Tales from the Trailhead

Janey
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  • Health & Fitness
  • Weekly

Tales from the Trailhead is an outdoor lifestyle and personal growth podcast exploring hiking, backpacking, trail running, and road running through real personal stories, timely outdoor news, and honest reflections. We cover current events, gear, seasonal shifts, and training, always looking through the lens of how time outside shapes who we are when the shoes come off. Designed for multi-passionate runners, backpackers, and outdoor lovers, this audio journal examines the deep connection between movement and mindset, using effort not to chase numbers, but to build resilience and presence.

Episodes

  1. Oct 25

    Why Race Day Volunteers Are the Hidden Engine Behind Every Trail Race

    Race day volunteers are the reason trail races actually work, and if you run, race direct, or just love the trail community, this episode shows you exactly why. Janey breaks down how volunteering keeps events safe, keeps runners encouraged, and can even earn you race credits, free entries, and swag. After spending time at a trail race aid station herself, Janey shares what volunteers really do behind the scenes and why that perspective matters for every runner. She also explains how volunteering helped her stay connected while injured, gave her course insight for future races, and reignited her motivation to heal, cross-train, and come back stronger. You'll discover: The most common race day volunteer roles, from aid stations and course marshals to sweepers, packet pickup, start/finish support, and set-up or tear-downWhy volunteers matter so much for small, locally run, and family-owned race organizationsHow trail race volunteers help with safety, morale, and the runner experience when people are tired, isolated, or deep into the raceThe etiquette every volunteer should know, including what to do about cancellations, no-shows, and Leave No Trace responsibilityHow different Colorado Springs race organizations reward volunteer hours, points, and credits toward future entriesJaney also shares the runner's side of the equation - why a quick thank-you, a little conversation, or simply showing up with good energy can change a race for someone who is struggling. Her story from the back half of an aid station makes the case for why positive volunteers can completely shift a runner's mindset.This is essential listening if you care about trail racing, want to give back to the community, or are looking for a smarter way to stay involved when you're injured, training around a setback, or building toward your next start line. By the end, you'll see volunteering not as a side task, but as one of the most meaningful ways to be part of the sport.

  2. Oct 18

    Cross-Training Isn’t for Injuries, It’s What Prevents Them

    If you keep getting sidelined by injuries, the problem may not be your mileage - it may be what you are not doing off the road. Janey Heard makes the case for treating cross-training as a prevention strategy, not an emergency backup, and breaks down exactly how Pilates, mountain biking, and swimming can build a stronger, more durable runner. Drawing from her own shift away from years of injuries, Janey shares why the habits that once kept her healthy in high school and college worked so well, and why letting them slide changed everything. She connects the dots between low-impact training and long-term running success, showing how different forms of cross-training develop the core, hips, stabilizers, and aerobic engine that running alone misses. You'll discover why Pilates is especially effective for runners who want to strengthen their core, back, and lower body without heavy gym work, plus how mountain biking can keep you in aerobic zones while reducing impact on your joints. Janey also makes a strong case for swimming, including why it is one of the hardest full-body sports, how it supports intervals without pounding your body, and why it may be the perfect cross-training option if you are trying to stay fit through injury, recovery, or off-season.If you have been waiting to cross-train until something hurts, this episode is your wake-up call. The real advantage is building resilience before the setback happens, so you can keep showing up, keep training, and keep running longer. Perfect for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone trying to stay consistent without breaking down.

  3. Oct 11

    How My First Backpacking Trip Changed Me: 5 Lessons in Resilience

    A first backpacking trip can change everything, especially when it includes a challenging loop, significant elevation gain, a wrong turn at high altitude, and a thunderstorm looming overhead. Join me as I reflect and share the raw, funny, and life changing moments of my first solo backpacking adventure on the Brown Creek Falls and Lower Browns Creek Loop, and why it left me feeling more confident, more self-aware, and more certain I needs the outdoors in my life. What starts as a trail recap quickly becomes something deeper: a reflection on injury, resilience, and what it means to stay connected to your identity when your body forces you to slow down. I opens up about years of recurring injuries, the mental toll of being sidelined from running and hiking, and how this trip with my dog Houdini helped me rediscover what I am capable of. You’ll hear what I learned from planning a backpacking trip in just three days, why starting late and leaving room for breaks can make or break a trek, and how trail magic showed up as unexpected help along the way. I also share what I would change about gear, nutrition, and hydration before my next overnight adventure. The real heart of the episode is the transformation behind the miles: progress doesn’t always look like peak fitness, and moving differently doesn’t make you any less of an athlete, hiker, or runner. If you love backpacking stories, solo outdoor adventures, or honest conversations about recovery and rediscovering your strength, this one is for you.

  4. Oct 4

    The Podcast I Couldn’t Find, so I Decided to Make It

    The podcast you thought you knew is being rebuilt into something bigger, more personal, and useful for anyone who lives for the trail and the run. Join me in todays episode while I share why I paused the show, what prompted the reset, and how Tales from the Trail will bring running, hiking, backpacking, and real life together. After life got busy, I took the time to reflect on balancing teaching and grad school, as well as an injury that sidelined my summer. This episode is more than a life update, it introduces a new direction shaped by the kind of show I have wanted to find: one that brings outdoor adventure and running together.The reimagined show will explore four themes: The Grounded Trail: Mindset, burnout, mental resets, and personal growth through naturePaces and Pine: Hiking, backpacking, wilderness culture, gear, and trail logisticsTrail and Tempo: Road and trail running, race preparation, and recoveryGrowth in Motion: Everyday habits, routines, and non-metric wins that support outdoor performance I also share plans to discuss seasonal shifts, route ideas, permit updates, Leave No Trace standards, gear experiments, race build-ups, and the challenges of staying consistent when motivation, health, and life collide.If you want a thoughtful companion for your next run, hike, or reset, this is the beginning of that journey. Tales from the Trail is for runners, hikers, backpackers, and anyone looking for more than highlights and hot takes from the outdoors. Tales from the Trail, is a show shaped by my experiences in running, hiking, and everyday outdoor life. I plan to bring a reflective, personal perspective to movement, mindset, and wilderness culture.

  5. Aug 4

    Finding the Dirt Again: A Return to the Abyss Trail

    After months of resting, icing, and physical therapy exercises on the sidelines, it’s finally time to get back on the dirt! In this episode, I share the raw, real, and hilarious story of my first post-injury trail run along Colorado’s stunning Guanella Pass. Taking on the first stretch of the Abyss Trail, I breaks down what it really takes to return to trail running safely, from managing joint impact on downhills to choosing longevity over ego when it’s time to turn around. Plus, stay tuned for some mid-run entertainment as my two dogs handle stream-crossing bridges with completely opposite strategies! Whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking for a low-intimidation entry point to mountain running, or just looking to reconnect with nature, this episode is packed with practical tips and mindset shifts to help you build confidence on the trails.

  6. Jul 28

    Why I Swapped Evening Miles for Dawn Patrols (And How to Build a Morning Running Habit)

    For years, evening runs were my ultimate post-work stress release. So if you told my past self that I’d eventually swap sunset miles for 6:00 AM alarm clocks, I wouldn’t have believed you. In this episode of Running for Joy, I share how transitioning to early morning movement completely transformed my training, my energy, and my entire workday—plus why dawn solitude feels like active meditation. Whether you’re a night owl wanting to reclaim your evenings or an aspiring early riser looking to remove morning friction, I break down a practical 3-phase blueprint to help you make morning movement an automatic reflex (without relying on pure willpower!).

  7. Jul 25

    Wildfires, Race Deferrals, and Choosing Autonomy

    Welcome to the very first episode of Running for Joy! In this premiere episode, host Janey drops in with an honest update on navigating Colorado's wildfire season, making the tough call to defer a bucket-list race (and why it's not a failure!), and how to structure a training build using pre-written plans instead of a 1-on-1 coach. Plus, we dive into a major nutrition mindset shift: viewing food as essential fuel rather than something to be "earned."

  • 7 Episodes

About

Tales from the Trailhead is an outdoor lifestyle and personal growth podcast exploring hiking, backpacking, trail running, and road running through real personal stories, timely outdoor news, and honest reflections. We cover current events, gear, seasonal shifts, and training, always looking through the lens of how time outside shapes who we are when the shoes come off. Designed for multi-passionate runners, backpackers, and outdoor lovers, this audio journal examines the deep connection between movement and mindset, using effort not to chase numbers, but to build resilience and presence.

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