Dr. Robert Portman is and exercise scientist and coauthor of three books,

and has authored hundreds of articles on how nutrition can improve fitness, health and athletic performance.

Dr. Portman teaches us that there are five macro-nutrients that an endurance athlete needs to know how to use: Water, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, and electrolytes.  By knowing WHEN and HOW MUCH to use  the macro-nutrients,  we can raise our performance, avoid bonking and G.I. distress.

Once we understand how to utilize these macro-nutrients, there are micro-nutrients that can further tweak and enhance our performance.

Over the last 30 years, Dr. Portman has reshaped sports nutrition and the development of energy products with proven performance and recovery benefits, including: Endurox R4, Accelerade and now Body Glove SURGE, an energy shot for endurance athletes.

Unsure of how much hydration and nutrition to use on your next workout?  Check out The Portman Calculator: easily compute your hydration and nutrition needs for a workout or race.

Here are some other interesting articles that Dr. Portman has written:

Check out our new sponsor's, "Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Download a free audio book at Audible

With over 20 books written for the endurance athlete, Matt Fitzgerald is one of the sport's leading authors.  Some of his other best sellers are:

Matt talks to us about his book, "Run-The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel".  Some topics include:

Follow Matt on Twitter or on Facebook

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Italian Nation Member, Monica, paints a picture of Italian trail running!  Monica lives in the middle of some amazing mountain running.  She explains trail running culture, race demographics and gear choices of Italian runners. One of the forty-seven ultras in 2014 is the Tour Des Geants, a 330 KM (205 mile) race with a 150 hour time limit.

Book a trip to Italy and Corri di più!!

Class is in session.  Dr. Mark talks about

Here are some valuable links:

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Download a free audio book at Audible

Chris Vargo is relatively new to the trail running scene, but has quickly found his place at the front of the pack; including a 3rd place finish at the 2013 North Face Endurance 50 Mile in San Francisco.  You can watch a great video of the 2013 TNF50 lead runners HERE.   Chris talks about how he started in trail running, his training including pool runnning, his successes, the TNF50 race, and overcoming his alcoholism.

Chris can be found on Facebook and Twitter and will soon have a blog.

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Download a free audio book at Audible

On the evening of two of the most popular 100-mile race lotteries (Western States 100 and Hardrock 100),  Andy Jones-Wilkins and Craig Thornley (race director) join the Nation to discuss the mystic and draw of Western States 100, the new 2015 qualifying standards, "micro competitions", the future of ultrarunning, and how to maintain longevity in the sport.

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Coach Sally McRae joins Trail Runner Nation and opens up the official TRN Grab Bag: running topics that are in the news or on our mind.

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Download a free audio book at Audible

Dr. Maffetone teaches us that

Buy Dr. Phil Maffetone's Big Book of Endurance Training and Running

Buy The Big Book of Health and Fitness

Previous Podcast with Dr. Maffetone:

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Ian Torrence has won 51 ultras and run over 170.  He coaches for McMillan Running.  Ian joins us to talk about what you need to do to prepare for cold weather running - starting from the head to the toes.  He recaps his successful inauguration of the Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra, a 100-mile ultra or relay event.

Here is Ian's earlier podcast:: How to Build a Bonkproof Body

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Download a free audio book at Audible

Warren Pole joins the Nation in person!  The authorities let Warren and his wife, Erica, into the U.S. with their TRN work visa.  We were able to not only have a great trail running discussion, but also break bread and share 18 miles of the Western States trail with him (with no bonking).  

Candice Burt, RD, announces a great new RACE for 2014!

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition   

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl