The Trailhead – Details, episodes & analysis

Lindsey Freeman is a sociologist, writer, and lifelong runner whose book Running offers a feminist and queer reading of the sport. In this conversation, Zoë and Brendan talk with Lindsey about what it means to treat running as a practice, becoming yourself through repetition, staying soft, and trusting that showing up matters even when outcomes don't.

The conversation moves through ideas like the magic circle that makes it acceptable to try really hard in public, the growth of queer run clubs, and the strange emotional math of caring deeply about things that often disappoint you. There's also a delightful tangent about Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian being a serious runner. Lindsey's advice for writer's block and bonking alike? Have a snack and come back tomorrow.

Get her amazing book here. 

This episode is brought to you by Fast Pickle—grab-and-go pickle juice shots at fastpickle.com—and Tantrums, makers of the Crest 6 hydration pack at tantrums.run. Plus: Ultra Trail Drakensberg in South Africa is now open for registration at ultrasignup.com.

Raziq Rauf didn't set out to become a running writer, he set out to avoid burnout as a music journalist covering London's metal and hardcore scene. Now, through his newsletter Running Sucks, he brings that same critical eye to the running industry, asking where authentic culture ends and brand activations begin.

We talk about his transition from music journalism to running writing, how to spot the difference between meaningful community and manufactured hype, and discover there's exactly one death metal cowboy concept album in existence, the perfect metaphor for niche subcultures like running.

This episode is brought to you by Running Warehouse, helping you stay warm and visible through winter with jackets, headlamps, and gear that keeps you honest about getting out the door.

Our featured race is the Zion Ultras on April 11th, 2026, five distances through desert mesas with thousand-foot sandstone cliffs. Registration closes April 8th at UltraSignup.com.

 The Trailhead is part of the UltraSignup Podcast Network.

Be part of shaping the future of UltraSignup podcasts. Share your feedback in our quick listener survey. 

UTMB champion. Western States course record threat. Field hockey state champion. Rock doctor. Katie Schide is one of the most accomplished ultrarunners on the planet, and somehow, still one of the most quietly focused. In this episode of The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan catch up with Katie ahead of her Hardrock 100 debut to talk about how she's evolved as a competitor, why she used to downplay her ambitions, and what's changed in both the sport and herself since her eighth-place finish at UTMB back in 2021.

 They dig into why UTMB might just be the "Goldilocks" race of the sport, how Katie and her partner are spending the summer training in Colorado's San Juans, and how her background in geology shapes the way she sees, and runs through, the landscape. Katie also shares her take on the term "sub-ultra" and why she thinks we've maybe overcomplicated what's just... running.

 Plus, Buzz Burrell drops in for a TrailCon Hall of Fame recap, a preview of a potential Katie vs. Courtney showdown at UTMB, and a quick nod to the real MVPs: New England moms on Facebook.

This episode is brought to you by SIDAS, makers of high-performance insoles, socks, and footbeds specifically designed for trail running. Whether you're grinding out vert or trying to keep your feet happy past hour six, SIDAS gear is built to handle the unpredictable trail, so your feet don't have to. Check them out at sidas.us and give your feet the upgrade they deserve.

And if you're dreaming of a trail experience that's less race and more wild adventure, don't miss our featured adventure: Ruta de los Arrieros, a three-day expedition run through Colombia's ancient gold routes. Expect big climbs, river crossings, waterfall rappels, jungle villages, and about as much trail magic as you can handle. It's capped at just 10 runners this year and kicks off September 14, so if you're into chasing moments instead of PRs, this one's for you. Registration closes August 20 at UltraSignup.

Be part of shaping the future of UltraSignup podcasts. Share your feedback in our quick listener survey. 

This week on The Trailhead, we're joined by the one and only Kofuzi, a self-proclaimed non-elite YouTube runner who's built a global following by filming marathons, gear reviews, and everyday runs with heart, humor, and a handheld camera. Zoë and Brendan chat with him about the leap from roads to trails, what it really takes to make running content, and why being "exceptionally average" might be a superpower.

Whether you're here for the shoe talk, the trail stoke, or the shared love of goofy long runs, this one's for you. 

Follow Kofuzi: YouTube & Instagram: @kofuzi

Thanks to Running Warehouse for supporting the Trailhead! Check them out for all your gear, apparel and nutriton needs. 

This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan talk with Abigail West—trail runner, printmaker, and full-time creative who's showing us what it means to run with purpose. Based in the lush foothills of Southern Appalachia, Abigail blends endurance and artistry, carving out time (and linoleum) to tell stories about wild places, climate, and community.

We dive into everything from FKTs in the Georgia mountains to why training for ultras is a terrible match with art fair season. Abigail shares how she captures the emotional texture of landscapes through printmaking, why she's obsessed with spiderweb-filled singletrack, and what it means to be an entrepreneurial artist-athlete in a world that doesn't quite know what to do with either.

Plus: the problem with art world algorithms, the reality of life in a construction zone, and a full-throated defense of Waffle House. Grab your gravy and your gaiters, this one goes deep.

The Trailhead is brought to you by Sidas! The company that supports your feet so that they can support you!

This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan are joined by performance scientist, coach, and author Steve Magness for a deep dive into the messy, meaningful side of mental toughness. Known for calling BS on outdated notions of grit, Steve shares insights from his latest book, Win the Inside Game, and challenges the idea that suffering is the only path to success. Instead, he makes the case for curiosity, flexibility, and joy as essential ingredients for growth, not just in running, but in life. Together, they explore how identity, external validation, and over-optimization can get in the way of real performance.

Steve explains why some of the fastest runners he's coached only started thriving once they let go of the pressure to be a runner, and how elite athletes like Sara Hall have learned to recalibrate their goals to preserve their peace of mind. He makes the case for ditching the data when it stops serving us, and why meaningful community—not metrics—is what actually makes us better.

They also unpack what running has to teach us about feeling deeply, building connection, and making space for the full human experience. Whether it's the emotional highs of crewing a friend at 2 a.m., the quiet power of a watchless workout, or the absurd relief of pushing an empty jogging stroller just to feel fast again—this conversation is a funny, honest, and refreshing reminder that running doesn't have to be a grind. It can be recess. And maybe that's the whole point.

Up your hydration game LMNT Lemonade and get a sample pack on us!

Register for Run for the Ages 10k!

Check out the Cloud Cap Marathon here!

Thanks to Running Warehouse for supporting The Trailhead. Check out their great selection of everything from shoes to sun hoodies, with free two-day shipping. 

This week on The Trailhead, we're joined by one of the most thoughtful voices in endurance sports writing: Alex Hutchinson. You might know him from his Outside column, Sweat Science, or his bestselling book Endure. But today, we're talking about his newest work—The Explorer's Gene—and what it reveals about why we push into the unknown, whether we're climbing literal mountains or trying the weirdest thing on a menu.

In this wide-ranging and unexpectedly hilarious conversation, we dig into:

• The "explore vs. exploit" dilemma, and how it shows up in our running, routines, and lives
• Why inefficiency is essential to joy and creativity
• How kids (and ultrarunners) are wired for uncertainty
• The effort paradox: why hard things feel more meaningful
• What AI, IKEA furniture, and running have in common

Alex also shares how becoming a parent and moving beyond his "Endurance Science Guy" brand shaped his perspective on curiosity, comfort zones, and career detours.

Whether you're stuck in a rut, planning your next big adventure, or wondering if it's time to zag instead of zig, this one's for you.

This week on The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan put coach and writer Mario Fraioli in the hot seat with their burning trail running questions. 

From "How slow is too slow?" to "When does running become hiking?" we tackle the big, the small, and the existential dilemmas runners face on (and off) the trail.
Come for the laughs, stay for Mario's wisdom, and find out why running might just be a Sisyphean project we willingly signed up for.

Check out Mario on the Morning Shakeout. 

This episode is brought to you by Arc'teryx Footwear. The Vertex Speed is your new go-to for mountain adventures.   Obsessively designed. Athlete-tested.  Trailhead approved.

Available online and in Arc'teryx stores. 

Catch the Trailhead live at Meet the Minotaur Skyrace in June!

What does it mean to live a good life? And can your running practice help you get there? In this episode of The Trailhead, Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard sit down with Sabrina Little: ultrarunner, philosopher, ethics professor, mom of (soon to be) three, and author of The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners.

Sabrina's work sits at the fascinating intersection of character development, everyday ethics, and endurance sports. She teaches philosophy at Christopher Newport University and writes a beloved ethics column for iRunFar—and she's here to explore how running can be a "laboratory for virtue," where our daily choices shape who we become both on and off the trail.

Together, we unpack:

• How running teaches us about moral character (whether we know it or not)
• Everyday ethical choices in sport and life—beyond the big scandals
• Why we hedge the truth (even when no one's watching)
• What it means to celebrate others' success while still chasing your own
• The role of humor and humility in building resilience
• How parenting and philosophy collide 
• And why runners aren't just chasing finish lines—they're practicing becoming better people.

🏃‍♂️ This episode is brought to you by our friends at Running Warehouse!
Running Warehouse makes it easy to gear up for your next big adventure with thousands of in-depth reviews, expert advice, and fast, free shipping. Whether you're chasing vert in the mountains or keeping it local on your home trails, Running Warehouse has you covered with the best brands and the biggest selection of shoes, apparel, and gear. Before you head out for your next run, stock up at Running Warehouse.

Links and Resources:

• 🧩 The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners by Sabrina Little: Buy the book
• 🖋️ Sabrina's ethics column for iRunFar
• Follow Sabrina on Instagram: @sabrina.little

This episode of The Trailhead is hosted by Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard. It's part of the UltraSignup Podcast Network. If you loved this conversation, share it with your trail crew, leave us a review, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an adventure.

Follow the show at @trailheadpod, or drop us a line at trailhead@ultrasignup.com — we'd love to hear your stories, guest ideas, or just say hi! And be sure to check out all the other great shows in the Ultra Podcast Network.

Welcome Brendan Leonard to The Trailhead!
He's the mind behind Semi-Rad, the master of stick figure cartoons, and now, he's Zoë's new co-host on The Trailhead. But instead of the usual "tell us about yourself" intro, we're doing things our way. In this episode, Brendan gets interviewed by the person who knows him best—his mom.

Kathy Leonard pulls no punches in this no-holds-barred sit-down, asking about everything from poop strategies to race regrets.

We also chat about what drew Brendan to ultrarunning, why the middle of the pack is where the magic happens, and how humor helps us survive the weirdest parts of trail running.

We're not here to chase clout or finish lines—we're here for the characters, the comedy, and the community that make this sport what it is.

Fuel your long runs the smart way—with real food ingredients backed by science. 
Grab your free sample pack at skratchlabs.com with code REALFOODFUEL.