Trail Runner Nation

In this episode, Nation friend and renowned ultra runner Krissy Moehl talks about her recent race at the High Lonesome 100 . Krissy shares her experience running the challenging 100-mile race after a six-year hiatus from 100 milers and discusses her mindset as an aging athlete. She talks about the importance of accepting and embracing her body's changes and finding joy in the process. Krissy also...

Emily Halnon joins The Nation this week. She is a trail runner and mountain athlete from Eugene, Oregon. Emily shares her awe-inspiring journey of setting the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 460-mile Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Driven by the desire to honor her late mother, Andrea, who inspired her to start running, Emily talks about the mental and physical preparation require...

In this Trail Runner Nation podcast episode, Jay Dicharry talks about the newly updated edition of his book "Running Rewired," offering valuable insights on how to combat overuse injuries and optimize movement patterns for better running performance. He emphasizes the need for building a strong body through targeted exercises, as running alone isn't enough to enhance muscle strength, bone density,...

In this episode, Coach Ian Sharman talks about the art and strategy of long-term planning in trail running, emphasizing patience and consistency for sustainable gains. Drawing from his own experiences, Ian shares how he improved his marathon times and became a successful ultra runner through diligent training. He advises runners to set long-term goals and adapt to the physical demands of trail run...

Join ultra runners Jennifer Russo and Megan Eckert to discuss backyard ultras , a niche of ultra trail running. They explain that backyard ultras are last-man-standing races where runners complete a 4.167 mile lap every hour until only one person is remaining. Jennifer holds the world record with 74 yards (308 miles) set last month at Capital Backyard Ultra in Lorton, VA. She beat the previous rec...

In this episode, we sit down with the accomplished ultramarathoner, Hayden Hawks . Hayden shares his remarkable journey of overcoming a knee injury in 2023 and his triumphant return to the 2 024 Western States 100 , where he improved his time by 83 minutes and finished third. He opens up about his challenges during his recovery, the importance of patience, and the mental lessons that transformed h...

We recently replayed an episode from 2017 called, " Sh!t You Don't Do on the Trail " with Tim Twietmeyer and Bob Crowley.   We had so much fun walking down memory lane, we thought we should update it for 2024.  Since we are near the start of Western States 100 , we thought we'd skew it towards this race, but many of the principles mentioned are applicable wherever you are running.  And of course,...

Each year at this time, Andy Jones-Wilkin s joins The Nation each year to discuss the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run. This is the 11th year that he ruminates and give us his picks for the podium and the other notable runners. We decided this year to take a look at the constant character in every year's race, the course and do an in-depth description of the course. Find out more about this e...

Leading up to the 2024 Western States 100 Endurance Race , ultra legends Ellie Greenwood and Ian Sharman share their incredible experiences at the Western States 100. Ellie, who set a new women's record in her first WS100 in 2011, and Ian, with the record for the fastest cumulative time across 10 WS100 finishes, dive into their journeys into ultra running. They discuss their initial expectations,...

We are joined by Maggie Mertens , the author of "Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women," which challenges long-held beliefs about women in running. Starting with a powerful reminder from over a century ago, when a woman ran the first modern Olympic marathon without permission, the book reveals how women have faced relentless opposition from the medical establish...

In this episode, we discuss "Adaptation and Diversity in Training" with our adventurous guests Emma Cook-Clarke and Adam Campbell . Both elite athletes in mountain endurance sports, Emma and Adam share how their diverse sports backgrounds influence their training approaches.  From soccer and rugby to running and ski mountaineering, Emma discusses her journey of integrating different sports to enha...

In this episode, we take a nostalgic look back at an episode from 2017 with trail veterans Bob Crowley and Tim Twietmeyer. We revisit "Sh#@ You Don't Do On the Trail," where we covered the essential unwritten rules of the trail and aid stations that every runner should know. From the infamous "snot rocket" technique to the delicate art of avoiding "double-dipper," Bob and Tim shared their invaluab...

Dr. Rob Bell discusses his book 'No One Gets There Alone' and emphasizes the importance of relationships and connectivity in achieving personal and professional goals. He shares a personal story of receiving help during a race and how it changed his mindset. The conversation explores: Success is not solely a product of individual effort; relationships and connectivity play a crucial role. Helping...

What if there was a way to instantly diagnose and address running issues right on the trail? In this episode, we talk about the new Trail Triage app.  We speak with the team that developed the app answering these and other key questions: What is Trail Triage? Why was it developed? How can it help me on my training runs and racing? How do I access it? Where does the content come from?  Can I trust...

In today's episode of the Trail Runner Nation podcast, we are thrilled to host elite Canadian trail runners Adam Campbell and Emma Cook-Clarke . They will share insights into balancing demanding athletic careers with personal and professional responsibilities. Adam, a lawyer turned professional runner with Arc'teryx, has an impressive history, including surviving a lightning strike during the 2014...

Today, we're excited to have a returning guest, Dr. Stefanie Flippin . Not only is Stefanie a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon with a private practice, but she's also an elite trail runner, an accomplished coach, a freelance writer, and the host of the Making Strides podcast.  Stefanie helps us understand GI distress. We'll explore what causes gastrointestinal discomfort during running, how...

Everything starts with foot health, with your contact with the ground.   Your body relies on that first bit of sensory information, so up that kinetic chain, all the way through the shin, the knee, the hip, the low back, the torso, all the way up to the brain." Fitness expert and seasoned endurance athlete, Mark Sisson delves into the crucial link between foot health and overall mobility, undersco...

Have you ever found yourself staring at your running shoes, willing yourself to lace up and step out the door? Or perhaps, midway through a run, questioned what keeps you moving forward? Today, we're talking about the heart of what fuels us and how to harness that drive every day. Key Takeaways Listen to Your Body: Tuning into your physical and emotional state can guide your running motivation. Pl...

Coach Ian Sharman joins us on The Nation to unravel the nuances between durability and stamina in the realm of endurance running. With stamina framed as the ability to resist fatigue and durability as resilience against fatigue's cumulative toll, the discussion delves into the critical roles of pacing and mental strength. The conversation also touches on how specific training enhances durability a...

This episode is part 2 in a discussion around the book, 'Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity' by Dr. Peter Attia. In this episode we disect chapters 9: Chasing memory: understanding alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases 10: Thining tactically: Building a framework of principles that work for you and 16: The awakening: how to learn to love sleep, the best medicine for your...

What are some of your biggest fears when running alone? How can technology transform your running experience into a safer, more connected journey? Discover the answer with Dena Lewis and the innovative Running Mate app in this episode of Trail Runner Nation. Dena Lewis is the visionary founder and CEO of Running Mate. She shares her personal journey through the challenges of harassment and assault...

In this episode, Scott and Don play a type of true or false game with frequent guest Alex Hutchinson .  Play along as Scott and Don try to predict the outcomes or findings of the article without reading it .  They discuss various articles that Alex has written about in his Outside Online column, Sweat Science about and reveal whether they are true or false. We discuss various topics related to run...

This podcast episode with  Brian "Tosh" Chontosh focuses on the "mind's mind," the inner voice that shapes our thoughts and actions, often seeking comfort and leading to self-sabotage. Tosh emphasizes understanding this influence to improve decision-making and personal growth, particularly in endurance events.   " Diesel Days ," derived from military training, combines physical challenges with les...

Have you ever wondered how conquering rugged trails and embracing the wild can transform not just your physical health, but your entire outlook on life?  Embark on an exhilarating journey into the heart of nature with Sid Garza-Hillman , acclaimed author of 'Ultra Running for Normal People.'   Sid unravels the transformative power of trail running, inviting listeners of all athletic backgrounds to...

Ultra runner and acclaimed writer Katie Arnold delves into her profound journey within the realm of ultra running, challenging conventional perceptions and embracing a fresh, beginner's mindset. Katie illuminates the beauty of uncertainty in running, the thrill of flow, and the transformative power of redefining one's runner identity through persistent practice. We navigate a myriad of life and ru...