A few months ago I got a tweet from a listener asking, "About to start training for my first stage race. What tips do you have for training and racing for multiple days?"

Not confident enough to answer it without running a multi-day stage race myself, I've asked Heather Gannoe of Relentless Forward Commotion to join me.

In today's episode, Heather shares her Transrockies Run story, and breaks down how to train for, race, and recover during a multi-day stage race.

Winter is coming. The dreaded dark, cold, damp days of winter.

After a summer of long miles and race goals, your body and mind start to crave a break from running. Add travel, holidays, and cold to the mix, and most of us fall out of our running routines and out of shape.

But, of course, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Today I share my strategy for getting through difficult months when training feels like a chore, and coming out the other side primed and ready to jump back in.

Here's what we talk about in today's episode:

• My training slump. What gives?
• The type of training to maintain throughout winter
• Why you should try something different
• The one training strategy I always recommend
• Running in the cold

Last week we heard Paul Gwynn Garrity's transition from never running to training for the Table Rock 50K, his first ultramarathon.

This week I've asked Paul back on to recap his race. To share what went right, what went wrong, and what he'd do differently next time.

Like any first ultramarathon, his race had it's moments, and we'll hear the lessons he learned throughout the process.

Less than two years ago -- at a family Christmas gathering -- I was approached by my cousin's husband Paul.

"I want to train for a half marathon," he said.

Music to my ears. I responded with the usual questions ... What does your running look like now? Have you trained for races in the past?

He wasn't. He hadn't.

But I could tell he was serious about chasing this goal.

Since that conversation Paul hit the half marathon goal, ran a sub-four hour marathon, and is now just days away from attempting his first ultramarathon -- the Table Rock 50K.

In less than two years Paul has gone from barely being able to run a mile to training for his first ultramarathon.

Today's episode of Trail Talk is different. Instead of my standard quick tip, I've asked Paul to share his transformation to becoming a runner.

And the lessons, struggles, and achievements that came along the way.

Here's what we talk about in today's episode:

• Why health and longevity is an important motivator
• Becoming a runner ... when you never liked running
• Paul's accountability struggle
• Training for your first ultramarathon (and learning to love trails)
• Perfecting your mid-run fueling strategy

Continuing along with the season of speedier ultramarathons, this week we talk about finishing strong and fast during your next big race.

Finishing strong means running smart for the first half, and training well for a tough second half.

Both of which I discuss in today's episode:

Aid stations are your lifeline during an ultramarathon. They're where you restock, refuel, and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.

But if you're not careful, they can also be a major time suck.

In today's episode I discuss how to be move through aid stations efficiently to become a speedier runner during your next ultramarathon.

Have you ever found yourself just a few weeks out from a race without having done the full training?

I know I have.

So what do you do? You could sit it out ... or you could cram. Just like like you did before tests in college.

In today's episode I talk about when it's acceptable to cram for a race, and how to go about it without injuring yourself.

And we're back with the first episode to Season 4! This season is all about speed, speed, and more speed.

Being a speedy runner is about more than just learning how to run quickly, and in today's episode, you'll find out just what I mean ... 

"What do you eat during a race?"

That's a question I get all the time, but the answer is never straight forward.

In an attempt to give a basic understanding of my approach to mid-race nutrition, I share my strategy for fueling a marathon, 50K, 50-Mile, 100K, and 100-Mile ultramarathon.

Ask a runner what they fear most and chances are it will be injury. Injuries can derail training and bust up a race goal before you even toe the line.

Who wants that? But for some reason the majority of runners aren't doing what they can to protect themselves against injury.

Today's episode is all about injuries, or more specifically, using strength training as a tool to help prevent injuries. I reach out to coach Jeff Gaudette of Runners Connect for his thoughts on incorporating a strength routine into your training.

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