Couverture de Trail Runner Nation

Trail Runner Nation

Trail Runner Nation

De : Trail Runner Nation
Écouter gratuitement

À propos de ce contenu audio

 Trail Runner Nation is a gathering place for the trail and ultrarunning community. We aim to help the listener improve their running experiences through better health and fitness via expert guests. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace professional, medical, or training advice or recommendations for listeners. The views expressed in this podcast by guests are not necessarily endorsed by Trail Runner Nation, LLC.Copyright © Trail Runner Nation 2015 Hygiène et vie saine
Épisodes
  • EP 780: The Woman Who Ran 600 Miles

    EP 780: The Woman Who Ran 600 Miles
    May 6 2026
    Megan Eckert returns to Trail Runner Nation after an extraordinary stretch in endurance racing, including a third place at Cocadona 250, setting a women's world record at Big's Backyard Ultra and becoming the first woman to run more than 600 miles in six days. She explains why backyard ultras are less about speed and more about solving the strange little puzzle of time, sleep, food, heat, pacing, and decision-making, one hour at a time. The conversation gets into what happens when the body starts swelling after days of effort, how recovery has to be tested carefully, and why a runner's "toolbox" matters more than a perfect race plan. Megan also shares how mantras, gratitude, crew support, short sleep strategies, and breaking huge goals into smaller chunks helped her keep moving when the mental fog rolled in. The big takeaway is that toughness is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like patience, curiosity, a good crew, and the willingness to step back into the corral one more time. Links: SharmanUltra Coaching - MeganPrevious Episode with Megan: EP 685: Running in Circles - Backyard Ultras Episode Sponsors: Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928. If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses! Peluva - Footwear that let your feet be feet. Get 10% off on our DEALS page Timestamps 00:00 | Megan Eckert's 600-Mile Breakthrough Scott introduces Megan's recent accomplishments, including her Big's Backyard Ultra world record and becoming the first woman to run more than 600 miles in six days. 02:10 | What Happens to the Body After 600 Miles Megan describes the swelling, inflammation, and strange physical effects that showed up late in the six-day race. 03:10 | Recovery Is Not a Formula She explains how recovery depends on the race, the body's feedback, heart rate, feet, legs, and the willingness to test movement and back off when needed. 04:14 | How Backyard Ultras Actually Work Megan breaks down the format: 4.17 miles every hour, starting again and again until only one runner remains. 06:16 | The Race She's Most Proud Of Megan shares why Run Rabbit Run stands out, not because it was perfect, but because she had to work through an off day almost from the beginning. 14:16 | The Tools That Keep You Moving The conversation shifts to mantras, knowing your "why," gratitude, and the mental tools runners build through hard training and bad races. 19:34 | Solving the Puzzle of Time Megan explains why backyard racing fascinates her: it is not about being fastest, but about balancing pace, rest, calories, sleep, and strategy. 25:46 | Training Yourself to Sleep Fast She talks about using an eye mask, lowering heart rate before lying down, and noise-canceling headphones to help the body shut down quickly during long races. 27:55 | Why Women Are Thriving in Long Events Megan reflects on the growing participation of women in backyard and multi-day racing and why the format creates a welcoming space for many types of runners. 31:15 | Why Crew Becomes Critical Megan explains how sleep deprivation affects decision-making and why crew support becomes essential in the later stages of multi-day races. 35:16 | The Dark Places in a Six-Day Race She describes the strange feeling of being between two shores, unable to see where you started or where you are going, and how her crew helped her regain perspective. 43:30 | Coaching for Backyard Ultras vs. 50Ks Megan explains how training shifts for backyard races, with more emphasis on time on feet, double days, and learning to run when you do not feel like running. 47:00 | Sleep Deprivation and Trial-and-Error The group discusses whether sleep deprivation can really be trained, and Megan explains why her best sleep strategy is built around longer 45- to 90-minute cycles. 52:00 | What's Next for Megan Megan talks about taking on Cocodona 250 and applying what she has learned from looped and timed events to a very different kind of trail challenge. 55:13 | Who Should Try a Backyard Ultra? Megan closes with a simple message: the best attribute is curiosity, because you never know what you are capable of until you show up.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    58 min
  • EP 779: The Hidden Performance Cost of Sun Damage

    EP 779: The Hidden Performance Cost of Sun Damage
    May 1 2026

    Returning guest, coach Colleen Miracle, joins us to talk about something many trail runners know they should care about but often ignore: sun protection. The conversation is based on Colleen's UltraSignup article "Why Ultrarunners Face a Higher Risk of Skin Cancer and Decreased Running Performance." Colleen shares her own experience with stage-one skin cancer on her lip, which began as what looked like a small freckle but turned out to be a wound that would not heal. The episode gets practical fast, covering SPF 30, UPF clothing, sun hoodies, lip sunscreen, reapplication during races, altitude exposure, cloudy-day risk, and why a "base tan" is not real protection. For endurance athletes, the biggest takeaway is that sun damage is not just a long-term health issue; during long efforts, your body may divert energy toward cooling and repairing damaged skin instead of helping you keep moving. It is a useful, slightly uncomfortable reminder that protecting your skin may be as important to longevity in the sport as shoes, fueling, or strength work.

    Resources & Links:
    • Check out Boundless Coaching
    • Sunbeam Sunscreen
    • Super Goop
    Episode Sponsors:

    Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928.
    If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!

    Peluva - Footwear that let your feet be feet. Get 10% off on our DEALS page

    Timestamps

    00:00 – The Sun as a Performance Threat Scott introduces the idea that UV exposure may affect not only skin cancer risk and aging, but also long-term running performance.

    02:45 – Colleen's Skin Cancer Wake-Up Call Colleen shares how her own stage-one skin cancer diagnosis on her lip led her to interview her dermatologist and write about sun risk for ultrarunners.

    05:30 – How Sun Damage Can Drain Your Body The group discusses how damaged skin may force the body to spend energy on cooling and repair when runners need that energy for movement, fueling, and staying strong.

    07:15 – SPF, UPF, and What Actually Works Colleen explains the practical options runners can use, including SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, UPF clothing, sun hoodies, arm sleeves, and SPF lip protection.

    14:25 – Why Sun Hoodies Are Showing Up More in Ultras The conversation turns to lightweight sun hoodies, why runners in hot and exposed environments use them, and why you should practice with them before race day.

    17:50 – The Base Tan Myth and Other Bad Ideas Colleen pushes back on the idea that a base tan protects runners and explains why tanning still means skin damage.

    31:45 – Timing, Altitude, Clouds, and Race-Day Habits They cover how early morning runs reduce exposure, why altitude increases risk, why cloudy days still matter, and how runners can build sunscreen reapplication into race routines.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    54 min
  • EP 778: Audio Magazine- The Run That Changes Your Brain

    EP 778: Audio Magazine- The Run That Changes Your Brain
    Apr 23 2026

    Audio Magazine episode! Long-time friend, Warren Pole joins us to trade ideas, stories, and thought-provoking topics from the world of endurance sports. We talk about everything from whether races should ban in-race filming to the surprising ways ultrarunning might temporarily damage red blood cells and what that means for recovery. Warren brings a sharp perspective on long-term health, framing running as an investment that compounds over time, especially when paired with better nutrition. The conversation also explores how beginners can cut through noise and focus on simple fundamentals like cadence and effort, while questioning whether trends like "gravel running" are innovation or just clever marketing. Along the way, we highlight how trail running uniquely benefits mental health, reinforcing why time on the trails feels different than pounding pavement.

    Check out 33 Fuel for amazing and healthy products that will help you live healthier. If you live in the USA, you can buy their Ultimate Daily Greens via Amazon HERE.

    Episode Sponsors:

    Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928.
    If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!

    Peluva - Footwear that let your feet be feet. Get 10% off on our DEALS page

    Timestamps

    00:00 – Reunion & Format Setup
    Scott and Don welcome Warren back and explain the fast-paced "audio magazine" format.

    11:00 – Should Races Ban Content Creation?
    Debate on whether filming during races helps grow the sport or distracts from it.

    24:00 – What Running Really Does to Your Body
    Discussion of research on red blood cell damage and what it means for performance and recovery.

    30:00 – Nutrition, Recovery, and Long-Term Health
    Warren explains why whole-food fueling may improve recovery and long-term outcomes.

    39:00 – Learning to Run: What Actually Matters
    Simple, foundational advice for new runners like cadence, effort, and consistency.

    50:00 – Trail Running and Mental Health
    Why running in nature has a stronger effect on mood, stress, and brain function.

    54:00 – "Gravel Running" and the Future of the Sport
    Exploring whether new categories are helpful or just clever marketing.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 13 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
Aucun commentaire pour le moment