About this episode

Zoë and Brendan reflect on their year in running and share highlights from interviews with notable guests.

For the final episode of 2025, Zoë and Brendan share their own year-end reflections, summits, snacks, and slogs, including Zoë's experience hitchhiking to the start line of a 78-mile race in Italy, arriving 90 seconds before the gun went off to stand between Kilian Jornet and Jim Walmsley in a downpour that would last 15 hours. Then they pull their favorite moments from this year's interviews. You'll hear coach Mario Fraoli explain why the marathon is where racing ends and insanity begins. Steve Magness on why running might be the healthiest cult you can join. Alex Hutchinson on the effort paradox, why we value things because they're hard, not in spite of it. Sabrina Little on running as a laboratory for virtue. And Dan Lieberman, who co-authored the original "Born to Run" research, telling Zoë and Brendan to their faces that ultra running is absolutely, completely, and totally bizarre. Thanks for spending 2025 with The Trailhead. See you on the trails in 2026. Featuring: Mario Fraoli, Steve Magness, Alex Hutchinson, Sabrina Little, and Dan Lieberman This episode is brought to you by Victory Insoles. Get carbon fiber energy return without changing your stride. Try them risk-free…

People in this episode

Hosts: Zoë, Brendan

Guests: Mario Fraoli, Steve Magness, Alex Hutchinson, Sabrina Little, Dan Lieberman

Topics covered

• year-end reflections
• running experiences
• interview highlights
• marathon insights
• ultra running

Keywords

• running
• ultra running
• marathon
• interviews
• fitness
• health
• effort paradox

Sponsors

Victory Insoles

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Italy

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• From Cattle Ranching to 100 Mile Races with "Beef Runner" Ryan Goodman · March 31, 2026 · 54 min
• Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen on Why Ultrarunning Is a Game, and Maybe the Meaning of Life · March 17, 2026 · 1h 0m
• What Running 150 Miles Across Iceland Taught Pavel Cenkl About the Planet · March 3, 2026 · 55 min
• Science Journalist Christie Aschwanden on What Actually Works for Recovery (And What Doesn't) · February 17, 2026 · 57 min

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