🏔️ “I didn’t even know I won until I sat down.”In this episode of The Next Aid Station, we sit down with Ashley Moline, the women’s DC Peaks 50 champion, to relive the storm, mud, lightning, and chaos that defined this year’s race.Ashley shares how she outlasted freezing rain, thunder, and slippery descents to not only finish — but beat her time from last year and take 1st place overall female. From mental grit to gear hacks, this episode dives deep into what it takes to stay composed (and warm) when everything around you is falling apart.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to the Next Aid StationMeet Wisconsin native and DC Peaks 50 winner, Ashley Moline01:00 – Cold Hands, Warm Heart (and a Bear Tag?)Ashley’s family crew, hand warmers, and the hilarious “bear tag” misunderstanding02:10 – Beating Her Time Despite a StormHow Ashley ran faster than last year — even with a new, wetter course03:30 – Running Through Shin-Deep MudAt what point do you stop avoiding puddles? (Hint: 35 miles in)05:10 – Staying Warm While Everyone Else FrozeHand warmers, glove swaps, and the gear choices that saved her race08:00 – “Wait… I’m in First?”Ashley realizes mid-race she might actually be winning11:00 – Crossing the Finish Line Without Knowing She WonHer shock at finding out she took first place overall female14:15 – Why She Had to FinishThe powerful mental drive behind her “A race” of the year15:40 – Choosing to Race in the StormAshley picked Saturday — and embraced the chaos16:45 – From 55K to 50 Miles to… 100?Will she take on the Bear 100 next?20:00 – How Coaching Changed Her RunningTraining smarter (not harder) and becoming a coach herself24:00 – From Wisconsin to UtahWhy she stayed after PT school and found her mountain home25:40 – Behind the Scenes of the DC Peaks StormRace directors discuss reroutes, safety calls, and chaos management27:00 – Lightning, Thunder & Laughing Through ItWhat it’s like running under a storm that lights up the whole sky31:00 – How She’d Improve the RaceHer feedback on course markings and the volunteer experience32:00 – Why the Volunteers Deserve a MedalShoutout to the real heroes who stood in the cold for hours34:00 – Will the Race Date Move Next Year?The team debates running before or after Bear 10041:30 – What’s Next for Ashley MolineBear 100, recovery, and her next mountain adventureWhat you’ll hear: • How Ashley conquered the storm everyone feared • The mental shift from third place to first overall • Her training and coaching philosophy for ultrarunners • Hilarious race-day stories (bear tags, lightning, and mud baths) • Inside look at how the DC Peaks team managed chaos mid-stormIf you’re an ultrarunner, endurance athlete, or just love stories of grit, humor, and community — this one’s for you.💬 Drop a comment with your favorite moment or storm story.📲 Subscribe for more epic race recaps & ultrarunning interviews.🎧 Listen to The Next Aid Station on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.Keywords:DC Peaks 50, ultramarathon, trail running podcast, storm race, women’s ultrarunning, DC Peaks recap, Ashley Moline, ultra runner interview, endurance athlete mindset, Bear 100 training

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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