<p>The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.<br>Join the Newsletter at:<a href="https://troymeadows.substack.com/?r=2gjcgs&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPod" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://runtraillife.com/collections/midpacker-pod-merch" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Check Out MPP Merch <br></a></p><p>Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.</p><p><br></p><p>Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? </p><p>Check out <a href="https://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-services" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Troy’s Coaching Page<br></a></p><p>STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE</strong></a> - 10% off your order</p><p><a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>TRAINING PEAKS</strong></a> - 20% off a premium annual subscription</p><p><a href="https://playonrelief.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>PLAY ON RELIEF</strong></a> - 20% off your first order</p><p><a href="https://www.vacationraces.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>VACATION RACES</strong></a><strong> </strong>- 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest</p><p><br></p><p>USE PROMO CODE <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills?utm_source=LongRunLabs&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shift_US" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>WAHOO FITNESS</strong></a><strong> </strong>-  Use Code <strong>MIDPACK: </strong>When you pick up a <strong>Wahoo KICKR RUN</strong> get a <strong>free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. </strong>Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.</p><p><br></p><p>“You come out of it a changed person.”</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Let go of pace pressure and rediscover joy</p></li><li><p>Ultras are as much mental as physical</p></li><li><p>Small imbalances can become big problems over time</p></li><li><p>Mobility and strength are key to long-term running success</p></li></ul><p><strong>Athlete Spotlight: Christi Thompson</strong></p><ul><li><p>Cross-country athlete turned trail and ultra runner</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Completed multiple ultra-distance efforts including 6-hour and 12-hour races</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Background in athletic training with a focus on biomechanics and neuromuscular fatigue</p></li><li><p>Works with StretchLab, helping athletes improve mobility and movement quality</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Christi’s Links</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cmgvikinghen/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@cmgvikinghen </a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stretchlabofficial/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@stretchlabofficial</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Website:</strong> </p><p><a href="https://www.stretchlab.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Stretch Lab</a></p><p><a href="https://www.stretchlab.com/location/huntersville" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Stretch Lab Huntersville</a><strong></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Relevant Links</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://center.whitewater.org" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Whitewater Center Trail Races</a><a href="https://center.whitewater.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> </a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://dirtywolfracing.com⁠" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Dirty Wolf Racing</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://cityofoaksmarathon.com⁠" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">City of Oaks Marathon</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.runrocknroll.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series</a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Partner Links: </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Hyerlyte Liquid Performance</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com</a></p><p>More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.</p><p>Use the code <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://playonrelief.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>PlayOn Relief</strong></a> - <a href="https://playonrelief.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://playonrelief.com</a></p><p>All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief</p><p>Use <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> for 20% off your first order</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Training Peaks</strong></a> <a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><br></a>A training app as versatile as you. </p><p>Start your free trial at  <a href="https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker</a></p><p>Use <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.vacationraces.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Vacation Races</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.vacationraces.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.vacationraces.com</a></p><p>Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.</p><p>Use <strong>MIDPACKER</strong> at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills?utm_source=LongRunLabs&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shift_US" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Wahoo Fitness</strong></a><strong> -</strong> <a href="https://wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills?utm_source=LongRunLabs&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shift_US" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.wahoofitness.com</a></p><p>KICKR RUN Run Your Way</p><p>It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.</p><p>Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code <strong>MIDPACK</strong> to get a <strong>free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. </strong></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://runtraillife.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>⁠Run Trail Life</strong>⁠</a> - <a href="https://runtraillife.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://runtraillife.com/<br></a>Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://freetrail.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>⁠Freetrail</strong>⁠</a> - <a href="https://freetrail.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://freetrail.com/</a></p><p>Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.<br></p><p>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</p><p><br></p>