Trail Runner Nation

Scott Jurek is a trail runner, outdoor enthusiast, physical therapist, competitive athlete, chef, vegan and now author. Scott talks to us about his new book, Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness. How does a seven-time Western States 100 winner, three-time Spartathalon winner, two-time Badwater winner... whew, we could go on and on... fuel for success? How did he get into running? How does he train? What is next for Scott? All these questions are answered in a short, informative and entertaining interview. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

We catch up with Jimmy Dean Freeman who is part of a relay team consisting of 7 ultrarunners running nearly 2,500 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica California to help spread the message to elementary school children about fitness, self confidence, setting goals and realizing personal achievement. Jimmy experiences are grand as he is escorted by police, becomes part of a hootenanny, saves a turtle and he is only 1/2 way home!

Frank Lieberman is living proof that It Has Nothing To Do With Age. At 60 he decided to ride Tevis Cup, a 100 mile horse race through the rugged Sierra Mountains. At 62 he ditches the horse and puts on a pair of running shoes and makes the same trip. At 68 he took 1st place at the Swanton Pacific 100 mile Ride and Tie event. He shares with us that Father Time lives in our mind and not in our heart.

What happens when you leave 3 runners in a room with a few mics. Scott sings his version O' Canada, Don finds his memory is failing faster than his leg turnover and Faith...well as usual, she comes across pretty good.

At TRN we have produced a number of megabytes talking about the benefits of forefoot striking. We have invited author of the book Tread Lightly: Form, Footwear, and the Quest for Injury-Free Running, Dr. Peter Larson, to the podcast. He has recently been conducting research on the biomechanics of distance running in road races with his undergraduate students. Heel strikers unite, you no longer have to run at night under the cover of darkness to hide your running gait.

TRN joins elite ultrarunner and running coach Carilyn Johnson as we discuss the Art of Pacing. Who knew there was so much to this pacing stuff? Pacers should get a finishers shirt for all the work they put in for a runner.

Dr. Steven Gangemi, aka the Sock Doc, joins the TRN podcast crew to discuss the training benefits of heavy breathing. Aerobic vs Anaerobic Training is a hot topic in the endurance community. How much, when, and why are questions we present to the doc. What follows is a great conversation and in the end we all learn a ton. Even Dr. Gangemi, who learns that the podcast crew has a lot to learn!

Dominic plays the mountain profile like a concert pianist plays the arpeggio. A well-executed run is like making music. Join us as we discuss with Dominic what he has learned from his mentors and absorbed directly from the San Gabriel Mountain range. Running uphill, recovering on the downs and cruising the flats set the stage for a hit song. This is a must listen.

The trail doesn't come with directions. Jimmy Dean and Kate Freeman join the regular podcast crew to discuss the do's and don'ts of trail conduct. Tune in and compare your trail manners with the opinions of the TRN podcast team.

Mike Morton, age 40, seems to be one of the top ultra runners lately. But some of you may be thinking his name sounds familiar. You’re right. Mike Morton, at the age of 25, was the first place finisher and set a new course record at Western States in 1997 but somewhat mysteriously disappeared from the ultra scene soon afterward. Where did he go? Faith, Don and Scott were honored to speak with Mike shortly after his record-breaking Umstead 100 mile race about his "sudden" comeback, his selfless service to his country and his super-human speed that has been bottled up.

Dr. Cucuzzella prescribes "Speed-play" and warns against "Speed-work." "If it's not fun, I'm not doing it." He has run 19 Boston Marathons, including a 2:37 at the age of 44. Maybe it's time to Speed-play? We cover a lot of ground on this podcast so plug in and hold on.

Join Don and Scott as they chat with Faith, fresh out of her first 50 miler. There were hamburgers, chafage, post-race blackouts and more! Listen to get the scoop.

Join co-hosts Scott, Jimmy Dean and Don as they provide Faith with some quality race-day strategy for her first 50 mile race, along with great contributions from the Trail Runner Nation community.

What was your longest back-to-back training run? How about a 40+ mile back-to-back-to-back. Repeated for 65 days. With no support! We talk to a record-holding fastpacker and trail runner to uncover how to take ultra-running to the extreme and see what other things we can learn from him.

Scott, Faith and Don take on blogger Will Cooper's Nine and a Half Ways To Keep Running Real. He lists his top suggestions that every trail runner should follow. We turn each one inside out as we talk through them.

Ultra Runner of the Year Dave Mackey discusses his training, Hoka shoes and his race day fueling. All we need now are his legs, heart, lungs and will-power. Dave also discusses balance as he juggles family, graduate school and training! Rumor has it several trail runners have spotted Dave's moisture wicking cape that he tucks beneath his shirt.

Running Economy? What??? That's right, go faster and farther with less work! Dr Cucuzzella has your prescription. Get ready to hit the pause/rewind button because the Doctor is in and ready to unload some serious information onto Trail Runner Nation!

Dr. Gangemi, AKA The Sock Doc, joins us as we discuss shoes, orthotics, ice, stretching and more. The Sock Doc is an accomplished athlete and an expert in soft tissue management and body mechanics. Sounds like a guy we would like to take on a run.

The Kokopelli has held a prominent role in folklore, culture and traditions. Many authorities believe this celebration is justified as it is probable the Kokopelli allowed the homo erectus to avoid extinction. On such authority is Professor Richard Nelson. His research has provided the first look at the powers of the Kokopelli. Dr. Nelson shares with us the benefits of applying and wearing the Performance Enhancing Temporary Tattoo available exclusively on our site.

Super carbs and super starches can be super confusing, but not for Sports Nutritionist Sunny Blende. She gives us the skinny on a new performance enhancing fuel source. Not convinced? We learn that ultrarunner of the year Dave Mackey used this new product at Bandera 100K.