Trail Runner Nation

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl rejoin The Nation to answer questions you submitted via social media. Topics include: Is there a training load gain running with strollers? Is there a fitness transfer from heat to elevation? How to treat tightness and cramping in lower calf muscles. How to train for longer races when time is limited by work, family, and life? How to get in long training runs when it is so HOT....every day? How to make a comeback after a year or more off? More about Krissy Moehl Krissy Coaching services Krissy’s book, “Running your First Ultra” Ian's Stuff Sharman Ultras coaching services Ian’s new podcast, “PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast” David stuff David and Megan’s coaching at SWAPRunning (SWAP stands for Some Work, All Play). Their book, the Happy Runner David and Megan’s new podcast, “Some Work, All Play”

Two legendary Race Directors, Scotty Mills and Julie Fingar join The Nation to discuss when we will get back to racing, what to expect when we toe the line, and our responsibilities as racers as we transition back to racing. Scotty Mills has raced over 200 ultras and has directed races from 50k to 100 miles including the iconic San Diego 100.  Julie Fingar is an elite runner with many podium Finnishes including Angeles Crest 100, Rocky Racoon 100, Rio Del Lago 100, Headlands 100 and top 10 finisher at Western States 100.  She is also owner of NorCal Ultras, the engine that produces some of the biggest and oldest trail races, including Way Too Cool 50K, American River 50 Mile, and Rio Del Lago 100 mile races. Check out ITRA's Race Guidelines: a framework of standard operating guidelines that race organizers from around the world can reference, so that we can restart trail running events confident that we are applying good practice to keep our community of trail runners - including participants, volunteers and

John Kelly is only the 15th person to finish the formidable Barkley Marathons since its creation 24 years ago.  Since then he has finished many of the toughest races in the world including the Laverado Ultra Trail and the Tor des Geant.  Last year John moved from the U.S. to England and began tackling the amazing EU trails.  This spring, before the pandemic, John won the Spine Race, a 268-mile, 39K elevation route following the Pennine Way National Trail in Scotland.  As races were cancelled, John decided to try and break the 31-year-old FKT for the Pennine Way. We talked to John about his successful FKT (subsequently bested by friend, Damian Hall 8 days later) What is a Bog? His ambitious attempt at the Hartley Slam, named after Mike Hartley, the only person to complete all three of the Rounds consecutively. Balance: with training, young family and startup business Follow John's adventures at RandomForestRunner.com, where he will post a link on how to follow his Grand Round attempt John is running to raise

Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, Terry Fletcher  and Don recount their adventure and lessons learned after they completed the Trueform Runner Challenge": a couch to 100-mile" attempt through the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. Check out the amazing motionless treadmill that promotes efficient running, the Trueform Runner Check out Tosh's links: Crooked Butterfly Podcast Crooked Butterfly website Tosh's Instagram Follow Terry Fletcher on  Instagram

Alyssa Clark recently set a world record for the number of consecutive marathons: 95 marathons in 95 days.  Join us as she explains how this started out as a way to cope with COVID quarantine when she was living in Italy and kept pushing her goal.  We all can learn from her determination, her grit, her passion and love for running. Learn more about Alyssa: Her blog Training4adventure.com Instagram Facebook

Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, and  Terry Fletcher join The Nation to discuss the upcoming adventure, the Trueform Runner Challenge: a 100-mile event through the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California.  We visit with the group to discuss their expectations and training: The Mind's Mind Physical vs. Mental side How big is your fuse and what to do if you blow it? Check out the amazing motionless treadmill that promotes efficient running, the Trueform Runner Check out Tosh's links: Crooked Butterfly Podcast Crooked Butterfly website Tosh's Instagram

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl rejoin The Nation to discuss running topics: How to increase mileage? Is heat training necessary? Is Soccer (Football) a good base experience? Should you eat on a long run? What should you eat? 1000 miles in 1000 hours? from an article in the May 1993 issue of Ultrarunning Magazine (get 25% off a subscription) More about Krissy Moehl: Krissy Coaching services Krissy's book, "Running your First Ultra" Ian's Stuff: Sharman Ultras coaching services Ian's new podcast, "PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast" More about David Roche: David and Megan's coaching at SWAPRunning (SWAP stands for Some Work, All Play). Their book, the Happy Runner David and Megan's new podcast, "Some Work, All Play"

This is an episode we have been wanting to do for a long time.  We love our dogs and they love to join us on the trails.  However, there are many questions that come up concerning the safety of our companions. Ultrarunner and dog-lover, Victor Ballesteros and Veterinarian, Dr. Xuân Mai Võ, join us to talk about their passion for the trail, outdoors, and their furry companions.  Some of the topics covered: What breads are the best? Where to find a good trail running dog? When can our pups start running?  How far? Safety concerns for our dogs.  How to deal with heat What can we learn from our pets? Canicross (Canicross USA) Some additional resource links: Sophia Yin , Perfect Puppy in 7days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves Musher's Secret (paw wax) Squirrel's Nut Butter Salves Leptospirosis Dog and Human Harnesses Mid-range, everyday harnesses, Ruffwear For the BEST sports bags visit Victor's company, Victory Sport Design and get 15% off with code trnpups    

Michael was looking for a new wet suit online and clicked on a link that said "trail running" because he had never heard of it.  This started a pivot in his life that would eventually lead him to be a product line manager for Salomon and living in France with his wife, Steph.  Mike joins us to explain why this sport and community quickly drew him in and how it has enriched his life. Read more about Michael's story HERE Watch Michael talk turkey about Salomon's 2020 offering in this VIDEO

What if there was a revolutionary treatment that could: improve your cardiovascular capacity decrease sports injuries help you live longer enhance memory make you more creative make you look more attractive keep you slim and decrease food cravings protect you from cancer and dementia ward off colds and flu decrease your chance of heart attack, stroke and diabetes help you feel happier, less depressed and less anxious Dr. Matthew Walker's book, "Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams"  could miraculously improve all of these. Alex Hutchinson and Andy Jones-Wilkins wake us from our slumber to help us understand WHY WE SLEEP.  We each take a chapter (four out of sixteen total chapters) to discuss and debate the research and findings. AJW's Coaching Find out more about Alex Alex's web site A previous podcast with TRN: What Defines our Limits - with Alex Hutchinson Follow Alex on Twitter Check out Sweat Science at Outside Online

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl rejoin The Nation to discuss running topics. More about Krissy Moehl: Krissy Coaching services Krissy's book, "Running your First Ultra" Sharman Ultras coaching services More about David Roche: David and Megan's coaching at SWAPRunning (SWAP stands for Some Work, All Play). Their book, the Happy Runner

The events in 2020 have effected everyone throughout the world.  First with the Pandemic and now with coming to terms with some long overdue inequalities.  We didn't want to distract from the attention and introspection that is needed now.  So we decided to not publish a new episode this week, rather, we want to share one of our favorite episodes.  This episode is from 2014 and we hope you like it and might help you through these hard times. If "ultra running is 90% mental and the other 10% is in your head", shouldn't we train our brain?  Is there a repeatable process for winning? Lanny Bassham went from a kid that others said would never compete as an athlete to a 2-time Olympic medalist and 4-time world champion with four world records.  All winners have common threads that they do differently than everyone else.  He has discovered a formula to preparing mentally to be a champion.  Since retiring from competition, he continues as a coach to many World and Olympic champions, Fortune 500 companies, the United

Zach Bitter and Matt Fitzgerald pop in to see who reins supreme with a grab bag topic. Check out Zach's latest world record and his coaching information HERE Matt is always working on the next must-read running book.  Make sure you have his entire library and his coaching services HERE

Do you remember your first trail run?  What was the first thing you learned? There are some differences everyone learns when transitioning to the trails.  Andy Jones-Wilkins joins The Nation and we talk about some things we wish we knew including: How to find a trail? What gear do you need? What techniques are different? How can I remain safe? What Etiquette is important to know Here is the article about the Emergency Puffy featured at Cruzet Running by John Anderson AJW's Coaching

Michael McKnight set the fastest cumulative time for the triple crown of 200-milers, Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200, & Moab 240  in 2017.  Around the same time, he began his journey to become a fat-adapted runner.  Three years later and without a race on the calendar, he wondered if he could run 100 miles without food, relying on his fat burning engine.  In the early hours of May 8, he began his self-made 100-mile route around Cache Valley, UT (see map below). In this podcast, we talk to Michael two weeks prior to his project about his idea, preparation, and expectations. 5 days after his project, we spoke with him about lessons learned and his experiences talk to Jeff Browning, Michael's coach about fat adaption and how this might help you Check out Michael's previous podcast, EP 431: Chasing the Triple Crown of 200s with Michael McKnight Here is Jeff Browning's previous podcast: EP 427: Giddyup with Jeff Browning Check out Jeff's coaching web site: GoBroncoBilly.com  Podcast photo by VanhornPictures

Peter Bakwin and Buzz Burrell popularized the term Fastest Known Times when they set the FKT on the John Muir Trail in 2000.  A few years later they created the website that helps our community record cool routes around the world.  With the cancellation or postponing of many races this year, more people are "projecting" adventures that might lead to an FKT.  Buzz joins us to talk about the rise in popularity of FKTs and how you can participate!   Tune into the Fastest Known Time Podcast Listen to Buzz's past podcast with us.

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl join The Nation to debate matters of trail running consequence in a new game called, "Bonk or No Bonk. More about Krissy Moehl: Krissy Coaching services Krissy's book, "Running your First Ultra" Sharman Ultras coaching services More about David Roche: David and Megan's coaching at SWAPRunning (SWAP stands for Some Work, All Play). Their book, the Happy Runner

In our first call in show, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella fields calls from Nation Listeners from around the world.  We field questions regarding Risks of fasted runs Rehab from meniscus injuries Training for a marathon vs. a mountain ultra Best treadmills for running indoors How to avoid injury and run pain free Please consider supporting Dr. Cucuzzella's running store, Two Rivers Treads or call them for expert advice. 304-885-8843 Visit the Natural Running Center

Recently, our friend and trail culture advocate, Bob Crowley, was appointed as President of ITRA, International Trail Running Association.  Bob helps The Nation understand more about this little known organization that we SHOULD know about and support.  ITRA's values mirror our shared values of authenticity, humility, fair play, respect, solitary, and teamwork.  Not only can it represent our collective voice, but can help race directors and individuals alike.  The basic membership is free so please sign up to strengthen our voice and protect our culture.

We often hear that, "ultra running is 90% mental and the rest is in your head".....or something like that. Returning favorite guest, Dr. Simon Marshall and 3-time Xterra world champion, Lesley Paterson join The Nation to help us understand how the brain works and strategies to help us perform at a higher level. Visit their website: BraveHeartCoach.com to learn more or to schedule 1/2 hour mental coaching sessions. Check out their new Xterra Podcast They co-authored the book, "Brave Athlete - Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion" Try out their FREE "Smog Report"personalized advice to optimize your training Fun video introduction of the book. Follow Simon and Lesley on Twitter Here is the link to our previous podcast with Simon and Lesley