Today we're cooking up something a little different—a Trail Runner Nation–style feast inspired by the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. Just like families gather to celebrate gratitude and good food, we're gathering around the podcast table to share the habits, ideas, and rituals that make us better runners. And who else should be joining us be A. Jizzle Wizzle, Coach Andy Jones-Wilkins.

In this playful, feast-themed episode, each host brings an entrée, side dish, and dessert—but instead of turkey and pie, we're talking about the practices that nourish our training, support our goals, and add a little sweetness to the trail experience. Don attempts to explain the rules, and the fun (and friendly trash-talk) begins.

Hire AJW as a coach! And read his weekly article in the AJW's Taproom Or tune into the "Crack a Brew with AJW" podcast.

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In this seventh installment of Aging as an Athlete series, Scott, Don, and Krissy sit down with elite ultrarunner and longtime coach Ian Sharman to explore what it really means to run well as the years go by. Ian shares insights from 20+ years of racing—including a marathon course record he set after turning 45—and lessons learned from coaching athletes across all ages and abilities. He offers a preview of his upcoming book, where he dives into topics like identity, adventure, and avoiding burnout. Together, we unpack how runners can evolve their training, protect their joy for the sport, and keep adventure at the center of their lives. This conversation blends practical wisdom with big-picture perspective, reminding all of us that aging as an athlete isn't a limitation—it's an opportunity.

Find out more about Annie and Ian at Sharman Ultra Coaching

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• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
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• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they will be on sale for 24 hours during Black Friday, November 28

In this episode, we sit down with the new book Running Breakthroughs author Floris Gierman to explore what truly drives joy, consistency, and long-term progress in running. Floris shares the patterns he's uncovered after years of conversations with athletes, coaches, and researchers—stories of everyday runners who transformed their lives through simple habits, sustainable training, and a kinder relationship with themselves. We talk about

• why self-compassion is one of the most overlooked performance tools,
• how slowing down can actually speed you up,
• and why being present in the moment matters more than chasing the perfect workout.

Floris opens up about the breakthrough stories that changed him, including moments that reshaped his definition of success both on and off the trail. If you've ever struggled with plateaus, burnout, or being too hard on yourself, this conversation offers practical tools—and inspiring reflections—to help you fall in love with running all over again.

Episode Sponsors

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
• NEW! MudGear Socks - Get a special discount by clicking the link
• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they will be on sale for 24 hours during Black Friday, November 21

What does it take to keep running strong from your teens into your 90s? In this new episode of The Aging Athlete series, Krissy Moehl co-hosts as we sit down with Shawn Cheshire to talk about her journey through adversity as she is aging and how to adapt to life's circumstances, making her "obstacles the way".

Shawn Cheshire is a blind athlete who has achieved remarkable feats in biking and trail running. We walk through Shawn's journey of losing her sight, her transition to becoming a competitive athlete, and her record-setting adventure on the Wonderland Trail. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, training, and the power of communication in overcoming challenges. Shawn shares her insights on cohabitating with difficulties and the significance of movement in life, inspiring listeners to embrace their own journeys regardless of age or obstacles.

In past Aging Athlete episodes, we've explored how to train smarter as we age, not harder—covering topics like

◦ adapting your training plans, ◦ hormone optimization, ◦ navigating menopause, ◦ Fueling for performance and longevity, ◦ and shifting recovery strategies. You can find out more about Shawn at Choosing to See and look for her movie Blind AF Episode Sponsors

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
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• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they are on sale!

In this "Point–Counterpoint" episode, we are joined by coaches from two teams—Sharman Ultra (Ian Sharman & Ellie Greenwood) and Giddy Up Ultra (Jeff Browning & Trish Arends)—to debate hot-button trail topics. They tackle gadgets vs. going by feel (most land on the fence, with Scott pledging a watch-free run), active recovery vs. full rest (consensus: gentle movement wins "if done well"), and competition/professionalization vs. community (community edges out, though competition drives innovation and visibility). A rapid-fire round on race fees concludes that higher prices can be worth it when safety, marking, and aid are rock solid, but swag bloat and accessibility are real concerns. Throughout, the value of a coach emerges as a recurring theme—helping athletes tailor decisions to personality, history, and goals.

Episode Sponsors

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
• NEW! MudGear Socks - Get a special discount by clicking the link
• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they are on sale!

Dr. Phil Maffetone returns to revisit the MAF Method—training by low heart rate (≈180 minus age)—with Don sharing how it saved his a 100-mile race. Phil explains why most endurance performance is aerobic and how building that system (plus cleaning up diet) beats "no-pain-no-gain." The episode pivots to his new brain-health research: refined carbs and excess body fat can impair the brain, but the good news is the brain is highly resilient and improves quickly when you remove junk sugars and eat healthy fats. Practical takeaways include using a heart-rate monitor to measure progress, prioritizing diet alongside training, and adding brain-boosters like aerobic exercise, novelty/music, meditation, deep breathing, and even cold exposure. Phil shares daily habits (his "fat-burning coffee," eggs, veggies) and the famous Mark Allen story to show how speed rises at the same heart rate as fitness improves. Throughout, the crew keeps it playful—touching on music, comedy, and even AI—while reinforcing one theme: train smarter, feed your brain, and you'll run better.

• Here is the LINK to the Brain Training research paper we talked about.
• Here is the Human Error article
• Link to Dr. Phil's music

Episode Sponsors

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
• Amazfit - T-Rex 3: Get 15% off
• NEW! MudGear Socks - Get a special discount by clicking the link
• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they are on sale!

Have you ever heard a runner drop out of a race and say, "It just wasn't my day"?

Well, Meghan Canfield—known to the trail world as The Queen—has something to say about that. She argues, "Of course it's your day! It's certainly not anyone else's."

In this episode, Meghan joins us to explore what that really means. Inspired by her recent article in UltraRunning Magazine titled "Adventure of Life," Meghan shares how every long run, race, or adventure mirrors the journey of life itself. Things rarely go exactly as planned—both on the trail and off it—but those unexpected detours aren't signs to quit. They're opportunities to adapt, learn, and keep moving forward.

Meghan shows us how to:

• Reframe setbacks as chances for growth
• Trade frustration for curiosity when things go sideways.
• See each run—and each day—as an adventure full of surprises, struggles, and joy.

She also opens up about the lessons she's learned from her own mistakes and offers practical tips to help you push through those tough miles—on the trail and in life.

Every day brings a new story. Meghan Canfield is here to remind us to run it with purpose, curiosity, and heart.

Find out more about Meghan and hire her or some of her friends as a coach at Zenith Coaches.

Episode Sponsors

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
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• Bear Mattress, get 40% off your first order with code TRAIL
• Get our new "1 > 0" technical running hat

What does it take to keep running strong from your teens into your 90s? In this sixth episode of The Aging Athlete series, Krissy Moehl co-hosts as we sit down with Meredith Terranova to discuss the fuel behind performance and longevity.

• In past Aging Athlete episodes, we've explored how to train smarter as we age, not harder—covering topics like ◦ adapting your training plans, ◦ hormone optimization, ◦ navigating menopause, ◦ and shifting recovery strategies. Meredith has over 100 ultra finishes and three Ultraman finishes, including a 5th place at the world Championships in 2014, 3 days of swimming 6.2M biking, 315 miles and running 52 miles. She has a bachelor's in Human Nutrition and a master's in Advanced Nutrition and Human Performance. She brings a science-backed, experience-rich perspective on how to fuel our bodies through the decades—for energy, recovery, and resilience. We don't claim to have every answer—but together, with these experts, we'll discover that aging isn't something to fear, it's something to understand, adapt to—and even celebrate. Check out more about Meredith and how she can help you at Eating and Living Healthy

Episode Sponsors:

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
• Amazfit - T-Rex 3: Get 15% off
• Liquid IV, get 20% off your first order with code TRAILRUNNER
• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they are on sale!

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella returns for his 19th visit (first joined us in 2012) to unpack the "pendulum swings" in running—

• from minimalist to maximal shoes,
• handhelds to hydration vests,
• and data-free runs to tech-heavy biometrics.

He shares how his natural-footwear ethos (and Two Rivers Treads) started before the trend, why different terrains and athletes may benefit from different shoes, and why rotating options can build stronger, more resilient feet.

We talk about rucking with a weighted vest as a low-impact way to boost strength, bone density, and aerobic fitness—especially for masters runners—

plus the value of short, fast strides to keep leg speed with age.

On fueling, Mark reframes the carbs-vs.-keto debate around individual metabolic health and race-day pragmatism: maintain blood glucose, experiment cautiously, and avoid one-size-fits-all prescriptions.

Big takeaway: be an experiment of one—choose the tools, shoes, and fueling that keep you healthy, happy, and on the trails for life.

LInks to stuff we talked about:

• Dr. Tim Noakes article on hypoglycemia
• Mark Sisson's free ebook on minimal footwear
• Dr. Mark's Battle of the shoes article
• Don mentioned the 8:20 video of running form that Dr. Mark produced

More information about Mark

Book www.runforyourlifebook.com Personal site www.drmarksdesk.com Education Site: www.naturalrunningcenter.com Store: www.tworiverstreads.com Event Series www.freedomsrun.org

Episode Sponsors:

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
• Tifosi Optics 20% off with code TRN
• Bear Mattress, get 40% off your first order with code TRAIL
• Get our new "1 > 0" technical running hat

In this episode, we welcome back Bob Crowley and Tim Twietmeyer, co-founders of History Expeditions, who've shown us how endurance fitness can unlock incredible adventures beyond racing.

This fall, they and a team of veteran endurance athletes will bring history to life with a never-before-attempted 120-mile horseback crossing of the Sierra Nevada, retracing the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's path.

Over five days, they'll ride from Donner Lake to Auburn, uncovering long-lost routes, reflecting on the grit of California's pioneers, and honoring one of America's most harrowing journeys. This isn't just an expedition—it's endurance sport meeting living history.

Episode Sponsors:

• Janji, Use code TRAILRUNNER for 10% off
• Amazfit - T-Rex 3: Get 15% off
• Liquid IV, get 20% off your first order with code TRAILRUNNER
• Get the NEW "1 > 0" running hat HERE. Limited supply.... and they are on sale!