In this episode of the Any Given Run Day podcast, mountain and trail runner Zak Hanna (@zakhanna on Instagram) shares his journey from cycling to becoming a competitive mountain runner at the highest level. He discusses his experiences in various international competitions, the challenges of downhill running, and the importance of mindset and training in harsh conditions. 

Zak reflects on his achievements, including his fifth-place finish in the World Mountain Running Championships, and emphasises the significance of enjoying the journey as an athlete. He also shares insights on training strategies, injury prevention, and his future goals.

07:00 Introduction to Zak Hanna & The Journey to Trail Running
11:34 Transition from Cycling to Running
16:07 First Experiences in Competitive Running
19:03 The Challenge of Downhill Running
25:07 Mindset in Extreme Sports
26:11 Training Consistency in Winter
28:11 Running with a Canine Companion
31:59 The Joy of Running with Dogs
32:34 Training Locations: From Kenya to Italy
35:16 Becoming 5th in the World in Thailand
41:59 Celebrating Achievements and Future Goals
46:19 Training Strategies and Injury Prevention
51:20 Upcoming Races and more

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