Trail Runner Nation

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella has been running his entire life and has many marathons, six completions of the JFK 50 and two completions of the Comrades Marathon . But this fall he ticked of his first 100-miler! We talk to him about his great achievement and what he learned at the first inaugural Rim to River 100. We also reminisce about his 20 episodes with us beginning in the 2012! Here is a link to the f...

The famous Western States 100 began from a horse race that started back in 1955. SIX years prior to this (1949), Pack Burro racing had been a prize-paying sport that started in the mountains of Colorado. Here is a fun video produced by Salomon a couple years ago with Max King and Ryan Sandes trying the race. Past guest and running shoe enthusiast, Brian Metzler, rejoins The Nation after we found o...

Coaches  Ian Sharman ,  David Roche  and  Krissy Moehl  rejoin The Nation to answer questions you submitted via social media. Topics include: Taking time off after a big race How to be safe on the trails How to know you are ready for the next challenge Are back to back trainings necessary? How to incorporate stationary bike into training How to increase training duration and/or time More about Kri...

This is our first Simul-podcast. It only makes sense that we would do this with our favorite British corespondent, Warren Pole ,  one of the founders of 33 Fuel. They recently started a podcast that is devoted to endurance fueling: 33Fuel Podcast We reflect on the eight-year relationship with Warren and Erica, his wife. Be sure to try out the many products at 33fuel.com and use the code TRN33 for...

We all have multiple identities - Mom, brother, friend, scientist, comedian, bowler, runner, writer, etc. Some of these identities come by choice, by chance or forced upon us. They may change over time too. We are the sum of these identities. They help us learn and grow. We should celebrate them in our own lives and within those around us. One of the best parts of trail running is to learn about t...

We brought together running representatives from three continents Asia: Mark Agnew , Hong Kong Europe: Hillary Gerardi , France North America: Jamil Coury , USA We asked them to talk about running topics that are current in their corner of the world. Photo: Jubilee Paige Find out more about Jamil: Run Steep Get High Youtube Channel & Cocodona 250 Race Photo by by Martina Valmassoi Find out more ab...

Zoë Rom had a great birthday this year. She woke up and set out to run the 17-mile, 5400' ascent to Capitol Peak . Capitol Peak is one of the infamous "14ers" (peaks in Colorado over 14,000' elevation). It is a class 4 climb that is rated "high" in exposure, rockfall potential, and Route-finding. It is also know for the "knife edge" near the top. She had a good day and ended up setting the support...

Earlier this summer Adam Kimble broke the supported FKT (fastest known time) on the 171-mile circumnavigation of the Tahoe Rim Trail in 37 hours 12 minutes. The Tahoe Rim Trail is a long-distance hiking trail that forms a loop around the Lake Tahoe Basin in the Sierra Nevada and Carson ranges of California and Nevada in the United States. The trail ranges in elevation from 6,240 feet at the outlet...

One of the many conversations we enjoy on the trail is how each of us were introduced to trail and ultra running. Each of us has our own story. Although each of these stories are unique, there are some relatable common threads. In the book, The Rise of the Ultra Runners - A Journey to the Edge of Human Endurance, Author Adharananad Finn explores these stories as he walks through his journey into u...

We met John Kelly in episode 483 after he successfully broke the 31-year FKT on the 268-mile Pennine Way in Scotland earlier this summer. In this episode, John discusses his successful completion of The Grand Round, UK's big three fell running rounds run consecutively (192 miles, 84,000' elevation, 113 summits) AND riding a bike between the trail heads totaling 398 miles. This was John's second at...

Who knew watching someone walk would be a more popular spectator sport than baseball, football or horse racing? During the 1870s and 1880s, that was the case. Sold out arenas watched competitors walk around tracks almost non-stop for six days straight going over 500 miles. Some walking contests were created from wagers that had athletes walk hundreds of miles between cities....in the snow! Pedestr...

Running is one of the world's most popular forms of exercise but is sometimes accompanied with injuries.  It is easy to do a quick web search for these injuries, but will often find contradicting treatments. Our expert physical therapists, Dr. Joe Uhan and Dr. Asher Kyger Henry review your common injuries and offer solutions.  A theme evolved around Movement Strength Efficiency Find out more about...

Andy Jones-Wilkins is not a stranger to big training blocks and high mileage, but it has been nearly four years since he has run 100 miles in one week. This year has been unique and without any races, Andy decided to push his boundaries and set his BHAG: Run 100 miles in one week. He shares the five gold nuggets he learned from his adventure. Read his pre run expectation at iRunFar Tap Room Hire A...

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 l...

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 Finn...

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, 3...

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 Butterfl...

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...

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 motionles...

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 Coac...

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...

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 abou...

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 depres...

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...