Trail Running Women

The women of the trails share their stories about running, racing, and life. These badass ladies from around the globe get honest about everything from competing, motherhood, and trying to have it all. Get ready for training ideas, gear tips, and a healthy dose of inspiration.

Orcas100: Race Recap! 03/12/2026

Orcas100: Race Recap! Race Recap of Orcas Island 100 Mile! I recorded this as soon after the race as possible, so forgive the slightly foggy details—post-100-mile brain mush is real. Race Highlights Distance: 100 miles Elevation Gain: ~8,000 meters / 26,000 feet Result: 2nd place female, 10th overall Hallucinations: 2 Brits: 2 Moms: 3 Shoutouts Huge thank you to my amazing crew and pacers, Hollie and Katie!! /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/40352915

Orcas 100 Weekend: Nerves, Prep & Stuff 02/26/2026

Orcas 100 Weekend: Nerves, Prep & Stuff It’s Orcas 100 week! 🎉 In this solo episode, I’m diving into what it looks like to train for a 100-miler while raising kids — including listener Q&A. We’ll talk about squeezing in long runs during ski season, balancing work and life, gear, and everything else that goes into getting to the start line feeling ready. Find us @trailrunningwomenpod More from me @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/40089130

Rene: Fun and Fearless 02/12/2026

Rene: Fun and Fearless Rene Unser is a coach, race director, and accomplished trail runner who’s taken on countless ultras, including multiple stage races. We talk about how training evolves as you grow — not just as an athlete, but as a person — and the lessons that come with that process. Her passion for building community led to PACE Trail Running, now home to some of BC’s best races, clinics, and coaching. She was an absolute blast to chat with. @reneruns @trailrunningwomenpod https://www.pacetrailruns.com /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/40074725

Ria: Out of Office - Running 20,000km 01/29/2026

Ria: Out of Office - Running 20,000km Ria Xi is a Chinese-born ultrarunner attempting to become the first human to run across Asia and Europe on the Silk Road—20,000 kilometers from Vladivostok to Lisbon. After burning out from her tech career in Silicon Valley and struggling with mental health challenges, she discovered running as a path back to meaning. Within a year, she went from barely finishing a half marathon to setting FKTs on the Via Francigena and Camino de Santiago, and becoming the first person to run Egypt's 539km Sinai Trail. In May 2026, she'll begin a 14-month journey across 17 countries, building what she calls the "Planetary Run Club"—a community-driven project centered on human connection in a dividing world. Follow her journey at @whereisriax. Her Go Fun me is below! Find me @hilsport55 and @trailrunningwomenpod /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/39909495

Trail Tips: Keep Her Bossy 01/15/2026

Trail Tips: Keep Her Bossy I’m joined by the incredible runner and coach Jenny Quilty! We’re ripping through listener questions on everything from getting through the lows and flying through aid stations, to 100km training, racing postpartum, losing muscle as a runner, and so much more. Find Jenny and her coaching here More from me @hilsport55 Photo: @a.alevesque Use TRW at /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/39720070

Callie: Lost 200 lbs, ran a 240 mile race 01/01/2026

Callie: Lost 200 lbs, ran a 240 mile race Callie Vinson is an ultrarunner who is making a huge impact advocating for body diversity and inclusivity within outdoor sports. She went from being unable to run 1 mile, to losing 200 lbs and running 240 miles at Moab. She's doing a lot of work to motivate others to get outdoors through sharing her story on instagram @callievinsonn. She's gearing up to run Western States 100 where she will be running to raise awareness for indigenous runners through Rising Hearts. A replay fav!! More from me @hilsport55 For my personal trainign blog: Use TRW at /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/39570855

Alyssa: Mental Toughness 12/18/2025

Alyssa: Mental Toughness All things Mental Toughness! Alyssa is an outstanding runner and has toughed through the most extreme conditions. This is an episode you will not want to miss! How to get out the door day after day, how to finish a hard workout, how to keep going in a race, and how to stay determined. More from Alyssa @theory_in_motion More from me @hilsport55 For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/39424195

Trish: Following in Her Daughter's Footsteps 12/04/2025

Trish: Following in Her Daughter's Footsteps Trish's fitness journey began with the birth of her first child, Jess, in 1990. Her mom had battled with obesity and was unable to participate in most activities. Trish was determined to do it differently and wanted to be fit enough to be active with her kids. Her running journey began in 2020 when her next daughter Ally signed up to run a marathon and asked her to train to run a 5k with her as part of her training. Her initial response was "I'm not a runner", but ultimately, she couldn't say no. Trish talks about learning to run in your 40's and 50's and the importance of strength training. She had to overcome hip surgery and begin learning how to build up properly. Eventually, with a lot of work and even more determination she ran a full marathon herself. For my personal trainign blog: Find more from the podcast @trailrunningwomenpod My personal @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/39243690

Stem Cells: Can we run longer and feel better with stem cells? 11/20/2025

Stem Cells: Can we run longer and feel better with stem cells? I've been curious about stem cells since I started running, so I'm so excited to finally get to dive into it with Dr. Dan Pardi. Can they help us recover better and run longer? Dr. Dan Pardi is the Chief Health Officer at , where he leads education to advance healthspan and peak performance. He’s the founder of humanOS.me and host of humanOS Radio, the official podcast of the Sleep Research Society. Dan has advised elite military units, Fortune 500 companies, and startups through his consultancy, Vivendi Health. He holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Leiden University and Stanford, and speaks regularly at events like TEDx, VC Firms, and the Institute for Human Machine Cognition. Link: TRW(listeners get an additional 15% off any Qualia order) For my personal trainign blog: Try Naak at naak.com and use discount code TRW for 15% OFF More from me @trailrunningwomenpod and @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/38939645

Bre: The present moment is the whole dang point! 11/06/2025

Bre: The present moment is the whole dang point! Bre Mirynech has been trail running for the past 6 years. She moved to Banf if 2013 and was big into climbing, hiking, mountaineering, snowboarding, backpacking- you name it. Over the years however, she really noticed the risk of a lot of it starting to take its toll on her mental space when she was out adventuring, and eventually came to a place where she was struggling to find the fun in it anymore. This led her to really fall in love with trail running. It satisfied her adventurous side, her love of the outdoors and movement, but it gave her back the spark of "fun". She has been all in on it ever since! For my personal trainign blog: Try Naak at naak.com and use discount code TRW for 15% OFF More from Bre @bremirynech More from me @trailrunningwomenpod and @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/38910035

Haley: Young, Speedy, and Wise 10/23/2025

Haley: Young, Speedy, and Wise Haley Hughes is a 21 year old from Port Moody, British Columbia. She grew up playing sports - particularly basketball -and only began trail running around 3 years ago when she graduated highschool. She completely fell in love with the way trail running allowed her to explore her surroundings and push her limits; while discovering the incredible experiences, community and friendship it can create along the way. For my personal trainign blog: Try Naak at naak.com and use discount code TRW for 15% OFF More from Haley @hayleyhughhes More from me @trailrunningwomenpod /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/38630985

Carol-Ann: Sports Dietitian Q & A 10/09/2025

Carol-Ann: Sports Dietitian Q & A Carol-Ann Rolle is a Sports Dietitian and Team Canada ultra runner who thrives on all things endurance. She helps athletes—especially runners—fuel smarter, recover faster, and show up strong on race day without falling into diet fads. As both a high-performance athlete and a nutrition expert, she brings real-world racing grit and science-backed strategies to the athletes she works with. For my personal trainign blog: Try Naak at naak.com and use discount code TRW for 15% OFF More from Carol-Ann @the.endurance.dietitian More from me @trailrunningwomenpod /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/38498470

Trail Tips: It almost always never gets worse, sometimes 09/25/2025

Trail Tips: It almost always never gets worse, sometimes Listener Q & A ! We chat stomach issues, how to eat with poles, surviving the heat, race selection, and much more. Coaching, pics, and fun Find Alyssa @theory_in_motion For my personal trainign blog: Try Naak at naak.com and use discount code TRW for 15% OFF /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/38291145

Cassandra: Running After a Gastric Sleeve Procedure 09/05/2025

Cassandra: Running After a Gastric Sleeve Procedure Cassandra underwent a gastric sleeve procedure in 2022 and immediately began to focus on staying active. She started with walking, strength training, and swimming. She eventually went out to try a run, about 6 most post surgery, and she couldn't even make it 100 feet. She kept at it, and in Jan 2024, she ran her first mile. After that is became a game of "what else can I do." She has since run a 5km, 10km, half marathon, and by October 2024 her first full marathon. Cassandra is super inspiring and I can't wait to see what she accomplishes next. Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: Try Naak at naak.com and use discount code TRW for 15% OFF /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/38105485

Hannah Allgood: Push Your Limits 08/28/2025

Hannah Allgood: Push Your Limits Hannah Allgood is quickly proving to be a powerhouse in the ultra running scene. She's a profesional runner, sports med physical therapist, and running coach. We chat about how her background in strength and multiple sports helped shape the runner she is today, the fun of pushing your boundaries and the excitment of not knowing how fast she can actually get. Photo Credit: Evan Perigo Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: Hannah @shesallgood21 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/37903770

Tracy Garneau: Cougars, Bears, and Records 08/14/2025

Tracy Garneau: Cougars, Bears, and Records Tracy Garneau is an epic person, friend, and trail runner. It was such a pleasure to chat with her about everything from breaking course records, why she runs, strength training, to why snakes are worse than bears. Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/37766820

Jade: Enjoying Every Step 07/31/2025

Jade: Enjoying Every Step Jade Belzberg is a professional runner, freelance writer, and animal lover. My favourite part of chatting with Jade was that she has found a way to run profressionally, but still keep it fun. She spends her weeks training hard, but also making time for her 20(ish) animals, writing, and family. Find more from Jade or @jadebelzberg Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/37518175

The Foot Specialist Q & A! 07/17/2025

The Foot Specialist Q & A! The episode we have all been waiting for!! We are joined by foot and ankle specialist,Jeff Hammond. We chat blisters, calluses, Morton’s Neuroma, hammer toe, Plantar fasciitis and more. Jeff is a wealth of info on everything from how to prepare your feet leading into your race and what to do in the moment come race day. Bonus - Jeff is also available for hire to be a part of your crew. Find Jeff @hammondfootandankle Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/37218755

Nicole L: Overcoming obstacles and finding no limits 07/03/2025

Nicole L: Overcoming obstacles and finding no limits I had the pleasure of chatting with Nicole a few days before she was named to Team Canada for the World Mountain & Trail Championships this September in Spain. Nicole started running competitively when she walked on to the University track team. After finsihing law school, she found the trails and has become a force to be reckoned with in distances up to 50km. Trigger warning - Nicole opens up about dealing with an eating disorder, and how to navigate training, nutrition, and mindset. More from Nicole @nicoleelacis Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/36820120

Madeline: Finding peace through the stage race- the journey to Marathon des Sables 06/19/2025

Madeline: Finding peace through the stage race- the journey to Marathon des Sables Madeline grew up an ocean kayaker, figure skater, and wrestler before she found the trails. She was quickly hooked and signed up for her first stage race when she recieved the news that her 21-year-old sister had died by suicide. Trails became her soul-search as she moved through grief, and the awe of the outdoors helped her believe that there was still so much “good” in the world, even though she experienced so much “bad”. We talk about how she worked through her 20's, eventually landing at her ultimate stage race - Marathon des Sables. Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: More from Madeline @madelinemillsip /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/36819925

Courtney M: Director of Run Like A Girl 06/05/2025

Courtney M: Director of Run Like A Girl Catching up with Courtney McQueen, the co founder of Run Like a Girl. We chat why she started RLAG, her mission to unscare people, and how she has continued her active lifestyle as a mom. RLAG is " a community that strives to change lives and perspectives by creating opportunities for personal growth." @runlikeagirl_ca Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/36818040

Dena: Raising 8 Children & Running The Barkley Marathons 05/22/2025

Dena: Raising 8 Children & Running The Barkley Marathons Dena Carr is tough as nails. She has homeschooled 8 kids while training for multiple ultramathons including distances over 200 miles. She's fresh off her second attempt at The Barkley Marathons so we get to chat through how rough that course actually is, and why she enjoys the suffer. She talks about how to make it work while priortizing her children and the impact it has on them to see how hard work can pay off. Coaching, pics, and fun For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/36537250

Trail Tips: What does a recovery week actually look like? 05/03/2025

Trail Tips: What does a recovery week actually look like? Alyssa Clark is back to answer listener questions! What should a recovery week and a rest day actually look like? Should you exercise at all on a rest day? What should you eat? We also talk maintenance phase, how to match with a coach, and trying to go fast. Find all things from the podcast here! For my personal trainign blog: More from Alyssa @theory_in_motion /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/36419170

Amélie: The voice of reason 04/24/2025

Amélie: The voice of reason Amélie is a talented runner and overall athlete, but the thing that stands out the most is her understanding of what it takes to complete an ultra. She’s learned exactly what it means to be a pacer and a crew member and has become an integral part of many successful races for her friends. We talk all things crewing, including how to set up your team and how to tell the difference between normal ultra pain and when it’s time to pull the plug. Find all things from the podcast here! For my personal trainign blog: /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/36154440

Anna: Tough & Wise 04/10/2025

Anna: Tough & Wise Anna is tough as nails. She grew up in Minnesota, joined the Marine Corps right after high school and moved to Hawaii upon getting out of the military. She also dabbled in crossfit, bodybuilding, yoga, and powerlifting before finding the trails. She found so much joy being in the trails and has always loved the feeling of pushing her body and training for hard things. She's been through a lot, and learned since then about listening to and taking care of her body. We talk about how she handled a 2 year injury and how she's had to adjust her relationship with running and racing. During that time she started coaching runners, finished her Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology, and learned how to respect her body and the process. She's now a sports PT and runs a coaching company - Athletic Endeavours Coaching. Find more from Anna @annnahadabigday Find all things from the podcast here! For my personal trainign blog: Kid ski vidoes @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/35974395

Andrea: Gritty, fast, and grateful 03/27/2025

Andrea: Gritty, fast, and grateful Andrea Tarras is a total badass. She runs gritty and fast, but she has also mastered her mindset to run with pure gratitude. She has podiumed at multiple races including 1st place wins at HURT100, Fatdog120, Fatdog100km, and Centennial 100km. We dig into her training, visualization, and when the gym work might be more important than a run. Find all things from the podcast here! For my personal trainign blog: Kid ski vidoes @hilsport55 More from Andrea @https://www.instagram.com/andrea_leigh83/ /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/35819440

Katie G: Discovering who you are on the other side of the trail 03/13/2025

Katie G: Discovering who you are on the other side of the trail Katie Gunvalson is an endurance athlete, writer, and artist based in Portland, Oregon. She tells her story of heading out to run the Pacific Crest Trail to set a new Fastest Known Time. The curveball, wild fires caused major set backs on day one and she knew the FKT wasn't in the cards. The most impressive thing to me was her ability to shift her mindset and focus on the positive, and ended up completing the trail with a massive push for the last 140 miles, setting an FKT for the last 100. @trailrunningwomenpod @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/35511445

HURT100 Race Recap: Training for 100 miles with a new baby and a 5 year old 02/27/2025

HURT100 Race Recap: Training for 100 miles with a new baby and a 5 year old HURT100 Race Recap! I wasn't sure I'd make it to the start line with my second son just under 9 months old, but my whole family came together to support and it ended up the most epic 29 hours and 29 minutes, finishing 4th female overall. This recap is about the ups and downs of training with a baby and a 5 year old, the wrenches life throws at you, and ultimately the celebration of getting to spend a full day in the forest of Hawaii. My littlest was carried up mountains and pushed in the stroller, and the big one ran along side me and rode his bike. My parents and Baker were the best crew ever, and I don’t have enough space to talk about how AMAZING the HURT100 team is. The volunteers, the aid stations, the race director, and the whole vibe is the absolute best. THANK YOU!! @HURT100 @trailrunningwomenpod @hilsport55 /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/35161565

Alyssa: Her Record Smashing HURT100 02/13/2025

Alyssa: Her Record Smashing HURT100 Alyssa Clark just became the first ever female to run HURT100 in under 24 hours. This was an epic performance from the first step to the last, 23 hours and 26 minutes later. Hurt 100 is one of the most challenging 100 milers in the world, known for it's insanely technical terrain and over 24 500 feet of elevation gain in the semi-tropical rainforest above Honolulu, Hawaii. Alyssa went in gutsy with the motto, “we’re being brave today.” It was so much fun to chat with the amazing and humble Alyssa on how she crushed this record. Photo @hawaiisportsphotography Find more from Alyssa @theory_in_motion Find the Pod @trailrunningwomenpod Interested in coaching? /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/35150380

Jenna: The Trail Therapist 01/30/2025

Jenna: The Trail Therapist Jenna Burris is a licensed professional counselor with over 18 years of experience based in Sheboygan County Wisconsin. In addition to being a therapist,she is a mom, a spouse, an outdoor enthusiast and a trail and ultra runner. We discuss listener questions around mental health and running including motivation, post long run depression, and expectations. She was fabulous to chat with! Find all things from the podcast here! Find more from Jenna @the.trail.therapist /episode/index/show/ruggedconditioning/id/34997000

Trail Running Women

TOPICS