Trail Wisdom Weekly Podcast

In this episode: What if fueling isn't just about food? JD Tremblay shares lessons from completing the Epic Deca—ten Iron-distance triathlons in ten consecutive days—and explains why performance depends on much more than calories and carbohydrates. We talk about hydration, sodium, recovery, mindset, hormones, stress, and why your environment can have as much impact on performance as what's on your...

In this episode: Every Friday, a character named Trail Crone appears with one simple sentence of wisdom. But who is she? In this episode of Trail Wisdom Weekly , I introduce Trail Crone, explain why she became part of this publication, and explore the difference between collecting information and living long enough to gain wisdom. We talk about who Trail Crone is—and isn't, why wisdom matters more...

Wouldn't it be nice if every race came with sunshine and perfect conditions? Well, that's not reality. After more than 120 mm (4 inches) of rain fell before our local Solstice 5K, race day arrived wet, windy, and cold. I still showed up. It turned into a great reminder that bad weather running isn't about toughness. It's about preparation, judgment, and knowing how to stay comfortable when conditi...

Road running or trail running—which is harder? After running roads, trails, mountains, sand dunes, snow, 24-hour track races, and even a marathon in my driveway, I've come to a simple conclusion: They're both hard. Road running challenges consistency, pacing, and the need for repetitive effort. Trail running challenges adaptability, terrain management, and problem-solving. In this episode, I explo...

Sometimes the race doesn't happen. I was packed, registered, and on my way to one of my favorite races—Crazy Muley 27K in Alberta's sand dunes—when a trailer tire blew and changed the course of my weekend. At first, I was disappointed. I was gutted. I had trained, planned, and looked forward to this race for months. But as I reflected on the week leading up to it, I started to see a pattern: a nec...

In this episode of Trail Wisdom Weekly: • Why races aren't the only reason to train• How COVID changed my relationship with running• The story behind my "Till I'm Done" training philosophy• Self-supported endurance and solo adventures• Training without medals, buckles, or finish-line validation• Using curiosity instead of rigid expectations• Learning the difference between pushing and pulling the...

In this episode of Trail Wisdom Weekly, Sherri sits down with Jason Bahamundi of Run Tri Bike and the Everyday Athlete Clubhouse to talk about what it really feels like to run Cocodona 250 in 110 hours. Together they dive into: Training for a 250-mile race without massive mileage Why mindset matters more than pace The brutal reality of climbing Lane Mountain Sleep strategy during multi-day ultras...

EP 8: Recovery Isn’t Weakness — It’s Part of the Long Game Recovery isn’t just about lying on the couch after a race. In this episode, Sherri talks about what really happens to the body and mind during hard efforts — from 5Ks to ultramarathons — and why recovery needs to be part of every runner’s strategy. Topics include: Why terrain matters more than distance sometimes Emotional highs and lows af...

What makes someone keep moving for 250 miles across Arizona? In this episode of Trail Wisdom Weekly, I talk about the Cocodona 250 — a brutal ultramarathon crossing mountains, heat, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and everything in between. But this conversation isn’t really about mileage. It’s about why people choose hard things. I share reflections on: * Rachel Entrekin’s historic outright win *...

Last week, Nike put up a sign during Boston Marathon weekend that read: “Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated.” The sign was gone within 24 hours — but the conversation? That stuck around and is continuing. There’s a bigger story here that got missed. Walking isn’t just something to tolerate: it’s an Olympic sport, a gateway into running, and for a lot of people, it’s how you come back after life ch...

We like to think we show up to a race, run it, and leave with a medal and a smile. But races have plans for us. In this episode, I share the story of Iron Horse Ultra: the cold morning, the course, the waiting, the running… and what unfolded along the way. What people see is the start and the finish. What they don’t see are the moments in between—the meltdowns, the aloneness, the unexpected. Somet...

I didn’t finish. And for a while, that felt like failure. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of my DNF at River’s Edge Ultra, what happened, what I was thinking in the moment, and what it actually taught me. Because a DNF isn’t just “Did Not Finish.” Sometimes it means: * Did Nothing Foolish * Did Not Fail * Made the right call We talk about: * What really leads to a DNF * How to evaluate your...

What if walking is part of being a runner? In this episode of Trail Wisdom Weekly, I share how I went from power walker to ultramarathoner—and why walking isn’t a weakness, it’s part of the process. Walking, hiking, shuffling, climbing… it all counts. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “less than” or don’t belong because you walk during your runs, this episode is for you. → Read the written version:...

What happens when you say yes to something before you feel or are even remotely ready for? In this episode, I share the story of the race that changed everything for me — the one that opened the door to endurance, identity, and everything that came after. Read the full companion essay here: Death Race: The Race That Changed What I Thought Was Possible. Have you ever said yes to something that chan...

Episode 1: Is It Too Late to Start Running? Is it too late? Too late for the Olympics? Probably. Too late to move your body, build endurance, feel strong, or become someone who runs? Not even close. In this episode of Trail Wisdom Weekly, I unpack the real meaning behind the “too late” question and the fears hiding underneath it: Regret vs discomfort What we’re actually afraid of Why age isn’t the...

Trail Wisdom Weekly is for everyday trail and ultra runners 35+ who want to get race ready without sacrificing real life. Hosted by ultrarunner Sherri Donohue, this podcast blends trail stories, strategy, mindset, and hard-earned lessons from thousands of miles on trail. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailr...