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
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1:04:23
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1:04:23
EP 754: Aging as an Athlete: The Power of Adaptation
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 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!
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1:03:42
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1:03:42
EP 753: Point–Counterpoint: Trail Truths Debated
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!
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1:06:53
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1:06:53
EP 752: Train Slow, Race Fast and Train Your Brain: Maffetone Returns
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!
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1:17:04
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1:17:04
EP 751: "It IS Your Day" with The Queen, Meghan Canfield
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 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
Trail Runner Nation is devoted to sharing knowledge and advice to the trail running community - from beginners to the pros! We offer tips and discussion regarding race nutrition, pacing strategy, mental focus and much more from well-respected members of the trail community.
Netherlands