Trail Runner Nation

Many athletes fail to make progress or they see their fitness regress due to three main factors:

1. You become injured
2. You are training improperly
3. You’ve simply lost the desire to train, or train like you used to

Dr. Stephen Gangemi, the Sock Doc, joins The Nation to discuss the science behind motivation. From your brain to your gut, we will discuss the physiological and mental aspects of motivation and how you can regain the Eye of the Tiger!

Here are the links to the first two articles that are the basis of this podcast:

Athlete Motivation Part 1: It's In Both of Your Brains

Motivation Part II: Healing and Optimizing Your Two Brains

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

One of your most important tools as a runner is your feet. You need to take care of them or your training/race may be foiled. John Vonhof literally wrote the book on how to take care of your feet: "Fixing Your Feet". This book is now in the FIFTH edition! John joins The Nation to discuss the basic principles of foot care:

• How you can have healthy & happy feet
• Footwear
• Insoles
• Gaiters
• Blister prevention and treatment
• What to keep in a foot care kit
• Taping your feet

You can learn more by visiting his website HERE.

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Jared Campbell paid his $1.60 and a pack of cigarettes for his third attempt and second finish at the 2014 Barkley Marathons, a niche race in a niche sport. Since the race's inception in 1986, only fourteen runners out of about 800 have completed the 100 mile race within the official 60 hour cut-off. Jared is one of two racers that have finished the race twice. Jared joins The Nation to discuss one of the most difficult trail races and his view on training.

You can learn more about Jared at his blog, Door5 and read more about his race at Barkley Marathons HERE.

Watch the 2014 Barkley Marathons Movie TRAILER and find out more about the movie HERE

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Dr. Mark joins us again to cover some interesting topics:

• America College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the world’s authority on exercise and health, just released an article, "How to Select a Running Shoe", refining their position.
• Should you follow your doctor's treatment recommendations blindly? What questions should you ask and what drugs to be careful of as a runner. There was an article in Runners World talking about some medications you should avoid as a runner.
• Breathing is an important component in endurance sports. Can we learn to breath better?. What are things to consider and what are some exercises to learn to breath better? Check out this video of some exercises you can do.
• A few ways to help you improve your running gait: You need to check out THIS WEBSITE. You can get a PHd in running gait from these videos. Another LINK that has more gait analysis information.

Where to find Dr. Cucuzzella:

• Boston Marathon: Monday, April 21
• Harpers Ferry Half Marathon: Saturday, May 10
• Two Rivers Treads Running Store
• The Natural Running Center

LINK to all of Dr. Cucuzzella's podcasts with The Nation.

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Dr. Ryan Green is a certified athletic trainer and holds a doctorate in kinesiology. He is a father, husband, runner and cancer survivor. He recently discovered the benefits of tacking a running break. We covered the following topics:

• Running Breaks - how long and how?
• Are their benefits to stretching?
• How should you warm up or should you? (Dr. Green's warm up lunge series)
• How to treat injuries?
• Ice Cup Massage

Visit Ryan's running store at Varsity Sports.

Visit Ryan's new web site: www.RunDocRyan.com

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

If you could run one last 100 miler with a personal-best time and then never run again OR you could be guaranteed to be able to run three miles a day for the rest of your life, but never run another 100, what would you choose?

Andy Jones-Wilkins answers this question and other philosophical questions. AJW will be running his tenth and final Western States 100 this June. He has remained a competitive threat in this event and a HUGE fan of this race and trail running. We talk with Andy about two of his recent blog posts on iRunFar:

• Problem Solving on a Run
• Stillness on The Run

Other topics covered:

• How do you get your kids involved in running?
• What is the "Sawchuk Seven" and is it true?

"Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

George Plomarity, Patagonia's Team Sports Sales and Marketing Rep, joins The Nation to talk about their marketing campaign called #sufferbetter. We discuss what this means to the ultra runner and how you can share your experiences with the community and possibly win a full Patagonia kit. Post your story and photos on Twitter or Instagram and you will be registered for a monthly drawing.

"Race Course in Review" by Vasque Running Shoes

Take the Tailwind Challenge at: Tailwind Nutrition

Check out the cool headlamps made for trail running at Petzl

Click here to listen to our audio review

One of the most technically advanced designs ever created for smaller faces. Pace comes with a number accessories including; cool read case, extra lens, cleaning cloth and extra strap.  The bows actually snap off the frame allowing you to install the wide and functional elastic strap.  This is extremely handy if participate in water activity or traveling at the speed of sound down the side of a mountain on skis, bike or maybe riding bulls.

Lens quality - great.  You will not find these glasses at your discount store.  They are the real deal. I like.

Click here to find out more about the Bliz Eyewear - Pace

• 10.4 oz
• 10 mm drop
• Suggested Retail: $110

Good

• Fit well out of the box
• Traditional shoe feel and look
• Drains well after stream crossing
• Snug in midfoot with good toe room
• Good protection against technical trails

Bad

• A little stiff
• Heal seams to move a little - but that is my weird shaped foot

Check out the Patagonia T

FootKinetics has developed what I may consider the best invention next to handheld water bottles.  They have a protective foot cream that claims to prevent blisters.

I'M GAME!

• Contains a high percentige of specialty hard waxes that make the stuff lasts all day!
• Unique dimpled applicator that helps massage the cream onto your foot

• Lasted the entire run, but wasn't a mess to clean up on my socks
• Available in 5.5 oz ($19.99) and 3 oz ($9.99)

I am looking forward to continued testing as my runs get longer throughout the summer.