Trail Runner Nation

Andy Jones-Wilkins joins to talk about seven simple rules to consider for a successful long run.  This list is not comprehensive and we may have follow up episodes.   Don't run a single hill (the definition of a hill varies by fitness level) Run all downs, (unless the hill taxes the knees, quads, or risk a fall) Start early with a purposeful walk/run rhythm.  Keep the body fresh, do not put yourself in a catch up position.   EVERY time you shift from a run to a walk, use this mantra, "Walk with purpose!"   Walking with a purpose is effective and a strategy.   Manage the aidstations, show up with a plan. .  Let a volunteer fill your hydration. Next, take care of your gear and medical.  Select your fuel, eat it as you walk out.  (No loitering)   You cover an enormous amount of ground when you purposefully walk.   Monitor anything that feels slightly off; calories, hydration, electrolytes, salt on face, salt on shirt, color of urine, cramping, stomach, apply lube to anything hot (chaffage) and listen to negativ

Trail Runner Nation began in November of 2011 with a singular purpose or WHY: To share knowledge with our Nation of runners that will help them become better runners, run longer. In this candid conversation, Don and Scott talk about how this WHY was formed and how it has guided the podcast: from choosing guests and topics. We credit this clarity to a book by Simon Sinek, "Start with Why". We highly recommend it to everyone that might be looking at life or projects that are a little blurry. As an appetizer, please watch Simon in his 18-minute Ted Talk from 2010. Please consider supporting these great partners of Trail Runner Nation that sponsored this episode:   Janji UCAN  

Kilian Jornet, 33, is one of our generation's greatest endurance athletes.  He is a six-time Skyrunner World Series champion, and has stood atop the podium at trail races around the wold, most notably the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Western States Endurance Run, and Hardrock Hundred Mile Run.  Jornet has set fastest known times on mountain peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc and holds numerous ski mountaineering records. Guest Hosts Anna Frost and Stephanie Howe speak with Kilian from his home in a quiet Norwegian village where he lives with his wife, noted trail racer Emilie Forsberg, two daughters, a labradoodle, eleven sheep and a menagerie of farm animals. You will find that Kilian is humble and thoughtful.  You will find out where he ranks a 24-hour track run on his "fun scale".  He is passionate about our environment and brining up his family and teaching future generations about how to keep the planet safe. Check out Kilian Jornet Foundation Please check out our partners for this episode: XO Skin U

One thing most runners have in common is that we will inevitably puke: literally and figuratively.  How do you react to these situations?  Dr. Rob Bell is a certified Mental Performance Coach with years of academic research and real-life coaching experience.  He will help us to put these situations into perspective, frame them and then use them to propel us to improved performance and fulfillment. Dr. Rob Bell's seventh book, Puke & Rally: It's Not About the Setback, It's About the Comeback Check out Dr. Rob's web site Puke & Rally web site His podcast, "15 minutes of Mental Toughness" Find him at Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube Thank you for all our partners.  This episode is brought to you by  XO Skin Goodr If you like this episode and would like to support us with a gel or two, visit our Patreon link

Badwater 135 mile race is dubbed the world's toughest footrace.  It begins at the lowest elevation in the USA (280 feet below sea level) and runs over three mountain ranges in the blistering heat of Death Valley, climbing 14,600' to end at the portal to Mt. Whitney.  Some of the greatest ultra runners have run this race.  This was Sally McRae's second attempt.  In 2018 she finished a personal-disappointing seventh place.  This year she won and won big.  She joins co-host Krissy Moehl to discuss her training journey, what drove her to the win and how she is recovering.

Joe Grant has run and raced around the world and created some amazing adventures in his home state of Colorado.  Guest hosts Anna Frost and Stephanie Howe find out more about what makes Joe tick and why he feels running is an art. Joe's move, The Middle Way Find out more about Joe's adventurous life Joe's adventure to bike to and then summit all of Colorado's 14ers (peaks that are over 14,000' in elevation)   Anna's web site Anna's Trail Run Adventures Stephanie's web site Stephanie's Threshold Expeditions

Our Coaches, Krissy Moehl , David Roche and Ian Sharman join us to talk about some of the lessons that were learned from the 2021 Western States 100 race that might help you improve your performance. You can find out more about Krissy: - Krissy Coaching services - Krissy's book, "Running your First Ultra" Ian Sharman can be found at - Sharman Ultras coaching services - Ian's podcast, "PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast" David's stuff - David and Megan's coaching at SWAPRunning - Their book, "The Happy Runner" - David and Megan's podcast, "Some Work, All Play" Visit our partners XO Skin - get 15% off with code "TRN" Run The Alps - guided and self-guided support tours of the Alps and Dolomites!

Mimmi Kotka is a world class runner that lives part-time in the Chamonix Valley with her husband Toni and dog Enzo, giving tours of the mountains at Run the Alps.  Mimmi has won or been on the podium at a number of major trail races around the world. That list includes first place at the 101 km CCC and 121 km TDS races in Chamonix, France. She is a member of the Swedish National Ultrarunning Team. Mimmi isn’t just a trail runner, either. She also has an advanced degree in Nutrition, and is a partner in Moonvalley. She has a fun sense of humor, and always has interesting insights to share on trail running. Mimmi joins Anna and Stephanie to talk about her passions, her unconventional lifestyle and her struggle and triumph over RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) Stephanie's web site Stephanie's Threshold Expeditions Anna's web site Anna's Trail Run Adventures Make sure to get your FREE sample pack of UCAN by clicking HERE Check out the trail-designed PATH Projects gear

This week's podcast (Friday) will be hosted by two of our favorite guests, Anna Frost and Stephanie Howe. Be sure to check out these links to their coaching and their events coming up: Stephanie's web site Stephanie's Threshold Expeditions Anna's web site Anna's Trail Run Adventures

It is no surprise that world-class athletes couldn't get to their level without a strong mental game. It could be argued that you need a strong mental game to push beyond your personal limits to a new plateau.  Recent research reveals exactly how they do it - and now we can learn that formula and incorporate it into our athletics and other areas of our lives. Noel Brick, PhD, research phycologist of endurance athletics and Scott Douglas, contributing writer for Runner's World, co-authored the titled book and help us understand how we can learn from these athletes to improve our performance on and off the trail. Last week to register to win 1 of 10 pair of BOA Fit System powered La Sportiva Cyklon shoes. Get 15% off XO Skin gear HERE by using code TRN at checkout

We invited Ryan Montgomery on our podcast to do a "Golden Nuggets" episode. Like some trail runs take interesting twists and turns and you end up discovery new and exciting vistas, our conversation turned to a fun and educational place. Our Soundman Ryan did a great job editing in the fragmented discussion. We hope you enjoy and will share it with other. Ryan Montgomery started his running career in middle school while living in Alaska and continued throughout high school. He ran his first marathon at age 15! Ryan discovered trail running while attending college in Utah and quickly became a top performer. He has broken the 13-hour mark for running the 100-mile distance in 2019 at the USATF National Championships and will be representing Team USA in the 24-hour World Championships in 2021. Ryan is also an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Ryan runs for Altra and coaches with Mountain Endurance Coaching. Register to win a pair of La Sportiva Cyklon shoes powered by Boa Fit Systems Make sure to get y

After our Western States 100 Prognostication episode, we kept the recording button pushed and this is the discussion.  We get a short race report from AJW on his Bighorn 100 race last weekend.  Ambasedor Level Patreon members get all our bonus miles.

Western States 100 is the first high profile race that is being held since the pandemic cancelled racing around the world.  We sit down with Andy Jones-Wilkins to get his take on this year's race.  There will be 320 amazing stories from each of the starters.  We highlight some of the ones that you might want to watch unfold. Hire Andy as a coach! or check out his weekly Tap Room at iRunFar Make sure to get your FREE sample pack of UCAN by clicking HERE Register to win a pair of La Sportiva Cyklon shoes powered by Boa Fit Systems Get 15% off your order at XO skin using the code TRN

This is an important episode and we are fortunate to have a friend, Cory Reese, join us to talk about depression.  Cory is an accomplished ultra runner and author of three books: Nowhere Near First Into the Furnace  Stronger than the Dark Cory introduces us to his friend and physiology expert (and ultra runner), Catherine Van Tassell, social worker, PA with experience in psychology at the University of Utah.  She is also a master trainer for iFIT Mind. This episode should help everyone listening.  If you suffer from depression, know someone who is, wonder if you are, or just want to help anyone that might need it.  This podcast is for you.   If you are in need of help, please reach out to your family friends or running community.  We love you and want to help.  If you have thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 anytime 24/7. Get your free UCAN sample pack here.

The world did not come to an end at the 2021 World's End 100K last week. Andy Jones-Wilkins experienced his first DNF after successfully completing 184 ultras prior. Read more about AJW's race in the Tap Room at iRunFar Hire Andy as a coach! or check out his weekly Tap Room at iRunFar Get your free UCAN sample pack here.

This is the first of a new series of episodes called NuggetCast.  Andy Jones-Wilkins joins us to explain what a NuggetCast is and to help kick off the first episode. This episode's nuggets are: Train the mind Throw out the ego Be Prepared Hire Andy as a coach! or check out his weekly Tap Room at iRunFar

In running failure might manifest itself as a DNF at a race or a failed workout. Many of us are programmed to believe that failure is bad. In this episode, we will challenge that fallacy and talk about how failure is part of the design process of becoming a better runner and human. Returning guest, Adam Kimble joins us with a couple friends, Jim O'Brien and Connor Crouch to recount a discussion they recently had on a run about DNFs and failures. Learn more about Adam by checking out his web site and his coaching site, Run On Dirt Coaching. Adam's social channels: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Mentioned on the episode: Desert Runners Movie

We all love a good story about trail running. In Dean Karnazes' latest book, "A Runners High - My Life in Motion", he tells stories that you will easily draw you in and might remind you of similar situations that you might have been in. The stories will make you laugh, questions our sanity as runner, and make you think about life and running. Listen to Dean's previous episode, "Who is Dean Karnazes?" Dean is an accomplished author of four other best sellers: UltraMarathon Man - Confessions of an All-Night Runner 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days - and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss The Road to Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace To learn more about Dean, visit his web site: Ultramarathonman.com

This past year has broken from the normal and thrown some curveballs, challenges and outright disappointments to our lives inside trail running.  We thought it would be a good discussion to talk about the state of The Nation, the trail running community that we all enjoy and love. Andy Jones-Wilkins joins us to talk about some of the changes and what that may mean to our sport. Links of interest: Ultrarunner Magazine's article from 2017 written by 9 important races in the US, "Why We Won't Pay: UTMB, ITRA and the 'Pay For Points' Racket"  AJW's Taproom article, "Forty-One Years at the American River 50 Mile: The Longevity of Tim Twietmeyer Hire Andy as a coach! or check out his weekly Tap Room at iRunFar

This week on Trail Runner Nation, we have a special edition of our podcast. UTMB race co-founder Michel Poletti joins us from Chamonix, France, along with four other guests, from Bellingham, Washington, to Boulder, to Chamonix. The topic? A new partnership announced today between the iconic triathlon brand and what is perhaps the world’s most famous trail race. Trail Runner Nation was one of the first media outlets in the world to receive the news. We taped this show Tuesday night, Chamonix time, and held it until the embargo expired at 4 am east coast time, Thursday, May 6. We’ll continue to cover this story in future podcast episodes, as it evolves. For now, you can check out highlights of our conversation on our Trail Runner Nation Youtube Channel, and read a summary of highlights in this blog post on our web site. What’s your opinion of this news? The Trail Runner Nation conversation continues in the new Trail Running Community at Ultrasignup. Check it out HERE. Our Guests: Michel Poletti is one of the fo