Episode 87: This is Your Brain on Ultras - Unlocking the Mental Strategies That Fuel Endurance Success
Release Date: 11/19/2024
Episode 108: Supporting Athlete-Mothers, Record Women’s Participation & Ruth Croft’s Triple Crown at UTMB
Trail Society
In this episode of Trail Society, Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen dive into one of the biggest weeks in trail running, the 2025 UTMB Finals. From brutal weather and historically high dropout rates to some of the closest top-10 finishes ever, the crew breaks down all the drama across OCC, CCC, and UTMB. They highlight standout wins from Jim Walmsley, Ruth Croft, and Francesco Puppi, celebrate trailblazing performances from athletes representing countries new to the UTMB stage, and reflect on the growing but still uneven women’s participation numbers. Beyond the race...
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Episode 107: Anne Flower on Flexibility, Self-Belief, and Using Her Leadville 100 Victory to Elevate Mountain Communities
Trail Society
Episode 107 of Trail Society kicks off with life updates from Keely and Hillary, before diving into listener-submitted news and research. They discuss a BBC story where undercover officers highlighted the prevalence of street harassment, with 94% of local women reporting experiences of catcalling. This transitions into a conversation around exercise during pregnancy, sparked by a listener question about heart rate guidelines. The hosts review current research showing that, for athletes already active, higher intensity exercise can be safe and even beneficial during pregnancy, lowering risks...
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Episode 106: Tour de France Femmes, Body Standards in Female Athletes, and the Psychology of Fatigue
Trail Society
Episode 106 of Trail Society opens with the hosts catching up after a busy stretch of travel, training, and transitions, sharing experiences from Alaska fast-packing, Wyoming family visits, and runs on hometown singletrack. The conversation then shifts to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, highlighting Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s long-awaited victory and the breadth of her multi-discipline cycling career. While her win came after a calculated, team-guided performance plan that included a 4 kg weight reduction, the hosts discuss how such strategies can raise health concerns, especially in a...
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Ep 105: Science Corner: Energy Demands of 100 Milers & RED-S and Reproductive Health in Athlete
Trail Society
In Episode 105, the Trail Society crew recaps big performances at recent races, including Katie Schide’s record-setting win at Hardrock 100 and fast times from Cascade Crest and HiLo. They highlight events pushing for gender parity on start lines and discuss the return of athletes post-injury and pregnancy. There's also a quick rabbit x Trail Society product update and a listener Q&A about traveling with poles and gear for multi-day run ventures. The second half of the episode shifts to research: Keely breaks down new studies exploring the effects of RED-S, amenorrhea, and chronic low...
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Episode 104: Coaching Girls Beyond the Finish Line: Mentorship with Coaches Rachel Sanford & Jen Anderson-Ehrlich
Trail Society
This week on Trail Society, the team celebrates Hillary’s selection to Team USA for the World Mountain Running Championships before diving into a timely and thought-provoking conversation on coaching young athletes. Guests Rachel Sanford and Jennifer Anderson-Ehrlich—leaders from Sportswomen of Colorado—share insights into mentoring girls through sport, navigating puberty in athletics, and creating cultures of confidence, leadership, and joy. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode offers a playbook for supporting the next generation. Don't miss the post-interview...
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Episode 103: Western States Debrief with Corrine Malcolm and Top-10 Finisher Keely Henninger
Trail Society
In this electric post-race episode of Trail Society, Corrine Malcolm sits down with co-host and freshly minted Western States Top Ten finisher Keely Henninger to relive the highs, lows, and hard-earned triumphs of this year’s race. Keely reflects on her fourth go at WSER, this time arriving with a deeply personal approach, hard-won confidence, and zero obligations to perform for a brand—just herself. From a ferocious women’s field to a historic showing by international athletes, Corrine and Keely break down everything that made this year's race unforgettable, including the dramatic chase...
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Episode 102: Caring for Female Athletes with Dr. Lauren Puretz: PCOS, Endometriosis, and Pregnancy
Trail Society
In this episode, ultrarunner, OB/GYN board certified physician, and mom of two Lauren Puretz, DO, returns to the podcast to dive deep into women’s health with a focus on athletes navigating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Lauren discusses complex reproductive health conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, especially how they present uniquely in athletic populations. She emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis, individualization of treatment, and how these conditions can affect energy levels and performance. She offers practical advice for athletes with insulin resistance and...
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Episode 101: Caring for Female Athletes with Dr. Lauren Puretz: Hormones, Birth Control & Fertility
Trail Society
In Episode 101 of Trail Society, OB/GYN, ultrarunner, and mom of two Dr. Lauren Puretz joins Corrine, Keely, and Hillary for a candid and insightful conversation about puberty, birth control, and fertility in female athletes. Drawing from both her medical practice and personal experience as an elite endurance athlete, Dr. Puretz breaks down complex topics like energy availability, menstrual health, and hormonal birth control, offering practical advice for athletes navigating these issues. The discussion highlights how puberty and menstruation are affected by training load, the importance of...
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100th Episode: What We’ve Learned, Loved, and Laughed About
Trail Society
Welcome to Episode 100 of Trail Society! We could not have made it to 100 episodes without all of your support! In this special AMA-style celebration, Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen are back at it—fielding your most thoughtful, hilarious, and heartfelt questions. From Tiger Claw race recaps (hello Big Cat challenge!) to recovery updates and favorite gear drops (psst... the new rabbit Venture shorts are awesome), this episode is packed with stories, reflections, and realness. We’re diving deep into what we’ve learned from each other—and from you—over 100...
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Episode 99: Keely’s Journey Back to Western States: From Medical School to the Canyons 100k Podium
Trail Society
In this milestone 99th episode of Trail Society, we go all-in on Keely Henninger’s third-place finish at the Canyons 100K, earning her a coveted Golden Ticket to Western States. Keely walks us through her decision to return to Western States, how she managed training on reduced mileage while in med school, and the strategies she used to stay consistent under immense pressure. We dig into the physiology, planning, and mindset shifts that made this comeback possible—including how stepping away from sponsorship has reshaped her relationship with competition. Listeners will get detailed...
info_outlineIn Episode 87 of Trail Society, the gang is back together for a deep dive into the intersection of ultra running and cognitive performance. Corrine, Hillary, and Keely unpack recent research from the world of Backyard Ultras, where a group of Belgian scientists explored the effects of extreme endurance on the brain. The study, conducted during an April 2023 event, found that while sleep deprivation and fatigue did slow reaction times, for the athletes that lasted the longest, physical performance remained stable. This episode explores how mental fortitude — the ability to push through the struggle to continue — might be just as critical as physical endurance in ultra running and beyond. Can the mental endurance required for these extreme races teach us how to better manage our effort and focus in other areas of life?
We also shift gears into the world of self-esteem and positive self-talk, exploring how these mental strategies can enhance athletic performance and improve overall well-being. With insights from psychological research, Hillary guides us through the latest findings on how positive self-talk can boost motivation and confidence in athletes. Whether you're running a race or tackling a big challenge in life, the ability to stay focused, motivated, and positive can make all the difference. Tune in for a conversation on how ultra runners and everyday athletes alike can leverage their mental game to go further, faster, and stronger.
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Articles:
Outside: How Often Should You Replace Your Sports Bra? https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/how-often-should-you-replace-sports-bra/
Outside Debrief on Backyard Ultra Article by Alex Hutchinson: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/effects-of-backyard-ultras/
Backyard Ultra:
De Pauw K, Ampe T, Arauz YLA, Galloo X, Buyse L, Olieslagers M, Demuyser T, Corlùy H, Lamarti S, Provyn S, Jones AM, Meeusen R, Roelands B. Backyard running: Pushing the boundaries of human performance. Eur J Sport Sci. 2024 Oct;24(10):1432-1441.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11451558/
Self Esteem and Self-talk Articles:
Orth, U., & Robins, R. W. (2022). Is high self-esteem beneficial? Revisiting a classic question.American Psychologist, 77(1), 5–17.
https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2022-48842-002.html
Park SH, Lim BS, Lim ST. The Effects of Self-Talk on Shooting Athletes' Motivation. J Sports Sci Med. 2020 Aug 13;19(3):517-521. PMID: 32874104; PMCID: PMC7429435.