Trail Runner Nation

"One of the most wonderful things that has happened to the world is Trail Running", says Gordy Ainsleigh in a face to face conversation we recently enjoyed. Gordy talks about where ultra trail running has gone and his thoughts on where is is going. He talks about his passion for the sport and his secret to life-long running. He answers some of the Nation Members' questions too. Find out why Gordy believes in cotton t-shirts, grape juice and beards - even in the summer months. Gordy has finished Western States 100 twenty-two times, most recently in June, 2007, though he unofficially completed the race in just over 30 hours (the official cuttoff) in 2010. his fastest time is 20:55 in 1984, after starting 8 minutes late. "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Karl Meltzer is the record holder for the most 100-mile trail wins and most 100-mile wins in one season. He joined the Nation with a studio audience the day before Way Too Cool 50K to discuss his race strategies: How does he break up a 100-mile race How does he alter his training when he is injured How has his training changed over the years His multi-day records and upcoming attempt to break the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail record How is a multi-day race different mentally and physically from a 100-mile race He also talks about Wings For Life World Run coming up on May 4th. 100% of the $50 race fee goes to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Check out this video of Karl's Red Bull Human Express, his 2064-mile Pony Express record run in 2010. Check out our video simulcast HERE "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

We talk with three of Nike's newly-formed Trail Elite Team: Sally McRae, Chris Vargo, Alex Varner, and Team Manager: Pat Werhane. This interview was recorded the afternoon before Chris and Alex finished #1 and #2 at a 1200-participant, Way Too Cool 50K. Some of the topics we discuss are: How to adjust for weather or course conditions? Is there race-day cooperation between team mates? Trusting your training Pre-race pump up songs Sally: “Back it up” by Gwen Staphanie Chris: “Helecopter” by Bloc Party Alex: “The Sign” by Ace of Base uhhhhh, yea :) Core strength exercises Check out our video simulcast HERE "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Nation member, Candice Burt joins us to discuss a recent lighthearted blog post she wrote on how ultra runners take things to excess. DUH! That's who we are. Fun article about people that make up excuses for not racing well. Here are some of the races she directs: Tahoe Rim 200 mile race Bellingham Trail Marathon Bellingham Trail Running Series Cle Elum Ridge 50k & 25K Rainshadow Running "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Ultra Trail Running is distinctly different in culture and mental preparation than other running or endurance sports. Veteran Trail Ultra Runner, Bob Crowley, visits with the Nation about what is unique about this sports culture. Is there a difference between "doing" an ultra run and "being" an ultra runner? What are some of the tenets of the trail running culture? Are we losing the ultra trail running culture with the mass appeal and participation recently? How can we keep the culture? How does this culture helps us prepare mentally for the experiences that accompany a long trail race An interesting perspective from Geoff Roes in his article, "Ultrarunning is Dead" Join the Trail Animals Running Club "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Ashley Walsh has been busy weaving a tapestry of trail philosophy on her blog AshRuns100s, training and racing. In fact, she recently killed it at Pistol 100 Mile in TN, where she won with a sub 20-hour finish! You gotta run this one just for the buckle! Grab bag topics include: Motivation vs. Commitment There is a season for everything How to guarantee a DNF Gear or no Gear? Ashley, always up for a challenge, was dared by her husband, Dan, to include this list of words. Did she succeed? "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

If "ultra running is 90% mental and the other 10% is in your head", shouldn't we train our brain? Is there a repeatable process for winning? Lanny Bassham went from a kid that others said would never compete as an athlete to a 2-time Olympic medalist and 4-time world champion with four world records. All winners have common threads that they do differently than everyone else. He has discovered a formula to preparing mentally to be a champion. Since retiring from competition, he continues as a coach to many World and Olympic champions, Fortune 500 companies, the United States Secret Service, the US Navy SEALS, the United States Army Marksmanship Unit, the US Marine Corps Marksmanship Unit, and the FBI. "With Winning in Mind" is in it's third edition and is a MUST read for all Nation Members. Learn more at Lanny's web site: Mental Management You will learn about the three circles of the Mental Management System three phases of a task goal getting how to use rehearsal as a mental tool How an imagined imprint can be just as real as an actual imprint. How can we be better coach your children "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl Download a free audio book at Audible

Get out your dictionary and slow down the playback on your MP3 player! Ben Greenfield, fitness expert and top ranked Iron-Man triathlete teaches about Cold Thermogenisis Exercise throughout the day How Fasting can help you turn your body into a fat-burning machine How to "Grease your Groove" The importance of breathing correctly Ben can be found on four of his own podcasts: Endurance Planet Git Fit Guy Ben Greenfield Fitness Rock Star Podcast You can also find other valuable articles and tools on many of his web sites: Ben Greenfield Fitness Quick and Dirty Tips Endurance Planet Pacific Elite Fitness Rock Star Triathlete Academy Super Human Coach Network Here are some of the links to information that we talked about Fasting e-book by Dr. John Berardi "Running on Air" book by Budd Coates Nose Breathing Benefits by Dr. John Douillard Cold Vest Power Lung Elevation Training Mask "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

What if there was a nutrition training program that is NOT a calorie-deficient diet, NOT low-carb / Atkins-like, NO need to count calories, and requires NO special foods or supplements? Our favorite nutritionist, Sunny Blende, teaches us how to train our metabolism: increase our fat burning enzymes so we can be efficient running machines! Sunny's Metabolic Efficiency article Phil Maffetone's 180-Formula Bob Seebohar's book "Metabolic Efficiency Training" Matt Fitzgerald's book "Racing Weight Cookbook" Vitargo and Ucan Outro Song by DJ A Smooth Other Podcasts with Sunny: Unbreakable review with Sunny Blende Ultrafuel for Ultrarunners - Sunny Blende Fueling for your first Ultra - Sunny Blende Metabolic Efficiency Training with Sunny Blende and Tim Flemming Sunny Blende - Fueling In The Heat "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Trail Runner Nation's Southern California corespondent, Jimmy Dean Freeman, joins the Nation to discuss new year's resolutions and goal setting. Stuff we referenced: Vanessa Rodriguez wrote for Active.com, "7 Ultrarunning Myths That Hold you Back". "Mind the Gap" from Jimmy's blog. Ted Video: Derek Sivers: "Keep your goals to yourself" Never too old to start: Fauja Singh, the guy who ran his first marathon at age 89! Helen Klein, now 91, started running at age 55. She is the oldest woman to run a sub 24-hour 100-mile race. She finished the Grand Slam at age 66. Here are SOME steps we came up with to achieving your running goals: Set the goal - don't worry about the myths that hold you back or what other people say Identify the obstacles that might get in your way - plan how you will overcome them Break the goal into smaller, more realistic goals Do something everyday that get you closer to that goal Adapt the plan as necessary Celebrate along the way Check out our new sponsor's, "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl