#111 Christi Thompson | From Burnout to Breakthrough, Timed Ultras, and Stretch Lab

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionPLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTWAHOO FITNESS -  Use Code MIDPACK: When you pick up a Wahoo KICKR RUN get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. Remember to add the TRACKR to the cart and the code will apply to discount.“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 joyUltras are as much mental as physicalSmall imbalances can become big problems over timeMobility and strength are key to long-term running successAthlete Spotlight: Christi ThompsonCross-country athlete turned trail and ultra runnerCompleted multiple ultra-distance efforts including 6-hour and 12-hour racesBackground in athletic training with a focus on biomechanics and neuromuscular fatigueWorks with StretchLab, helping athletes improve mobility and movement qualityChristi’s Links @cmgvikinghen @stretchlabofficialWebsite: Stretch LabStretch Lab HuntersvilleRelevant LinksWhitewater Center Trail Races Dirty Wolf RacingCity of Oaks MarathonRock ‘n’ Roll Running SeriesPartner Links: Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMore Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comAll Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderTraining Peaks A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpackerUse MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium SubscriptionVacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.comEpic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or TrailfestWahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.comKICKR RUN Run Your WayIt’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free TRACKR Heart Rate Monitor chest strap. ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.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