Today we get to hear from a UTMB finisher and co-host of the Trail Network Podcast, Leah Yingling! It was such an honor to talk with Leah on the show. I’ve looked up to her for a long time, and I can’t believe this is actually her first time being on the podcast one-on-one.
Leah is one year postpartum and just completed UTMB with a 12th place finish in just over 24 hours. She’s no stranger to this race. In 2023, she had a top-10 finish at UTMB, and that same year she also finished in the top 10 at Western States. She’s a three-time top-10 finisher at Western States.
In this episode, you’re going to hear all about her UTMB experience, but we also bring it way back to her early days of running and talk a lot about what the postpartum process of returning to running has looked like for her. Leah really carved her own path getting to the start line of UTMB, taking her time coming back to running, coaching herself for much of the year, and listening to what her body needed.
Leah works full time in biomedical engineering and health data, is a Lululemon ambassador, and is mom to one-year-old Monty. Her husband, Mike, is also deeply involved in the trail world as both a photographer and ultra runner, so we talk a lot about what that balance has looked like for them as they navigate being first-time parents, working, training, and still finding time for each other.
And, of course, we get into UTMB. Leah shares what it was like chasing a sub-24-hour finish and a top-10 spot, running the final hours alongside Amanda Basham, and walking away from a really good race while still knowing there’s more she wants to get out of herself.
I so enjoyed this conversation with Leah. If you enjoy hearing from her, definitely go check out the Trail Network Podcast, which is part of the Sandy Boy Productions Podcast Network.
Thank you so much for being here, and enjoy my conversation with Leah Yingling!
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