Trail Runner Nation

2017 was the inaugural year of the mis-named Moab 200, a 238-mile endurance race in the desert of southern Utah. Along with the 98 gritty people that finished this race, Courtney Dauwalter, stunned observers with a first-place finish.....ahem.....nearly TEN HOURS before the second place finisher! Fellow finishers, Cameron Hanes and our own Don Freeman (Triple Crown of 200-milers recipient), help The Nation understand how she did this only one month after finishing sixth (first place female) at Run Rabbit Run 100 & two weeks after a first place at The Bear Chase 50.

Why do we put so much emphasis on talent rather than our effort? In the book Grit:The Power of Passion and Perseverance author, Angela Duckworth helps us understand that EFFORT counts twice as much as talent when trying to achieveing a goal. Talent X Effort = Skill Skill X Effort = Achievement Gu Energy Labs' VP of innovation and R&D, Magda Boulet and East Coast Executive Producer, Andy Jones-Wilkins join The Nation to discuss Grit. What is Grit Where do we get it? Can it be learned? Can we increase our grittiness? Is Talent or Effort more important Four elements of GRIT Interest or passion - we must enjoy what we are doing we must find ways to reignite that passion. We must be patient to develop the interest. The capacity to practice - daily discipline of trying to do things better than the day before Purpose - What ripens passion is the conviction that your work matters. (See WHY podcast) Hope - rising to the occasion. Focusing on things that you can control when things are going wrong Take the Grit Test to see where you are on the grit scale Visit Angela Duckworth's web site on Grit Check out Don't Dilemma at mile 144 of the Moab 240-mile race: VIDEO

In December of 2014, we spoke with Brian MacKenzie, founder of crossfit endurance, ultrarunner and co-author of "Unbreakable Runner, Unleash the Power of Strength & Conditioning for a Lifetime of Running Strong". He joined The Nation to talk about how you can train for lifelong healthy and sustainable running by incorporating crossfit endurance training. The main principles include: Develop correct and efficient running skills Build running endurance without injury Build functional strength, conditioning and mobility Focus on nutrition Get the book HERE Brian's other book, " Power Speed ENDURANCE: A Skill-Based Approach to Endurance Training"

Why do you run? In most cases, people talk about the HOW or the WHAT to try and explain this. When it comes down to it, we need to have a well understood WHY before we can successfully change our behaviors. Over 5 years ago, we read a life-changing book by Simon Sinek, "Start With Why, How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action". Although this book can be related to many aspects of your life, we take it to the trail to see how it will fare. We talk about the biology (not the phycology) of the power of the WHY and how fun it is to discover why other people run. Get a jump start on the subject by watching this Ted talk (viewed over 34,000,000 times) by Simon Sinek. Visit Simon's web site Get the book Use this worksheet to begin uncovering and defining your Why, How and What: TheGoldenCircle

Outdoorsman, best-selling author, adventurer and runner, Cameron Hanes joins The Nation to talk about his passions: bow hunting big game around the world and endurance running. He completed the Bigfoot 200 in 2016 and is a couple weeks away from the start of the inaugural Moab 240 mile endurance run. He has a unique complimentary sport of bowhunting. We ask him to compare the two sports and what he has learned from participating at a high level. Learn more about Cameron: Youtube Channel Keep Hammering Podcast WebSite

How many times have you been having a great run and then BAM, your stomach goes south? In this podcast, Warren Pole, from 33 Shake and Brad Kearns, from Primal Endurance, join The Nation to discuss how to minimize stomach problems. Article from TrainRight.com:Stomach issues

TRN's East Coast Executive Producer, Andy Jones-Wilkins, is the guest author of 3 articles in the fifth edition of TRN's Audio Magazine. Articles include: Run Like Cockroaches Under the Bright Shiny Moon Do What you Want From Rucky Chucky to Kroger's Canteen and all the Places in Between Loquacious Help! My Ink Won't Let me Sweat Get Back to Nature Philosophy Find out more how AJW can be your coach

Dr. Steven Gangemi, Sock Doc, teaches us why SLEEP is a very important to your training. We discuss Why is sleep so important? Do athletes need more sleep? What is good restful sleep? What are some of the factors that keep us from restful sleep? Are stimulants effecting our sleep? Common signs of poor sleep Sleep monitors, are they useful? Can you "catch up" on sleep? Read Sock Doc's article on sleep Here is another article: How Elite Athletes Use Sleep Routines to Boost Their Confidence and Win Medals Learn more from Sock Doc at these sites: http://systemshealthcare.net/ ~ AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO NATURAL HEALTH CARE http://sock-doc.com/ ~ NATURAL INJURY TREATMENT AND PREVENTION FOR ATHLETES http://www.drgangemi.com/ ~ HEALTH. FITNESS. LIFE.

Are you kidding? Many of us owe Dean for informing and encouraging us to get into Ultra or Trail Running via his books: UltraMarathon Man - Confessions of An All-Night Runner 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days - and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss NEW - The Road to Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace or his many amazing adventures. Some of these being: running Western States 100 15 times since 1994, including four top-10 finishes running 10 Badwaters including a 1st and 2nd finish Constantine Karnazes, Karno, or Dean visits with The Nation with his good friend, Michelle Barton about his longevity, training, life balance and his new book. Visit his web site: Ultramarathonman.com

A week after the 2017 Bigfoot 200 Endurance Race, we look back at the race from a few different perspectives: Finisher, Don Freeman (finishing in 23rd) Race Director, Candice Burt 200-mile virgin, Bob Crowley - who is registered for the 2017 Tahoe 200!!!!! Crewman, Scott Warr