#111 Christi Thompson | From Burnout to Breakthrough, Timed Ultras, and Stretch Lab
About this episode
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“You come out of it a changed person.”
In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with Christi Thompson, a self-proclaimed science nerd, athletic trainer, and trail runner who found her way back to the sport by ditching pressure and chasing fun. From cross-country roots to rediscovering running at the Whitewater Center, Christi’s journey is all about evolving her relationship with the sport.
She shares how a nighttime trail half marathon reignited her love for racing and led her down the rabbit hole of ultra running, eventually tackling timed events like 6-hour and 12-hour races. Christi opens up about the mental challenges of looped racing, the emotional highs and lows, and the moment she realized these experiences can truly change you.
The conversation also dives into her current battle with knee pain, how past injuries shaped her biomechanics, and what it’s like to know better but still learn lessons the hard way. Through it all, Christi brings a thoughtful and honest perspective on longevity, mobility, and staying in the game.
Takeaways:
Let go of pace pressure and rediscover joy
Ultras are as much mental as physical
Small imbalances can become big problems over time
Mobility and strength are key to long-term running success
Athlete Spotlight: Christi Thompson
Cross-country athlete turned trail and ultra runner
Completed multiple ultra-distance efforts including 6-hour and 12-hour races
Background in athletic training with a focus on biomechanics and neuromuscular fatigue
Works with StretchLab, helping athletes improve mobility and movement quality
Christi’s Links
Website:
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trail running, ultra running, timed races, 12 hour race, 6 hour race, running injuries, knee pain, biomechanics, mobility, running economy, Whitewater Center, endurance mindset, trail community, strength training, fatigue training