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Lauren Gregory's meteoric rise in trail running has been anything but straightforward. From contemplating quitting mid-season to standing on podiums at major races, her journey exemplifies the rollercoaster nature of elite athletics.

Speaking from Boulder, Colorado—a place she calls home—Lauren opens up about managing an Achilles injury that has forced her to adapt her training. Rather than viewing this setback as purely negative, she's discovered unexpected benefits from cross-training on the bike: "It's nice when the cross-train doesn't take from your soul." Most surprisingly, she's found her hiking ability—previously a weakness—has improved dramatically, potentially giving her an edge on technical uphill sections.

As the conversation shifts to race strategy for upcoming championships at Sunapee and Broken Arrow, Lauren reveals her thoughtful approach to two-loop courses. "The expectation is to make the team; the goal is to win," she says with remarkable clarity. This balanced perspective comes despite the pressure of following up her breakthrough 2023 season, which culminated in podium finishes at Headlands and the Golden Trail World Series final.

Working with coach Ben True, Lauren has fully committed to trail running after transitioning from track. Her training philosophy emphasizes quality over quantity in racing: "I'd rather under race seasons than over race." While ultra distances intrigue her, she respects the progression required, planning to "add an hour every year" to her racing distances.

What emerges is a portrait of an athlete who combines natural talent with strategic thinking and self-awareness. Despite being young in the sport, Lauren demonstrates wisdom in her training decisions, recovery priorities, and career planning that suggests she'll be a force in trail running for years to come.

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Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com! 

Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com!