#106 Kayla Fitzgerald | Building Palmetto Ultras, Fueling the Dream, & The Barkley Fall Classic,
Tue Feb 03 2026
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
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Check Out MPP Merch
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Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?
Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
STOKED TO PARTNER WITH
HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription
USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT
“Sometimes it’s not about the finish line. It’s about finding joy in the messy middle.”
On this episode of the MidPacker Pod, Troy sits down with trail runner, race director, registered dietitian, and mom: Kayla Fitzgerald for a deep, fun, and relatable conversation about how she juggles it all while still chasing big goals in the ultra world.
Kayla shares her shift from road racing to trail running after realizing the road scene just didn’t vibe with her. What she found on the trails was community, connection, and a whole new way to push herself. From leading group runs to organizing local races under her brand Palmetto Ultras, Kayla has become a cornerstone of her local running community in South Carolina.
We dive into:
Balancing parenting, coaching, and 200-mile race training
Her experience as a registered dietitian and helping runners dial in their race-day nutrition
Upcoming races like Southern States 200, Barkley Fall Classic, and a possible go at Barn Creek Backyard Ultra
Her story of pushing through the Beast of the East 50 Miler—with Troy jumping in as an impromptu pacer!
Whether you’re a trail veteran or just dipping your toes into the dirt, Kayla’s perspective on doing what you love while doing life is refreshing and real.
Athlete Spotlight: Kayla Fitzgerald
Registered Dietitian, Nutrition coach, and mom
Race director and founder of Palmetto Ultras
Focused on inclusive, sustainable community building through trail events
Training for Southern States 200 and the Barkley Fall Classic
Advocate for fueling smarter and training with joy
Kayla's Links
IG: @palmetto.ultras
Website: Palmettoultras.com
Nutrition Coaching Site: Endurance-Nutritionist.com
Relevant Links
Southern States 200
Barkley Fall Classic
Barn Creek Backyard Ultra
Beast of the East 50 Miler
Partner Links:
Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.
More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.
Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.
“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary
Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!
Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
Kayla Fitzgerald, trail running, ultrarunning, Barkley Fall Classic, Southern States 200, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra, Beast of the East, race director, Palmetto Ultras, nutrition for runners, mom runner, balancing life and running, Freetrail, MidPacker Pod
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The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Join the Newsletter at: MidPack Musings SubStack Support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon. Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page STOKED TO PARTNER WITH HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCE - 10% off your order TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT “Sometimes it’s not about the finish line. It’s about finding joy in the messy middle.” On this episode of the MidPacker Pod, Troy sits down with trail runner, race director, registered dietitian, and mom: Kayla Fitzgerald for a deep, fun, and relatable conversation about how she juggles it all while still chasing big goals in the ultra world. Kayla shares her shift from road racing to trail running after realizing the road scene just didn’t vibe with her. What she found on the trails was community, connection, and a whole new way to push herself. From leading group runs to organizing local races under her brand Palmetto Ultras, Kayla has become a cornerstone of her local running community in South Carolina. We dive into: Balancing parenting, coaching, and 200-mile race training Her experience as a registered dietitian and helping runners dial in their race-day nutrition Upcoming races like Southern States 200, Barkley Fall Classic, and a possible go at Barn Creek Backyard Ultra Her story of pushing through the Beast of the East 50 Miler—with Troy jumping in as an impromptu pacer! Whether you’re a trail veteran or just dipping your toes into the dirt, Kayla’s perspective on doing what you love while doing life is refreshing and real. Athlete Spotlight: Kayla Fitzgerald Registered Dietitian, Nutrition coach, and mom Race director and founder of Palmetto Ultras Focused on inclusive, sustainable community building through trail events Training for Southern States 200 and the Barkley Fall Classic Advocate for fueling smarter and training with joy Kayla's Links IG: @palmetto.ultras Website: Palmettoultras.com Nutrition Coaching Site: Endurance-Nutritionist.com Relevant Links Southern States 200 Barkley Fall Classic Barn Creek Backyard Ultra Beast of the East 50 Miler Partner Links: Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete. More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles. Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order. “The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary Training Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/ Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!! Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/ Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Kayla Fitzgerald, trail running, ultrarunning, Barkley Fall Classic, Southern States 200, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra, Beast of the East, race director, Palmetto Ultras, nutrition for runners, mom runner, balancing life and running, Freetrail, MidPacker Pod