The Trail Network Podcast

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 allNavigating the overwhelming flood of information in today's media-heavy running sceneTraining structure for long ultras — whether double runs or extended sessions work bestThe 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 RaceThis 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.

In this episode of the Trail Network Podcast, host Rachel Drake sits down with professional trail runner, ICU nurse, and new mom of twins, Taylor Nowlin. Known for her top-10 finishes at Western States, CCC, and OCC, Taylor opens up about the highs and lows of pregnancy, motherhood, and her remarkable return to racing just eight months postpartum.Taylor shares the surprise of learning she was having twins while her husband was off-grid on a climbing trip, the complications that led to a high-risk pregnancy and early bed rest, and the physical and emotional challenges of recovering from a C-section. She also reflects on how her sponsors supported her through this season of change, and how strength training, a shift in mindset, and support from her community helped guide her back to competitive racing.Now training with coach Paul Lind and focusing on shorter, faster trail events like the Broken Arrow 23K, Taylor is embracing a new chapter of motherhood and racing—balancing lower mileage with higher intention. She and Rachel also share plenty of laughs about postpartum life, family travel chaos, and the role of their dogs as unofficial cleanup crew during baby mealtimes.Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or somewhere in between, this episode is an honest and inspiring look at resilience, identity, and the joy of returning to sport after life-changing 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!And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.

On this week’s episode of the Trail Network Podcast, Katie sits down with fellow co-host Hilary Yang for a much-needed catch-up. Hilary may have been MIA from the mic, but she’s been everywhere else—juggling training for the Hardrock 100, directing the new Mammoth 200-miler, producing storytelling projects, and traveling the globe.They talk about:Behind the scenes of Hilary’s media role at Cocodona 250 (yes, including ramen brands and eucalyptus towels)The wild Korean hill repeats and air blastersTraining on the go—through jetlag, film shoots, and family timeThe emotional relief of finally getting Mammoth 200 permits clearedHow storytelling and racing go hand-in-handWhat she’s learned from Cocodona that she’ll bring to the Mammoth 200And why gratitude is fueling this high-energy, high-output seasonWhether you’re racing, volunteering, storytelling, or just trying to train through the chaos of life—this one’s for you.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 heartwarming episode of the Trail Network podcast, host Katie Asmuth sits down with two incredible athletes and friends, EmKay Sullivan and Abby Hall, for what just might be the feel-good story of 2025. The trio dives into big life updates—most notably, EmKay’s exciting pregnancy—and the ripple effect it had on her racing season.When EmKay earns a coveted golden ticket to Western States but is unable to use it, she has the opportunity to pass it on to Abby. Together, they reflect on what this moment has meant for them personally and professionally, and how friendship, timing, and mutual respect played a role in this opportunity.Please note: This episode was recorded prior to the Canyons race, so any mentions of race plans reflect that timing.It’s a conversation about gratitude, change, and the power of community in the trail running world. 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.

Leah, Katie, and Rachel catch up to talk all things Canyons 100K, Mt. Fuji, and what’s next. Katie shares an honest look at her experience at Canyons—how the race didn’t unfold as she’d hoped, what she learned through the struggle, and why she’s still proud of what her body accomplished. She also gives a peek into what’s coming up in her training.Rachel reflects on a big life update—her pregnancy announcement—and how crewing for Tyler at Mt. Fuji didn’t quite go as planned. She opens up about the challenges, unexpected emotions, and how she’s processing it all.A conversation about race day lessons, shifting perspectives, and the reality of showing up when things don’t go perfectly.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.

Leah Yingling and Mike McMonagle (@shitinthewoods) return to the podcast to recap the Gorge Waterfalls race weekend and what it was like running the 50k together. They cover the record-shattering performances at the 100k and debrief the ups and downs of running a 50k with your partner while 5 months pregnant. The good, the bad, and the ugly. We hope you enjoy!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, Katie and Rachel take the mic to talk about what’s new in their lives and the trail world. Rachel shares what’s ahead for both her and Tyler as they gear up for their trip to Japan and the Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji—where she’ll be racing the 40k. They dive into how having a big adventure on the calendar can shift your mindset, and how race day conditions play a big role in conversations around course records. Katie gives a training update and reflects on the confidence and joy she’s found lately, and how she’s learning to balance focus with fun. The two also dig into performance strategies, including nutrition, hydration, and the science behind sodium bicarbonate. It’s a thoughtful, fun, and refreshingly honest conversation about racing, training, and finding meaning in the process.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, we catch up after Katie’s huge accomplishment on the Joshua Tree Traverse, where she set a new self supported FKT! She shares the details of her fueling strategy, how the effort went down, and what she’s thinking as she gears up for the next steps in training ahead of her Golden Ticket chase. We also dive into what makes a good race, from course design to community support, and hear from Hilary about her planning process for The Mammoth 200. She talks about how she’s building a strong volunteer team and creating a meaningful experience around this massive effort. Plus, Leah gives us the scoop on how she’s navigating training and racing a 50k while pregnant. Trail news, upcoming races, and a whole lot of inspiration packed into this one!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.