Trail Runner Nation

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 articl...

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-...

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 i...

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...

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 ex...

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 colle...

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 c...

Volume 8 of the Pulitzer Prize winning TRN Audio Magazine is now available at your corner newspaper stand. Featured articles : Is Longer Better? Good Until the Last Drop Give me 5 You Never Forget Your First Time Does the Tail Wag the Dog? Running, Is it Good for Your Knees? Don't Believe the Hype How Much? Anton Krupicka "Indulgence" Video JB Benna's "Unbreakable" Movie - Free for a limited time...

Today, the Western States Endurance Run Board of Directors announced the cancellation of the 2020 race.  This is only the second time in the race's 46 years that they have had to cancel the race.  Race Director, Craig Thornley, joins Andy Jones-Wilkins in a discussion to clarify and answer any questions.

Earlier this week we posted a podcast discussing the situation with COVID-19.  Since then, many communities have been directed to "shelter in place".  This doesn't mean we cannot continue with our passion of running. As promised, this is the follow up podcast with Coach and Prognosticator, Andy Jones-Wilkins .  The discuss the subject of what we can do now.  If we approach this with the right atti...

SPECIAL EDITION: We recently posted a letter from the Ultra-Endurance Sport Science & Medicine web site.  This letter makes recommendations for our sport during this pandemic.  Dr. Marty Hoffman, co-author, joins us to explain how this virus can affects our community.  Bob Crowley, Trail Animals Club, also explains how this affects our race season. Here is the link to Corrine Malcolm's article at...

Matt Fitzgerald  (sports nutritionist, writer, athlete, coach) will be releasing a new book in May, "Running the Dream; One Summer Living, Training and Racing with a Team of World-Class Runners Half My Age" .  We talk to him about his journey as he trains with Hoka's  NAZ elite team of professional runners in Flagstaff, AZ. He also has launched an interesting cool new running camp concept, " Endea...

There are many high profile races out there and many of those are very difficult to get into.  The good news is there are many GREAT races that you might not know about.  It the New TRN produced podcast, Trail Hacks highlights one of these amazing races.  We speak with the Race Director to better understand the characteristics of the race. We then get with a veteran runner to give us a hack or two...

Don found a recent article, "13 Things You're Probably Doing That Are Sabotaging Your Run" by Erin Kelly on Bustle.com We decided to make a game to discuss the points.  TRN friends: Donna NiCuarta  and Warren Pole join us to debate the pros and cons of each point.

There is a correlation between motivation and self-discipline in successful runners.  Coach AJW joins The Nation to discuss what motivation and discipline is, how we can use it, and how to improve it. Here are the links that we discussed Gene Hackman's motivational speech in Hoosiers Brad Kerns Morning Routine Podcast on Vulnerability Podcast Anatomy of a DNF AJW's Coaching AJW's Tap Room

If you have been trail running for a while, you inevitably have been mentored by others with a lot of experience and wisdom.  This is where Trail Runner Nation was born - to provide a venue to share this knowledge with a broader audience.   Stephanie Howe   joins us to discuss some of the great golden nuggets of knowledge that we have learned. Make sure you check out Stephanie's web site for coach...

Nearly 8 years ago we recorded a podcast where we talked about the SoCal Coyotes ' philosophy.  These tenants are common throughout our tribe.  Coach Jimmy Dean Freeman joins us to discuss its relevance eight years later. Click HERE to watch the video Click HERE to listen to the original podcast

In this edition of Grab Bag, Alex Hutchinson and Matt Laye join us as we try an find out the truth behind: Over breathing? Can we become so efficient that we are burning less energy than a sedentary person? Is there a benefit to stretching? How does your microbiom affect health? Can smiling improve performance? Do we have limits to the number of calories we can process? Links that of stuff we talk...

Dr. Phil Maffetone  helps us understand the difference about over-weight and over-fat.  We discuss why is so difficult to lose weight because our understandings may be in error. If we lose excess fat, we will become healthier and more efficient runners. Book: Overfat Pandemic - Exposing the problems and its simple solution for everyone who needs to eliminate excess body fat  Article: "Six Reasons...

Ellie Greenwood elaborates on a few recent articles she wrote in Ultrarunning Magazine : Reigniting Your Passion , November 2018 Finding Gratitude in Slower Times , September 2019 Band of Runners , November 2019

Matt Fitzgerald  (sports nutritionist, writer, athlete, coach) has been doing some endurance writing with his 2019 published "Life is a Marathon: A Memoir of Love and Endurance" .  In May, he will be releasing, "Running the Dream; One Summer Living, Training and Racing with a Team of World-Class Runners Half My Age" .  We talk to him about his journey as he trains with Hoka's  NAZ elite team of pr...

CTS Training Director, Jason Koop , joins The Nation to talk about his new podcast Koopcast and some good tactics to start the new year off right.   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 coa...

Don and Scott review the podcasts from 2019 and the many amazing guests that have joined us and helped us become better, smarter, more efficient runners.  What were your favorite gold nuggets?

AJW joins us for a quick recap of 2019 performances in ultrarunning.  It includes his picks for Ultrarunner of the year (female and male) Performance of the year (female and male) Rookie of the year (female and male) Surprise of the year (female and male) Most inspirational Please check out Andy's coaching services and his weekly Tap Room article! AJW's Coaching AJW's Tap Room