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 from sponsorship has reshaped her relationship with competition.

Listeners will get detailed answers to real questions from the trail community: what does tapering for a 100K really look like? How do you fuel during a freezing wet race? Can long hours on your feet at work substitute for running volume? Keely shares what went right, what she learned from what didn't, and how she's preparing to level up for Western States. Plus, we cover gear (including the story behind those glasses), race-week nutrition tweaks, and how elite women are balancing ambition with authenticity in sport. If you're navigating time constraints, training stress, or racing with less-than-ideal prep—this conversation offers both practical takeaways and serious inspiration.

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This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail