

Trail Runner Nation
Trail Runner Nation
Trail Runner Nation is devoted to sharing knowledge and advice to the trail running community - from beginners to the pros! We offer tips and discussion regarding race nutrition, pacing strategy, mental focus and much more from well-respected members of the trail community.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 13, 2023 • 56min
EP 606: G.O.A.T. - Pam Reed
In this episode, we talk with Ultrarunning historian Davy Crockett, about another legendary ultramarathon runner who has been referred to as the "Greatest of All Time" (G.O.A.T.). Pam has won numerous ultramarathons, including the Badwater Ultramarathon, which is considered one of the toughest races in the world. This is an incredibly inspiring conversation about one of the most accomplished ultramarathon runners of all time. Whether you're a runner yourself or just looking for motivation and inspiration, this episode is a must-listen. You can learn more about Pam in the article on Ultrarunning History. Davy Crockett, the host of the podcast, "Ultrarunning History" Davy has run over 100 100-mile finishes since starting in 2004. He is a race director of the Pony Express Trail 50 and 100 in Utah and was recently named Director of the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. Buy his recent book about Frank Hart. And listen to the first G.O.A.T. episode about Frank Hart. You can learn more about Davy and his many works at Ultrarunninghistory.com Check out her interview with David Letterman Previous interview with Pam Reed about "Visualization and Leaping Out of Your Comfort Zone" Pam's website: http://www.pamreed.com/ Pam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamreed/ Pam's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamreed

Jan 5, 2023 • 1h 7min
EP 605: Ice Baths - Are They The Key to Improved Health?
Today we are discussing the age-old question: are ice baths good for your health? It is a topic that has divided fitness enthusiasts and athletes for years, with some claiming that ice baths can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, while others argue that they can be harmful to the body. First, let us define what an ice bath is. An ice bath is a recovery method in which a person immerses their body in a tub of cold water and ice for a brief period, usually 10-15 minutes. The water temperature is typically around 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, let us dive into the potential benefits of ice baths. Some proponents of ice baths argue that the cold water can help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after a workout. This is because cold water can constrict blood vessels, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation. In addition, cold water can numb nerve endings, which can provide temporary pain relief. However, it is important to note that the research on the effectiveness of ice baths is mixed. We decided to find out what the research has to say. Alex Hutchinson has written about the research multiple times and he joins The Nation to review the research and give us his opinion. Alex mentioned the book The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning Here are some of his articles: Ice baths, cryosaunas, sleep trackers: If it feels good, should you do it? Do ice baths really fight inflammation? The Ultimate (Evidence-Based) Guide to Recovery Follow Alex on Twitter Check out Sweat Science Alex'e MUST READ Book, Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance

Dec 30, 2022 • 1h 24min
EP 604: Year End Audio Magazine with AJW
We wanted to wrap up 2022 with one of our favorite type of episode, TRN Audio Magazine. Andy Jones-Wilkins joins us to discuss this and that with a guess the title game. Links to stuff we mentioned: "Unbreakable" movie by JB Benna Born To Run book by Christopher McDougall Pied Piper of Trail Running short reel "Strong Downhills Late in Races May Determine the Fastest Finishers" by David Roche "The Hidden Factor That Explains Easy Run Pace" by Alex Hutchinson Hire Andy as a coach! or check out his weekly Tap Room at iRunFar

Dec 23, 2022 • 1h 1min
EP 603: Process vs. Outcome. What are Your Goals Based On?
Outcome goals are goals that focus on the end result or objective, while process goals are goals that focus on the steps or actions required to achieve the desired outcome. Outcome goals tend to be more specific and measurable, while process goals are more focused on the journey or process of achieving the outcome. Coach Ian Sharman joins The Nation to discuss these different kinds of goals and helps us understand the pros and cons of each. Outcome goals can be motivating because they provide a clear target to aim for, but they can also be discouraging if progress is slow or if setbacks occur. Process goals, on the other hand, can help to keep you on track and focused on the steps needed to achieve your outcome goal, which can lead to better long-term success. Real Science of Sport podcast episode Ian mentioned regarding soccer penalty kicks. Find out more about Sharman Ultra Coaching

Dec 16, 2022 • 57min
EP 602: G.O.A.T. Frank Hart 1870s
Frank Hart rose to fame, popularity and wealth in the 1870 as one of the first African American athletes to break the color barrier as an ultra runner. Davy Crockett, the host of the podcast, "Ultrarunning History" joins us to tell us this amazing story of Frank Hart and the early popularity of pedestrianism. Get the book here. It's a great stocking stuffer! Davy has run over 100 100-mile finishes since starting in 2004. He is a race director of the Pony Express Trail 50 and 100 in Utah and was recently named Director of the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. You can learn more about Davy and his many works at Ultrarunninghistory.com Check out our earlier episode with Davy about the history of EP 556: The History of Ultrarunning If this episode was interesting to you, you might like the episode we did on "Pedestrianism" two years ago.

Dec 9, 2022 • 53min
EP 601: Why we Run? It's Science!
We recently read a blog post from Charlotte Grysolle, "15 Learnings Between a Neuroscientist & Navy SEAL Officer". This article was based on the Jocko podcast between Jocko Willink and Dr. Andrew Huberman, "332: Influence & Ownership Over Your Physiological & Psychological Being". We enjoyed it so much we thought we'd have a casual discussion about six points we thought were interesting and how they relate to running. Optic Flow Expand your visual field Re-frame friction Dopamine peaks Physiological sigh Making mistakes is key for learning Check out the "GOOD" video from Jocko.

Dec 2, 2022 • 1h 4min
EP 600: Knowing When to Back Off
Coach Ian Sharman is one of the most consistent and successful trail and ultra runners. This year he had a few A-races that didn't go as expected. We talk through why. We discuss knowing when to back off and how to keep running sustainable for the long term. Some items that we discussed and we promised to link: The Range Report Newsletter by David Epstein Book: Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke Learn more about running in Bhutan! Find out more about Sharman Ultra Coaching

Nov 25, 2022 • 53min
EP 599: Salt, Running and Pregnancy. What We Learn From Recent Research
Alex Hutchinson is back to discuss some of his most recent articles he published at Outsideonline: The Salt in Sports Drinks May Not be as Crucial as You Think How Pregnancy Affects Your Marathon Time Alex Hutchinson is an avid runner and author. We did a series of podcasts on his book, Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. Previous Podcasts where we discuss the specific chapters of Endure: Podcast #1: The Unforgiving Minute, The Conscience Quitter, Heat, Belief Podcast #2: The Central Governor Theory, Pain and Training the Brain Podcast #3 : Oxygen, Fuel, and Zapping the Brain Check out Alex's other books: Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise Big Ideas: 100 Modern Inventions That Have Transformed Our World What Defines our Limits - with Alex Hutchinson Follow Alex on Twitter Check out Sweat Science

Nov 18, 2022 • 1h 6min
EP 598: Intermittent Fasting - Will it Help or Hinder our Performance?
There has been a lot of hype around intermittent fasting for the last couple years but not a lot of decisive research or data. Coach Bob Seebohar rejoins The Nation to help us understand what intermittent fasting is and what he knows about it and help us understand if there is any benefit for endurance athletes. 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 two great episodes: EP 517: Eat to Train EP 583: TRAINING PRINCIPLES - Nutrition

Nov 12, 2022 • 1h 4min
EP 597: You Don't Have to Run Ultras To Be a Trail Runner
Too often we mistake the terms "Trail Runner" and "Ultra Runner" as the same thing. They are not. In fact, running shorter distances can help us become better runners at any distance and better all around athletes. Coach David Roche joins The Nation to talk about the benefits of running the next 5k or 10k turkey trot and how it helps us physiologically and biomechanically. It actually might be a whole lot of FUN TOO! There are more people running ultras and especially longer ultras today. Are we moving to those longer distances too quickly? Is there benefit in running the shorter distances for a while before jumping into an event that takes all day? David Roche is a 2-time USATF trail national champion and 3-time member of team USA. He is also part of the power duo of coaches at SWAP Running, along with his partner, Megan. They also a great book, The Happy Runner: Love the Process, Get Faster, Run Longer (you can listen to our book review with Megan and David HERE). Megan and David host a very fun and informative podcast, Some Work All Play Adventure Podcast. You can also find David as a frequent contributor at Trail Runner Magazine.


