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 Dean Freeman's quest for the six original hundres in 13 weeks couldn't be accomplished without mentors like Thomas Green. Jimmy reflects on his race in Vermont and looks ahead to his hometown course of AC100 in this podcast. Tom has completed more than 175 ultramarathons, including more than 40 races of 100 miles or more.  Tom is best known for being the first person to complete the “Grand Slam” of ultrarunning (the four major 100-mile trail runs in one summer) in 1986.  Tom recently finished WS as he is on his way in 2014 to repeating the Grand Slam 28 years later. 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 b

Alex Varner is an accomplished distance runner.  In April he completed his first 50 mile race, Lake Sonoma 50 miler, where he came in fourth place and earning a birth in the Western States 100 Endurance Run.  After just 2 1/2 months of training, he competed in his first 100 mile race finishing an impressive 7th place.  He seemed like the perfect person to talk about the many different race distances and how they differ.  From 5K to 100 miles, what are the differences in training, nutrition, pace, strategy, mental toughness, etc. Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl Get free shipping and no blisters if you order some RunGoo Enter code: TRN2014 when you check out.

Join TRN and follow Jimmy Dean Freeman as he takes on the original SIX 100-mile runs in the "Orignial Six Hundo Challenge". #O6HC On June 29, 2014, Jimmy completed the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, his second of six 100-mile runs.  Jimmy joins us with his virtual coach, Ian Sharman, to get a race report, discuss recovery for his third race, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, on July 19-20, 2014.  Ian is well qualified to coach JDF since he is the current record holder for the Grand Slam of Ultra Running, which he set last year. 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.

We were able to visit with 2014 Hardrock 100 third-place finisher, Adam Campbell,  moments after kissing the rock.  This was Adam's second 100-miler where he convincingly proved that he is build for endurance running.  Adam talks to us about how he finds time to trail while holding down a busy career as a lawyer, his philosophy about fitness, how the Hardrock 100 is unique and intimidating.  He also relates the full story of being caught on 14,058' (4285 M) Handies Peak in a storm, where he and his pacer were struck by lightning. Interesting fact about Adam: He holds the Guiness World record for fastest marathon time in a suit: Video Shortened VIDEO of the interview with Adam Campbell Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl

On July 11, 2014, 141 lucky lottery winners will tow the line at one of the most demanding 100-mile endurance runs in the world, the Hardrock 100. This race began as a tribute to the toughest of the tough miners that worked in this high-altitude, picturesque paradise of western Colorado.  Race Director, Dale Garland, joins the Nation to talk about the history and demands of this course.  The course boasts of and average altitude over 11,000 feet, 34,000 feet of ascent and 34,000 feet of descent.  There are 7 summits over 12,000' and 4 summits over 14,000'.  Most runners get to see the sun set twice with the average finish time of 41 hours (cutoff time of 48-hours).  Because of the harsh environment and changeable weather, Dale calls this a race for the "post graduate" ultra runner. Trail Runner Nation will be in Silverton, CO this year with Petzl (Hardrock sponsor) to provide podcasts with athletes, live updates via social media and video clips of these amazing athletes and the beautiful scenery!. Take the Ta

Sally McRae pushed her body, mind and spirit to finish F10 at the 2014 Western States 100.  Sally tells her 21 hour 24 minute experience of victory and her lessons learned.         Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Bob Crowley joins us to build off our previous podcast with him.  In "Ultra Trail Running Culture: Bob Crowley- Part 1 we discussed the tenets of being an ultra trail runner, part 2 and part 3 will focus on the emphasis and importance ultra trail runners place on mental preparation for an event.  Specifically, what does one do to plan, prepare, and execute and review to optimize the experience of running an ultra event. There are four stages of mental training for a 100-mile event (some of these may transfer to shorter distances, but we will focus on the 100-miler because of its uniqueness) Plan Prepare Execute Review In Part 2 we talk about Planning and Preparing. Bob refined Sunny Blende's, "What to Do When Things Go Wrong" sheet for running Hard Rock: HRH When Things Go Wrong - Bob Crowley Previous podcasts with Bob: Bob Crowley & Josh Katzman - Trail Running Culture, Are We at Risk of Losing it?  Ultra Trail Running Culture - Bob Crowley- Part 1 Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

We catch up with Sally McRae and Chris Vargo to find out how their training is going and talk about common questions they receive as coaches.  We field some questions from live Nation listeners, Ian MacNairn and Emir Dedic. Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl

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