Ladia Albertson-Junkans Interview
Ladia Albertson-Junkans ran the competitive Chuckanut 50k for her first ultramarathon last year and won it. With a stacked field that included YiOu Wang, Camille Herron, and Corinne Malcom, Ladia bonked hard but rallied and came out on top.
I think I’ve learned to focus on joy through the physical discomfort and physical strain, and in some way I derive joy from that, which I think a lot of us do.
She’s represented the US in Mountain Running Championships, she’s won road races, ran as an All-American in collegiate cross country, and recently she’s been turning her attention more towards trail ultras.
This past weekend, Ladia Albertson-Junkans lined up at the competitive Way Too Cool 50k and, once again, came out on top and looked like she had a blast the whole way.
But this isn’t an interview about winning races. Ladia shares her stories and feelings about why she loves running and the trail community , what drives her to compete, and what she is truly seeking each time she toes the line.
In this interview, we talk about:
- The positive influences of high school and college coaches.
- How Ladia transitioned into trail running and ultimately ultra distance events.
- The power of a positive attitude and community involvement.
- What she learned pacing Kaytlyn Gerbin at Western States 100 and will we ever see her line up at Squaw?
- The differences between “cross country running” and “trail running.” Anyone have anything to add to that?
- What she learned during her first ultramarathon at Chuckanut and how she applied those lessons to Way Too Cool.
- And of course, projectilve vomiting.
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Ladia Albertson-Junkans Episode Notes:
Here’s the URP interview with Kaytlyn Gerbin.
Here’s the Nike Borderclash XC start I was talking about. Jump to 1:00 for the action!
Here’s the info on Steen’s Mountain High Altitude Running Camp.
We talked about Broken Arrow Skyrace and why it’d be a perfect race for her.
Here’s more on Chip Gaines’ Silo District Marathon.
Here’s more on Ladia’s friend Gabe Grunewald’s fight against cancer.
During Ben’s Gear Talk, we discussed:
- Under Armour HOVR
- Salomon Sonic RA
- Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro
- Altra Superior 3.5
- Altra King Mountain
- Suunto Spartan Heart Rate Baro
- Garmin 935
- The North Face RKT Shorts
Connect with Ladia:
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