Trail Runner Nation

We have often said, "The podcast is a trail run without the running."   Join  Ann Trason, Sally McRae and Billy Yang as we cover a lot of ground in 90 minutes.  

Sally McRae and Billy Yang were in Northern California for the Western States 100 training weekend as they are preparing for their race in 36 days.  So we bribed them with sushi to join us for a podcast.  We gave Sally the task of jotting down 5 topics on her flight.....and that's where it all begins..... Massages Self defense apparati What animal are you most afraid of? Sally's bear encounter.  See the video HERE Strength training Ann Trason as a coach! etc. etc. Take the boys as they forecast how many times Sally laughs - the answer will be revealed at the end of the podcast.

Trail conversation with Don and Scott

Travis Macy, professional ultra-endurance athlete, coach, teacher, husband and father of two joins us to talk about his new book, "The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion's 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports and Life".  This book is a set of simple principles for daily life that includes embracing fear, rewriting the stories we tell ourselves, and mastering the art of asking for help. "We constantly send our kids -and ourselves- the message that if you struggle something is wrong.  If you're doing something right, it will feel nice and easy; it will be fun.  Struggle should be halted as soon as possible at all times because it will probably lead to suffering and, even worse, failure.  The problem with the message above is that it flies in the face of what we know to be the truth about learning and general process, namely, that if you never struggled, growth is almost impossible because lack of growth only shows complacency with in a comfort zone." - The Ultra Mindset The book is available at m

Ryan Sandes joins us to talk about his recent FKT at Cape Town Table Mountain.  We talk about training, racing, mental toughness and how running can prepare us for life's challenges. And a host of other topics that happen when your sitting down and chatting with a runner for 60 minutes! Find Ryans Website here at RyanSandes.com           

Warren Pole joins The Nation to discuss the finer DOs and DON'Ts of Ultra Running.  We build on an article from Competitor Magazine, "Dos and Dont's From Top Ultramarathoners"  and an article from Outside Magazine, "Hal Koerner's Ultrarunning Commandments"

John Hinds is the founder and owner of Cadence® Insoles. He has been involved in athletics since he was a kid and in search of the perfect insole ever since. For the last 22 + years he has been a physical therapist focusing on orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, helping people get back on their feet as quickly as possible. John joins The Nation to answer some of these questions: Who should use insoles?  Who shouldn't? Who should go the the podiatrist? Does my foot weaken and become dependent? When can you use an over-the-counter insole? Do they wear out? Do I need to spend my whole paycheck to get good insoles? How do insoles differ? How are Cadence® Insoles different?   Get a 15% discount on Cadence® Insoles when you purchase on their online store and enter coupon code: TRN15

One part of the Ultra 168 team, Marcus Warner, joins The Nation to discus an article they wrote.  Dan and Marcus reside in the drop bear capital of the world, Sydney, Australia.  They began the blog/website to share their passion for the trails and has evolved into a great resource for our community, wherever in the world you live. Video of Marcus being chased by a bear on the Western States Trail. Like them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter

The Nation has received some opposing views from our latest podcast, "You Can Help Save the Pacific Crest Trail".  Mike Miller, an environmental biologist and trail runner, joins us for a different view of the PCTA's recent stance on trail racing.   What do you think?

 Candice Burt joins us to share the news and point us to the petition  The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is lobbying and advising the USDA Forest Service to ban recreational events on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). If they succeed, no new trail running events nor growth of existing events will be allowed on the PCT.  Our existing trail running events could also be in jeopardy of receiving future permits.  Read about the PCTA's stance HERE Please join The Nation by speaking out against this ill-advised policy by Signing the petition that Candice Burt created Consider posting on the PCTA facebook  page and commenting on their post about their stance with your opinion. The more we express ourselves, the more the PCTA and USDA Forest Service will understand our point of view and the size of the trail running community Call Beth Boyst, the Pacific Crest Trail Administrator for the USDA Forest Service: bboyst@fs.fed.us (707) 562-8881 to express your concerns Share your concern with your social media group

Join Coaches Emily Harrison and Ian Torrence teach us why patience is important in Ultrarunning.   Guest host is Sycamore: If you are looking for a coach, they can be found at McMillan Running You can read Ian's article, "Patience and the Ultramarathoner"

Rob Rhodes joins The Nation to tell us about he biggest film festival for runners that is taking place all over the world!  The Trails In Motion is an annual international film tour that brings a collection of the finest trail and ultra running films to passionate audiences around the world. Join like-minded trail runners and adventure sports enthusiasts at film festival-styled events in more than 25 countries. You can find a screening HERE    Rob also started and leads a group for trail runners in the San Francisco Bay area called the Bay Trail Runners

Today is Pam Reed's 54th Birthday.  She celebrated by going on a 20-mile run and joining The Nation.  She has completed over 110 ultramarathons with a list of amazing accomplishments: First person to complete a 300-mile run without sleep (in slightly less than 80 hours) 2003 set the women's record for the USATF 24-hour track run Only woman to have won Badwater 135 outright (did it twice!) Author of the book, "The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultrarunning Greatness" Get the audio book for Free using the coupon code: TRNation at Audible   She recently finished The Arrowhead 135 that takes place in the coldest part of winter in the coldest city in the lower 48 states, Northern Minnesota).  The average finish rate is less than 50%.  She finished 15th overall and 2nd Female! Pam joins The Nation to discuss how visualization has aided her to successfully completing over 110 ultramarathons.  She discusses how to step outside your comfort zone and attempt something hard. Check out her interview wi

Ryan Green, Phd, ATC teaches us the steps you can take for a lifetime of running enjoyment. Stuff we mentioned:  Candice Burt's 200/100 daily workout Running Times Masters Runners 10-Minute Strength Circuit Book, "Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul" by Stuart Brown Contact Dr. Green at ryan@varsityrunning.com or visit his web site: Varsity Running Check out Candice's amazing races at Destination Trail Run Here is the Dr. Green's presentation we referenced: run for your life PARTNERS OF THE NATION Get 20% of your order at Injinji using the code: TRNation at checkout Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl

Coach Jimmy Dean Freeman joins The Nation to walk down memory lane.  34 years ago Ultrarunning Magazine published its first issue.  What has changed in the last 34 years?  You'd be surprised. Take a look at the old issue HERE JDF's dancing belt PARTNERS OF THE NATION Get 20% off your entire order at Injinji using TRNation code at checkout. Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl

Coach Greg McMillan, Mcmillan Running, joins the Nation to discuss how to peak, prepare and work through the inevitable freak out that we feel as we get close to race day.  His book, Surviving the Marathon Freak-Out, is a great handbook that the novice to experienced runner can use to help successfully prepare for your next race. Check out the video of Dick and Rick Hoyt Prefious Podcast with Greg:  Give it a Rest with Greg McMillan Check out Candice Burt too!   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PARTNERS OF THE NATION Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl Get 20% off your entire Injinji order by entering code: TRNATION at checkout (Valid in the U.S. only) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Athlete, coach, nutritionist and writer, Matt Fitzgerald, joins The Nation again to discuss how the brain works in training, racing and athletic performance.  He discusses specific training programs that can help you can improve your performance.  Get his book, "Brain Training for Runners" How is Brain Training different from mental training? 2 Feedback loops: collective, objective and subjective Periodization The 2 walls high intensity training during base training 4 phases of brain training how plyometrics can help your effeciency Anticipatory Regulation Learn more from Matt's new coaching portal at PEAR Sports Matt's other podcasts with The Nation: Matt Fitzgerald - The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel Curing Folks of Diet Cult Brainwashing - Matt Fitzgerald ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PARTNERS OF THE NATION Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out th

Jason Robillard is a writer, ultrarunner, recreational pro MMA fighter, occasional teacher, and running coach.  He has written a few books on ultrarunning including: The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running and Ultramarathons: Expert Advice, and Some Humor on Training, Competing, Gummy Bears, Snot Rockets and more The Barefoot Running Book: The Art and Science of Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Running He joins Sally McRae, Warren Pole and the Nation to discuss the "Pulitzer Prize-winning" novel, "Never Wipe Your Ass with a Squirrel: A trail running, ultramarathon and wilderness survival guide for weird folks" Some of the topics covered are: Running Naked Boob wobble (and junk wobble) How to get rid of annoying running partners Qualities of good running partners ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PARTNERS OF THE NATION Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool he

Candice Burt joins us from Hawaii, where she is preparing for her third running of the HURT 100.   Faith Lehman (Goss) comes out of retirement to join in this not-so-heated debate about the pros and cons of being in a relationship with an ultra-runner.         Check out all of Candice's RACES including the second running of the Tahoe 200 and the brand new Bigfoot 200/120 race in the Pacific Northwest. Candice runs for Ultimate Direction. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PARTNERS OF THE NATION Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella joins us again to discuss: Running a 50 mile run on minimal training Racing for fun without stress The Magic of Human Facia Foam Rolling For more incredible information, go to the Natural Running Center Watch the 8:26 Video of efficient running ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PARTNERS OF THE NATION Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition    Check out the cool head TORCHES made for trail running at Petzl ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------