In Part 2, the origin story comes into full focus: a seven-year-old running 5Ks, a music teacher who asked if she wanted to try a half-marathon at 13 (girl, no), a first marathon at 14, a first 50K at 14, a first 100-miler at 16, a first 200-miler at 17, Badwater at 18, and a career that's been accelerating ever since she found a coach who taught her what training between races actually looks like. The 24-Hour World Championship section is the highlight of this half: 400 athletes on a 1,500-meter loop, Kaylee the only person walking at mile two, a competitor stopping to tell her she'll get out of this low while she thinks in her head, "I'm walking now so I don't have to walk later." She finishes 12th female in the world.

If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there — it dropped 10 minutes ago.

Show Notes

About the Guest


Kaylee Frederick is a 21-year-old elite ultra-endurance athlete from Pennsylvania, currently studying biology and secondary education at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (with a minor in chemistry, an ESL certification, and a STEM endorsement) while working four part-time jobs including forklift operator, assistant manager at a frozen custard shop, CrossFit coach, and tutor. At 18 she became the youngest person ever to finish the Badwater 135. She recently won the Eastern States 100 outright — first woman ever, first to break 24 hours, finishing 90+ minutes ahead of second place. She finished 12th female in the world at the 24-Hour World Championship in France. She trains with coach Eric Kosik. She ran a five-mile warmup before this interview at 4 AM New Zealand time.

What's Covered in Part 2


The Origin Story — 7 to Badwater in Ten Years

The Training Evolution — Learning What Training Actually Is


Coming Up as a Teen in an Adult Sport


24-Hour World Championship — I Walk Now So I Don't Have to Walk Later


The Achilles Pop


Running for Her Dad — And Then For Herself


Her Mom — AT 2024, 99 Days


What's Next — Black Forest and Javelina


Hiking Hack — Toe Socks


Off the Beaten Path — The Line by Billy Yang


Pay It Forward — Eastern States Trail Endurance Alliance/Association


Links & Resources



  • Kaylee Frederick — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederick.kaylee

  • The Line — Billy Yang documentary on Badwater 135: https://www.youtube.com/@billyyang

  • Eastern States Trail Endurance Alliance/Association: https://www.easternstates100.com

  • Mount Coast T1 trail shoes — Kaylee's race shoe of choice. Recently also testing the lighter, more responsive M1.

  • Eric Kosik — Kaylee's coach since January 2024.


Connect with Hiker Trash Radio



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