If you want to improve upon a previous ultramarathon, you have to look critically at yourself and your training. In today's episode, that's exactly what I did, putting together a plan for a stronger, faster 2020.
Last year I lost my grandmother, one of the people I admired most. Over the years she taught me a lot about how to live life - much of which is key to being successful in the sport of ultrarunning. Here are the five key lessons she taught me about life, running, and happiness.
"Why do you run ultramarathons?" During last year's Hellbender 100, my answer to that common question completely changed.
Trail Talk is back... with an update episode mostly about me - where I've been, why I quit the podcast, and the season of life I've been going through for the past year. But... it's also about you, and what you can expect in this coming season of Trail Talk.
Training for a big race is hard, not just on you, but on your family and friends. Today I sit down with my wife Katie to talk about how better to work with your partner leading up to and on race day.
Let me tell you a little story about the recent South Mountains 50K...
We're runners, we love to run. So what happens when we suddenly don't find that joy in logging miles anymore?
In today's episode, I share my story of getting lost, and how I've embraced the season of being lost.
Welcome to the new and improved Trail Talk. Here's a quick intro.
From my experience, there are three stages to every ultramarathon, one of which is why so many runners don't finish.
Here's what to expect.
They say that running an ultramarathon is 90% mental, so what does it actually take?
To me, the mental game starts before you even sign up for the race. Here are my tips for staying mentally focused and strong throughout training and race day, so you can toe the starting line with confidence.
(This is part 3 of a multi-part How to Run Your First Ultramarathon series.)
Want to run an ultramarathon? Here's what to expect when you start training, and the main differences between training for a marathon and training for an ultra.
This is part two of the How to Run and Ultramarathon series. Check out part one in the last episode!
Want to run an ultramarathon? It starts with selecting the right race for your goals, inspirations, and abilities.
In part one of this four part How to Run and Ultramarathon series, we'll explore the types of races out there, and how to make sure you choose the right one for you.
Where have I been and what happened to Trail Talk?
Here's your answer.
Plus, a new mini-series starting next week! Woo!
Most plans for endurance events include training or practice races of a shorter distance ahead of your main goal race.
In my opinion, these are the most important runs on your schedule.
But how do you attack a race... that isn't a goal race? That's what we cover in today's episode of Trail Talk.
I have no time to run.
Or at least that's the excuse I tried to pull on my wife the other day. In today's episode I share her response, and what it means for us as runners.
Plus, results from the RCR Pack survey.
Real talk with Doug Hay.
What to do when running is no longer fun.
Back in January I wrote a post called "How I'm Training for a 100K Ultramarathon with a Newborn," where I outlined five strategies that would keep me on track while significantly reducing time spent on the trail.
So, did it work?
In today's episode I evaluate the past five months of training, and share what worked, what didn't, and how I'll move forward.
Looking back, there are a number of things I wish I had known going into my first trail run. Lessons or advice that would have saved me a lot of time, energy, and frustration.
Here are the top four.
Today's episode is split into three parts, (1) a look at my recent 32-mile Art Loeb run, (2) the value of self-evaluation, and (3) a new 7-day spring challenge. Will you join me?
Words are powerful.
They can rally crowds, inspire greatness, and get you out of a terrible funk halfway through a run.
Several years ago, while out on a 30-mile training run, I found myself repeating the phrase,
"You can do anything for 10 minutes."
I had roughly 10 minutes to go before arriving at my car where food and water were waiting, and as terrible as I felt in that moment, I knew I could push through for another ten minutes.
That mantra has gone on to get me through many rough patches over the years. Moments when negative thoughts and doubt were so overwhelming that all I could do was focus on the next ten minutes. Then the ten minutes after that, and the ten minutes after that.
Running mantras have been such an important part of my training and racing that a few years ago I collected a set of short stories from other runners featuring their mantras. It's called The Power of a Running Mantra and can be downloaded in the show notes.
And in today's episode, I share my story from that eBook, along with a few tips for creating a mantra of your own.
Because you never know when a short phrase could be the difference of you crossing the finish line and not.
Last weekend I ran my first race of the year, and my first race as a father, which meant my training has been ... let's just say less than ideal.
How did it go? Not that bad actually, and in today's episode I discuss why I think I was able to pull it off.
Sometimes a race just doesn't go as planned. That's the hard reality of training for and racing an ultramarathon.
And it's what you do with those failures and setbacks that make or break you as a runner.
In today's episode I share a clip from a recent interview with Rock Creek Runner Community Member Karen Clarke on her setback at the 2016 Leadville 100, and what she turned that disappointment into strength.
Tired of the increasing entry fees? Didn't get into your dream race's lottery?
No worries, run a self-supported adventure instead.
Today I talk about why I'm moving some races off my calendar this year and instead focusing on epic adventures. And of course, I share my tips for how to plan your own.
Today's episode pretty much goes against everything I've ever said on Trail Talk. It's an interview with Sid Garza-Hillman, race director of the Mendocino Coast 50K and recent North Face Endurance Challenge San Francisco 50K finisher.
We talk about his approach to training for and racing in San Francisco, and how it freed up time, energy, and head space to do other things.