The Trail Network Podcast

In this post-Western States 100 episode of the Trail Network Podcast, Leah Yingling, Hilary Yang, and Rachel Drake unpack the whirlwind of race week—both on the ground and from afar. They reflect on what made this year’s race feel so dynamic, unpredictable, and inspiring. They dive into everything from media chaos, crewing logistics, and coverage parity to the breakout performances from Abby Hall and Caleb Olson. Hilary shares behind-the-scenes insight from her documentary and social media work and Leah talks about the surprising spark that made her want to return to the race more than ever. Other highlights include: * The explosion of media at Western States and how it’s reshaping race day * Why this year’s women’s race coverage felt different—in a good way * Stories of resilience, including the Golden Hour Runner and race-day improvisations * Pregnant adventuring, postpartum plans, and what’s next for Hilary as she heads to Hardrock Whether you were on the escarpment or watching from home, this episode captures the electric energy of Western States and why 2024 may have been the most memorable year yet. 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! And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.

In this special in-person episode recorded live from Olympic Valley, co-hosts Katie Asmuth, Leah Yingling, and Hilary Yang dive deep into the 2025 Western States 100 women’s field. With race day tomorrow, the trio goes full trail nerd mode on everything from top contenders and international shake-ups to training blocks, Strava sleuthing, and personal insights. They break down race favorites, explore exciting dark horses, and spotlight powerful storylines. They also talk age group potential, debut 100-milers, and who might break the masters record this year. You'll also hear behind-the-scenes training tidbits, pacer prep, what makes this year’s field so uniquely deep and international, and even some spicy pre-race speculation: Who might top the escarpment first? Who’s secretly training in heat suits? And who’s a quiet killer ready to make a big move? It's a celebration of fierce women, racing guts, and the wild beauty of Western States 100. Let’s go. 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! And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.

In this episode of The Trail Network, Leah Yingling, Katie Asmuth, and Rachel Drake tackle listener-submitted questions — from the most essential pieces of gear to the do’s and don’ts of early trail running. They reflect on their own first races, share stories from their original local trail crews, and discuss the learning curve that shaped their ultra journeys. The trio dives into topics like: * The gear they wish they had when they started (spoiler: good socks and GPX watches go a long way) * Why finding your local trail community might be the best investment of all * Navigating the overwhelming flood of information in today's media-heavy running scene * Training structure for long ultras — whether double runs or extended sessions work best * The beauty of learning through mistakes (hello, 5-hour “easy” runs with one snack) Plus, they explore the value of coaching, celebrate female-led races pushing for parity in the sport, and close with a few words of wisdom for anyone just starting out. A perfect listen for new runners, seasoned trail vets, and anyone chasing joy out on the dirt. Teaser for next time: How would the crew race Western States if they were toeing the line this year? Tune in next week for that deep dive. 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! And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.

In this episode of The Trail Network Podcast, hosts Leah, Hilary, and Katie reconnect for a heartfelt roundtable about where running fits in different seasons of life—physically, emotionally, and logistically. Hilary kicks things off with a recap of her recent Malibu Canyon 50 miler, which she ran just days after a root canal. She shares what it was like to race while experimenting with new nutrition strategies from her work with Meredith Terranova, and how dialing in her fueling gave her the confidence boost she needed ahead of Hardrock. Katie follows with a recap of the Silver State 50K, a sweltering grassroots race in Reno that surprised her with community, connection, and a fierce competitor who shattered the course record. She reflects on how racing has changed now that her kids are older—and why she's committed to showing up, even when her fitness isn’t at its peak. Leah shares what it’s been like to not be in training mode right now and how that distance from competition has reshaped her perspective. The trio opens up about the complexities of returning from injury, growing families, shifting priorities, and the challenge of chasing performance while honoring longevity in the sport. They also dig into: – Nutrition lessons from both Hilary’s personal breakthroughs and Leah’s involvement in Lululemon’s Further research – What makes “training races” valuable (and fun!) – The unique pressure of trying to hit PRs as life evolves – The deep emotional tug of being a parent and an athlete – Upcoming Western States roles, Broken Arrow excitement, and what’s next for Here for the Women’s Race This conversation is an honest, thoughtful reflection on staying in love with the sport, even when the shape of that love changes. 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! And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.

In this week’s episode of the Trail Network podcast, hosts Leah Yingling and Rachel Drake reconnect for a deep dive into recent adventures, personal milestones, and reflections on life, pregnancy, and trail running. Leah kicks off the episode with a recap of her recent trip to Northern Wales, where she crewed for her husband, Mike, at Ultra Trail Snowdonia—a notoriously rugged and stunningly beautiful race often dubbed “Hardrock at sea level.” Leah shares her experience navigating the course logistics, supporting Mike through brutally technical terrain, and balancing the demands of international travel while six months pregnant. The pair also reflect on the underrepresentation of women in ultra-distance events like Snowdonia and the broader implications of participation barriers in these challenging races. Rachel then recounts her rim-to-rim crossing of the Grand Canyon, completed just days prior to recording, as part of a supported project with Osprey and Precision Fuel & Hydration. She offers a raw and thoughtful look at preparing for a major effort while pregnant, including fueling changes, unexpected physical challenges, and the importance of adaptability and community support. The two also reflect on their evolving pregnancies, comparing their experiences, training adaptations, and what it means to find joy in movement during such a transformational time. The episode wraps with a meaningful discussion around postpartum expectations, race deferral policies, and the nuanced realities of running through pregnancy and fertility journeys. They spotlight Stephanie Case’s inspiring victory at the 100K at Snowdonia—six months postpartum and breastfeeding mid-race—as well as broader issues around representation, sponsorship policies, and UTMB ranking implications for pregnant athletes. With honesty, humor, and heart, Leah and Rachel celebrate the many ways women show up in the trail world—on the start line, crewing, parenting, recovering, and dreaming big. 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! And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.