In Episode 87 of Trail Society, the gang is back together for a deep dive into the intersection of ultra running and cognitive performance. Corrine, Hillary, and Keely unpack recent research from the world of Backyard Ultras, where a group of Belgian scientists explored the effects of extreme endurance on the brain. The study, conducted during an April 2023 event, found that while sleep deprivation and fatigue did slow reaction times, for the athletes that lasted the longest, physical performance remained stable. This episode explores how mental fortitude — the ability to push through the struggle to continue — might be just as critical as physical endurance in ultra running and beyond. Can the mental endurance required for these extreme races teach us how to better manage our effort and focus in other areas of life?

We also shift gears into the world of self-esteem and positive self-talk, exploring how these mental strategies can enhance athletic performance and improve overall well-being. With insights from psychological research, Hillary guides us through the latest findings on how positive self-talk can boost motivation and confidence in athletes. Whether you're running a race or tackling a big challenge in life, the ability to stay focused, motivated, and positive can make all the difference. Tune in for a conversation on how ultra runners and everyday athletes alike can leverage their mental game to go further, faster, and stronger.

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This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

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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!

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Articles:

Outside: How Often Should You Replace Your Sports Bra? https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/how-often-should-you-replace-sports-bra/

Outside Debrief on Backyard Ultra Article by Alex Hutchinson: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/effects-of-backyard-ultras/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11451558/

Self Esteem and Self-talk Articles:

Orth, U., & Robins, R. W. (2022). Is high self-esteem beneficial? Revisiting a classic question.American Psychologist, 77(1), 5–17.

https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2022-48842-002.html

Park SH, Lim BS, Lim ST. The Effects of Self-Talk on Shooting Athletes' Motivation. J Sports Sci Med. 2020 Aug 13;19(3):517-521. PMID: 32874104; PMCID: PMC7429435.

Join hosts Corrine Malcolm and Keely Henninger as they delve deep into the art of fueling for success, with a special focus on Corrine’s upcoming race at the Javelina Jundred.

In this episode, they talk about some of the latest research on carbohydrates, emphasizing individualization of carbohydrate ingestion and how body size and gender can impact glucose oxidation rates. With Javelina around the corner, Corrine reveals how she plans to implement her carbohydrate-rich fueling plan to ensure peak performance on race day.

Plus, they touch on the race results and the latest developments in women’s sports, including contract changes in the NWSL and the launch of Allyson Felix's new sports management firm designed to empower female athletes.

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

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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:

Alyson Felix Launches Female Focused SM

NSWL announces disciplinary action to Angel City FC

Women's Marathon Record Goes Down - NPR

Exogenous Glucose Intake and Body Size

In Episode 84 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm and Keely Henninger take a critical look at the contentious topic of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), diving deep into a recent article that questions the syndrome's validity and its implications for athlete health. They engage in a lively debate about how RED-S is diagnosed and whether it risks becoming a catch-all term, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to athlete care. The episode also touches on the broader issues surrounding the wellness industry, prompted by findings from Lulu Lemon's Global Wellbeing Report, which highlight the societal pressures that can lead to “wellbeing burnout.” Additionally, the hosts celebrate the Athlos track meet as a pivotal moment in elevating women’s running, sharing updates on significant race results, including Tara Dower's remarkable FKT on the Appalachian Trail and Careth Arnold's course record at The Bear. With listener questions and personal anecdotes, this episode challenges listeners to rethink their understanding of health and performance in the athletic realm

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

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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

Sources/Links:

Athlos Track Meet by Christine Yu https://christinemyu.substack.com/p/a-night-at-the-track?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ6HOiHhRZjKv4GqQIqNUw-BT7ByRjhVDH2vva5vCHzBnOpHAPSWUXM6vo_aem_5iYrgqcOkEqp70qYE6_tsw

Lululemon Wellness Industry Report: https://sportswirewomen.com/lululemons-global-wellbeing-report-shows-the-pressure-to-keep-up-with-wellbeing-is-making-people-feel-unwell/

Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist? https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-024-02108-y

McKenndre Hickory House Fire fundraiser: https://www.freefunder.com/campaign/hickory-house-fire

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

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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

In this episode, Keely and Corrine delve into the 2024 Olympics Games, which marks the first Olympics to achieve gender parity. They discuss notable moments in sports that emphasize mental health, embracing femininity, and celebrating all body types. They also highlight some of the top moments in sports witnessed at the games. Furthermore, they candidly reflect on their own experiences with injuries and burnout, discussing coping mechanisms, the role of sports in shaping identity, and providing valuable tips for overcoming the challenges posed by injuries.

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:

Gender Parity at Olympics 2024:https://www.npr.org/2024/07/31/g-s1-14470/paris-games-is-gender-equal-olympics

Post injury depression in athletes: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/149233074.pdf

Narrative review on injury and mental health: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/50/3/145.short

Sports Injury and Stress Disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9189434/#:~:text=Traumatic%20stress%20disorder%20is%20seen,from%20returning%20to%20

Visualization techniques in sport: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344587632_Visualisation_techniques_in_sport_-_the_mental_road_map_for_success

In this episode, Corrine, Keely, and Hillary talk with Shalaya Kipp. Shalaya Kipp was an All- American out of CU Boulder and a 2012 Olympian in the 3000m steeplechase, among other amazing running endeavors. She got her feet wet in exercise physiology by studying the energetics of the steeplechase and energetics of super shoes at CU Boulder where she got her Masters in integrative physiology. She then obtained her PhD from the University of British Columbia in exercise physiology with an emphasis on the respiratory system focusing on sex and age and is now at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota as a research fellow. In this interview we dive into some of her early work on the development of the super shoe, think Nike 4%, talk about her Olympic career and the transition to full-time research candidate and mother, and finally dive into her latest work with a deep dive into sports bras.

You can follow Shalaya here: @shalayakipp

If you are a 40+ Master's athlete who has been in endurance sport for a long time and are interested in her latest study, find more here: www.mayoclinic.org/athlete

Sponsors:

www.thefeed.com/trailsociety

$ 20 feed credit to spend

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Links:

Knix and your Period: https://knix.com/blogs/knix-blog/megan-rapinoe-talks-about-period-stigma-and-the-sport-your-period-campaign-with-knix-founder

Sports Bra Restriciton on Respiratory Mechanics: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/abstract/2024/06000/sports_bra_restriction_on_respiratory_mechanics.18.aspx

Running economy improved with high support

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9237383/