Trail Runner Nation

This year's Western States 100 did not disappoint.  The course, the competition, the runners, the volunteers, the crew and pacers showed up in spades.  Join AJW as we review the big stories, review AJW pre-race picks, and relive the electricity from this past weekend. Look for weekly articles from AJW in the Taproomat irunfar.

369 runners will toe the line Saturday.  Each of them with a story.  AJWmeets up with us at The Aid Station in Auburn, CA to preview some of those stories of note and give us his prognostications on the podiums. Join us for the first-ever 20-hour video streamcast HERE Look for weekly articles from AJW in the Taproom at irunfar.

Join us next week (June 29-30) for the first ever 20-hour video stream-castof the iconic Western States 100. We will be streaming live video from The Aid Station in Auburn.  Come by and say, "Hi".  We will have aid station snacks and beverages there too. We discuss the details of the stream cast and where you can join in to follow the race, your favorite runners and learn more about WSER and trail running.

A few weeks ago we interviewed Coach Scott Johnstonabout the book he co-authored with Steve House and Kilian Jornet.  We now sit down with Steve to understand his contribution to this amazing book. Check out their website, Uphill Athlete, is a great resource of knowledge with over 240 articles, coaching, training plans, etc.

We unveil our new project that we are attempting the WSER18 hour podcast.  Join AJW and Bob Crowley, our event producer, as we discuss what we will be attempting, what you should expect and where you can either tune in OR come by and visit while we broadcast. We will begin streaming at 5:00pm PT on race day and will continue until the last finisher crosses the line. Click HERE to watch the live video stream-cast The Auburn Aid Station Trail Animals Club UltraLive

Chadd rejoins The Nation to discuss a recent race: Bob's Big Timber Backyard Ultra -a Last Man Standing race.  He describes what this type of race is and the mental challenges that come with a loop course with no finish line.  Chadd discusses how his training as an elite Navy Seal helps him prepare and run grueling races.  He explains how these techniques can help you through difficult times in a race and in life. Follow Chadd on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

Iron Mike Wardian is like the sunshine: he seems to be everywhere.  Mike has been successful in every race distance.  He has won the US Championships in 50K, 50M, and 100K distances.  He has qualified multiple times for the US Olympic trials, and still loves running 5Ks.  He has set world records as the fastest stroller marathon, 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents.  Last year he ran 10 marathons in 10 days (on 7 continents) - average time was sub 3 hour. So far he has RACED over 1100 miles in 2019! We sit down and talk to him about his beginnings, how he recovers magically, his secret to wellness, the amazing Hoka One One earlier this month, his passion for running and his love for the community.

Cat Bradley continues to be a rising star and we found out why when we sat down with her at Fleet Feet Sacramento for a live-audience recording.  She discusses how she developed a love for the outdoors and running, how she sets audacious goals, and how she deals with set backs.  Cat is a true ambassador of the trail and you will find out as you get sucked into her amazing story and personality.

Hoka One One may have kept the worlds best running secret for the world record attempt May 4th 2019.   When a company like Hoka looks for the perfect race venue and finds calendar doesn't meet the criteria, they build their own event.   Join us as we talk with the Senior Sports Marketing Manager, Mike McMannis   and Head Product Designer Matt Head about the details behind the event and the new CARBON X shoe.  You can join the event LIVE by logging into the Hoka One One FaceBook page and watch the event go down.  Hoka has provided  professional videographers and 4 professional commentators to give you the best seat in the house.     

How does Killian Jornet train?  Scott Johnston, a world class athlete and experienced coach teams up with two of the world's most experienced mountain athletes to help teach us the keys to training. Training the Uphill Athlete is the new book by Scott, Steve House and Killian Jornet.  Scott discusses the keys to training for endurance and mountain performance. Check out their website, Uphill Athlete, is a great resource of knowledge with over 240 articles, coaching, training plans, etc.

Tim Twietmeyer has finished Western States 25 times under 24 hours and 5 first place finishes.  Hal Hall has finished 30 Tevis Cup finishes  (Western States trail horse endurance ride) with multiple 1st place finishes.  Tim and Hal received a "Tile" in downtown Auburn California recognizing their contributions.  We sit down and chat about the history of WS trail, training horses vs training a human.  Craig Thornley RD of WS 100 helps host this podcast that was recorded live at Auburn Running Company.  We had a great time, we hope you enjoy as much as we did.  You can find a the live video on the WS FaceBook site.   

Marty Dugard is a New York Times #1 bestselling author and a  lifelong runner.  He also is the coach for the JSerra High School Running Lions Cross Country teams. He is also a friend of TRN, joining us a few years ago to teach how to seek for a better version of ourselves. We discuss his newest book, To Be a Runner: How Racing up Mountains, Running with the Bulls, or Just Talking on a 5K Makes You a Better Person (and the World a Better Place) Check out his other books HERE

Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance author, Alex Hutchinson, joins The Nation to discuss endurance: what it is, what defines our limits and the science that helps us understand it. Previous Podcasts where we discuss the specific chapters of Endure: Podcast #1:   The Unforgiving Minute, The Conscience Quitter, Heat, Belief Podcast #2: The Central Governor Theory, Pain and Training the Brain Podcast #3 : Oxygen, Fuel, and Zapping the Brain Check out Alex's other books: Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise Big Ideas: 100 Modern Inventions That Have Transformed Our World

We finally caught up with our dear friend and favorite sports nutritionist, Sunny Blende.  Although she is "retired", she still can help us understand the important human engine and how to fuel it for endurance sports. We based our discussion on active.com's article "5 Pre-race Nutrition Mistakes to Avoid" by Kelly Bastone Previous Podcasts with Sunny: Unbreakable review with Sunny Blende Ultrafuel for Ultrarunners  Fueling for your first Ultra Metabolic Efficiency Training Fueling In The Heat Carb Burning vs. Fat Burning

After trying to keep up with Sally McRae, we caught up with The Yellow Runner to discuss some key things that you might be doing that can sabotage your run. This topic is based on an article by Erin Kelly at Bustle Check out this short VIDEO to learn more about Sally

CTS Training Director, Jason Koop, joins The Nation to talk about his recent Tweet: Check out Jason's book, "Training Essentials for Ultrarunning" Jason Koop is the Head Coach for CTS-Ultrarunning. He is the author of ‘Training Essentials for Ultrarunning’ which has become the benchmark book for ultramarathon training. During his coaching career, he has managed over 100 endurance coaches and several hundred atheltes of all types, abilities and sports. He is coach to many of today’s top ultramarathon athletes including Dylan Bowman, Kaci Lickteig, Timothy Olson, Stephanie Violett, Dakota Jones, Kelly Wolf and many others. He is also an accomplished ultrarunner in his own right having finishes in some of the most difficult races on the planet including the Badwater 135, Hardrock 100, Leadville Trail 100, Wasatch 100, Bear 100 and Western States 100

Candice Burt joins The Nation to give us a report of her 3rd Place overall title at Delirious W.E.S.T 200 Mile Ultra.  Candice is arguably one of the pioneers in designing and directing the 200+ mile endurance races.  Until a few short weeks ago, she had never toed the line at the distance (in a race).  Listen to her experiences and stories. In a short month she will also be beginning her attempt to break the FKT of the Arizona Trail, the 800-mile trail from Mexico to Utah through Arizona. Check out Candice's races at Destination Trail and sign up for a race!

Today was the 30th Annual Way Too Cool 50K .  We sit down at the race with Victor Ballesteros and Kenzie MacPail to discuss their favorite Dos and Don'ts of race day.

Volume 7 of the Pulitzer Prize winning TRN Audio Magazine is now available at your corner newspaper stand. Featured articles have been submitted by AJW and Warren Pole and include: Ice To See You: Big Reds, Blue Balls, and Skinny Minis in Eastern Europe What's the Point MS is BS This Tastes a Little Salty The Big Sleep The Lucky Ones Is Running with Papa Roach The Last Resort? Sir WM Cubitt - It Can Be Way Way Worse Check out AJW's Coaching Warren Pole's Company:  33 Shake's new products and get a discount Brad Kearns' Freezer Chest Therapy