In this episode Keely, Corrine, and Hillary start it off by diving into some races, including Run Rabbit Run, The Rut, and The Golden Trail Series. Then they discuss both the lack of period products and porta-potties for women at TDS and how that may have impacted women runners.

For the rest of the episode they tackle two issues. First, they talk through the mental side of dropping out of or choosing not to start a race, how to give yourself some grace, and when to pull the plug. Whether you choose to drop at mile 5 or mile 95 of a one hundred mile race, your decision is valid and we must learn to be okay with them. Then, they discuss a new article out by Ryall and team looking at the distribution of birth control use among female endurance athletes. This study highlights the popularity of hormonal IUD’s in athletics but the lack of research on the effects of this form of birth control on performance.

Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail (www.freetrail.com) - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK

Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!

Articles:

Ryall, S. et al. Contraception Choice for Female Endurance Athletes: What’s Sport Got to Do With It? A Cross-Sectional Survey

(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-024-02078-1)

In this episode of Trail Society, we dive into the UTMB races, discussing the fast race times, podiums, breakthrough performances, and top USA athletes. We also spotlight the latest advancements in the WNBA and NWSL, and discuss the impactful “Here For the Women’s Race” initiative that is reshaping women’s trail running. Our conversation reveals how these developments are driving change and opening new opportunities for female athletes at every level.

Hillary shares an intimate and insightful account of her recent UTMB race experience, detailing her training journey and the pivotal moment when she chose to prioritize her health and happiness over finishing the race. Her candid reflection on why she decided to stop rather than push through underscores the importance of listening to one’s body and the long-term value of maintaining passion for the sport. This episode offers a powerful blend of race analysis, sports evolution, and personal wisdom, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about running and female athleticism.

Sponsors:

• This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail (www.freetrail.com). Subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK.
• Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!

• Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society

Articles:

• Support Tara: https://support.girlsontherun.org/fundraiser/5607331
• Past TS episodes on Hydration: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RuFrJPbF46NlCdq4hTtbm?si=XAMscA3xSFuhEBfTRQiA4g

This week’s podcast kicks off with a recap of recent competitive races, including record-breaking performances and intense competition. We discuss standout moments from the Leadville 100-mile and Headlands 50km, celebrating impressive achievements and new champions.

Then, we delve into a recent study on the impact of bone stress injuries in female runners, revealing key insights from recent research. We explore which factors are linked to high-risk stress fractures and what this means for athletes aiming to stay injury-free.

In our main segment, we tackle a thought-provoking issue: the role of envy and other traits in athletic performance. Can the drive to succeed come at the cost of personal integrity? We dissect this intriguing question, examining how competitive traits might shape not just an athlete’s career but their character. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of sports, values, and the pursuit of excellence!

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail or head to www.freetrail.com to subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK

&

Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!

Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society

Articles:

Tenforde, et al. High v. Low Risk BSI in Female Athletes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11110515/

Article on Cheating by Sabrina Little: https://aeon.co/essays/does-it-take-a-bad-person-to-be-a-good-athlete

Article on Olympics, Nike, and Ultrarunning by Sabrina Little: https://www.irunfar.com/what-we-learn-from-paris