Trail Runner Nation

This year it seems like course records throughout trail running have been dropping like flies. UltraRunning Magazine lists hundreds of new records for both men and women on their site. Some of these records are decades old. Are we getting faster? It sure seems like that. Alex Hutchinson has also been wondering this and decided to do his science thing and find out the truth. In his recent OutsideOnline article "Why Are Runners Suddenly So Fast? Records are falling and times are dropping. Is it the shoes, or something else?" he filters through the statistics to answer the question. Read Alex's other articles at OutsideOnline here Visit his web site and get his book Endure: Mind Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance

Welcome to today's episode, where we explore an exhilarating topic that's been gaining traction within the endurance sports community: the fascinating role of ketones in enhancing athletic performance. Ketones, a type of fuel utilized by the body when glucose levels are low, have proven to offer numerous benefits for endurance athletes, including increased energy, improved performance, reduced fatigue, faster recovery, and enhanced mental cognition. In this episode, we'll delve into the science behind obtaining ketones through two primary channels: a ketogenic diet and ketone supplements. While both are valuable, we'll focus on the newer option for our sport: supplemental ketones. These provide a convenient and effective way for endurance athletes to boost their performance with exogenous ketones. But what exactly are exogenous ketones, and how can they benefit trail runners? Join us as we delve deep into the science and practical applications of incorporating ketones into your training and racing routine. We're excited to be joined by a leading expert in the field, Mike Brandt, the CEO and Co-founder of H.V.M.N. (Health Via Modern Nutrition). With his expertise, we'll explore the potential advantages of exogenous ketones, the best timing and dosing strategies, and any potential drawbacks or limitations in their usage. Do you want to give a ketone supplement a try? We like KetoneIQ. Visit HVMN.com/TRAILRUNNER to get 30% off your first subscription order! Michael Brandt is co-founder and CEO of H.V.M.N. He's an avid triathlete and marathoner (2:42 PR). Prior to starting H.V.M.N., he received his BS in Computer Science & Design at Stanford, was a Product Manager at Google, and Adjunct Professor at the Academy of Art in SF. He has always been a leader, and lifelong student, of designing products around new technologies and emerging needs.

Good friend, Dr. Phil Maffetone, joins us again to help us understand how important music can be to improve the neuroplasticity of your brain and enter the alpha state. What does this mean for an endurance runner? Dr. Maffetone explains why you should care! Previous episodes with Dr. Maffetone: Get Stronger with Dr. Phil Maffetone Why is Weight-Loss so Difficult Even for Runners? Dr. Phil Maffetone Daydreaming is Healthy for Runners Dr. Phil Maffetone Unplugged Dr. Phil Maffetone was RIGHT all along! Take Your Shirt Off and Get Some Vitamin D - with Dr. Phil Maffetone Phil Maffetone: How can Rhythm Improve Your Efficiency? Breaking the 1:59 marathon with Dr. Phil Maffetone Dr. Phil Maffetone - Building a Better Athletic Brain Phil Maffetone transcribed! Eat to Win with Dr. Phil Maffetone. Dr. Phil Maffetone - Speed up by slowing down Links: Dr. Phil's Big Books: Big Book of Health and Fitness Big Book of Training and Racing Dr. Phil's web site Phil Maffetone's music site

We have a truly captivating show lined up for you today, as we dive deep into the world of metabolism and how it affects our health, fitness, and athletic performance. Joining us today is a true expert in this field. Angelo Poli, a renowned coach and metabolic guru who has worked with a diverse range of individuals, from top athletes like Quarterback Aaron Rodgers to busy CEOs and dedicated moms. Angelo has developed a groundbreaking methodology that helps people understand their unique metabolic profiles. By gaining this understanding, individuals can then tailor their nutrition and training plans to optimize their health, fitness, and overall performance. Watch this video to learn more

We are thrilled to have Tom Evans, the newly crowned champion of the 50th running of the Western States 100, with us today. Tom, an adidas TERREX athlete and ultrarunner, has just achieved an incredible feat, finishing the race in a remarkable time of 14 hours, 40 minutes, and 22 seconds. Not only did he secure the victory, but he also recorded the 4th fastest time ever in the history of the Western States Endurance Run. Tom's achievements are nothing short of remarkable, and we can't wait to dive deep into his journey. Join us as we uncover his secrets to success, his recent ultramarathon triumphs, and his upcoming trail running footwear collaboration with adidas TERREX. Check out his WS100 win documentary, Buckle Up: Tom Evans' Trail Running Journey to WSER Follow Tom on his Instagram or Twitter channels

We all know that feeling when running starts to feel like a chore rather than a passion. But fear not, because Coach Patrick Reagan is here to share his personal journey of rediscovering his running mojo and provide expert advice on how you can do the same. Patrick will be sharing his insights into the power of play, the importance of community, and strategies for setting new goals and overcoming setbacks. We'll explore the holistic approach he takes with his clients to reignite their motivation and bring the joy back into their running. Have you been struggling to find your running mojo or feel like you're in a running rut, this episode is for you. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the tools to reignite that passion for hitting the trails. Find out more about Patrick and his coaching services at his web site. Also check out Patrick's new podcast, the Ultra Wizard Ramble on YouTube. We mentioned one of Patrick's other hobbies, music. Stay tuned at the end of the podcast to hear him play. We also mentioned a past fun episode with Dr. Phil Maffetone, where we hit record with the plan of talking about fitness, but ended up talking about music. HERE is the link. Visit HVMN.com/TRAILRUNNER to get 30% off your first subscription order!

This coming weekend is the 50th anniversary of the one of the most legendary ultramarathons in the world - the Western States 100. As we have done almost every year, we are joined by our good friend, Andy Jones-Wilkins, to review some of the names and stories of the 381 racers that will be running in 2023. For half a century, this race has tested the limits of human endurance, attracting elite runners from around the globe who crave the ultimate challenge. Over 80% of these racers have never run the race before. We'll dive into the profiles of some of the top athletes who are expected to battle it out on the trails. From the seasoned veterans who have conquered this race before to the rising stars who are hungry for their moment of glory, we'll analyze their strengths, strategies, and previous performances to forecast who might emerge victorious in this landmark anniversary edition. But it's not just about the winners; the Western States 100 is a tapestry of captivating stories. We'll uncover tales of courage, resilience, and the sheer human spirit that propel runners through the intense physical and mental challenges they face on this arduous course. You can follow along on the live broadcast or the live splits and results #seeyouatstates

Frosty, Anna Frost, a trail running icon who has conquered the most challenging trails while inspiring countless runners along the way. In this episode we delve into a topic that is very close to her heart - maintaining a relationship with running as life takes unexpected turns. From her days as an elite pro trail runner to embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, and now as a successful business owner, Anna has navigated these trails with grace and determination, keeping nature and trail running as a core part of her existence. However it was not without challenges. She shares the obstacles she faced and the beautiful solutions she discovered to help you navigate your own life trails without succumbing to injury or burnout. Join Anna on one of her many adventures around the world at Trail Run Adventures. This week they are in Madeira. In July they have trips to Chamonix, Silverton and Norway! Also check out the New Zealand Black Currant supplement that Anna talked about CurraNZ. Get 20% off with code TRN20!

Dr. Joe Uhan, a renowned physical therapist, board-certified orthopedic specialist, functional manual therapist, and USATF Level 2 coach. Oh, and did I mention he's an accomplished runner too? Joe has practices in Auburn, CA, and Eugene, OR, Joe is a contributor to iRunFar and UltraRunning Magazine. He's here to share his unique perspective on the iconic Western States 100, a race that he has not only experienced firsthand but has an intriguing take on. Today, we'll be discussing why many have referred to Western States as a "killing machine," and more importantly, how to tame or silence this relentless beast. We reference the great two-part article Joe wrote at iRunFar nine years ago: The Western States Killing Machine, Part One The Western States Killing Machine, Part Two: The Marble in the Groove But don't worry if you're not one of the lucky 381 runners who will be tackling Western States this year. Our conversation will offer valuable principles that can help you in your own runs and races, no matter the distance or terrain. How to Silence the Killing Machine: Step 1: Prepare to Problem Solve Step 2: The Mental Taper Step 3: Turning Inward Step 4: Presence and Perspective Step 5: Don't. Panic. Step 6: The Will to Finish Trumps All Step 7: Like a Marble in the Groove Learn more about how Joe can help you with gait analysis, coaching, or therapy visit UhanPerformance.com

Regardless of your age, all of us are getting older. Do nutritional needs change as we age? As trail runners, we know the incredible impact that nutrition can have on our performance. But as we age, our bodies undergo changes that require a more strategic and mindful approach to fueling ourselves for the long run. That's why, in this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of longevity nutrition strategies, focusing on those specifically designed for the aging athlete. Returning TRN friend, Bob Seebohar, helps us uncover some strategies. Here is the link to the study Bob mentions about Daily Energy Expenditure Through the Human Life Course Bob developed the groundbreaking Metabolic Efficiency training approach, which helps athletes to optimize their nutrition and fueling strategies to achieve their performance goals. He has also authored several books on sports nutrition, including "Nutrition Periodization for Endurance Athletes" and "Metabolic Efficiency Training: Teaching the Body to Burn More Fat". Bob Seebohar is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics, exercise physiology, and an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach. He is also the sports dietitian for the University of Denver women's gymnastic team and the University of Denver Athletics Department. If you want to learn more about Bob and his services including his books, articles, coaching services, nutrition and more, visit ENRGPERFORMANCE. He is also the co-host of the podcast Inside Sports Nutrition with Dina Griffin. Check out the tasty healthy snacks he invented at All-Around Snack Company. He has been on TRN a couple other times including these great episodes: EP 517: Eat to Train EP 583: TRAINING PRINCIPLES - Nutrition EP 598: Intermittent Fasting- Will it Help or Hinder our Performance? EP 612: The Science of Creatine and Brain Function for Athletes