The Trailhead

Corrine and Buzz chat about Corrine’s finish at Transvulcania, and an exciting update for the Trailhead.  Corrine shares what she’s learned from hosting the Trailhead, and why everyday runners are the lifeblood of the sport.  12:56 Zoë Rom interviews Emily Halnon, whose recent book To The Gorge explores grief and resilience on the Pacific Crest Trail. Zoë and Emily discuss healing from grief through running, Emily’s writing process, and what it takes to set a 460-mile FKT (Fastest Known Time).  25:00 Buzz Burrell interviews Race Directors  Renee and Todd Janssen of Go Beyond Racing, who host 40 events annually in the Pacific Northwest, and founded the Trail Mix Fund, a 501(3)c non-profit dedicated to improving diversity in trail running by helping ease financial barriers to racing. 

Buzz and Corrine chat about taper tantrums ahead of Corrine’s upcoming spring A race, and everything that goes into a successful taper. Corrine interviews trail runner and coach Cat Bradley. They discuss Cat’s impressive track record in the sport, Cat 2.0, her coaching, and how to race with nothing to lose. Your performance is not a measure of your worth. Buzz talks about the Fat Dog Backyard Ultra with race director Erik Bird. They discuss the unique aspects of the backyard ultra format and how it enables to runners to push their own limits. Erik shares with Buzz that race directors really truly appreciate the participation of every runner in their events. Every time you show up to race, it means something to them. This episode is brought to you by Running Warehouse. Running Warehouse offers the best brands and widest selection of running gear. Our in-house experts make it easy to find the right shoes and apparel with thousands of reviews, product deep dives, how-tos, and more. Plus, with free shipping and fast delivery, we make ordering simple.

Buzz and Corrine chat about staying in the game when you hit a setback, physical, mental or emotional. Corrine talks with Tracer  co-founder Joey Wilson about AI coaching and the future of tech in trail running. And Buzz chats with Six03 Endurance race director, Tom Hooper, about the joys of short and steep running on the East Coast.   For 100 years, LOWA has been known for its emphasis on craftsmanship, technology, and performance.  Introducing the all new FORTUX GTX by LOWA.  It is one of LOWA’s All Terrain Running Shoes. The FORTUX GTX is great for longer runs and speed hikes in any weather conditions.  And it’s loaded with performance and supportive features, including a grippy outsole for superb traction on rough terrain. And durable jacquard weave uppers. And a cushioned rocker midsole for support. It also has fast and secure speed lacing, and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lining to keep your feet comfortably dry, mile after mile. Get 20% off LOWA ATR when you apply the discount code TRAILHEAD20.  

Corrine and Buzz chat about spring training, how to think about tune-up races, and everything you need to know about that familiar heavy muscle feeling you get after a big effort, known as delayed onset muscle soreness. Corrine talks to Mammoth Trailfest Race Director Tim Tollefson about his journey with body dysmorphia and building community with The Mammoth Trailfest. Mammoth Trailfest offers a series of challenging distances on some of the most beautiful trails in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. Tim built the race on his favorite routes and carefully designed it to not only be hard but also incredibly satisfying. You can find out more about the race at https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/ and @mammothtrailfest on Instagram. Then Buzz answers questions from callers, including our very own podcast producer Tina, who is preparing to take on the challenging uphill Loon Mountain Race this summer and as a road runner, is looking for tips to prepare for the uphill. This episode of the The Trailhead is brought to you by Running Warehouse. Running Warehouse offers the best brands and widest selection of running gear. Our in-house experts make it easy to find the right shoes and apparel with thousands of reviews, product deep dives, how-tos, and more. Plus, with free shipping and fast delivery, we make ordering simple.

Buzz and Corrine talk about what we are all talking about, Jasmin Paris’s epic finish at this year’s Barkley Marathon, a record 5 finishers, and the lore of Barkley. In an interview with Born to Adapt trail race founder, Zach Friedley, Corrine gets good advice, race directors should reach out to adaptive runners, have plans in place to accommodate them. Don’t wait for them to be interested, encourage it. Athletes are ready to run.  Buzz and Donna consider starting a to petition for age groups in FKTs. Brian asks Buzz about the train low/sleep high concept. If you live at and train at elevation, is there any benefit to coming down the mountain for speedwork? This episode of The Trailhead is brought to you by LOWA. For 100 years, LOWA has been known for its emphasis on craftsmanship, technology, and performance. Introducing the all new FORTUX GTX by LOWA for longer runs and speed hikes in any weather conditions. It’s loaded with performance and supportive features, including a grippy outsole for superb traction on rough terrain, durable jacquard weave uppers and cushioned rocker midsole for support, fast and secure speed lacing, and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lining to keep your feet comfortably dry, mile after mile. Get 20% off LOWA All Terrain RunningShoes when you apply the discount code TRAILHEAD20.

Corrine and Buzz talk about the FURTHER ultra event last week in Palm Springs, records shattered by Camille Herron and how the event sought to push scientific understanding of female performance further. Plus, this event really hearkens back to the origins of ultra running – the 6-day race. Corrine interviews multisport athlete and rising track and trail running star Anna Gibson. Anna talks about growing up running trails, the learning curve of elite racing in two disciplines, and how cross training keeps her both happy and well-trained. You can follow Anna on Strava  and on Instagram @annagibsonn. Buzz hears from callers, first Bobby asks about what it takes to finish a hundred miler and Buzz lets him know it’s about more than training. Then Carl asks how to prepare with an extra early race day start. This episode of The Trailhead is brought to you by Running Warehouse. Running Warehouse offers the best brands and widest selection of running gear. Our in-house experts make it easy to find the right shoes and apparel with thousands of reviews, product deep dives, how-tos, and more. Plus, with free shipping and fast delivery, we make ordering simple. Go to www.runningwarehouse.com to order.

Race season is upon us, and Buzz and Corrine chat about how races are the cornerstone of the trail running community and they touch on some of the “closer to home” races they plan to be at this year. Let us know where you are racing this year at trailhead@ultrasignup.com or @ultrasignup on Instagram. Corrine talks with CTS coach Jason Koop about how to find and get the most out of a trail running coach. Jason has been around the sport for a long time, as an athlete and a coach for every level of runner. Jason touches on two important factors that make runners “most coachable.” Find out more about coaching with CTS. Buzz answers Sidhar’s questions about stretching. Bruce won his first 50k and is looking for entry advice into some bigger races. This episode we’re partnering with LMNT. As we hit the trails, from the seasoned ultrarunner to the weekend warrior, one thing we all need to nail is hydration. But I'm not just talking about water. Enter LMNT. It is our go-to electrolyte powerhouse. Why LMNT? Because it ditches all that dodgy stuff – no sugar, no artificial nonsense. Just the electrolytes your body can use to help ward off cramps, fatigue, and even that brain fog you might hit mid-run. And here’s something cool for our Trailhead listeners. Grab a free LMNT Sample Pack, when you go to drinkLMNT.com/UltraSignup.

Buzz and Corrine chat about their favorite shoes and how you can find your perfect pair. Corrine talks with Strava’s Larissa Rivers about community, segments and her local legend status. And Buzz chats with listeners. Christopher asks about training through life changes: new job and becoming a parent. Matt started running in his 30s and is wondering if he is too late to the sport. This episode is brought ot you by Running Warehouse. Running Warehouse offers the best brands and widest selection of running gear. Our in-house experts make it easy to find the right shoes and apparel with thousands of reviews, product deep dives, how-tos, and more. Plus, with free shipping and fast delivery, we make ordering simple. The Saucony Peregrine has consistently been a top 3 selling trail shoe model for Running Warehouse - and they have a lot of shoes! Saucony Peregrine 14 is a reimagined upper with a more comfortable tongue design that helps keep out debris and provides a more secure and adaptive fit. Whether you're embarking on a trail run or a challenging hike, the Peregrine 14 is equipped to handle the demands, offering the perfect blend of comfort, protection, and traction for any adventure.  

Corrine interviews Drew Petersen, a professional skier and lifelong runner, who shares his journey in overcoming mental health challenges and rediscovering running after a serious accident. They explore the parallels between running ultras and overcoming life's hardest moments. Amy McDowell shares her race fail story, and Eric Durrett discusses the importance of learning from failure in ultra racing.

Buzz and Corrine discuss how they use the dreadmill and maintain motivation during the  winter months. For more information about Up For Air, check out the website: https://upforairseries.org/ Corrine talks with Callie Vinson about how she conquered her first FKT in November 2024. You can follow Callie on Instagram @callievinsonn. Buzz talks with two Keep Trail Running Weird Award winners!  Best Dressed: Charlotte Corriher and Most Miles and Most Hours Raced: Eric McGee You can find Charlotte on Instagram @marathoncostumechic. This episode is being supported by Running Warehouse, which offers the best brands and the widest selection of running gear. Their in-house experts make it easy to find the right shoes and apparel with thousands of reviews, product deep dives, how-tos, and more. Plus, they have free shipping and fast delivery, so ordering is simple.