Annie Hughes on the Get Stoked Girls Podcast
- Rhianna Walzer
- Aug 7
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 30
A conversation about the challenges and rewards of ultrarunning, and what it takes to prepare for multi-day mountain races.
Meet Annie Hughes — professional ultrarunner for HOKA and a true 200-mile specialist. We caught up with Annie in Leadville, Colorado, the place where her passion for mountain running first took root. From winning her first mile race in 5th grade to competing in collegiate track and cross-country, Annie’s journey evolved when the mountains called her name.
She has conquered all of Colorado’s 14ers, set the FKT on the 160-mile Collegiate Loop, and built an impressive ultra career with victories at Leadville 100, Moab 240, Cocodona 250, and Tahoe 200, among others. In this episode, we dive into the world of 200-mile races, exploring Annie’s training routines, fueling and sleep strategies, race logistics, and the mindset required to push through these extraordinary distances.
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Finding Running: How a Mile Test Changed Everything
Rhi: Tell us about your athletic background growing up. What was your relationship with sports, and how did you first get into running and cross country?
Annie: I was terrible at any sport with a ball growing up and always the last one picked in gym class. I figured I just was not athletic, but I loved being outside. As an only child, I made up games, rode my bike, and ran around. I was always active, just not into traditional sports. Then came the mile fitness test at school. We did not change for gym, so I was in a dress with a bow in my hair and loose shoes I could not tie properly. I started running and found myself up front with the athletic boys. I felt good and decided to go for it. I ended up winning, and everyone was shocked. After that, I asked my gym teacher every day if we could run the mile again.
I won the mile fitness test as a kid in a dress with a bow in my hair. That is how I learned I was good at running.
Rhi: Was it an instant love for running that led you to cross country, or more of a slow build? What did getting into that sport look like for you?
Annie: It was definitely a slow build. I won the mile fitness test in fifth grade, and my dad really wanted me to try track. It was the first time I felt like I was actually good at a sport. I still remember how excited I was to go to my first track practice. After that, I ran track and cross-country all through middle and high school, then for two years in college. Eventually, I found trail running, and that became my main focus.
Discovering Ultra
Rhi: After two years of college cross country, you shifted toward mountain running. What did that transition look like?
Annie: Before my sophomore year in college, I started hiking fourteeners and got hooked on the idea of finishing them all. I had heard of ultras but thought I would run marathons first. After trying different trails in the mountains and learning about races like Leadville, I got more excited about trail running. I also faced injuries and burnout in college and realized I enjoyed the mountains more than running cross country, so I quit the team and focused fully on ultras. That’s how the transition happened.
Rhi: You mentioned aiming to complete all the Colorado fourteeners. Was that your first big goal in the mountain and trail running world?
Annie: Absolutely, and at the same time I dabbled in some ultras. I ran my first ultra in February 2019, a 55K in Moab. I had never been to Moab before and thought the race looked cool. I was not ready for a 50-miler yet, so I started with that. I was not trying to be competitive, just there for fun and to enjoy running without pressure since I was a bit burned out from college running. That next summer, I finished all the fourteeners and moved to Leadville. I ran the Silver Rush 50 and a 50-miler in New Mexico. I was doing races but was not super serious yet. At that time, I was more focused on climbing and peak bagging.
Rhi: In 2020, you set the FKT on the Collegiate Peaks Loop, which you’ve called a turning point in discovering your love and talent for longer distances. Can you explain what the trail is like, how long you were out there, and what that experience meant to you?
Annie: The Collegiate Peaks Loop is a 160-mile circuit that starts in Twin Lakes and loops around Monarch Pass, following both sides of the Colorado Trail. I had no real experience with something like this but felt drawn to the loop since I live nearby and had never explored the west side. I organized the whole supported run myself, with my parents crewing and some friends pacing me.
The first night was rough — I was exhausted and overwhelmed, even considering dropping out. But my pacers showed up, and I kept going. By the second day, I was feeling much better. The second night I did not sleep at all and was moving well. That’s when I realized I was on track to break the record and could finish strong. It took me 61 hours. That was my first multi-day effort and gave me confidence that a 200-mile race could be manageable.
Setting the FKT on the Collegiate Peaks Loop pushed me to sign up for the Moab 240.
2021: The Breakthrough Season
Rhi: 2021 was an incredible year for you, winning both the Leadville 100 and the Moab 240. What do you think made that year so successful? Was it your training, preparation, or something else?
Annie: 2021 was the first year I started taking racing seriously when I got sponsored by HOKA just before Leadville. It happened unexpectedly after a Trail Runner magazine interview where I mentioned my shoes. A few weeks later, HOKA reached out, and the sponsorship covered gear and race fees, making it possible to tackle bigger races like Moab.
The support motivated me to train harder, and I focused on performing well at Leadville with the community behind me. After the race series ended, I dedicated myself to training for Moab and ended up winning both the Leadville 100 and Moab 240, becoming the youngest person to do so at the time.
The Art of Running 200 Miles
Mental
Rhi: What draws you to races over 200 miles?
Annie: The multi-day ultras have been my most profound experiences. While 100-milers are amazing, there’s something unique about the challenges of running for days — the sleep deprivation and everything that comes with it. So much can happen on those long journeys. I learn the most about myself during these races, and that’s why I’m drawn to those distances. They offer a truly special experience.
Rhi: How do you get through those dark moments during a race? Do you have any advice or go-to affirmations that help?
Annie: My mindset going into any race is that the only way out is through. There is no choice but to keep going. When I get overwhelmed, I remind myself I have to keep moving even if I do not know how at the moment. I break the race into small goals, like making it to sunrise or the next aid station. I know the tough moments will pass and I am not running forever. Even though three days feels long in a race, it goes by quickly compared to normal life. I tell myself it is not that long and it will pass.
The only way out is through. I keep moving, break the race into small goals, and remind myself the tough moments will pass.
Training
Rhi: What does training for a 200-plus mile race typically look like?
Annie: Training for 200 miles is not that different from training for 100. There is only so much running you can do before it becomes harmful, so for longer races I do a lot more hiking to build time on my feet. For a 100-mile race, if the course is runnable, I can run more, but on mountainous courses I hike more. With 200-mile races, no matter the terrain, you are going to be walking a lot. I focus on long days outside, sometimes eight hours or more, mixing running and hiking. Those big long days are really important for building endurance and preparing mentally.
I really like to do a 100-mile race before tackling a 200-mile race as part of my preparation and I have done that for all my 200-mile races. For example, Leadville was a big training race for Moab and also an A-race for me. Having a long race before a bigger one is really important. I also like to include a 40-mile adventure day where I take it easy but spend a lot of time on my feet.
Rhi: Recovery strategies?
Annie: I get a lot of body work like massage therapy and acupuncture, which is really important and I definitely notice when I fall behind. Listening to my body and giving it rest when it asks for it is key. After big race days, I feel a deep fatigue that can take weeks, sometimes months, to fully recover from. I usually sleep a lot, sometimes 12 hours, especially after 200-mile races because of the sleep deprivation and overall strain on my body. Recovery for me relies on sleep, body work, rest, and eating well. I focus on nourishing food but also make sure to enjoy some treats.
Fueling
Rhi: What does your fueling strategy typically look like for an event that long?
Annie: I like to have a fueling plan and make little baggies for each aid station, which my crew hands to me so I can eat everything by the next stop. Sometimes I struggle with stomach issues, so I adjust by eating more at the aid stations to see what works. For shorter races up to 100K, gels and sports nutrition usually do the job, along with some fruit like bananas or watermelon. In 100-mile races, I add real food like soup, ramen, or mashed potatoes to get something more substantial. For 200-mile races, gels aren’t enough because you get hungry, so I eat wraps, burritos, pizza, or soup, choosing foods that are easier to digest and keep me going.
I’ve definitely thrown up during races, but it never lasts the whole time. When it happens, I usually drink ginger ale or something to settle my stomach, then try to get some broth down. Once that feels okay, I slowly add more solid foods back in. I usually take a break from eating for a bit and start with more liquid foods before moving on. It often happens when I eat too much, so pacing my intake is important.
Sleeping
Rhi: Sleep is another major factor in 200-mile races. What’s your sleep strategy, and does it change depending on the race?
Annie: Sleep strategies really depend on the race because you never know when sleepiness will hit. Sometimes I feel very tired the first night and great the second, and other times it is the opposite. I plan potential spots to sleep but stay flexible. If I am not actually tired, I do not force it because lying awake wastes time. Even just closing my eyes and resting for ten minutes can help. Sleep needs also depend on race pace. Mid- or back-of-the-pack runners usually need more sleep since they are out longer, while front-runners can get by with less and often push close to zombie mode. It is interesting to see as these ultra distances grow in popularity that some top runners are trending toward little to no sleep now.
Rhi: What’s it like waking up from a short nap during a race and then having to get back out on the trail?
Annie: Waking up from a nap during a race is tough. Everything hurts and it is hard to imagine running again. You often feel cold and start shivering because your body is so depleted. I remind myself to just get moving, knowing I will warm up and start feeling better soon. Shorter naps are easier to bounce back from, so I usually do not recommend sleeping more than two hours. Longer naps can make your body feel like it is done, making it harder to get going again. Short, frequent naps are key for these races.
Logistics
Rhi: Let’s talk logistics for 200-mile races — drop bags, aid stations, crew support. What are the key things you focus on when planning all that?
Annie: I spend a lot of time planning everything and actually really enjoy it. I start packing early, label everything, and organize it all in detail. It helps my crew and puts me at ease, especially with pre-race nerves. I create a Google document for my crew with all the race information including check-in times, locations, and links to aid station directions. I also make a chart with my predicted times and ask them to track me so they know where I will be and can prepare accordingly. For example, I plan when I will need a headlamp, extra batteries, warm clothes for night sections, or cooling gear like an ice bandana during hot parts of the day. Having everything organized makes it easier for my crew and gives me peace of mind.
Navigating Injury and Recovery
Rhi: Can you tell me about the injury you had in 2024? What was that experience like for you mentally and physically?
Annie: I rolled my ankle badly and kept running for two years, which damaged the tendons and caused lingering pain. An ultrasound and MRI eventually showed a tendon tear, and I needed surgery. It was tough because I had big racing plans that year, but I was already feeling burned out and the injury forced me to take a break and rethink my approach. Since then, I have worked with a coach and focused on smarter, more sustainable training. I am mostly recovered now, though my ankle still gets achy after races, and I continue doing physical therapy to keep it strong. Overall, the injury helped me slow down and take a better long-term view of my running.
Get Stoked Girls
Rhi: What advice would you give to help more women get excited about moving their bodies and spending time in the outdoors?
Annie: Ultrarunning and mountain adventures can feel intimidating, especially for women new to the mountains. Making these experiences more accessible is key. There are great programs like Trail Sisters and retreats where women can learn trail running and mountain safety in a supportive group. It’s important for women to see that the mountains aren’t as scary as they might seem. Plus, seeing more women in the sport inspires others to get involved, creating a positive cycle of growth.
