The Trail Network Podcast

In this episode, Katie Asmuth and Leah Yingling reflect on a full year of The Trail Network Podcast and a year that reshaped the trail running landscape. They look back on standout moments from the sport and the show, from pregnancies and comebacks to breakthrough performances, surprise podiums, and the rise of longer distances like 200-mile races. The conversation touches on storytelling in trail running, why live coverage and long-form narratives are changing how fans connect to athletes, and how rankings, sponsorships, and community support influence the modern professional runner. They also explore accessibility in trail running, from sub-ultra distances to grassroots races, and share thoughts on training races, recovery, fueling, and setting the tone for the year ahead. It’s a reflective, wide-angle look at where the sport has been and where it’s headed.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode, Katie and Leah sit down for a two-host chat that blends life updates with what is happening across the trail and ultra world. They touch on postpartum running, baseline fitness, and how to fit training into real life, including vacations and busy family seasons. The conversation moves through Trail Runner of the Year and Ultra Runner of the Year, why rankings and UTMB index actually matter for pros, and how road races like CIM are shaping trail performances and golden ticket prep. This is a fun one, enjoy!This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

All four hosts land in one virtual room for the first time in a while, and the episode feels like exactly what the trail community loves about this show: honest life updates, the chaos and joy of parenting and training, and the juggling act of big dreams alongside real-world constraints. The conversation moves through work, family, film projects, postpartum shifts, inspiration, and the long game of returning to form. There's laughter, some exhaustion, a lot of heart, and a shared sense that running evolves with every season of life. The episode captures the feeling of being in transition — rebuilding, rethinking goals, planning races, and remembering why this sport continues to anchor each of them. It’s a warm, open catch-up that invites listeners to take a deep breath, embrace their own season, and keep moving forward in whatever way is possible right now.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠. Go to ⁠pfandh.com⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

This catch up episode leans into the messy, real side of being runners, creatives, and parents while the race season quiets down. Hilary, Katie, and Leah talk openly about what it looks like when running has to take a back seat to big projects, work, and family, how social media and Strava can shape or strain our relationship with the sport, and why it sometimes feels better to keep parts of life offline. They get into gut and health struggles, postpartum recovery, travel with a baby, planning around lotteries and pregnancy deferrals, and why timing big goals to the right season of life matters. It is an honest look at building a life that makes room for both big dreams and real constraints, and finding ways to stay connected to running even when the mileage is low.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠. Go to ⁠pfandh.com⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel joins Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth for a candid, thoughtful conversation about rebuilding her relationship with running and stepping into the trail world with intention. She opens up about the long recovery from a broken patella, the emotional work that reshaped her approach to training, and how her anthropology background influences the way she sees sport and culture. Molly shares why trail running feels like the right place for her joy, creativity, and durability right now, how Austin and Flagstaff each support a different side of her life, and what it has meant to find a healthier balance outside of racing. She also reflects on dropping out of the New York City Marathon to protect her progress, learning the logistics of ultras, and future trail goals with equal parts humility and ambition. It’s a grounded, refreshingly human look at an athlete redefining success and finding the confidence to build a career on her own terms.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor Precision Fuel & Hydration. Go to pfandh.com to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Hilary returns to the podcast after a whirlwind stretch directing the Mammoth events and traveling through Hong Kong and China to film her new documentary project. She’s joined by filmmaker Carrie Highman, her co-director on the upcoming film, for a conversation centered on storytelling, women’s experiences, and the impact of bringing outdoor narratives to life with intention. Carrie reflects on her career and the themes that have shaped her work, from Free to Run, which highlights the barriers faced by women in Afghanistan, to her newest film Off Course, premiering at the Banff Film Festival and exploring the intersection of infertility, identity, and ambition. Together, Hilary and Carrie discuss what it means to create work that inspires women, how filmmaking connects to the spirit of trail running, and why telling honest stories still matters.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor Precision Fuel & Hydration. Go to pfandh.com to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Fresh off Javelina, Leah and Katie set the scene with the weekend’s energy, from a record-setting women’s race to Katie’s own 100K win. The conversation moves quickly into what’s actually working in modern ultras: smarter cooling, sharper crew transitions, and staying present when plans go sideways. Addie Bracy joins with a clear, grounded look at how deliberate heat prep and simple mantras carried her to a golden ticket, and why decoupling identity from outcomes can revive a career. She also shares what’s ahead at SageStone Adventure Lodge, the OutRun community, and her coaching lens heading toward Western States.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Katie Asmuth and Leah Yingling take the mic for a co-host deep dive, opening with a look at Freetrail’s new Big Alta 100K and how it could shape spring racing before reflecting on Kodiak’s UTMB North America Majors and the fatigue of a long season. The conversation moves into racing strategies for inaugural courses, the balance of data and intuition, and what they’ve learned from pacing, crewing, and commentary. Listeners also get a closer look at both athletes—their paths into trail running, perspectives on sponsorship, favorite gear, and the goals driving their next chapters. It’s a relaxed, personal, and insightful episode that captures the friendship, honesty, and love of the sport that define The Trail Network Podcast.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Hilary, Katie, and Leah kick back for a post–Mammoth 200 catch-up. Hilary debriefs year one of directing and alpine 200 (weather reroutes, why mandatory gear mattered, and the real talk on volunteer power and community buy-in). Katie shares end-of-month racing plans at Javelina 100K (plus a little live-stream cameo energy), and Leah opens up about her gradual, low-pressure return to running and the joys/realities of new-mom life. It’s a cozy, candid, all-corners-of-trail running episode.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

On this episode of The Trail Network Podcast, host Katie Asmuth sits down with Rachel Entrekin — winner and course record holder of the inaugural Mammoth 200 (46:50). Rachel is fast becoming the modern face of 200-mile racing, blending big-miles durability with smart, minimalist systems. Katie and Rachel dig into how she approached Mammoth (from training blocks to aid-station efficiency), what she learned racing alongside elite competition, and the simple rule that anchors her mindset: don’t quit on the uphill. You’ll also hear practical takeaways on fueling with real food, foot care fixes, when (and when not) to sleep, and how she’s navigating sponsorship while choosing races that light her up.Media Linked:Rachel’s blog:How to Run a Multi-Day Race – Another dumb running blogThis episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode of The Trail Network Podcast, hosts Leah Yingling and Rachel Drake share their excitement for the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships taking place in the Pyrenees in Spain. Drawing from their own experiences representing Team USA, they talk about what makes Worlds so special—its blend of culture, competition, and camaraderie.They highlight the standout athletes to watch across the vertical, classic, short, and long trail races. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

All four Trail Network hosts — Katie Asmuth, Leah Yingling, Hilary Yang, and Rachel Drake — open the episode with life updates and a debrief on a wild-weather Run Rabbit Run weekend, digging into what went wrong for many athletes and how U.S. races handle (or don’t handle) mandatory gear. They trade practical strategies for racing in bad conditions, from smarter crewing and real waterproof layers to training in the weather you fear. Then Rachel sits down with Megan Roche — double doctor, mom of two, coach, and the 2025 Run Rabbit Run 50-mile champion — to talk about her “growth and grace” mantra, rebuilding after pericarditis and two pregnancies, lower-mileage success (about half her pre-baby volume), cross-training, and why patience and pelvic-floor PT matter. Megan shares how she balances competitive fire with motherhood, the joy of pacing, and what’s next as she eyes longer distances. The crew closes with quick takeaways: prepare early, layer smart, size up shoes, and let mindset lead the day.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

On this episode of the Trail Network Podcast, hosts Leah Yingling and Rachel Drake welcome Carolina Rubio-MacWright, a New York City–based lawyer, immigrant, mother, and advocate for marginalized communities. Carolina shares her remarkable story of balancing advocacy, family, and running, culminating in her recent finish at UTMB in just over 45 hours.The conversation explores her work supporting immigrant communities, her perspective on making trail running more inclusive, and the powerful ways individuals can create meaningful change. Carolina also reflects on what it meant to “close the loop” at UTMB and how her personal journey has shaped her impact both on and off the trails.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

The Trail Network crew — Rachel Drake, Leah Yingling, Hilary Yang, and Katie Asmuth — reunites to unpack standout moments from UTMB week and to celebrate Rachel’s newest arrival, Chloe Gloria Green. They discuss women’s race coverage and why CCC stole the show, the chaos and beauty of mountain weather management, and how surprising results opened the door for breakout performances. The conversation shifts to a thoughtful debate about finishing versus DNF from an athlete’s point of view, A, B, and C goals that evolve mid-race, and why context matters. Rachel shares a powerful, joyful birth story, Leah gives a peek into newborn life as an ultra-fan, and the team previews upcoming guests and projects.Topics coveredUTMB takeaways: women’s coverage strides, CCC drama, Ruth’s Triple Crown, weather as the main characterBreakout results and shoutouts across CCC and UTMBFinish vs DNF: athlete autonomy, changing goals, and seasons of sportA, B, and C goals explained and how they shift mid-raceRachel’s birth story and meeting ChloeNewborn life updates, community support, and kid-friendly adventuresGear notes: soft carriers and being outdoors with babiesThis episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode of the Trail Network Podcast, Katie Asmuth, Rachel Drake, and Hilary Yang sit down for a “UTMB 101” conversation. They break down what UTMB is, how it started, and why it has become such a defining event in the trail running world. From its grassroots beginnings in 2003 to today’s week-long festival of eight races across three countries, UTMB represents both the beauty and challenges of the sport. The hosts share personal stories, memories from racing and crewing, and the unique atmosphere in Chamonix that brings together thousands of runners, brands, and fans from around the globe. They also discuss the growth of UTMB under Ironman, the push for equality and inclusion in the sport, and the balance between grassroots values and professionalization. If you’ve ever wondered what makes UTMB the “Super Bowl” of trail running, this episode is your guide.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

ER doctor and trail runner Anne Flower joins host Katie Asmuth on The Trail Network to share the story of her remarkable victory at the 2025 Leadville 100. In her debut 100-miler, Anne broke the 31-year-old course record previously held by ultrarunning legend Ann Trason, finishing in 17:58. She reflects on her path from growing up playing soccer and exploring the outdoors, to discovering running during medical school as a tool for balance, to qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials, and eventually stepping into trail ultras. Anne and Katie dive into how she balances a demanding career in emergency medicine with training, her fueling and mindset at Leadville, and how approaching the race with a beginner’s perspective became her biggest strength. Anne also shares about her nonprofit work with Mountains to Mountains and what she hopes for in the next chapter of her running journey.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode of the Trail Network Podcast Hilary Yang, Leah Yingling and Katie Asmuth catch up on Katie's Leadville experience! Thank you Osprey for supporting this episode of the Trail Network Podcast!

In this episode of the Trail Network Podcast, host Katie Asmuth sits down with elite ultrarunner Kaytlyn Gerbin for an in-depth conversation about her remarkable comeback to racing. From a podium at UTMB and top finishes at Western States to an unexpected hip dysplasia diagnosis, major surgery, pregnancy, and more than two years away from competition, Kaytlyn’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and redefining success.She opens up about stepping away from her career in bioengineering, the mental and physical challenges of recovery, and the acceptance that came with an uncertain athletic future. Katie and Kaytlyn discuss the slow and intentional build back to running, the role hiking played in her rehab, and how she balances motherhood, competitive racing, and ambitious mountain projects. Kaytlyn reflects on her recent win and fourth-place overall finish at Cascade Crest 100—her first ultra back—despite pre-race challenges and a week-earlier mountaineering expedition.The conversation also dives into her Emmy-winning North Cascades High Route project, the process of pitching and executing major adventures for sponsors, and her passion for balancing competitive goals with exploratory expeditions. Kaytlyn offers thoughtful advice for athletes navigating comebacks, emphasizing patience, flexibility, and focusing on what you can do rather than what you can’t.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode of the Trail Network Podcast, Hilary Yang sits down with one of the most exciting names in ultrarunning right now, Rachel Entrekin. With a 16-race win streak and a course record at both Cocodona 250 and High Lonesome, Rachel has quickly risen through the ranks — but it's her grounded perspective, hilarious stories, and genuine love for the sport that make this conversation shine.Rachel opens up about her conservative upbringing, how running helped her rewrite her own narrative, and why community and joy are at the center of her racing decisions. She and Hilary talk about the power of representation in sport, the mental game behind 200s, and the underrated beauty of staying curious and not taking yourself too seriously.From ditch naps and carrying a literal rock in a race, to strategic course breakdowns and professional crossroads, this is a refreshing, candid conversation about what it means to keep showing up — for the love of it.Listen on Spotify and follow @trailnetworkpod on Instagram for guest updates, behind-the-scenes, and more inspiring stories from the trail.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

On this special episode of the Trail Network podcast, hosts Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth sit down with Leah Yingling to hear her birth story. Leah shares how her life shifted unexpectedly when she had to be induced, opening up about the challenges, emotions, and joys of becoming a new mom. This heartfelt conversation highlights the power of vulnerability, community, and support in navigating life’s biggest transitions.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!