Trail Runner Nation

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 supported FKT in 5 hours 37 minutes. Zoë is also the assistant editor at Trail Runner Magazine, runner, climber, coach and host of the new Trail Runner Magazine in-house podcast called DNF. We talk to Zoë about her FKT and about how DNFs are successes that propel us to become better. Check out Zoë's coaching website Photos by TJ David

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 of Lake Tahoe to 10,338 feet at Relay Peak in Nevada. Adam broke Killian Jornet's 2009 record by 20 minute. Adam is multi-talented: playing division 1 college baseball and won on the famous "The Price is Right" TV game show. We speak to Adam about his recent accomplishment and the lessons he learned on his first attempt the year prior. We also learn about how he fuels for races and "palate fatigue" Some of Adam's accomplishments include Discovery Channel's "The Wheel" contestant Winner of two self-supported multi-stage races podium finisher at three 100-milers 2016 ran from California to Georgia in 60 days 2017 FKT running the length of Great Britain with Kris King Learn more about Adam by checking out his web site and his coaching site, Run On Dirt Coaching Adam's social channels: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook photos by Helen Pelster

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 ultra running with the final destination of running the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), a 106-mile race through the French Alps. Check out Adharanand's web site: The Way of the Runner and his podcast Running with the Kenyons

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 attempt at The Grand Round. We discuss why he decided to try again and lessons that he learned. Although most of us will never consider something this grandiose, we do like to set goals that push us to our own personal limits. The lessons that John learned can be transferred to our personal attempts at greatness. Read his adventure account in his own words: Blog Post Please consider donating to John's focused charity, the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust Photo Credit: Max Holloway

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! Pedestrianism may be the long lost relative of our sport! Author Matthew Algeo joins The Nation to teach us about a long-forgotten sport, known as pedestrianism. This sport spawned America's first celebrity athletes, made them rich and opened the doors for immigrants, African Americans and women. Matthew Algeo has written many books that evolve around interesting events in American history. He is a journalist that has reported from four continents and these stories have appeared on some of the most popular public radio programs. Matt currently lives in Sarajevo with his wife, Allyson, and his daughter, Zaya His book, "Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America's Favorite Spectator Sport" is a fun read that might teach you some strategies on how to be a better runner! Find out more about Matthew and his other books on his website

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 Asher Kyger Henry's practice and coaching Check out Joe Uhan's coaching and services

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 Andy as a coach!

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 long training runs when it is so HOT....every day? How to make a comeback after a year or more off? More about Krissy Moehl Krissy Coaching services Krissy’s book, “Running your First Ultra” Ian's Stuff Sharman Ultras coaching services Ian’s new podcast, “PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast” David stuff David and Megan’s coaching at SWAPRunning (SWAP stands for Some Work, All Play). Their book, the Happy Runner David and Megan’s new podcast, “Some Work, All Play”

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 Finnishes including Angeles Crest 100, Rocky Racoon 100, Rio Del Lago 100, Headlands 100 and top 10 finisher at Western States 100.  She is also owner of NorCal Ultras, the engine that produces some of the biggest and oldest trail races, including Way Too Cool 50K, American River 50 Mile, and Rio Del Lago 100 mile races. Check out ITRA's Race Guidelines: a framework of standard operating guidelines that race organizers from around the world can reference, so that we can restart trail running events confident that we are applying good practice to keep our community of trail runners - including participants, volunteers and host communities - safe.

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, 39K elevation route following the Pennine Way National Trail in Scotland.  As races were cancelled, John decided to try and break the 31-year-old FKT for the Pennine Way. We talked to John about his successful FKT (subsequently bested by friend, Damian Hall 8 days later) What is a Bog? His ambitious attempt at the Hartley Slam, named after Mike Hartley, the only person to complete all three of the Rounds consecutively. Balance: with training, young family and startup business Follow John's adventures at RandomForestRunner.com, where he will post a link on how to follow his Grand Round attempt John is running to raise funds for the Stephen Lawrence Trust, founded to tackle inequality in all forms.  Please consider donating .