The Trail Network Podcast

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

In this episode of the Trail Network podcast, host Leah Yingling welcomes her good friend Lorna Mann, joining from London. Lorna is a passionate trail runner and mountain lover, known for her enthusiasm for park runs, cutoff chasing, and dreaming of the OCC. Together, they discuss Lorna's journey into trail running, exploring the challenges and triumphs of pursuing a five-year goal. This conversation highlights the importance of supporting others in the running community, as Lorna shares her personal successes and failures along the way. This heartfelt discussion celebrates the spirit of community and perseverance in the sport! We hope that you enjoy! What we talked about: 2:10- Introduction to Lorna 3:45- Finding trail running 8:10- Navigating goal setting 31:55- Her recent 50k 40:30- Adventures while on her sabbatical 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.