The Trail Network Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 80 — Big Alta’s new 100K, late season check-in, and the Leah × Katie deep dive Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

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!

Episode 79: Back from 200 Miles: RD Lessons, Mom Miles & Javelina Plans Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

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!

Episode 78: Don’t Quit on the Uphill: Rachel Entrekin’s Mammoth 200 Win, Mindset, and Making Moves Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

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 blog

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!

Episode 77: Musings Ahead of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships Sep 27, 2025

Show notes

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!

Ep 76: Megan Roche’s Run Rabbit Win + Weather-Proofing Race Day Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

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!

Episode 75: Carolina Rubio-MacWright on Her Inspiring Journey and UTMB Finish Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

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!

Episode 74: UTMB recap and meet baby Chloe Gloria Green Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

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 covered

UTMB takeaways: women’s coverage strides, CCC drama, Ruth’s Triple Crown, weather as the main character
Breakout results and shoutouts across CCC and UTMB
Finish vs DNF: athlete autonomy, changing goals, and seasons of sport
A, B, and C goals explained and how they shift mid-race
Rachel’s birth story and meeting Chloe
Newborn life updates, community support, and kid-friendly adventures
Gear notes: soft carriers and being outdoors with babies

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!

Episode 73: UTMB 101 Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

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!

Episode 72: Anne Flower on Her Record-Breaking Leadville 100 Debut Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

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!

Episode 71: Katie breaks down Leadville 100! Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

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!