The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman Kellen Blumberg, Anna Louden, & Johen DeLeon | Big Alta Pre-Race Interviews
Mar 19, 2026
Kellen Blumberg, a San Diego runner shifting from marathons to ultras and recent Kodiak 100K winner. Anna Louden, Marin-based road-to-trail runner and 100K contender coached by Magda Boulay. Johen DeLeon, Crested Butte creative runner and Satisfye athlete who raced Black Canyon. They talk race strategies, training routines, heat and cooling tactics, local community vibes, and creative sponsorship work.
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Do Structured Quality In Ultra Training
- Train ultras with structured quality, not just long slow runs; include threshold work and targeted downhill exposure.
- Kellen says weekly threshold runs and long efforts with 30–40 minutes at 50K pace plus intentional downhills built durability.
Switching To Trails Restored Joy And Opened New Paths
- Anna Louden shifted from road marathons and Olympic trial pacing to trails to escape rigid pacing and rediscover joy.
- That move led to road ultras, then trail races like Black Canyon and Javelina, which changed her season focus.
Local Run Ecosystem Drives Consistent Improvement
- Marin's running community provides constant access to workouts and social support that accelerates development.
- Anna notes daily options (Tam Wednesday, Ninja Thursday, SFRC Saturdays) and teammates who join her specific workouts spontaneously.