The Trailhead

Romy Ancona, a DJ and trail runner from Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, shares their unique journey blending music and outdoor adventures. They discuss the vibrant finish lines they create at races and their efforts to promote inclusivity in the ultrarunning community. After a serious accident that broke their back, Romy reflects on how their relationship with running has changed. They also explore the significance of mixing tracks for live events, their love for eclectic music, and the quirky habit of watching pro paintball on the treadmill!

Lindsey Freeman, a sociologist and author of Running, brings a queer and feminist lens to the world of athletics. In this conversation, she dives into treating running as a practice that fosters self-discovery through repetition. Lindsey emphasizes the importance of showing up, the joys and challenges of consistency, and the rise of queer run clubs. She also shares insights on the emotional complexities of endurance and the connection between running and indie music, all while offering practical advice for overcoming writer's block and fatigue.

Raziq Rauf didn't set out to become a running writer, he set out to avoid burnout as a music journalist covering London's metal and hardcore scene. Now, through his newsletter Running Sucks, he brings that same critical eye to the running industry, asking where authentic culture ends and brand activations begin. We talk about his transition from music journalism to running writing, how to spot the difference between meaningful community and manufactured hype, and discover there's exactly one death metal cowboy concept album in existence, the perfect metaphor for niche subcultures like running. This episode is brought to you by Running Warehouse, helping you stay warm and visible through winter with jackets, headlamps, and gear that keeps you honest about getting out the door. Our featured race is the Zion Ultras on April 11th, 2026, five distances through desert mesas with thousand-foot sandstone cliffs. Registration closes April 8th at UltraSignup.com. The Trailhead is part of the UltraSignup Podcast Network.

Nick Thompson has spent his life chasing big stories and finish lines. The CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground joins Zoë and Brendan to talk about running through life's hardest moments, from a cancer diagnosis at 30 to balancing elite training with parenthood and a high-powered media career. Together, they explore why running became Nick's anchor through chaos and change, the strange parallels between journalism and endurance sports, and the lessons he learned from his father, and why he runs to not become him. They talk about what aging athletes get wrong about decline, the emotional threshold of a "real" ultra (and the world's shortest one), and how Nick manages to fit sub-three-hour marathons into a 60-hour work week. Along the way, Zoë and Brendan share their own thoughts on parenting as endurance training, finish-line family moments, and why run commuting deserves a comeback. The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports is out now from Penguin Random House. Sponsored by: LMNT, stay hydrated year-round with a free sample pack at drinklmnt.com/ultrasignup. Featured Race: Peacock Gap Trail Run — a love letter to Bay Area trails at China Camp State Park.

What kind of person dreams up the hardest race on earth, and then follows it up with one of the weirdest? This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan dive deep into the mind of Lazarus Lake, the man behind both the Barkley Marathons and Big's Backyard Ultra. Our guest, author Jared Beasley, joins to talk about his new book on Laz, unpacking the mystery, mischief, and mythology that made one man's backyard into a global endurance phenomenon. We explore what drives people to suffer on purpose, why Laz's races capture our collective imagination, and what they say about the culture of ultrarunning itself. 🏃‍♀️ Featured Race: Yankee Springs Winter Challenge — 50K, 25K, 10K, and 5K distances in Middleville, Michigan on January 3, 2026. A beautiful, snowy loop through Yankee Springs State Recreation Area. Fast course, frosty singletrack, and plenty of aid. 👉 Register now on UltraSignup. 👟 Presented by: UltraSignup, check out all our podcasts! 💥 Sponsored by: Running Warehouse — your source for the best shoes, gear, and deals in trail and ultrarunning.

Harvard evolutionary biologist Dan Lieberman is the scientist whose work reshaped how we understand running. His research on human evolution helped popularize the idea that we're born to run, that our bodies, from our toes and tendons to our oversized glutes, are uniquely adapted for endurance. In this conversation, he joins Zoë and Brendan to explore what running reveals about being human. This week's featured race is the Naughty Hog 100k, 50k, 25k, 10k, and 5k! Dec 20. Register now! We dig into why ultrarunning is evolutionarily bizarre but still deeply natural, what persistence hunting really looked like, and how belly fat, treadmills-as-torture-devices, and even the barefoot craze all tie into our running story. It's part science lesson, part reminder that while we didn't evolve for nipple tape, running is still one of the most human things we do. Thanks to LMNT for supporting The Trailhead!

Joe Grant has always blurred the lines between athlete and artist. From racing UTMB and Hardrock to biking between Colorado 14ers, Joe's career has evolved into something bigger than competition—projects that fuse endurance, place, and creativity. In this conversation, Joe joins hosts Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard to talk about his journey from racing to FKTs to local San Juan projects, why he ditched the watch, and how he balances gear geekery with poetry and film photography. If you've ever wondered how running can fuel creative work—or vice versa—this episode goes deep into what it means to truly be present on the trail. Thanks to Running Warehouse for sponsoring The Trailhead! And check out the Best Day Ever Ultra, register now to reserve your spot! 👉 Subscribe to The Trailhead wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube. 🎧 Check out other shows on the UltraSignup Podcast Network: The Buzz with Buzz Burrell — grounded takes on the big ideas shaping trail and ultrarunning. Between Two Pines — conversations that connect trail running with culture, community, and the outdoors.

In this segment, Junko Kazukawa, a two-time Leadwoman and breast cancer survivor, shares her incredible journey as an ultrarunner in her 60s. She discusses training through cancer treatments and how races provided closure. Junko emphasizes the importance of community and identity in her running life. With wisdom gleaned from years of experience, she advocates for proper training to avoid overexertion, the significance of glute strength, and her unique perspective on aging in sports. Her favorite races, from Tour de Géants to Mount Fuji, reflect her joyous spirit and commitment.

Sarah Lavender Smith, a writer and passionate trail storyteller, shares her journey from journalism to the vibrant world of trail and ultrarunning. She discusses the transformative power of running during midlife and candidly explores her evolving relationship with alcohol. With laughter and reflective insights, Sarah recounts her experience finishing the Hardrock race at 56 and emphasizes the importance of acceptance in endurance. The conversation delves into family dynamics at races and her exciting project: a memoir capturing the essence of resilience through the trails.

Nick Triolo, a writer and ultrarunner known for his book The Way Around: A Field Guide to Going Nowhere, delves into the freedom of running without metrics. He discusses the joy of loop running, embracing presence over performance, and how circling back can be more fulfilling than chasing summits. The conversation highlights the transformative nature of running as a creative practice, the tension between ambition and societal expectations, and the beauty found in nature during personal journeys. A light-hearted debate about favorite running loops adds a fun twist!