Leadville Uncovered: McKendree Hickory & The Art of Staying in the Fight

In this episode of Leadville Uncovered 2026, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth sit down with Colorado ultrarunner McKendree Hickory as she prepares for her first Leadville Trail 100. What begins as a conversation about race strategy quickly turns into a deeper discussion about resilience, community, and the intentional pursuit of discomfort.McKendree shares her unconventional path into ultrarunning, from playing volleyball and dancing to working as a backpacking guide in the mountains before eventually discovering trail running. Although she'd initially dismissed Leadville as a race that didn't fit her strengths, a combination of encouragement from friends and the experience of pacing Katie Asmuth last year completely changed her perspective.The conversation also touches on one of the most difficult experiences of McKendree's life: losing her home in the Steamboat Springs fire. Despite that unimaginable loss, her ability to find humor and maintain perspective reveals the mindset that has made her such a respected member of the trail community.McKendree discusses her training partnership with coach TJ David and explains how this year's training has centered on one specific goal: becoming more comfortable with discomfort. Instead of simply building endurance, she's intentionally sought out situations that force her to stay engaged when things become difficult. That approach shaped her recent race schedule, including a standout performance at the Aspen Backcountry Marathon, where the women's podium swept the overall podium.From crew and pacer plans to fueling, altitude, shoe selection, and the possibility of a rerouted course, McKendree offers a thoughtful and authentic look at how she's approaching her Leadville debut. Her goal isn't simply to finish the race. It's to stay present, keep moving forward, and remain fully engaged when things inevitably become hard.If her race-day mindset can be summed up in a single phrase, it's simple: stay in it.Thank you to Open Fuel for their support of the series! Use code UU25 at checkout for 25% off your order