1d ago

Till I’m Done: Running Without Races

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 pin• Why endurance is about more than race day Questions to consider: • Why do you race?• What part of racing matters most to you?• If there were no races on the calendar, would you still train?• How could you make your training more your own? Because running fits into life, not the other way around. Until next time, get out there and get some trail. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

14 min

May 27

The Baseline for Hard | Jason Bahamundi on Cocodona 250

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 Fueling with oatmeal mush, maple syrup & potatoes, pickle juice, and hot dogs Recovery, swelling, and post-race exhaustion Burnout and post-race blues Why “hard” becomes relative after an event like Cocodona The emotional finish line experience Everyday athletes vs elite performance culture DNFs, identity, and learning to give yourself grace Why Jason may never run Cocodona again — despite loving the experience This conversation goes far beyond ultrarunning. It’s about resilience, perspective, recovery, and what happens when you discover you’re capable of more than you thought possible. Connect with Jason:Instagram / YouTube / @runtrimag Website: RunTriMagEmail: jason@runtrimag.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

1h 25m

May 20

Recovery After Racing: What Your Body Actually Needs

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 after races Nutrition, hydration, and glycogen recovery Why sleep is one of the most powerful recovery tools Active recovery vs passive recovery Cool baths, Epsom salts, massage, yoga, chiropractic, and movement Why recovery looks different for every runner The emotional “post-race drop.” Journaling and reflection after races Learning to celebrate what you accomplished instead of rushing to the next thing This episode is for runners, walkers, and hikers who want to stay healthy, strong, and in the sport for the long game. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

24 min

May 13

Ep7: Why Do People Run 250 Miles?

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 * The emotional “golden hour” finish of Wayne Amos * Why endurance sports are deeply personal * The difference between comfort and meaning * Why outsiders often question what they don’t understand * What “hard” means for different people * Why your reason for doing something matters more than anyone else’s opinion This episode is for runners, walkers, hikers, and anyone standing at the edge of something difficult, wondering:“Could I do that?” Your hard thing doesn’t have to be 250 miles. It just has to matter to you. Mentioned in this episode * Cocodona 250 Official Website * The Cutoff documentary by Aravaipa Running * Watch Wayne Amos cross the Cocodona 250 finish line during the final golden hour. One of the most powerful endurance moments I’ve ever seen. Wayne Amos 125-Hour finish * Steve Magness — Do Hard Things Coming Soon I’ll also be bringing on a future guest who completed Cocodona 250 in 110 hours to talk about what the race is really like from the inside out. Trail Wisdom Weekly is real talk for runners, walkers, and hikers 35+ who are in it for the long game — in sport and in life. Because getting race-ready takes more than just running the miles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

21 min

Apr 29

What Nike Missed About Walking

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 changes on you. In this episode, I talk about what Boston really is beyond the front of the pack. The 39,000 people, stories that don't get coverage, and moments of pure humanity on the course. Including the story of Tommy Rivs Puzey, who went from a 2:18 at Boston to a cancer diagnosis, to shuffling to the bathroom, to walking New York in nine hours, to coming back to Boston. Run-walking it. Movement changes, and walking doesn't make it any less. Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must — just get across the line. Dean Karnazes If you’re out there—running, walking, or somewhere in between—you belong. Read/Listen on Substack: https://trailrunnersjourney.substack.com/p/6c02f7b3-5715-4a1e-b38b-3b1782b0c3d5 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

21 min

Apr 3

The Race That Let Me Say Goodbye | Iron Horse Ultra

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. Sometimes, a race becomes something else entirely. This one gave me the space and opportunity to say goodbye. If you’ve ever had a race meet you where you are, or give you something you didn’t know you needed, this one is for you. Read the full story on Substack: The Race That Let Me Say Goodbye This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

19 min

Mar 27

I Didn’t Finish: What a DNF Really Means

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 race honestly * Why elites DNF too (yes, even them) * How to take the judgment out of it * And how to walk away from a race with something more valuable than a medal If you’ve ever: * Pulled the pin * Questioned yourself * Or felt like the world was watching This one’s for you. The full written story is available on Substack: DNF (River's Edge Ultra) Where have you DNF’d… and later realized it was the right call? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

20 min

Mar 20

From Powerwalker to Ultramarathoner (Why Walking Still Counts)

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: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

13 min

Mar 12

Episode 2: Death Race: The Moment When Everything Changed

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 changed you before you fully understood why? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

18 min

Mar 2

Episode 1: Is It Too Late to Start Running?

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 barrier we think it is Why being “slow” is not failure Why finish lines aren’t the only measure of success And the question that hit hardest: If you didn’t try — would you regret it? If you’re asking whether it’s too late, something in you still wants it. Maybe the real question isn’t “Am I too late?”Maybe it’s “What am I waiting for?” 📖 Related essay: Mud Chicken — The Event That Changed Everything This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

14 min

Season 1 Trailer

Welcome to Trail Wisdom Weekly

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 trailrunnersjourney.substack.com

4 min

Trail Wisdom Weekly Podcast

Episodes

Till I’m Done: Running Without Races

The Baseline for Hard | Jason Bahamundi on Cocodona 250

Recovery After Racing: What Your Body Actually Needs

Ep7: Why Do People Run 250 Miles?

What Nike Missed About Walking

The Race That Let Me Say Goodbye | Iron Horse Ultra

I Didn’t Finish: What a DNF Really Means

From Powerwalker to Ultramarathoner (Why Walking Still Counts)

Episode 2: Death Race: The Moment When Everything Changed

Episode 1: Is It Too Late to Start Running?

Welcome to Trail Wisdom Weekly

Trailer

Welcome to Trail Wisdom Weekly

About

Information