Episode 111: Discipline or Disorder? The Psychology of REDs in Ultra-Endurance Athletes with Jill Colangelo

In this episode of Trail Society, Corrine, Keely, and Hillary sit down with researcher Jill Colangelo to unpack their newly published review, “Exploring the Presentation of REDs in Ultra Endurance Sport.” This conversation dives deep into the intersection of low energy availability (LEA), disordered eating (DE), and exercise dependence (EXD), issues that are all too common yet rarely discussed openly in the ultra-endurance community. Many athletes are unknowingly underfueling, especially for efforts lasting over two and a half hours, and whether this is intentional or unintentional, the consequences can be profound. The discussion explores how extreme training volumes, psychological pressures, and cultural norms around toughness and body image make ultra athletes uniquely vulnerable to both the physiological and psychological components of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). Together, Jill and Keely break down what current research tells us, and what’s still missing, about fueling, recovery, and mental health in endurance athletes. They also tackle one of the hardest questions for athletes and coaches alike: how do we tell the difference between being disciplined and being disordered? This episode challenges assumptions, questions long-held beliefs about “grit” in sport, and offers a more compassionate lens on what it means to truly care for the athlete's body and mind. Follow Jill here:  www.jillcolangelo.com   Sponsors: HUGE thanks to our sponsor rabbit for helping us with this scholarship. Shop their fall looks with 10% off using CODE → HOPTOBER10  at https://www.runinrabbit.com/ Citations:  Colangelo, J., Smith, A., Henninger, K. et al. Exploring the presentation of REDs in ultra endurance sport: a review. J Eat Disord 13, 210 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01381-0   

In this episode of Trail Society, Corrine, Keely, and Hillary break down an action-packed World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, where Team USA came away with hardware and Hillary surprised us all with a double, competing in both the vertical and the long trail events. Hilly shares what it was like to rock the Team USA kit, how she pivoted from preparing for a one-hour climb to suddenly taking on an 80km ultra, and what she learned from the experience. The crew also highlights the story of Clarivel Vega, this year’s 30km Javelina Trail Society Scholarship recipient. A first-generation Latina and lifelong runner, Clarivel has found strength, resilience, and belonging in the running community after growing up without family support for her sport and managing a chronic illness. From her roots in Santa Ana with Keep Runnin Santa Ana to her new adventure on the trails, her story is a powerful reminder of why representation matters and why we’re committed to getting more underrepresented runners to the start line.   HUGE thanks to our sponsor rabbit for helping us with this scholarship. Shop their fall looks with 10% off using CODE → HOPTOBER10  at https://www.runinrabbit.com/

Episode 109 of Trail Society features an inspiring conversation with Daisy Martinez, the rabbit x Trail Society 100K scholarship winner whose story embodies resilience and representation. A Mexican American ultrarunner from Los Angeles, Daisy started trail running in 2016 and has since transformed personal challenges into fuel for her running journey. As a teen parent and now single mother, she credits the endurance and grit she built while raising her son with helping her push through the mental and physical demands of ultrarunning. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2023, Daisy has been learning how to continue pursuing the sport she loves while managing the realities of an autoimmune disease. Beyond her personal racing goals, Daisy is driven by a deep commitment to community. She co-founded Chingonas on the Run to empower women, especially women of color, to take up space in trail running and the outdoors. From racing her first ultramarathons, to training for Javelina 100K, Daisy embraces each challenge as a way to learn, grow, and inspire others. Through her scholarship, she hopes to show what’s possible when passion meets support, and to blaze a trail for more underrepresented runners at start lines everywhere.  We are so excited to see what she can do at Javalina! Follow Daisy on instagram here: @elementsofdaisy   HUGE thanks to our sponsor rabbit for helping us with this scholarship. Shop their fall looks with 10% off using CODE → TRAILHOP10  at https://www.runinrabbit.com/ Articles: 2025 Canadian guideline for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep throughout the first year post partum: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/59/8/515.full.pdf  

In this episode of Trail Society, Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen dive into one of the biggest weeks in trail running, the 2025 UTMB Finals. From brutal weather and historically high dropout rates to some of the closest top-10 finishes ever, the crew breaks down all the drama across OCC, CCC, and UTMB. They highlight standout wins from Jim Walmsley, Ruth Croft, and Francesco Puppi, celebrate trailblazing performances from athletes representing countries new to the UTMB stage, and reflect on the growing but still uneven women’s participation numbers. Beyond the race results, they explore what it means for athletes to double between UTMB, Hardrock, and upcoming World Championships, and touch on the ever-buzzing brand scene in Chamonix. Beyond the race, the crew highlights systemic challenges in sport: Strava and For All Mothers+ awarded $2,000 grants to 50 athlete-mothers to cover childcare costs and training expenses, directly addressing the “motherhood penalty” that prevents so many women from competing at the highest level. Tune in for a mix of insights, stories from the ground, and the unique perspective only this crew can bring. Sponsors We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!  So snag some of the new Trail Society x rabbit line before it’s gone! CODE → TRAILHOP10 use at https://www.runinrabbit.com/   This was brought to you by @runfreetrail  

Episode 107 of Trail Society kicks off with life updates from Keely and Hillary, before diving into listener-submitted news and research. They discuss a BBC story where undercover officers highlighted the prevalence of street harassment, with 94% of local women reporting experiences of catcalling. This transitions into a conversation around exercise during pregnancy, sparked by a listener question about heart rate guidelines. The hosts review current research showing that, for athletes already active, higher intensity exercise can be safe and even beneficial during pregnancy, lowering risks like gestational diabetes and improving newborn Apgar scores. They emphasize that heart rate is an imprecise measure, and individualized approaches are important. The main feature of the episode is an interview with Anne Flower, an ER physician and elite trail runner who recently won and set a new course record at the Leadville 100, her debut 100-mile race. Anne shares how she balances training at a world-class level with her demanding medical career, and how lessons from the ER and ultrarunning inform each other. She reflects on her road-to-trail transition, the highs and lows of Leadville, and her mindset of tackling hard things as practice for resilience. Anne also discusses her role as Chief Medical Officer for Mountains to Mountains, her future racing goals, and offers advice for women entering the sport. The episode closes with listener shoutouts, stories of recovery after long races, training adaptations for different terrains, and heartfelt community support, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to uplifting women in endurance sports.   SPONSORSHIP:  We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!  So snag some of the new Trail Society x rabbit line before it’s gone! New Code through the end of August—> HOPPER10   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!  FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast   Pregnancy and Exercise Research Citations:  Dalhaug EM, Sanda B, Bø K, Brown WJ, Sundgot-Borgen J, Haakstad LAH. Exceeding the guidelines: A descriptive study of exercise, pregnancy, maternal and neonatal health outcomes in elite and recreational athletes. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025 Apr 23;25(1):475. doi: 10.1186/s12884-025-07572-6. PMID: 40269794; PMCID: PMC12020307. Worska A, Laudańska-Krzemińska I, Ciążyńska J, Jóźwiak B, Maciaszek J. New Public Health and Sport Medicine Institutions Guidelines of Physical Activity Intensity for Pregnancy-A Scoping Review. J Clin Med. 2024 Mar 18;13(6):1738. doi: 10.3390/jcm13061738. PMID: 38541963; PMCID: PMC10971148.  

Episode 106 of Trail Society opens with the hosts catching up after a busy stretch of travel, training, and transitions, sharing experiences from Alaska fast-packing, Wyoming family visits, and runs on hometown singletrack. The conversation then shifts to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, highlighting Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s long-awaited victory and the breadth of her multi-discipline cycling career. While her win came after a calculated, team-guided performance plan that included a 4 kg weight reduction, the hosts discuss how such strategies can raise health concerns, especially in a sport with a history of under-fueling and the belief that “lighter is always better.” They explore the risk that focusing on weight, both in training and in media coverage, can perpetuate unhealthy body standards, particularly for young women who may try to emulate elite athletes without the same medical oversight or resources. The discussion considers how to balance performance optimization with athlete well-being and how coverage could better reflect the complexity of such decisions. The episode also examines new research on self-efficacy and fatigue, showing how endurance limits are influenced by the brain’s ability to predict and sustain effort. Studies on subliminal cues suggest that positive mental inputs can extend performance, reframing fatigue as partly a perception-driven process. Listener “Society Slams” bring forward concerns about limited access to women’s race coverage, suggestions for scenic, low-altitude trail races ideal for groups, and lighthearted reflections on dream race snacks that don’t sit well mid-run. Through these segments, the episode blends athlete health, sports science, and community conversation. SPONSORSHIP:  We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!  So snag some of the new Trail Society x rabbit line before it’s gone! New Code through the end of August—> HOPPER10   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!  FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail Articles:  Sweat Science: Why exercise makes us tired: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/why-exercise-makes-us-tired Cycling Weekly: Double Standards in Cycling :https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/4kg-the-weight-of-a-double-standard-pauline-ferrand-prevot-climbed-into-history-and-all-we-talked-about-was-her-body  

In Episode 105, the Trail Society crew recaps big performances at recent races, including Katie Schide’s record-setting win at Hardrock 100 and fast times from Cascade Crest and HiLo. They highlight events pushing for gender parity on start lines and discuss the return of athletes post-injury and pregnancy. There's also a quick rabbit x Trail Society product update and a listener Q&A about traveling with poles and gear for multi-day run ventures. The second half of the episode shifts to research: Keely breaks down new studies exploring the effects of RED-S, amenorrhea, and chronic low energy availability on fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The team discusses IVF timing, egg freezing, and whether current training loads may impact reproductive health in elite athletes. They also review a study on total energy expenditure during and after a 100-mile race, highlighting the prolonged physiological stress of ultrarunning and its implications for recovery. SPONSORSHIP:  We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!  So snag some of the new Trail Society x rabbit line before it’s gone! USE CODE through the end of JULY—> STATES10!   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!  FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

This week on Trail Society, the team celebrates Hillary’s selection to Team USA for the World Mountain Running Championships before diving into a timely and thought-provoking conversation on coaching young athletes. Guests Rachel Sanford and Jennifer Anderson-Ehrlich—leaders from Sportswomen of Colorado—share insights into mentoring girls through sport, navigating puberty in athletics, and creating cultures of confidence, leadership, and joy. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode offers a playbook for supporting the next generation. Don't miss the post-interview Society Slam, where the crew reacts to a new women’s sports bar, listener questions about trail bathroom etiquette, and the call for more visibility of historic women in trail running.   SPONSORSHIP:  We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!  USE CODE through the end of JULY—> STATES10!   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!  FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail  

In this electric post-race episode of Trail Society, Corrine Malcolm sits down with co-host and freshly minted Western States Top Ten finisher Keely Henninger to relive the highs, lows, and hard-earned triumphs of this year’s race. Keely reflects on her fourth go at WSER, this time arriving with a deeply personal approach, hard-won confidence, and zero obligations to perform for a brand—just herself. From a ferocious women’s field to a historic showing by international athletes, Corrine and Keely break down everything that made this year's race unforgettable, including the dramatic chase to crack the top ten. They dive into Keely’s evolving mindset, her take on the lead women going out hot, how it felt to go “on the hunt” post-Foresthill, and how finally nailing her fueling strategy played a pivotal role. The episode touches on gear freedom, team dynamics, and what it's like to finish with joy instead of just survival. With questions from listeners and big-picture reflections, this conversation is a celebration of grit, growth, and the power of running on your own terms.

In this episode, ultrarunner, OB/GYN board certified physician, and mom of two Lauren Puretz, DO, returns to the podcast to dive deep into women’s health with a focus on athletes navigating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Lauren discusses complex reproductive health conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, especially how they present uniquely in athletic populations. She emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis, individualization of treatment, and how these conditions can affect energy levels and performance. She offers practical advice for athletes with insulin resistance and stresses the importance of advocacy when pain is being overlooked in clinical settings. The conversation then shifts into training during pregnancy and the often-overlooked postpartum period, where Lauren draws from both medical expertise and personal experience. She breaks down trimester-specific considerations for athletes, safe return-to-sport strategies, and how tools like belly bands can help. The hosts and Lauren tackle common but under-discussed challenges such as postpartum hormone shifts, fatigue, and breastfeeding demands on athletes. The episode closes with a powerful question on what changes Lauren would make in the medical system to better support female athletes across their reproductive lifespan, highlighting the need for more inclusive, evidence-based care and research for all stages—from puberty to perimenopause. SPONSORSHIP:  We are so excited to be partnering with rabbit as our primary apparel sponsor this year! Send us some DMS about your favorite apparel and what you would like to see built for the trail running space!    USE CODE JUNEBUNNY for 10% OFF in JUNE!   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!  FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail