Trail Society - podcast cover

Trail Society

Keely Henninger, Corrine Malcolm, and Hillary Allen are three professional trail runners looking to utilize their experience as athletes and scientists to foster community and discussion around new and challenging topics in the world of trail running, training and racing, and equality
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 103: Western States Debrief with Corrine Malcolm and Top-10 Finisher Keely Henninger

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 Kee...

Jul 01, 20251 hr 6 min

Episode 102: Caring for Female Athletes with Dr. Lauren Puretz: PCOS, Endometriosis, and Pregnancy

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...

Jun 17, 20251 hr 11 min

Episode 101: Caring for Female Athletes with Dr. Lauren Puretz: Hormones, Birth Control & Fertility

In Episode 101 of Trail Society, OB/GYN, ultrarunner, and mom of two Dr. Lauren Puretz joins Corrine, Keely, and Hillary for a candid and insightful conversation about puberty, birth control, and fertility in female athletes. Drawing from both her medical practice and personal experience as an elite endurance athlete, Dr. Puretz breaks down complex topics like energy availability, menstrual health, and hormonal birth control, offering practical advice for athletes navigating these issues. The di...

Jun 03, 20251 hr 12 min

100th Episode: What We’ve Learned, Loved, and Laughed About

Welcome to Episode 100 of Trail Society! We could not have made it to 100 episodes without all of your support! In this special AMA-style celebration, Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen are back at it—fielding your most thoughtful, hilarious, and heartfelt questions. From Tiger Claw race recaps (hello Big Cat challenge!) to recovery updates and favorite gear drops (psst... the new rabbit Venture shorts are awesome), this episode is packed with stories, reflections, and realness....

May 20, 20251 hr

Episode 99: Keely’s Journey Back to Western States: From Medical School to the Canyons 100k Podium

In this milestone 99th episode of Trail Society, we go all-in on Keely Henninger’s third-place finish at the Canyons 100K, earning her a coveted Golden Ticket to Western States. Keely walks us through her decision to return to Western States, how she managed training on reduced mileage while in med school, and the strategies she used to stay consistent under immense pressure. We dig into the physiology, planning, and mindset shifts that made this comeback possible—including how stepping away fro...

May 06, 20251 hr 8 min

Episode 98: Carbs, Creatine & Protein: A Nutrition Deep Dive with Sports Dietician Claire Shorenstein

In Episode 98 of Trail Society, Corrine, Keely, and Hillary recap a big weekend at the Gorge Waterfalls races, touching on standout performances, course records, and the ongoing shift toward spring in the Pacific Northwest. Hillary shares a candid update about choosing to skip a race for safety reasons, tying back to last week’s episode on trail harassment. The team also celebrates Abby Hall’s last-minute golden ticket to Western States, and they highlight key results from Desert Rats, Mad City,...

Apr 22, 20251 hr 36 min

Episode 97: Juggling Medical School and Racing: The Unbalanced Life of an Elite Athlete

In Episode 97 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen dive into a wide range of topics, including the latest news in the world of sports and personal updates from their busy lives. They cover the historic election of Kirsty Coventry as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, along with the growing momentum of women’s basketball, highlighted by record-breaking viewership during March Madness. The episode also touches on the latest dev...

Apr 08, 20251 hr 13 min

Episode 96: Empowered Running: Safety, Support, and Strength on the Trails

In this exciting episode of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen dive into a diverse mix of topics ranging from science news to runner safety. The episode kicks off with a reflection on Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, followed by a discussion on recent sports science advancements, including a groundbreaking study on the possibility of female athletes breaking the 4-minute mile barrier. The trio explores a new study modeling how drafting co...

Mar 25, 20251 hr 24 min

Episode 95: Morgan Smith and Naiomi Hunter: Advancing Athletic Performance with Menstrual Cycle Research and Wearables

In episode 95 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Keely Henninger, and Hillary Allen sit down with two standout researchers from Stanford University—Dr. Morgan Smith and Naiomi Hunter—for an insightful conversation about the intersection of women's health, athletic performance, and wearable technology. Dr. Smith, a sport scientist, coach, and postdoctoral fellow with the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at Stanford, is passionate about how physiology and metabolism influence performance, ...

Mar 11, 20251 hr 38 min

Episode 94: Tarawera Recap, Balancing Training, Listening to Your Body, and Moving Beyond One Race Outcome

Join hosts Corrine Malcolm and Hillary Allen as they recap their experience at the Tarawera Ultramarathon in New Zealand. They discuss the challenges of balancing different training demands, listening to their bodies, and not letting one race result define them. The conversation includes reflections on training blocks, race outcomes, and personal experiences, highlighting the importance of goal alignment and processing setbacks. They also dive into the importance of teamwork in addressing mistak...

Mar 04, 20251 hr 20 min

Episode 94: Tarawera Recap and Balancing Different Training Demands, Listening to Your Body, and Not Letting One Race Outcome Define You

In Episode 94 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm and Hillary Allen recap their experience at the Tarawera Ultramarathon in New Zealand. They discuss the challenges of balancing different training demands, listening to their bodies, and not letting one race result define them. The conversation includes reflections on training blocks, race outcomes, and personal experiences, highlighting the importance of goal alignment and processing setbacks. They also dive into the importance of teamwork i...

Feb 25, 20251 hr 20 min

Episode 93: Breaking Down Athlete Contracts, Sponsorship News, and a Deep Dive into Why Iron Is Important

In Episode 93 of Trail Society, Corrine, Keely, and Hillary discuss the latest athlete contract news as the new year continues, touching on Keely's decision to forgo a formal sponsorship, Hillary's experience renegotiating with Brooks, and Corrine's new role with HOKA. The episode also celebrates National Girls and Women in Sport Day, highlighting key updates in women’s sports, including exciting new sponsorships and efforts toward greater parity in gravel cycling. With upcoming races like Black...

Feb 11, 20251 hr 10 min

Episode 92: Empowering Girls in Sport Through Bras for Girls with Dr. Sarah Lesko

In this episode of Trail Society, Dr. Sarah Lesko, the Executive Director of the non-profit Bras for Girls, joins the hosts to share her unique journey from collegiate running at Yale to her work in medicine and community health. Dr. Lesko discusses how her passion for running, coupled with her background as a family doctor and public health advocate, led her to co-found Bras for Girls, a program dedicated to providing sports bras to girls, ensuring they have the support they need to participate...

Jan 28, 20251 hr 27 min

Episode 91: Finding Your North Star & Falling in Love With the Process

In this episode of Trail Society, Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger dive into the topic of goal setting for athletes, focusing on the importance of aligning both goals and values to enhance performance and motivation. They discuss the common tension between being process-oriented versus outcome-driven, and how athletes often get caught up in the race calendar without understanding their deeper "why" or core values. The conversation emphasizes how discovering your personal "Nort...

Jan 14, 20251 hr 13 min

Episode 90: Leela Srinivasan on Parity, the Fight for Women's Sports Equity and the Economic Realities of Women Athletes

In Episode 90 of Trail Society, we sit down with Leela Srinivasan, the CEO of Parity Now, a pioneering platform that aims to close the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports. Parity, founded in 2020, works with over 1,000 women athletes across 80+ sports, from archery to weightlifting, empowering athletes through impactful brand partnerships. Leela, a runner, mother, and passionate advocate for women's sports, brings her unique perspective to the conversation, exploring how her...

Dec 31, 20241 hr 28 min

Episode 89: Trailblazing Through Transitions: Reflecting on 2024 and Running Toward 2025

In Episode 89 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger reflect on their personal journeys and careers, answering listener questions about their professional paths and how they found success in their respective fields. They explore topics such as Keely's decision to finally pursue medical school after many different pursuits, Hillary’s evolving relationship with sport and her partnership with Brooks, and Corrine’s entry into broadcasting. The hosts also share in...

Dec 17, 20241 hr 19 min

Episode 88: Ask Us Anything: Getting Creative with Training, Nutrition, and Community Insights

In episode 88 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger take a deep dive into all things trail running as they answer listener questions in a special "Ask Us Anything" format. From training theories to nutrition hacks, they tackle everything from treadmill hill intervals to how to train for mountain races while living in an urban environment. The trio also shares their personal must-do exercises for the off-season, discusses the nuances of ultra-marathon trainin...

Dec 03, 20241 hr 17 min

Episode 87: This is Your Brain on Ultras - Unlocking the Mental Strategies That Fuel Endurance Success

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 performanc...

Nov 19, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 87

Episode 86: Running Her Own Race: Hannah Allgood's Second Place Finish at Her First 100-miler, the JJ100.

In this episode of Trail Society, join hosts Keely and Corrine as they dive into an inspiring conversation with Hannah Allgood, who secured second place at her first 100-mile race, Javalina Jundred. Hannah shares insights into her season, which included diverse races like Chuckanut 50k, Gorge 30k, Transvulcania, and Istria 101k, detailing her preparation and the strategic choices behind each race. She discusses her journey leading up to Javelina, emphasizing the importance of running her own rac...

Nov 06, 20241 hr 29 min

Episode 85: Creating Race-Specific Fueling Plans and the Evolving Landscape for Female Athletes

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 pea...

Oct 22, 20241 hr 5 min

Episode 84: Is RED-S Real? The Nuances of Low Energy Availability, The Wellness Industry, and Athlos Track

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 s...

Oct 08, 20241 hr 12 min

Episode 83: Period Products at Races, Birth Control Use in Female Endurance Athletes and Mental Strategies to Cope with a DNF

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 cho...

Sep 24, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 83

Episode 82: UTMB Breakthroughs, Rising Women's Finishing Rates, and Racing for Longevity

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 ac...

Sep 10, 20241 hr 7 min

Episode 81: Winning at All Costs: The Dilemma of Integrity and Performance in Sports

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 athlet...

Aug 27, 20241 hr 19 minEp. 81

Episode 80: Healing and Triumph: Gender Parity, Mental Health, and Overcoming Injuries at the 2024 Olympics

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 ...

Aug 13, 20241 hr 26 minEp. 80

Episode 79: Super Shoes, Sports Bras, and Merging Athletic Passion with Research feat. Dr. Shalaya Kipp

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...

Jul 30, 20241 hr 34 minEp. 79

Episode 78: New Research Updates on the Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Performance and Return to Sport After Periods of Low Energy Availability

In this episode, Keely, Corrine, and Hillary discuss various life events and races before delving into recent research. First, they explore the current state of menstrual cycle research, highlighting areas of improvement and those that still have a way to go. They then discuss the impact of menstrual-related symptoms on mental health and spatial performance. As coaches, they share their approaches to addressing the menstrual cycle for athletes who menstruate, including tracking the cycle and ada...

Jul 18, 20241 hr 19 min

Episode 77: Here for the Women’s Race, Running versus Hiking Uphill, and Recapping the Western States 100 and Lavaredo

In this episode, Keely, Corrine, and Hillary discuss their experiences at both the Western States 100 and Lavaredo trail races from last weekend. They kick off the episode by talking about the “Here for the Women’s Race” movement at the Western States 100 and then dive into a viewer question about hiking versus running on steep terrain and how to determine when one is more efficient than the other. The Western States 100 produced the fastest times in history, with Katie Schide and Jim Walmsley w...

Jul 03, 20241 hr 8 min

Episode 76: Western States Women’s Elite field preview, sports bras and breathing mechanics, and the role of short, hard efforts in ultramarathon training

In this episode, Corrine and Keely delve deep into the women’s elite field at the Western States 2024. But first, they discuss the importance of running shorter, harder races and workouts in ultra and trail running. They also talk about some new research on sports bras and the impact of improper fit on breathing mechanics. Then, they delve into how athletes who are mothers, first-timers, and masters athletes may impact the race this year for the infamous cougar in Auburn. Sports bras and breathi...

Jun 18, 20241 hr 2 min

Episode 75: Understanding UTMB’s Drug Testing Policy, Why Having Enough Iron is Important for Performance, and Allocating Recovery All Season Long

In this episode, Corrine, Keely, and Hillary cover some fascinating topics. They start off by discussing the recent UTMB press release about their new drug testing policy and the involvement of WADA. Then, they dive into the importance of maintaining iron stores in athletes for optimal recovery and performance. Finally, they explore the significance of prioritizing recovery after races and how this can vary based on factors such as race effort, season placement, and race result. They also share ...

Jun 04, 20241 hr 21 min
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android