Recently, our friend and trail culture advocate, Bob Crowley, was appointed as President of ITRA, International Trail Running Association.  Bob helps The Nation understand more about this little known organization that we SHOULD know about and support.  ITRA's values mirror our shared values of authenticity, humility, fair play, respect, solitary, and teamwork.  Not only can it represent our collective voice, but can help race directors and individuals alike.  The basic membership is free so please sign up to strengthen our voice and protect our culture.

We often hear that, "ultra running is 90% mental and the rest is in your head".....or something like that.

Returning favorite guest, Dr. Simon Marshall and 3-time Xterra world champion, Lesley Paterson join The Nation to help us understand how the brain works and strategies to help us perform at a higher level.

Visit their website: BraveHeartCoach.com to learn more or to schedule 1/2 hour mental coaching sessions.

Check out their new Xterra Podcast

They co-authored the book, "Brave Athlete - Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion"

Try out their FREE "Smog Report"personalized advice to optimize your training

Fun video introduction of the book.

Follow Simon and Lesley on Twitter

Here is the link to our previous podcast with Simon and Lesley

Volume 8 of the Pulitzer Prize winning TRN Audio Magazine is now available at your corner newspaper stand.

Featured articles :

• Is Longer Better?
• Good Until the Last Drop
• Give me 5
• You Never Forget Your First Time
• Does the Tail Wag the Dog?
• Running, Is it Good for Your Knees?
• Don't Believe the Hype
• How Much?

Anton Krupicka "Indulgence" Video

JB Benna's "Unbreakable" Movie - Free for a limited time

The effects of various drugs on spider webs spider web

Check out

• AJW's Coaching

If you are interested in getting some great quality facemasks check out these two manufacturers:

C29Mask

Theramasks

Today, the Western States Endurance Run Board of Directors announced the cancellation of the 2020 race.  This is only the second time in the race's 46 years that they have had to cancel the race.  Race Director, Craig Thornley, joins Andy Jones-Wilkins in a discussion to clarify and answer any questions.

Earlier this week we posted a podcast discussing the situation with COVID-19.  Since then, many communities have been directed to "shelter in place".  This doesn't mean we cannot continue with our passion of running.

As promised, this is the follow up podcast with Coach and Prognosticator, Andy Jones-Wilkins.  The discuss the subject of what we can do now.  If we approach this with the right attitude (as many ultra runners do), we can see this as a great opportunity to try something new or experiment with something in our training.  Let us know what you are planning to do.  Let's occupy social media with our trail running spirit of optimism and motivation!

We also chat with Julie Fingar, RD for NorCal Ultras, about the ramifications RDs have to deal with and how they are trying to innovate and create options for runners.

SPECIAL EDITION:

We recently posted a letter from the Ultra-Endurance Sport Science & Medicine web site.  This letter makes recommendations for our sport during this pandemic.  Dr. Marty Hoffman, co-author, joins us to explain how this virus can affects our community.  Bob Crowley, Trail Animals Club, also explains how this affects our race season.

Here is the link to Corrine Malcolm's article at irunfar

For an updated status on race cancelations:

• Check your race web site
• Check ultrasignup.com
• Updated list at Ultrarunning Magazine

Be a solution, Be kind...mãs!

Matt Fitzgerald (sports nutritionist, writer, athlete, coach) will be releasing a new book in May, "Running the Dream; One Summer Living, Training and Racing with a Team of World-Class Runners Half My Age".  We talk to him about his journey as he trains with Hoka's NAZ elite team of professional runners in Flagstaff, AZ.

He also has launched an interesting cool new running camp concept, "Endeavorun".  Check it out.

There are many high profile races out there and many of those are very difficult to get into.  The good news is there are many GREAT races that you might not know about.  It the New TRN produced podcast, Trail Hacks highlights one of these amazing races.  We speak with the Race Director to better understand the characteristics of the race. We then get with a veteran runner to give us a hack or two that might help us successfully complete the race.

In our inaugural Trail Hacks Podcast, we speak with Scotty Kumar, producer of the award winning podcast Ten Junk Miles.  His team runs the Badger Trail Races held on August 1-2.

Register HERE

Be sure to subscribe to Trail Hacks podcast where ever you listen or visit www.trailhacks.run

Don found a recent article, "13 Things You're Probably Doing That Are Sabotaging Your Run" by Erin Kelly on Bustle.com

We decided to make a game to discuss the points.  TRN friends:Donna NiCuarta and Warren Pole join us to debate the pros and cons of each point.

There is a correlation between motivation and self-discipline in successful runners.  Coach AJW joins The Nation to discuss what motivation and discipline is, how we can use it, and how to improve it.

Here are the links that we discussed

• Gene Hackman's motivational speech in Hoosiers
• Brad Kerns Morning Routine
• Podcast on Vulnerability
• Podcast Anatomy of a DNF

AJW's Coaching

AJW's Tap Room