Trail Runner Nation

In the winter of 1846-47 a group of pioneers were headed to California when they were trapped in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. The snow was over 20 feet deep, they were running out of food, and the group wasn't working together. Three unsuccessful attempts were made to escape and get help from California. On December 16, 1846 a small group began another attempt on homemade snowshoes with enough food for six days; hoping it would take around 10 days to make the 100 mile journey. Tim Twietmeyer and Bob Crowley, have been trying to understand this story for over six years. This episode is an explanation of their findings and announcing their memorial trek 174 years later. You can find out more about this heroic endurance feat and about the memorial event and how to track them at ForlornHope.org.

One of our favorite types of podcasts are to throw out a word and discuss it with smart people. That is why we invited Andy Jones-Wilkins back on to talk about "Patience". In fact, AJW has written about patience on iRunFar recently: "Patience in Trying Times". And back in 2013, "Ultrarunning Skill #3: Patience". Needless to say, he was WAY ahead of Don and Scott....not new. Hire Andy as a coach!

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella has been running his entire life and has many marathons, six completions of the JFK 50 and two completions of the Comrades Marathon. But this fall he ticked of his first 100-miler! We talk to him about his great achievement and what he learned at the first inaugural Rim to River 100. We also reminisce about his 20 episodes with us beginning in the 2012! Here is a link to the first episode we did with him. Here is the finish line VIDEO of Dr. Mark Here is his race report

The famous Western States 100 began from a horse race that started back in 1955. SIX years prior to this (1949), Pack Burro racing had been a prize-paying sport that started in the mountains of Colorado. Here is a fun video produced by Salomon a couple years ago with Max King and Ryan Sandes trying the race. Past guest and running shoe enthusiast, Brian Metzler, rejoins The Nation after we found out he has participated in many of these unusual events. Make sure you read Brian's book, Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture & cool of Running Shoes Listen to the episode on shoes we did with Brian. Check out Christopher McDougall's book about his experience running with a donkey, Running with Sherman

Coaches Ian Sharman, David Roche and Krissy Moehl rejoin The Nation to answer questions you submitted via social media. Topics include: Taking time off after a big race How to be safe on the trails How to know you are ready for the next challenge Are back to back trainings necessary? How to incorporate stationary bike into training How to increase training duration and/or time 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” More about David Roche: 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”

This is our first Simul-podcast. It only makes sense that we would do this with our favorite British corespondent, Warren Pole,  one of the founders of 33 Fuel. They recently started a podcast that is devoted to endurance fueling: 33Fuel Podcast We reflect on the eight-year relationship with Warren and Erica, his wife. Be sure to try out the many products at 33fuel.com and use the code TRN33 for 10% off your purchase.

We all have multiple identities - Mom, brother, friend, scientist, comedian, bowler, runner, writer, etc. Some of these identities come by choice, by chance or forced upon us. They may change over time too. We are the sum of these identities. They help us learn and grow. We should celebrate them in our own lives and within those around us. One of the best parts of trail running is to learn about the identities of others on a run. In this episode we talk to Kim Strom. We learn about some of her identities: Running model (appearing on the cover of Trail Runner Magazine more than any other person) A Photographer A Writer A Trail Runner Her newest identity - cancer patient Check out this collective: alpsinsight.com Photo Swiss Alps and by PatitucciPhoto

We brought together running representatives from three continents Asia: Mark Agnew, Hong Kong Europe: Hillary Gerardi, France North America: Jamil Coury, USA We asked them to talk about running topics that are current in their corner of the world. Photo: Jubilee Paige Find out more about Jamil: Run Steep Get High Youtube Channel & Cocodona 250 Race Photo by by Martina Valmassoi Find out more about Hillary HERE. And check out this cool VIDEO   Mark Agnew climbs on the Annpurna 55km ultramarathon trail race. Photo: Flawsome Pictures Learn More about Mark HERE and the SCMP Page. You also might be interested in his team's ocean rowing HERE  

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 FK

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, "Pedes

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

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

Brian Chontosh, aka Tosh, Terry Fletcher  and Don recount their adventure and lessons learned after they completed the Trueform Runner Challenge": a couch to 100-mile" attempt through the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. Check out the amazing motionless treadmill that promotes efficient running, the Trueform Runner Check out Tosh's links: Crooked Butterfly Podcast Crooked Butterfly website Tosh's Instagram Follow Terry Fletcher on  Instagram

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 out as a way to cope with COVID quarantine when she was living in Italy and kept pushing her goal.  We all can learn from her determination, her grit, her passion and love for running. Learn more about Alyssa: Her blog Training4adventure.com Instagram Facebook