Trail Runner Nation

Join TRN and follow Jimmy Dean Freeman as he takes on the original SIX 100-mile runs in the "Orignial Six Hundo Challenge". #O6HC Jimmy just completed the "Old Dominion".  Jimmy joins us with his virtual coach, Andy Jones Wilkins, to get a race report, discuss recovery for his second race, the Western States 100 Follow Jimmy's challenge at #O6HC or @CoachJimmyDean or at Socal Coyotes To read more about JDF's challenge read here: Six Hundos You can't run Six 100-mile races without your feet.  Foot Kenetics makes a revolutionary foot care product, RunGoo that can prevent blisters and other body chafage.  Get FREE shipping by using TRN2014 at checkout.

Amazing trail runner and author of the book One Step Beyond  Malcolm Law and his equally talented wife Sally Law sat down with us and discussed how a small gift in the form of a book became the spark for a dramatic change in life.  Malcolm spun on his heel, leaving the corporate world to become a trail  adventurer and a major fundraiser for Leukemia & Blood Foundation of New Zealand.   Malcolm Law set out to perform a world-first attempt to run New Zealand’s seven renowned ‘Great Walks’ in seven consecutive days.  It would take 3-5 days to "Walk" each of the sections so in trailrunner fashion he decided he should run them.  Malcolm has set a new adventure and equally agressive fund raising goal.  Running 50 Peaks in 50 days  combined with a fund raising goal well over 250K for the Mental Health Foundation of NZ. You can find more about Malcolm on his website http://runningwildnz.com/ Wanna FREE signed copy of One Step Beyond.  Join the contest ending June 18th, 2014.  Complete this sentence, "You know you

"There is no such thing as the One True Way to eat for maximum health.  No diet cult is better than the rest, and a person need not join any diet cult to attain maximum health. An agnostic approach to healthy eating that forbids nothing, smiles upon eating for pleasure, and encourages individual choice can do the job just as well or better" - Matt Fitgerald, Diet Cults Well known sports writer, nutritionist, athlete and trainer, Matt Fitzgerald joins the Nation to discuss how diet cults have taken over our culture, vilified many foods and lead us with fear to join their restrictive diets. This is NOT another diet book, but rather a captivating book that invites us to objectively look at different diets and figure out, through scientific research, what is healthy eating. Links: Free Audible download of "Diet Cults" Purchase the book Link to Matt's previous podcast, "The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel" Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail runn

Join TRN and follow Jimmy Dean as he takes on the original SIX 100-mile runs in the "Orignial Six Hundo Challenge". Prior to each run we collect a recap from the previous race, bring a mentor to help repair our athlete and commit Jimmy to a prediction. This should be fun......for us. This podcast expert:  David "Sniper" Snipes: Sniper has completed >40 100-mile runs, including Jimmy's first challenge: the "Old Dominion" Follow Jimmy's challenge at #O6HC or @CoachJimmyDean or at Socal Coyotes To read more about JDF's challenge read here: Six Hundos

In the middle of the official Western States Endurance Run training weekend, we relax with Ian Torrence Emily Harrison Dominic Grossman Katie DeSplinter We chat about the weekend training Is trail running an activity or a way-of-life Mental Taper How has social media affected ultra running? If you could enter a trail running time machine, would you choose to dial back the dial 100 year? or forward 100 year? Links: McMillan Running Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl

So if you get a chance to have a running discussion with Ann Trason and Andy Jones Wilkins at mile 55.7 on the Western States 100 Trail, what would you ask? We throw the kitchen sink at them both and came up with a jumbolia of topics that will make you laugh, gasp, motivate, and train you. Register for Ann's new trail race series, Overlook Endurance Runs: 50k, 50-mile, and 100K Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl

We posted a video on April 9th about Josh Spector's experience running his first 135-mile race, The Brazil 135.  To date it has had over 2 Million views - because it is that good!  Josh's first 135-mile run was on an unfamiliar course in a foreign country,  he talks to us about the difference between 100-milers and running 135 miles, how to prepare yourself for running in a foreign country, and how to enjoy the journey. Josh is currently training for the grueling Badwater 135 this summer. Josh's Blog, Twitter, and Facebook Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Many athletes fail to make progress or they see their fitness regress due to three main factors: You become injured You are training improperly You’ve simply lost the desire to train, or train like you used to Dr. Stephen Gangemi, the Sock Doc,  joins The Nation to discuss the science behind motivation.  From your brain to your gut, we will discuss the physiological and mental aspects of motivation and how you can regain the Eye of the Tiger! Here are the links to the first two articles that are the basis of this podcast: Athlete Motivation Part 1: It's In Both of Your Brains Motivation Part II: Healing and Optimizing Your Two Brains Motivation Part III: Why Your Motivation Stinks, Literally Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Many athletes fail to make progress or they see their fitness regress due to three main factors: You become injured You are training improperly You’ve simply lost the desire to train, or train like you used to Dr. Stephen Gangemi, the Sock Doc,  joins The Nation to discuss the science behind motivation.  From your brain to your gut, we will discuss the physiological and mental aspects of motivation and how you can regain the Eye of the Tiger! Here are the links to the first two articles that are the basis of this podcast: Athlete Motivation Part 1: It's In Both of Your Brains Motivation Part II: Healing and Optimizing Your Two Brains Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

One of your most important tools as a runner is your feet. You need to take care of them or your training/race may be foiled. John Vonhof literally wrote the book on how to take care of your feet: "Fixing Your Feet".  This book is now in the FIFTH edition!  John joins The Nation to discuss the basic principles of foot care: How you can have healthy & happy feet Footwear Insoles Gaiters Blister prevention and treatment What to keep in a foot care kit Taping your feet You can learn more by visiting his website HERE. Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Jared Campbell paid his $1.60 and a pack of cigarettes for his third attempt and second finish at the 2014 Barkley Marathons, a niche race in a niche sport.  Since the race's inception in 1986, only fourteen runners out of about 800 have completed the 100 mile race within the official 60 hour cut-off.  Jared is one of two racers that have finished the race twice.  Jared joins The Nation to discuss one of the most difficult trail races and his view on training. You can learn more about Jared at his blog, Door5 and read more about his race at Barkley Marathons HERE. Watch the 2014 Barkley Marathons Movie TRAILER and find out more about the movie HERE Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Dr. Mark joins us again to cover some interesting topics: America College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the world’s authority on exercise and health,  just released an article, "How to Select a Running Shoe", refining their position. Should you follow your doctor's treatment recommendations blindly?  What questions should you ask and what drugs to be careful of as a runner.  There was an article in Runners World talking about some medications you should avoid as a runner. Breathing is an important component in endurance sports.  Can we learn to breath better?.  What are things to consider and what are some exercises to learn to breath better?   Check out this video of some exercises you can do. A few ways to help you improve your running gait: You need to check out THIS WEBSITE.  You can get a PHd in running gait from these videos.  Another LINK that has more gait analysis information. Where to find Dr. Cucuzzella: Boston Marathon: Monday, April 21 Harpers Ferry Half Marathon: Saturday, May 10 Two Rivers Trea

Dr. Ryan Green is a certified athletic trainer and holds a doctorate in kinesiology.  He is a father, husband, runner and cancer survivor.  He recently discovered the benefits of tacking a running break.  We covered the following topics: Running Breaks - how long and how? Are their benefits to stretching? How should you warm up or should you? (Dr. Green's warm up lunge series) How to treat injuries? Ice Cup Massage Visit Ryan's running store at Varsity Sports. Visit Ryan's new web site: www.RunDocRyan.com Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

If you could run one last 100 miler with a personal-best time and then never run again OR you could be guaranteed to be able to run three miles a day for the rest of your life, but never run another 100, what would you choose? Andy Jones-Wilkins answers this question and other philosophical questions.  AJW will be running his tenth and final Western States 100 this June.  He has remained a competitive threat in this event and a HUGE fan of this race and trail running.  We talk with Andy about two of his recent blog posts on iRunFar: Problem Solving on a Run Stillness on The Run Other topics covered: How do you get your kids involved in running? What is the "Sawchuk Seven" and is it true? "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

George Plomarity, Patagonia's Team Sports Sales and Marketing Rep, joins The Nation to talk about their marketing campaign called #sufferbetter.  We discuss what this means to the ultra runner and how you can share your experiences with the community and possibly win a full Patagonia kit.  Post your story and photos on Twitter or Instagram and you will be registered for a monthly drawing. "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

"One of the most wonderful things that has happened to the world is Trail Running", says Gordy Ainsleigh in a face to face conversation we recently enjoyed.  Gordy talks about where ultra trail running has gone and his thoughts on where is is going.  He talks about his passion for the sport and his secret to life-long running.  He answers some of the Nation Members' questions too.  Find out why Gordy believes in cotton t-shirts, grape juice and beards - even in the summer months. Gordy has finished Western States 100 twenty-two times, most recently in June, 2007, though he unofficially completed the race in just over 30 hours (the official cuttoff) in 2010.  his fastest time is 20:55 in 1984, after starting 8 minutes late. "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Karl Meltzer is the record holder for the most 100-mile trail wins and most 100-mile wins in one season.  He joined the Nation with a studio audience the day before Way Too Cool 50K to discuss his race strategies: How does he break up a 100-mile race How does he alter his training when he is injured How has his training changed over the years His multi-day records and upcoming attempt to break the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail record How is a multi-day race different mentally and physically from a 100-mile race He also talks about Wings For Life World Run coming up on May 4th.  100% of the $50 race fee goes to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Check out this video of Karl's Red Bull Human Express, his 2064-mile Pony Express record run in 2010. Check out our video simulcast HERE "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

We talk with three of Nike's newly-formed Trail Elite Team: Sally McRae, Chris Vargo, Alex Varner, and Team Manager: Pat Werhane.  This interview was recorded the afternoon before Chris and Alex finished #1 and #2 at a 1200-participant, Way Too Cool 50K.  Some of the topics we discuss are: How to adjust for weather or course conditions? Is there race-day cooperation between team mates? Trusting your training Pre-race pump up songs Sally: “Back it up” by Gwen Staphanie Chris: “Helecopter” by Bloc Party Alex: “The Sign” by Ace of Base       uhhhhh, yea :) Core strength exercises Check out our video simulcast HERE "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Nation member, Candice Burt joins us to discuss a recent lighthearted  blog post she wrote on how ultra runners take things to excess.   DUH!   That's who we are.  Fun article about people that make up excuses for not racing well. Here are some of the races she directs: Tahoe Rim 200 mile race Bellingham Trail Marathon  Bellingham Trail Running Series Cle Elum Ridge 50k & 25K Rainshadow Running "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Ultra Trail Running is distinctly different in culture and mental preparation than other running or endurance sports.  Veteran Trail Ultra Runner, Bob Crowley, visits with the Nation about what is unique about this sports culture. Is there a difference between "doing" an ultra run and "being" an ultra runner? What are some of the tenets of the trail running culture? Are we losing the ultra trail running culture with the mass appeal and participation recently? How can we keep the culture? How does this culture helps us prepare mentally for the experiences that accompany a long trail race An interesting perspective from Geoff Roes in his article, "Ultrarunning is Dead" Join the Trail Animals Running Club "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl