The Trailhead

By UltraSignup

What's The Trailhead about?

Buzz Burrell and Corrine Malcolm team up to bring you a lively mix of trail topics, stories and real runner questions. Whether you’re an experienced ultrarunner or newly “trail curious” and just getting started in the sport, start your run with UltraSignUp…and meet us at The Trailhead!

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The Trailhead episodes:

04.30.2024
Comebacks, AI Coaching, Short & Steep Running
Buzz and Corrine chat about staying in the game when you hit a setback, physical, mental or emotional. Corrine talks with Tracer co-founder Joey Wilson about AI coaching and the future of tech in trail running. And Buzz chats with...
04.16.2024
Spring DOMS, Mammoth Trail fest & Cheap Shoes
Corrine and Buzz chat about spring training, how to think about tune-up races, and everything you need to know about that familiar heavy muscle feeling you get after a big effort, known as delayed onset muscle soreness. Corrine talks to...
04.02.2024
The Most Epic Barkley yet? and Adaptive Running with Zach Friedley
Buzz and Corrine talk about what we are all talking about, Jasmin Paris’s epic finish at this year’s Barkley Marathon, a record 5 finishers, and the lore of Barkley. In an interview with Born to Adapt trail race founder, Zach...
03.19.2024
Lululemon’s FURTHER, rising star Anna Gibson and Sleep vs. Eating
Corrine and Buzz talk about the FURTHER ultra event last week in Palm Springs, records shattered by Camille Herron and how the event sought to push scientific understanding of female performance further. Plus, this event really hearkens back to the...
03.05.2024
Community Racing, and the low down on run coaching with CTS’s Jason Koop
Race season is upon us, and Buzz and Corrine chat about how races are the cornerstone of the trail running community and they touch on some of the “closer to home” races they plan to be at this year. Let...
02.20.2024
Shoes, Strava Legend Larissa Rivers, and All Age Running
Buzz and Corrine chat about their favorite shoes and how you can find your perfect pair. Corrine talks with Strava’s Larissa Rivers about community, segments and her local legend status. And Buzz chats with listeners. Christopher asks about training through...
02.06.2024
Mental Health and Ultras with Drew Petersen and KTRW Award Winners
Corrine and Buzz talk all about gear! What you need and what you can leave at home. Corrine interviews professional skier and lifelong runner Drew Petersen. In the most human of ways, Drew shares how he rediscovered running in the...
01.23.2024
Winter Training, Callie Vinson and KTRW Winners
Buzz and Corrine discuss how they use the dreadmill and maintain motivation during the winter months. For more information about Up For Air, check out the website: https://upforairseries.org/ Corrine talks with Callie Vinson about how she conquered her first FKT...
01.09.2024
The Joy of Midwest Trail Running & Questions from Semi-Rad
We’re back! Welcome to Season 3 of The Trailhead. Buzz and Corrine come clean for 2024. There were lots of surprises at the end of 2023. Corrine speaks with Michele Hartwig of Ornery Mule Racing about the joys of Midwest...
12.15.2023
UltraData: Reflecting on 10 Years of UltraSignup Data
As we enter 2024, (how???) we began to realize that the world has changed a lot in the last 10 years. Our data guru, Matt Abbott, decided to take a look back at 10 years of USU stats. He reviews...
11.21.2023
2023 Wrap-Up & 2024 Predictions
In this episode Corrine and Buzz reflect on the most inspirational moments of 2023, share their hot takes from 2023 and look forward to 2024. You’ll also hear from the trail community: coaches, athletes, writers, and podcast listeners. Thanks to:...
11.07.2023
UTMB, BTP and Paragliding
Corrine and Buzz chat about the UTMB/WAM controversy. Then Corrine puts Andy Pearson and Dominic Grossman in the hot seat. She gets all the info on their new podcast “Between Two Pines” Buzz and Lowa Boots athlete Max Siegel talk...
10.24.2023
Rest, Andy Wacker & The Trail Team, Hiking As Training
Buzz and Corrine chat about when to run and when to take time to recover from illness. Corrine interviews professional runner and Trail Team mentor Andy Wacker. Andy recently took 2nd place at the World Mountain Running final and 1st place at...
10.09.2023
Trailrunning Saves the World & Spiritual Strength
As we head into the off season, Buzz and Corrine discuss the benefits of road running and cross training. Corrine interviews Dylan Bowman of Freetrail. He thinks “trail running will save the world” You can get more info about Freetrail...
09.25.2023
Where Buzz's Been, Sacred Stoke, and a Doomed Runner
Buzz has just returned home after a successful trip to the Master’s Trail World Championships. He and Corrine talk about what "World Championship" means in trail running right now and they discuss the athlete and spectator turnout in Madeira. Corrine...
09.11.2023
Walmsley & Dauwalter Rule UTMB, Semi-Rad and Baked Beans
In this episode, Buzz and Corrine marvel over Jim Walmsley, Courtney Dauwalter, and Zach Miller’s performances at UTMB. Then, Corrine talks with artist Brendan Leonard (often known as Semi-Rad) about his ultimate trail race. It includes Dropbag Jeff and all...
08.28.2023
UTMB, Soft Rocking, and Racing a 50k
Buzz and Corrine are in Chamonix. UTMB is all anyone is talking about. They discuss who to watch and try to make sense of the “stones” qualification system. Corrine talks with UltraSignup’s Rob Goyen about Dirt Circus trail party happening this fall. ...
08.14.2023
Zoë Rom, Tina Muir, and Buzz’s Skyrace
Buzz and Corrine chat about Buzz’s skyrace experience in Norway. Then Corrine interviews Zoë Rom and Tina Muir about their new book, Becoming a Sustainable Runner: A Guide to Running for Life, Community, and Planet. “A healthy planet depends on...
07.31.2023
The Leans, Otter Pops, and Goldfish Memory
After Corrine placed 3rd at the Cascade Crest 100, Buzz and Corrine discuss whether running 100 miles is fun or just hard? And we learn how useful “goldfish memory” can be. Corrine then interviews last year’s UTMB winner, Katie Schide, about...
07.17.2023
Pacing Style, Elk Traverse, and Advice for Young Runners
After Courtney Dauwalter set a new record at Western States without a pacer, Buzz and Corrine discuss the pros and cons of having someone run with you. Corrine interviews Michael Wirth about his full moon Elk Traverse FKT (54 miles,...
07.03.2023
Courtney’s Run for Office, Salt, and Rattlesnakes
“Courtney wasn’t running out of her mind,” said Corrine in this week’s episode, “but her running was making us lose our minds.” This week, Buzz and Corrine talk Western States 2023, and contextualize Courtney Dauwalter rewriting the record books. “You’re...
06.19.2023
Broken Arrow Recap, UTMB History, and Buzz’s Ember
Our podcast hosts, Buzz Burrell and Corrine Malcolm, discuss all the action that took place at the Broken Arrow Skyraces. (Buzz won his age group and the age group below in the VK race!) Experience the Broken Arrow Excitement by...
06.05.2023
Broken Arrow, Skyraces, Via Ferratas, and Race the Cog
In this episode, Corrine chats with Brendan Madigan and Scott Rokis about the Broken Arrow Skyrace and UltraSignup’s live coverage of the event starting June 16. Then Buzz and Jamil Coury unpack Aravaipa Running’s recent partnership with White Mountain Endurance. The two of them...
05.22.2023
Drop Bags, DNFs, and Barefoot Shoes on Techy Terrain
On this week’s episode of The Trailhead, Corrine and Buzz ask a tricky question: Who’s the most important runner in the sport? Then, we hear from Heather Balogh Rochfort about handling the highs and lows of ultrarunning. See more of...
05.08.2023
Livestreams, Running with Dogs, and Birthday Run Projects
Race season is here! And with live events, comes live streaming. Corrine and Buzz go over the latest news in livestreams from UTMB, Golden Trail Series, and UltraSignup’s very own foray. Then, Jen Sotolongo is back, talking to Corrine about the...
04.24.2023
Women Who FKT, Mandatory Gear, & Leaping From 100K to 100 Miles
On this episode of The Trailhead, Corrine and Buzz dive into safety and mandatory gear lists. They may seem overwhelming, especially depending on the country you’re racing in, but will you ever regret following them? Then, Corrine talks to Jen...
04.10.2023
Snowpack, Hellah Run Streaks, and Base Building
As we creep towards peak race season, Corrine and Buzz discuss how record snowfall this year could affect this summer’s events. Then, Corrine interviews Hellah Sidibe, former professional soccer player turned professional runner. They talk about his journey to ultrarunning, his...
03.27.2023
Trail Lore: Barkley, Learning Moments, and Racing Culture
Two weeks ago, we were all glued to Keith Dunn’s twitter page refreshing for updates on ultrarunning’s best-known secret. So this week, Corrine and Buzz dive into the Barkley Marathons (also see our beautiful photo piece on the race). Corrine...
03.13.2023
Becoming a Pro, Taming Dragons, & New England Gnar
This week, Corrine and Buzz talk about what it takes to become a sponsored athlete—is it really just follower count? Corrine interviews Jenn Hughes, former editor-in-chief of UltraSignup News about her experience facing dragons and searching for joy during the blizzard year of...
02.27.2023
How to Cope: Injury, Runner's Low and Racing at Altitude
This week, Buzz and Corrine get real about how they tackle injury and the healing process. Then, Corrine interviews Emily Halnon about the emotional crash she experienced after running her dream race, the Hardrock 100. Emily first wrote about this in "The Runner's Low" for UltraSignup...
02.13.2023
Pro Runners Unite, Andrew Drummond, and KTRW Award Winners.
This week, Buzz and Corrine talk about the Pro Trail Runners Association (PTRA), a non-profit based in Switzerland that Corrine helped found. Corrine interviews Andrew Drummond, from Run the Whites, about our UltraSignup News article “Rock hopping with Run the Whites,” and his ultra-journey from...
01.30.2023
Arlen Glick and our Keep Trail Running Weird Award Winners
This week is a fun one! Buzz and Corrine discuss the best trail runners of 2022. You can read Buzz's Top 10 Cliff's Notes here: https://news.ultrasignup.com/the-best-of-the-best-2022/ Corrine interviews ultrarunning champion Arlen Glick about his fantastic race season and training in less than ideal...
01.16.2023
Year in Review, Predictions Ahead, and Allie Mac!
We’re back for Season 2! Buzz and Corrine talk “best of the year” 2022 and run through their 2023 predictions. Corrine predicts an increase in tibial stress reactions (due to carbon shoe proliferation) and Buzz admits that he’s run FKTs...
12.23.2022
BONUS - UltraData Podcast: The Hardest Trail Races of 2022
***NEW PODCAST*** This ain't your normal Trailhead! We'd like to introduce a new podcast that we thought you might enjoy, UltraData. Matt Abbott walks us through how to develop an algorithm to rank UltraSignup’s races by difficulty. Along the way,...
11.14.2022
Doping up, staying resilient, and starting again.
Illegal drugs are cropping up in the running world again; Buzz and Corrine talk testing and their own performance enhancing strategies. Then Corrine interviews Anita Cardinal, a Cree activist and lawyer, about running, resilience, and representation. Finally, Buzz and caller Jane...
10.31.2022
World Record DNFs, being a Long Run dad, and when to “just smile”
Corrine and Buzz chat about the recent Backyard World Championships and how it’s possible to set a world record and DNF at the same time?! Corrine talks to elite marathoner Peter Bromka about balancing parenting and the long run, diving...
10.17.2022
What’s the name of the game?
Corrine and Buzz talk about “crushing” and “dominating” on the trails with writer and pro-athlete Meg Mackenzie who penned the thought provoking article “Annihilate That Course and Obliterate Your Competition.” Does using violent language influence our sport experience? The...
10.03.2022
Advice from another planet, the lure of 4.167, and running’s most common injury.
Description: Corrine and Buzz break down Kilian Jornet’s exhaustive new blog recapping his 2022 training with micro-details including his workouts, nutrition, sleep, stress and more. Are there usable tips for a “normie” runner or is Kilian simply from another planet? Next, Corrine...
09.19.2022
The Growth of Trail Running, Carbon Fiber Shoes and Real Runner Questions about The Bear
In this episode, Corrine and Buzz chat about the expansion of trail running media coverage and how runners can “vote with their feet” to keep the smaller races alive. Then, Corrine talks to shoe guru Brian Metzler about carbon fiber...
09.05.2022
UTMB Recap, Reimagining the FKT, and a Fast Hike with Jelly Beans
This week, fresh off her role as a live commentator, Corrine and Buzz go behind-the-scenes at UTMB. Then Corrine sits down with Oregon PCT FKT holder Emily Halnon to learn about: her unique experience setting a new record with enthusiastic...
08.16.2022
Coming Soon - The Trailhead From UltraSignup
Buzz Burrell and Corrine Malcolm team up to bring you a lively mix of trail topics, stories, and real runner questions. Whether you’re an experienced ultrarunner or newly “trail curious” and just getting started in the sport, start your run...

What's The Trailhead about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Trailhead episodes:

Comebacks, AI Coaching, Short & Steep Running

Spring DOMS, Mammoth Trail fest & Cheap Shoes

The Most Epic Barkley yet? and Adaptive Running with Zach Friedley

Lululemon’s FURTHER, rising star Anna Gibson and Sleep vs. Eating

Community Racing, and the low down on run coaching with CTS’s Jason Koop

Shoes, Strava Legend Larissa Rivers, and All Age Running

Mental Health and Ultras with Drew Petersen and KTRW Award Winners

Winter Training, Callie Vinson and KTRW Winners

The Joy of Midwest Trail Running & Questions from Semi-Rad

UltraData: Reflecting on 10 Years of UltraSignup Data

2023 Wrap-Up & 2024 Predictions

UTMB, BTP and Paragliding

Rest, Andy Wacker & The Trail Team, Hiking As Training

Trailrunning Saves the World & Spiritual Strength

Where Buzz's Been, Sacred Stoke, and a Doomed Runner

Walmsley & Dauwalter Rule UTMB, Semi-Rad and Baked Beans

UTMB, Soft Rocking, and Racing a 50k

Zoë Rom, Tina Muir, and Buzz’s Skyrace

The Leans, Otter Pops, and Goldfish Memory

Pacing Style, Elk Traverse, and Advice for Young Runners

Courtney’s Run for Office, Salt, and Rattlesnakes

Broken Arrow Recap, UTMB History, and Buzz’s Ember

Broken Arrow, Skyraces, Via Ferratas, and Race the Cog

Drop Bags, DNFs, and Barefoot Shoes on Techy Terrain

Livestreams, Running with Dogs, and Birthday Run Projects

Women Who FKT, Mandatory Gear, & Leaping From 100K to 100 Miles

Snowpack, Hellah Run Streaks, and Base Building

Trail Lore: Barkley, Learning Moments, and Racing Culture

Becoming a Pro, Taming Dragons, & New England Gnar

How to Cope: Injury, Runner's Low and Racing at Altitude

Pro Runners Unite, Andrew Drummond, and KTRW Award Winners.

Arlen Glick and our Keep Trail Running Weird Award Winners

Year in Review, Predictions Ahead, and Allie Mac!

BONUS - UltraData Podcast: The Hardest Trail Races of 2022

Doping up, staying resilient, and starting again.

World Record DNFs, being a Long Run dad, and when to “just smile”

What’s the name of the game?

Advice from another planet, the lure of 4.167, and running’s most common injury.

The Growth of Trail Running, Carbon Fiber Shoes and Real Runner Questions about The Bear

UTMB Recap, Reimagining the FKT, and a Fast Hike with Jelly Beans

Coming Soon - The Trailhead From UltraSignup