When Niggles Speak: Training Smarter, Not Harder

In this episode of The Dirt, Coaches Loretta Tobolske-Horn and Lindsay dig into one of the most overlooked, high-impact phases of the running year: transition season.   This is the season where runners reset, rebuild, and refocus — not by chasing mileage, but by tightening the processes that ultimately make performance goals possible.   We break down: Why transition season is the ideal time to focus on process goals (think: consistency, strength habits, agility work, mindset, technique, movement quality, mobility, fueling routines)   How process goals create the foundation for long-term performance and why outcomes get easier when you stop obsessing over them   The value of working with a coach: When to start, how coaching changes your training trajectory, and what support actually looks like   If you're ready to train smarter, make your running more adaptable, and build confidence heading into your next build — this episode will give you the roadmap.

In this episode, Coach Loretta and Coach Lindsay chat with Coach Reese about his second-place finish at Tunnel Hill 100. Reese walks through the race from start to finish — pacing, fueling, and how he managed the day — plus a look at how he structured his training leading into it and what's coming next in his season.

Coach Loretta and Coach Lindsay recap the Hennepin 100, share tips on communicating with your crew during races,  supporting athletes post-race and discuss how they stay connected with athletes throughout the week. Plus, a look ahead to Lily Medina's final race of the series.  Real races. Real coaching. This is The Dirt.

Coaches Loretta and Lindsay sit down with Lily Medina, just after she completed Hallucination 100—her fourth 100-miler of the Slam—finishing 3rd overall female. Loretta crewed Lily for this race, giving listeners an inside look at pacing, fueling, and support strategies. In this episode: Hallucination 100 recap: toughest sections, standout moments, and lessons learned Crew and pacer insights from the road Physical and mental reflections after four 100s Mindset, motivation, and advice for multi-race ultra runners If you've ever wondered what it takes to run multiple 100-milers in a season, this episode is packed with actionable tips, inspiration, and ultra wisdom.

From niggles to the big picture: we cover injury coping, recovery tools, and how to adjust training and goals—plus a look ahead to Hallucination 100.

In this Show & Tell episode of The Dirt Podcast, Coaches Loretta and Lindsay are joined by Coach Scott to share their favorite running gadgets and recovery tools. From hydration tech and trekking poles to timers, massage tools, and recovery aids, we break down what actually works and why we love it.  

Part 3 of our Midwest Super Slam mini-series! Coaches Loretta and Lindsay sit down with athlete Lily Medina after Burning River 100—her third 100-miler of the Slam—where she remains first overall. We break down the highs, lows, and hard lessons from Ohio and look ahead to Hallucination 100 in six weeks. In this episode: Burning River debrief: lows and highs problem-solving on the fly Fueling wins & fixes after three 100s What's holding up vs. what needs TLC (body + brain) Six-week rebuild: training, recovery, and taper priorities Loop-course tactics for Hallucination 100 and managing heat/humidity Competing while leading the Slam: pressure → performance If you're chasing your first 100—or your fourth—this one's packed with practical takeaways.

On this episode of The Dirt Trail Running Podcast, Coaches Loretta and Lindsay sit down with special guest Coach Madeline Harms—developmental psychologist, professor, and running coach—to dive into the mental side of racing and training. We unpack what it means to "choke" during a race, how panic attacks can derail even the best preparation, and the difference between process goals and outcome goals. Coach Madeline shares strategies for reflection, using visualization, and finding the courage to toe the starting line again after setbacks. We also explore the pressure athletes face from social media and how it affects runners at all levels—not just elites. Whether you're chasing a PR or just trying to finish, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to strengthen your mental game and find joy in the process.

In this episode, Coach Loretta and Coach Lindsay catch up on summer adventures and racing highlights. Coach Loretta shares stories from her vanlife travels out west—exploring new places, logging trail miles, and staying prepared just in case wild animals showed up (spoiler: they didn't, but she was ready!). We dive into tips for running in the heat, how to prep for wild encounters, weather, elevation and reflect on some epic recent races like Badwater and Hardrock.