"Someone I loved once gave me a box of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift." -Mary Oliver

Trail running IS the path that led Sylvie Abel to a place of confidence, gratitude, and freedom. A path she had to carve out of darkness.

Sylvie is fresh off of an exciting race at the Big Alta 100k, where she finished third in a very tight race across the podium - citing gratitude as her primary tool for performance on the day. In this episode, we hear Sylvie's story of the path it took to get there, and the depth to which trail running has impacted her life and who she has become.

You can find and follow Sylvie at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/sylvie.abel

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find and follow all things Women of Distance at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

*Women of Distance is supported by ⁠⁠SOAR Running⁠⁠!

SOAR design and produce running apparel that does justice to the commitment and passion of runners globally. Their collections are designed specifically for running, for high performance racing, and also for off-road adventure and endurance. Find them at ⁠⁠soarrunning.com⁠⁠

*This podcast is also supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Responsible fueling for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Passion Mango Tango is my current favorite!

Stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon! Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

*Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us. Thank you!

Lindsay Allison has been consistently rising with the tide of elite women in trail and ultrarunning.

From falling in love with the style of trail running and it's community at a critical time in her life - to elite and world class racing as a professional runner for Altra; the sport has been an avenue for exercising freedom, self discovery, and healing.

Behind the scenes of an externally successful pattern of growth, Lindsay has also struggled with her health and mental health - and in this episode, we go deep into discussing how those challenges weave through her story, the work she's done to address and grow, and how that has impacted both her life and her performance.

You can find and follow Lindsay at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/l_allison

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Find and follow all things Women of Distance at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

*Women of Distance is supported by ⁠SOAR Running⁠! SOAR design and produce running apparel that does justice to the commitment and passion of runners globally. Their collections are designed specifically for running, for high performance racing, and also for off-road adventure and endurance. Find them at ⁠soarrunning.com⁠

*This podcast is also supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Responsible fueling for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Passion Mango Tango is my current favorite! Stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

*Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us. Thank you!

Ellaney Matarese just finished seventh at the 2026 Black Canyon 100k, competing with an experienced and world class field in her first 100k race ever... with only about six months of trail experience behind her!

At 22 years old, Ellaney has a fascinating story. She is full of confidence, curiosity, and depth - and only just getting started!

You can find and follow Ellaney at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellaneym

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find and follow all things Women of Distance at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

*Women of Distance is supported by SOAR Running!SOAR design and produce running apparel that does justice to the commitment and passion of runners globally. Their collections are designed specifically for running, for high performance racing, and also for off-road adventure and endurance.Find them at soarrunning.com

*This podcast is also supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Responsible fueling for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Passion Mango Tango is my current favorite! Stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

*Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us. Thank you!

Holly Ranson is fresh off of a golden-ticket-earning performance at the Tarawera 102k, where she finished fourth in a highly competitive women's race!

She is also the Australian women's record holder in the 24-Hour event, silver medalist at the IAU 24 Hour World Champs last summer, and Australian women's backyard-ultra record holder!

In this episode, we get to know who Holly is behind and between all of those accomplishments; as well as hear the full story of her race at Tarawera and her plans and perspectives as she prepares for her first trip to the Western States 100 this summer!

You can find and follow Holly at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/hollyrranson

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find and follow all things Women of Distance at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠⁠⁠⁠

*This podcast is produced with support from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Responsible fueling for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Passion Mango Tango is my current fav. And stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

*Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us. Thank you!

Heather Jackson is a legend in endurance sport, who needs no introduction by way of accomplishments. What makes her most interesting and inspiring, however, is who she is amidst and between the accomplishments.

This is a longer conversation as we unpack that depth, and who she's still becoming as a masters athlete in her third phase of elite competitive sport.

In the first half of this episode, Lauren and Heather talk about her story of coming up in sport - from collegiate and Olympic development ice hockey to world class triathlon to elite ultra-trail and gravel cycling. Hear how each step of her journey, and the people along the way, shaped who she is as an athlete and whole human.

In the second half we talked about mental and emotional maturity, shifting motivations and inspirations, connecting with community, and seeking broader experience and adventure.

Heather is a woman who really leads by example, without necessarily trying or thinking of herself that way. She cares deeply about what she does, who she shares it with, and how she connects to the world and spaces around her.

You can find and follow Heather at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/hjacksonracing

Also find Eric Lagerstrom's "Look For Things Where You Can Find Them", referenced in our conversation, here on YouTube.

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You can find and follow Women of Distance at: ⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠⁠⁠

*This podcast is produced with support from ⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠!

Responsible fueling for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠ .

Passion Mango Tango is my current fav. And stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

*Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us!

Welcome to The Black Canyon 100k Women's Elite Field Preview - presented by SOAR Running!

On Women of Distance, our race previews are different: You'll hear from a deep field of athletes including those you may already recognize, those you may not - but should, and even familiar faces who are new to this race or distance.

You won't hear outside opinions, analysis, or predictions - but rather directly from each athlete: their own words, thoughts, feelings, and goals heading into the February 14th race.

Because of the depth, we've split this preview into two separate episodes. This one features the athletes coming to the Black Canyon 100k and/or the 100k distance for the first time.

After listening to the episode, check out the accompanying playlist created by the elite field, just for you!

⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Wqfum2986zufkHMJLOByZ?si=_8Oc1RYRSBSg5wVRe2jb7w&pi=MdlaNcL4Skizo⁠

In this episode:

-Anne Flower ("Thunderstruck", AC/DC)

-Jennifer Lichter ("Seventeen", Sjowgren)

-Caitriona Jennings ("Oats in the Water", Ben Howard)

-Tabor Hemming ("WAP", Cardi B.)

-Sofie Schunk ("Take a Look Around", Limp Bizkit)

-Ellaney Matarese ("Victory Lap", Fred Again)

-Sydney Welch ("Make of it", Half Alive)

-Imogen Ainsworth ("Dancer", IDLES)

-Deanna Doane ("Lets Go", Trick Daddy)

*This project is present by ⁠Soar Running⁠

SOAR design and produce running apparel that does justice to the commitment and passion of runners globally. Encompassing textile innovation, pioneering design technology, sports science and the real-world experiences of runners.

Their collections are designed specifically for running, for high performance racing, and also for off-road adventure and endurance.

Find them at soarrunning.com

Women of Distance is also supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Fueling your needs, for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

We're kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us!

Welcome to The Black Canyon 100k Women's Elite Field Preview - presented by SOAR Running!

On Women of Distance, our race previews are different: You'll hear from a deep field of athletes including those you may already recognize, those you may not - but should, and even familiar faces who are new to this race or distance.

You won't hear outside opinions, analysis, or predictions - but rather directly from each athlete: their own words, thoughts, feelings, and goals heading into the February 14th race.

Because of the depth, we've split this preview into two separate episodes. This one features the veterans who have run the Black Canyon 100k before.

After listening to the episode, check out the accompanying playlist created by the elite field, just for you!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Wqfum2986zufkHMJLOByZ?si=_8Oc1RYRSBSg5wVRe2jb7w&pi=MdlaNcL4Skizo

In this episode:

-Riley Brady ("Opalite", Taylor Swift)

-Tara Dower ("A New Day Has Come", Celine Dion)

-Abby Hall ("Full Nelson", Limp Bizkit)

-Shea Aquilano ("Marathon", Connor Price)

-Anna McKenna ("Big Dawgs", Kalmi and Hanumankind)

-Nicole Hanson ("The Fate of Ophelia", Taylor Swift)

-Jenna Bensko ("Cornfield Chase", Hans Zimmer)

-Natalie Sandoval ("Born Again", LISA)

-Corinne Shalvoy ("Back to Friends", Sombr)

-Becca Bramley ("Jungle", Fred Again)

-Madison Liechty ("Golden", KPop Demon Hunters)

-Elise Lagerstrom ("Waterfalls", James Hype)

*This project is present by Soar Running

SOAR design and produce running apparel that does justice to the commitment and passion of runners globally. Encompassing textile innovation, pioneering design technology, sports science and the real-world experiences of runners.

Their collections are designed specifically for running, for high performance racing, and also for off-road adventure and endurance.

Find them at soarrunning.com

Women of Distance is also supported by ⁠⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠⁠!

Fueling your needs, for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠⁠ 

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

We're kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us!

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

-Arthur Ashe

Tina Muir has worn many hats in her life: professional athlete, podcaster, author, advocate, activist, mother... she is a woman who leads by example; making a deep impact on the world and community around her by simply taking the initiative to say something, and start something.

In this episode, Lauren and Tina discuss her upbringing, and where that sense of initiative came from. We talk about her career as an elite marathoner, her personal experience with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, the process of sharing her story, the platform and opportunity it created for broader impact, and how she's evolved into environmental activism.

All the while she has also been raising two daughters, healing her own body and relationship with sport, and finding a love and drive for trail and ultrarunning.

You can find and follow Tina at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/tinamuir88

and find her work at instagram.com/racingforsustainability or www.racingforsustainability.org

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can find and follow Women of Distance at: ⁠⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠⁠

*This podcast is produced with support from ⁠⁠Open Fuel⁠⁠!

Fueling your needs, for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠⁠openfuel.co⁠⁠ . Passion Mango Tango is my current fav. And stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us!

Shelby Houlihan began her 2026 season by running, and winning, two sub-ultra trail races on the past two consecutive weekends - generating a lot of interest, excitement, and questions about her entry into a new aspect of the sport.

At Women of Distance we're not just here for the hot results and latest news... we're here for the depth.

This is Shelby's story - her full story - in her own words.

In this episode, Lauren and Shelby revisit her full trajectory through the sport, from community mile-races as a child to a decorated career on the track. We discuss the details and experience of serving a four-year ban from the sport for anti-doping violations, the impact it had, and her growth throughout that time.

Shelby details her return to competition in 2025, how it influenced her curiosity about trail running, and what her reception and impression has been as she introduces herself to a broader view of the sport.

For more detail where we've missed any gaps, check out this short documentary from FloTrack on Shelby's story as well.

You can find and follow Shelby at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/shelbo800

⁠⁠⁠You can find and follow Women of Distance at: ⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠

*This podcast is produced with support from ⁠Open Fuel⁠!

Fueling your needs, for your adventure - check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠openfuel.co⁠ . Passion Mango Tango is my current fav. And stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us!

Anna Gibson drops by this week to teach us all about Skimo ahead of it's debut in the 2026 Winter Olympics next month!

In this episode, Lauren and Anna discuss her entry into the sport and rapid learning curve in the lead up to qualifying for and competing in the Olympics, as well as how her trail experience and fitness translates.

She explains the Olympic format specifically; the course, the rules, technique, and things to watch for... and of course we have a brief discussion on Skimo's Olympic debut as a potential template for Olympic trail running.

If you'd like to hear Anna's full story prior to 2026, you can find it here (or scroll down to episode 38 in our previous episodes)!

⁠⁠⁠You can find and follow Women of Distance at: ⁠linktr.ee/womenofdistance⁠

*This podcast is produced with support from ⁠Open Fuel⁠!

Open Fuel is taking initiatives to reduce excess waste and unnecessary consumerism in sports nutrition - fueling your needs, for your adventure. Check out their Ultra Fuel (60g carbs, 500mg sodium) at ⁠openfuel.co⁠ . Passion Mango Tango is my current fav. And stay tuned for their gel mix, coming soon!

Use code: WOD for 20% off your order, every time!

Women of Distance is also kept caffeinated by our friends, and fellow trail runners, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.summit-roasters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code WOD15 for 15% off your order every time!⁠⁠⁠ (Trolley House, medium roast, is my top choice.)

We'd love to see Women of Distance listeners supporting those, supporting us!