Trail Runner Nation

EP 482: Honoring the Bib

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, Terry Fletcher  and Don recount their adventure and lessons learned after they completed the Trueform Runner Challenge": a...

EP 481: Alyssa Clark Pushing the Boundaries of Possible

25 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

EP 480: The Calm Before the Storm: 100-Mile Challenge

19 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, and  Terry Fletcher join The Nation to discuss the upcoming adventure, the Trueform Runner Challenge: a 100-mile event thro...

EP 479: Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down with The Coaches

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl rejoin The Nation to discuss running topics: How to increase mileage? Is heat training necessary?...

EP 478: Your Best Running Companion

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 qu...

EP 477: Going All in: From a Hobby to a Lifestyle with Michael Ambrose

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

EP 476: A Revolutionary Treatment For Improved Performance, Memory and Health

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What if there was a revolutionary treatment that could: improve your cardiovascular capacity decrease sports injuries help you live longer enhance me...

EP 475: Time to Take a Cold Shower with the Coaches

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl rejoin The Nation to discuss running topics. More about Krissy Moehl: Krissy Coaching services Kr...

EP 474: Mental Management with Lanny Bassham

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The events in 2020 have effected everyone throughout the world.  First with the Pandemic and now with coming to terms with some long overdue inequali...

EP 473: Grab Bag with Matt Fitzgerald and Zach Bitter

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 informati...

EP 472: Ten Things New Trail Runners Should Know

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you remember your first trail run?  What was the first thing you learned? There are some differences everyone learns when transitioning to the tra...

EP 471: Running 100 Miles Without Food?

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

EP 470: Culture and Community Before Sport - Buzz Burrell Talks FKT

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

EP 469: Bonk or No Bonk

02 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Bo...

EP 468: Dr. Cucuzzella Makes House Calls

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our first call in show, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella fields calls from Nation Listeners from around the world.  We field questions regarding Risks of fas...

EP 467: ITRA: An Organization that Can Protect Our Trail Community

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, our friend and trail culture advocate, Bob Crowley, was appointed as President of ITRA, International Trail Running Association.  Bob helps...

EP 466: How Does Your Brain Work? with Dr. Simon Marshall and Lesley Paterson

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Marshal...

EP 465: TRN Audio Magazine - Volume 8

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Volume 8 of the Pulitzer Prize winning TRN Audio Magazine is now available at your corner newspaper stand. Featured articles : Is Longer Better? Good...

EP 464: Western States Cancels 2020 Race - A Talk With the RD

28 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 4...

EP 463: The What Now?

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week we posted a podcast discussing the situation with COVID-19.  Since then, many communities have been directed to "shelter in place"....

EP 462: COVID-19 Cancelled Our Race

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

SPECIAL EDITION: We recently posted a letter from the Ultra-Endurance Sport Science & Medicine web site.  This letter makes recommendations for our s...

EP 461: Running the Dream with Matt Fitzgerald

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Fitzgerald (sports nutritionist, writer, athlete, coach) will be releasing a new book in May, "Running the Dream; One Summer Living, Training a...

EP 460: Introducing Trail Hacks, A New Podcast

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

EP 459: The Great Debate- Sabotaging Your Run

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

EP 458: Motivation vs. Discipline

29 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There is a correlation between motivation and self-discipline in successful runners.  Coach AJW joins The Nation to discuss what motivation and disci...

EP 457: Gold Nuggets for New Trail Runners with Stephanie Howe

22 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Run...

EP 456: What Does it Mean to Be a Trail Runner?

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly 8 years ago we recorded a podcast where we talked about the SoCal Coyotes' philosophy.  These tenants are common throughout our tribe.  Coach...

EP 455: Grab Bag with Alex Hutchinson and Dr. Matt Laye

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

EP 454: Why is Weight-Loss so Difficult Even for Runners? Dr. Phil Maffetone

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 und...

EP 453: Ellie Greenwood Helps Reignite Your Passion

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ellie Greenwood elaborates on a few recent articles she wrote in Ultrarunning Magazine: Reigniting Your Passion, November 2018 Finding Gratitude in ...

EP 452: Life is a Marathon with Matt Fitzgerald

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Fitzgerald (sports nutritionist, writer, athlete, coach) has been doing some endurance writing with his 2019 published "Life is a Marathon: A M...

EP 451: Starting the New Year Right with Coach Jason Koop

12 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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.   ...

EP 450: What Did We Learn in 2019

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 runne...

EP 449: 2019, A Year in Review

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

AJW joins us for a quick recap of 2019 performances in ultrarunning.  It includes his picks for Ultrarunner of the year (female and male) Performanc...

EP 448: Don't Miss Your Appointment with Dr Mark Cucuzzella

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Mark joins us to chat about many thinks including: Shoe Doping -Can shoe technology help us run faster?  Check out his article New York Times ...

EP 447: Hangin' With The Coaches' Thumbs

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Sharman, Joe Uhan and Matt Laye return to Trail Runner Nation to discuss some interesting topics including: Assessing your running stride yourse...

EP 446: Running Home with Katie Arnold

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Last year Katie Arnold won the Leadville 100.  She also recently published her first book, Running Home, a Memoir.  Katie writes about her journey i...

EP 445: Kicksology: They Hype, Science, Culture & Cool of Running Shoes

07 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What shoe did you run your first trail run in?  What shoe do you currently pine for?  We all love our shoes and probably have an unhealthy collectio...

EP 444: Anatomy of a Comeback

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout your running experience, you might have experienced or are experiencing a running layoff due to many different reasons.  Sally McRae, The ...

EP 443: Can Jello Speed Up Recovery with Alex Hutchinson

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Avid Runner and Author, Alex Hutchinson joins The Nation to discuss: Eliud Kipchoge's recent How to Talk Yourself Into Better Endurance Did Scienti...

EP 442: Avoiding the "Toilet Bowl of Doom" with Coach Jay Dicharry

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jay Dicharry rejoins The Nation to talk about biomechanics and how to work on the BASE of our form, the FEET.  Jay says that we can improve our e...

Ep 441: An Outdoor Life with Sunny Stroeer

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sunny Stoeer lived her life the 'right' way including an MBA from Harvard Business School and a successful career as a strategy consultant. She always...

Ep 440: How to Finish Your Next Race Much Faster with Karl Meltzer

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Karl Meltzer just won his record 41st 100-mile race in October at the Cloudsplitter 100- the most of any other person! He joins The Nation with Andy J...

Ep 439: Running is My Biggest Teacher - Ray Zahab

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Explorer, endurance athlete, mentor, coach, teacher...... All of these titles come to mind with we think of Ray Zahab.  Ray has been encouraging and ...

Ep 438: Running to the Edge - Matthew Futterman

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed is a new book by New York Times Deputy Editor Matthew Futterman ...

Ep 437: Recalibrate and Re-engage

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We have all had disappointing finishes or the feeling of not accomplishing a goal.  How do you deal with these setbacks or roadblocks? Bob Crowley di...

Ep 436: Patrick Reagan- Enjoying the View

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Reagan has had a fun year from defending his win at at Javalina Jundred, setting a personal best at the Hoka 100K Challenge, and placing 8th a...

Ep 435: Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down with the Coaches

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Sharman, Joe Uhanand Matt Layereturn to Trail Runner Nation to discuss some interesting topics including: Poles or No Poles? Strength or mobilit...

Ep 434: Courtney Dauwalter is a 4.4...What's your GRIT score?

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Courtney Dauwalter is the fastest woman at UTMBin 2019!  She continues to impress us with her determination, resilience and GRIT.  We put Courtney...

EP 433: What Can We Learn - Running in Europe vs. USA?

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sally McRae and Billy Yang just returned from Europe where Sally ran UTMB for the fifth time.  We talk to Sally and Billy about what things Americans...

EP 432: Run and Become - The Next Level

30 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to run 3100 miles within 52 days around a city block in Queens, NY? The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race is an annual ...

EP 431: Chasing the Triple Crown of 200s with Michael McKnight

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In 2017, Michael McKnight won the fastest cumulated time for the triple crown of 200-milers, Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200, & Moab 240. Last week he set a ne...

Ep 430: It's Easier to Keep Up Than it is to Catch Up - with Tosh

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ultra Adventurer and leadership coach, Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, join The Nation to discuss this simple but complex topic. Why is it easier to keep u...

EP 429: Can Failure Make us More Successful? with Coach Ian Sharman

10 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Based on a BBC article by Ian Leslie, "Why Suffering Setbacks Could Make You More Successful",we discuss how this can be true in your training, racin...

EP 428: Brothers Born in the Furnace of Adversity with Chadd Wright

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Former Navy Seal, endurance athlete, and bearded king, Chadd Wright rejoins The Nation to discuss a mission-mantra that he learned on the Seal Team: ...

EP 427: Giddyup with Jeff Browning

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Browning shows patience and maturity as he continually places in the top 10 at some of the most competitive races.  He recently finished in the ...

EP 426: Brittany Peterson Runs FAST!

12 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The women's field at Western Statesis always very deep and exciting to watch.  This year was no exception.  With record low temps and a stacked wome...

EP 435: That's a Wrap - Western States 100 - 2019 Post-Race Review

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This year's Western States 100 did not disappoint.  The course, the competition, the runners, the volunteers, the crew and pacers showed up in spades...

EP 434: 2019 Western States Preview

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

369 runners will toe the line Saturday.  Each of them with a story.  AJWmeets up with us at The Aid Station in Auburn, CA to preview some of those s...

EP 434 - Join in and Interact with the 20-Hour Stream-Cast of Western States 100

22 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Join us next week (June 29-30) for the first ever 20-hour video stream-castof the iconic Western States 100. We will be streaming live video from The ...

EP 433 - Cruel Jewel 100 - It Takes a Tribe with Ash Walsh

15 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

EP 432: Training the Uphill Athlete - Steve House

09 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A few weeks ago we interviewed Coach Scott Johnstonabout the book he co-authored with Steve House and Kilian Jornet.  We now sit down with Steve to ...

EP 431: Our First Live Stream Podcast - 18 Hours Long?!?!?!

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We unveil our new project that we are attempting the WSER18 hour podcast.  Join AJW and Bob Crowley, our event producer, as we discuss what we will b...

EP 430: Going Mental with Chadd Wright

25 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chadd rejoins The Nation to discuss a recent race: Bob's Big Timber Backyard Ultra -a Last Man Standing race.  He describes what this type of race i...

EP 429: Mike Wardian Has an Apocalypse Bag

18 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Iron Mike Wardian is like the sunshine: he seems to be everywhere.  Mike has been successful in every race distance.  He has won the US Championship...

EP 428: How to Set Big Goals with Cat Bradley

11 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Cat Bradley continues to be a rising star and we found out why when we sat down with her at Fleet Feet Sacramento for a live-audience recording.  She...

EP 427: HOKA's 100K World Record Challenge Announcement!!

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hoka One One may have kept the worlds best running secret for the world record attempt May 4th 2019.   When a company like Hoka looks for the perfect...

EP 426: Training the Uphill Athlete - Scott Johnston

27 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How does Killian Jornet train?  Scott Johnston, a world class athlete and experienced coach teams up with two of the world's most experienced mountai...

EP 424: Tim Twietmeyer & Hal Hall Legends

20 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Twietmeyer has finished Western States 25 times under 24 hours and 5 first place finishes.  Hal Hall has finished 30 Tevis Cup finishes  (Wester...

EP 424: A Love Letter to Running - Martin Dugard

13 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Marty Dugard is a New York Times #1 bestselling author and a  lifelong runner.  He also is the coach for the JSerra High School Running Lions Cros...

Ep 423 - What Defines our Limits - "Endure" author Alex Hutchinson

05 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance author, Alex Hutchinson, joins The Nation to discuss endurance: what it is, ...

Ep 422 -Sunny Blende Returns!

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We finally caught up with our dear friend and favorite sports nutritionist, Sunny Blende.  Although she is "retired", she still can help us understan...

EP 421: Sally McRae - Mountains are her Music

26 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After trying to keep up with Sally McRae, we caught up with The Yellow Runner to discuss some key things that you might be doing that can sabotage y...

Ep 420 8 Things Ultrarunners Should Do to Improve Their Training - Coach Jason Koop

15 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

CTS Training Director, Jason Koop, joins The Nation to talk about his recent Tweet: Check out Jason's book, "Training Essentials for Ultrarunning" ...

Ep 419 : Candice Burt Takes a Dose of Her Own Medicine.....And LOVES It!

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Candice Burt joins The Nation to give us a report of her 3rd Place overall title at Delirious W.E.S.T 200 Mile Ultra.  Candice is arguably one of the...

EP 418 Dos and Don'ts of Race Day

03 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today was the 30th Annual Way Too Cool 50K .  We sit down at the race with Victor Ballesteros and Kenzie MacPail to discuss their favorite Dos and D...

EP 417 TRN Audio Magazine - Volume 7

23 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Volume 7 of the Pulitzer Prize winning TRN Audio Magazine is now available at your corner newspaper stand. Featured articles have been submitted by AJ...

Ep 416 - Run for Your Life Again with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella

09 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella rejoins The Nation for the twentieth time to take a second look at his new book, "Run For Your Life: How to Run, Walk, and Move Wi...

Ep 415 How to Continue When Things Go Wrong

04 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chadd Wright and Shawn Webber rejoin The Nation to analyze their experiences at inaugural running of The Revenant Ultra Adventure Race in New Zealand...

Ep 414 Suffering?

26 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Candice Burt and Tosh (Brian Chontosh) talk about suffering and this and that Tosh's 10 minutes Mental Vacation Purposeful training 15/5 rule Broad-b...

Ep 413 The Happy Runner with David and Megan Roche

18 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Love the Process, Get Faster, Run Longer Ultra Runners and Coaches David and Megan Roche join The Nation to talk about their new book, the Happy Runn...

Ep 412 What is CBD Oil and Can It Help My Running?

12 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ultrarunner, Caleb Simpson joins The Nation to discuss CBD Oil and how it might hold some benefits for you as a runner.  There are many incorrect per...

Annual Game Show: BoulderDung

05 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This year we adapt the boardgame, Balderdash, to a trail game.  AJW and Donna Nì Cuarta compete for the coveted TRN Crown! AJW's Coaching

Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance - PART 3

28 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

PART 3 discussing three more chapters of the great book, Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance PART 1 HERE. PA...

Ellie Greenwood and Ian Sharman: Out With the Old, In With the New

14 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Two-time 100km world champion and Western States 100 record holder, Ellie Greenwood joins regular guest Ian Sharman to talk about what has changed in...

Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance - PART 2

07 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

PART 2.  You can listen to PART 1 HERE. The capacity to endure, from 5K to 240 miles to a relationship is an elusive skill that we search for.   R...

Western States 100 - Post Lottery Discussion

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The evening of the Western States 100 lottery, there are a few lucky few that are preparing their training plan but the majority are left to scan Ultr...

Tribe with Sebastian Junger

25 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It is hard for humans to survive on their own.  They need a tribe.  Challenges and pressures are hard on an individual in a group, but much greater ...

Relying on Myself - Taking the Mental Side of Training to the Extreme

16 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ultra Adventurer and leadership coach, Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, rejoins The Nation to dive into the mental side of endurance sports.  He recently co...

Training Missions: Preparing for The Revenant Ultra Adventure Race

11 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Returning guest, Chadd Wright joins The Nation with his training partner and teammate Shawn Webber to discuss their "training missions".  They are pr...

TERMS of the TRAIL with Ashley & AJW

03 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

There is a unique vocabulary for the Trail Running tribe.  Ashley Walsh and Andy Jones-Wilkins join The Nation to discuss some of these terms.

Dancing with the Trail with Danny Dreyer

28 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We do a lot of power hiking on the trails, but we often neglect our form and biomechanics of walking.  Today, Coach Danny Dreyer rejoins The Nation ...

Calling an Audible with AJW - Enjoying Trail Running When you Can't Run

20 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Like running plans, sometimes when you are producing podcasts, things go awry.  We were planning one podcast for this week, but ended up having a gre...

Things That can Totally Blow Your A-Race

12 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

SoCal Correspondent, Jimmy Dean Freeman, rejoins The Nation as he and some of his clients are preparing for their A-races in the next few weeks.  We ...

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down with our 3 Coaches

06 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Sharman, Joe Uhan and Matt Laye return to Trail Runner Nation to discuss some interesting topics including: Ultrarunning is unhealthy Running by...

How to Run For Your Life with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella

28 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella rejoins The Nation to talk about his new book, "Run For Your Life: How to Run, Walk, and Move Without Pain or Injury and Achieve a...

Anatomy of a DNF - TdG 2018

21 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Days after the conclusion of the Tor Des Geánts 2018 race, Don sits down with AJW, ECEP, and Scott to talk about this amazing experience. Descriptio...

Training Intensity and Periodization with Andy Dubois

14 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Dubois, elite endurance athlete, rejoins The Nation to help us understand training intensity and periodization is important in your training. And...

Brad Kearns - Get Over Yourself

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Slow down, take a deep breath, take a cold plunge, and get healthy, fit, and happy! Get over the high-stress, tightly wound approach that often leads ...

Training for Tour Des Geants

31 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Scott talk about training for Tour Des Geants.  How Bob Crowley and he have created fun and inspiring training programs & outings that have h...