendars with life outside the sport, the hosts share personal insights and what they’re carrying forward into 2025. It’s a heartfelt, honest conversation about growth, adaptability, and big plans on the horizon.
Talking Points:
A pulse check: how everyone is feeling as the year wraps up
What was planned for 2024 versus what actually happened
Hilary’s creative pursuits within the sport
Balancing individual race calendars with outdoor adventures beyond competition
Key lessons learned in 2024 and intentions for the year ahead
A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to check out their amazing products!
This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. Happy New Year from the whole team!

Dec 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 38: Tim Tollefson - The Mammoth Trailfest, Training Changes, and a BIG Announcement About The Mammoth
In this episode, hosts Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth sit down with Tim Tollefson, elite trail runner, race director, and advocate for public lands. Tim shares insights into his life as an athlete, entrepreneur, and partner, while reflecting on the impact of Mammoth Trailfest and the broader trail running community. Plus, Hilary and Tim drop a big announcement toward the end of the podcast that you won’t want to miss!
Talking Points:
What’s coming up for Tim in 2025
Changes Tim will be making in his training for 2025
Balancing life and training with his partner, Lindsay, and prioritizing both of their careers
Tim’s involvement with Runners for Public Lands
How trail runners can become better stewards of our surroundings
Required trail maintenance as a component of race participation
Tim’s journey as a race director and business owner
His work as a physical therapist and the leap to leave a traditional job
Embracing uncertainty and diving headfirst into new challenges
The Mammoth 200 and its vision for the future
A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to check out their amazing products!
This podcast is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.

Dec 12, 2024 • 58min
Episode 37: Leah and Hilary React to the News That They Both Got Selected to Run Hardrock 100 in 2025
In today’s episode, Leah Yingling and Hilary Yang share their reactions to being selected for the 2025 Hardrock 100, reflecting on the years of effort it took to secure their spots in the iconic race. They discuss what the event means to them, their thoughts on the course and culture, and how ultrarunning continues to evolve.
A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Go to Osprey.com to check out their products!
This podcast is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.

10 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 58min
Episode 36: Dani Moreno and Katie Asmuth Recap Their Favorite Trail Running Highlights and Personal Anecdotes from 2024
Dani Moreno, a trail runner and co-host of The Sub Hub Podcast, joins Katie Asmuth for a reflective journey through 2024. They share their favorite trail running highlights, discussing emotional challenges, injury recoveries, and the thrill of events like UTMB and Black Canyon. The duo emphasizes the importance of women's recognition in the sport, alongside celebrating record-setting performances. With personal anecdotes and a focus on community spirit, this conversation inspires listeners to cherish their own trail memories.

Nov 28, 2024 • 46min
Episode 35: Rachel Drake Talks About Her Incredible WIN and New Course Record at the Historic JFK 50 Mile
In this episode, Rachel Drake and Leah Yingling dive deep into Rachel’s phenomenal performance at the historic JFK 50 Mile, where she not only took the win but shattered the course record. Leah and Rachel talk about the race and the training leading into it. You won’t want to miss it!
This podcast is supported by Osprey. Head over to Osprey.com to find the perfect pack for you!

Nov 21, 2024 • 43min
Episode 34: The Whole Gang Catches Up - Rachel's Upcoming JFK 50 Mile Race, Training Through Fatigue, and How to Fit it All In
In this episode, Rachel, Leah, Hilary, and Katie catch up a on all things running and life.
Topics we discuss:
Strategies for running in the winter
Rachel’s training as she prepares for the JFK 50 Mile
How to put your ego aside in training
Tips for balancing work and training
Rachel’s goals and mindset heading into the JFK race

Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 23min
Episode 33: Hellah Sidibe & Scott Jurek - Adventures at JJ100 & Their Relationships With Running
Today on the podcast, Hilary Yang is joined by Hellah Sidibe and Scott Jurek to recap Hellah’s race with Scott pacing at this year’s Javelina Jundred.
Hellah Sidibe is a former professional soccer player who found running during a low point in his life, and he’s been running ever since. He’s had a run streak since May 2017 which he documents through his Youtube channel where he has almost 300k subscribers, and one of his most notable achievements was running across America in 2021, raising money for charity. He’s also known for being vegan, he’s a Hoka ambassador and one of the most relentlessly positive people you’ll ever meet.
Scott Jurek is one of the most recognizable names in the sport of trail running, and he’s been running ultras for the last three decades. He has claimed victories in nearly all of ultrarunning’s elite trail and road events including Hardrock 100, Badwater 135-Mile Ultramarathon, and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, which he won a record seven straight times. Scott has also taken the running world by storm with his 2015 Appalachian Trail speed record.
Off the trail, Scott is a New York Times-bestselling author for his memoir, Eat & Run, has been prominently featured in countless publications, and is a star of the international bestseller, Born To Run. More than just a champion, Scott is a true student and ambassador of the sport, known to stay at finish lines cheering until the last runner crosses. When not racing, he donates his time to many non profit organizations and is an avid volunteer in the areas of environmental conservation, fitness and health.
Topics we cover:
Each of their trail running journeys
How the sport has changed
Various types of training and stress that lead to great performances in the sport
Including your children on your adventures
Hellah’s decision to run Javelina Jundred
Scott’s pacing strategy
Fueling strategies
This podcast is supported by Osprey. Head over to Osprey.com to find the perfect pack for you!

Nov 7, 2024 • 53min
Episode 32: Lauren Puretz - 3rd Place at Javelina Jundred on Juggling the Demands of Being a Physician, Mom, and Competitive Runner
Today, Hilary Yang and Leah Yingling sit down and chat with Lauren Peretz. Lauren just finished third place at this past Javelina 100 miler in a blazing fast time of 15 hours and 50 seconds. Lauren's also a physician and a mother as well as being a super fast runner and she's found an impressive life balance as she pursues being as fast as she possibly can in a sport that just keeps getting faster.
We are so excited to sit down and chat with Lauren today. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Episode rundown:
Balance of career, motherhood, and running
Her running community
Her relationship with her coach, Dr. Megan Roche
Getting into the sport and finding a love and talent for trail running
Her race at Javelina 100 this past weekend
Cooling strategies during the race
Reflecting on her race at Western States
Where she sees her career going
A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Go to Osprey.com to check out their products!
This podcast is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.

Oct 31, 2024 • 50min
Episode 31: Riley Brady After Their Commanding Win at the Javelina Jundred Mile
Today on the show, we welcome Riley Brady, a coach, bike mechanic, and ultra runner living in Boulder, Colorado. They just won the Javelina Jundred miler in a blistering time of 14 hours and 19 minutes, coming in seventh overall. We talked about lessons learned from their previous two Javelina performances, nutrition changes, heat strategies, and so much more. Enjoy this episode with Riley, it's a fun one!
A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Go to Osprey.com to check out their products!
This podcast is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.