Trail Runner Nation cover art

Trail Runner Nation

Trail Runner Nation

By: Trail Runner Nation
Listen for free

Summary

 Trail Runner Nation is a gathering place for the trail and ultrarunning community. We aim to help the listener improve their running experiences through better health and fitness via expert guests. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace professional, medical, or training advice or recommendations for listeners. The views expressed in this podcast by guests are not necessarily endorsed by Trail Runner Nation, LLC.Copyright © Trail Runner Nation 2015 Hygiene & Healthy Living Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • EP 781: The Finish Line That Changed Everything

    EP 781: The Finish Line That Changed Everything
    May 14 2026

    ode we are joined by Brian Morrison, author of Given to Fly: A Story of Tragedy, Triumph, and Realization at Western States 100, about one of the most unforgettable finishes in ultrarunning history. Brian takes listeners back to the 2006 Western States 100, where he was leading the race before collapsing on the Placer High School track just steps from victory, later being disqualified because he received assistance crossing the finish line. The conversation explores how Scott Jurek's belief in him helped Brian transform from a talented but relatively unproven runner into someone who truly believed he could win Western States. But the heart of the episode is not just the collapse, it is the decade that followed, as Brian wrestled with regret, obsession, identity, family, and the need to return in 2016 to finally finish the race on his own terms. For trail runners and endurance athletes, this episode is a powerful reminder that failure is not always the opposite of success, sometimes it becomes the thing that reshapes us, redirects us, and teaches us what the finish line could never have taught alone.

    Links
    • YouTube video, "A Decade On" by GingerRunner
    • Link to buy the Book
    Episode Sponsors:

    Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928.
    If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!

    Peluva - Footwear that let your feet be feet. Get 10% off on our DEALS page

    Timestamps

    00:00 – The Moment That Almost Defined Him Scott introduces Brian Morrison and sets up the unforgettable 2006 Western States finish that became the centerpiece of Brian's story.

    01:48 – Scott Jurek's Belief Changes Everything Brian explains how Scott Jurek told him he could carry the torch for Seattle and win Western States, planting a belief Brian had never fully considered before.

    06:34 – Training Like a Western States Contender Brian describes the intense training block with Jurek, including Mount Si repeats, hard downhill work, and the psychological shift from hoping to win to believing he could.

    15:30 – Race Day: Heat, Strategy, and the Chase Brian walks through the 2006 race, from the early miles to picking up Scott Jurek at Foresthill and hunting down the leaders before the river crossing.

    24:00 – The Final Miles Begin to Unravel After No Hands Bridge, Brian starts running scared, convinced Graham Cooper is closing fast, and the effort begins to push him past the edge.

    28:37 – Collapse on the Track Brian reaches the Placer High School track first but blacks out, collapses repeatedly, and later learns he has been disqualified despite crossing the finish line.

    38:17 – Ten Years of Haunting and the Return Brian shares how the race followed him for a decade, why he returned in 2016, and how finishing with his family finally allowed him to see the experience differently.

    56:22 – Writing the Book and Finding the Realization Brian explains why he wrote Given to Fly, how the process helped him understand his deeper motivations, and why he now sees the whole experience not as redemption, but as a gift.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • EP 780: The Woman Who Ran 600 Miles

    EP 780: The Woman Who Ran 600 Miles
    May 6 2026
    Megan Eckert returns to Trail Runner Nation after an extraordinary stretch in endurance racing, including a third place at Cocadona 250, setting a women's world record at Big's Backyard Ultra and becoming the first woman to run more than 600 miles in six days. She explains why backyard ultras are less about speed and more about solving the strange little puzzle of time, sleep, food, heat, pacing, and decision-making, one hour at a time. The conversation gets into what happens when the body starts swelling after days of effort, how recovery has to be tested carefully, and why a runner's "toolbox" matters more than a perfect race plan. Megan also shares how mantras, gratitude, crew support, short sleep strategies, and breaking huge goals into smaller chunks helped her keep moving when the mental fog rolled in. The big takeaway is that toughness is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like patience, curiosity, a good crew, and the willingness to step back into the corral one more time. Links: SharmanUltra Coaching - MeganPrevious Episode with Megan: EP 685: Running in Circles - Backyard Ultras Episode Sponsors: Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928. If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses! Peluva - Footwear that let your feet be feet. Get 10% off on our DEALS page Timestamps 00:00 | Megan Eckert's 600-Mile Breakthrough Scott introduces Megan's recent accomplishments, including her Big's Backyard Ultra world record and becoming the first woman to run more than 600 miles in six days. 02:10 | What Happens to the Body After 600 Miles Megan describes the swelling, inflammation, and strange physical effects that showed up late in the six-day race. 03:10 | Recovery Is Not a Formula She explains how recovery depends on the race, the body's feedback, heart rate, feet, legs, and the willingness to test movement and back off when needed. 04:14 | How Backyard Ultras Actually Work Megan breaks down the format: 4.17 miles every hour, starting again and again until only one runner remains. 06:16 | The Race She's Most Proud Of Megan shares why Run Rabbit Run stands out, not because it was perfect, but because she had to work through an off day almost from the beginning. 14:16 | The Tools That Keep You Moving The conversation shifts to mantras, knowing your "why," gratitude, and the mental tools runners build through hard training and bad races. 19:34 | Solving the Puzzle of Time Megan explains why backyard racing fascinates her: it is not about being fastest, but about balancing pace, rest, calories, sleep, and strategy. 25:46 | Training Yourself to Sleep Fast She talks about using an eye mask, lowering heart rate before lying down, and noise-canceling headphones to help the body shut down quickly during long races. 27:55 | Why Women Are Thriving in Long Events Megan reflects on the growing participation of women in backyard and multi-day racing and why the format creates a welcoming space for many types of runners. 31:15 | Why Crew Becomes Critical Megan explains how sleep deprivation affects decision-making and why crew support becomes essential in the later stages of multi-day races. 35:16 | The Dark Places in a Six-Day Race She describes the strange feeling of being between two shores, unable to see where you started or where you are going, and how her crew helped her regain perspective. 43:30 | Coaching for Backyard Ultras vs. 50Ks Megan explains how training shifts for backyard races, with more emphasis on time on feet, double days, and learning to run when you do not feel like running. 47:00 | Sleep Deprivation and Trial-and-Error The group discusses whether sleep deprivation can really be trained, and Megan explains why her best sleep strategy is built around longer 45- to 90-minute cycles. 52:00 | What's Next for Megan Megan talks about taking on Cocodona 250 and applying what she has learned from looped and timed events to a very different kind of trail challenge. 55:13 | Who Should Try a Backyard Ultra? Megan closes with a simple message: the best attribute is curiosity, because you never know what you are capable of until you show up.
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • EP 779: The Hidden Performance Cost of Sun Damage

    EP 779: The Hidden Performance Cost of Sun Damage
    May 1 2026

    Returning guest, coach Colleen Miracle, joins us to talk about something many trail runners know they should care about but often ignore: sun protection. The conversation is based on Colleen's UltraSignup article "Why Ultrarunners Face a Higher Risk of Skin Cancer and Decreased Running Performance." Colleen shares her own experience with stage-one skin cancer on her lip, which began as what looked like a small freckle but turned out to be a wound that would not heal. The episode gets practical fast, covering SPF 30, UPF clothing, sun hoodies, lip sunscreen, reapplication during races, altitude exposure, cloudy-day risk, and why a "base tan" is not real protection. For endurance athletes, the biggest takeaway is that sun damage is not just a long-term health issue; during long efforts, your body may divert energy toward cooling and repairing damaged skin instead of helping you keep moving. It is a useful, slightly uncomfortable reminder that protecting your skin may be as important to longevity in the sport as shoes, fueling, or strength work.

    Resources & Links:
    • Check out Boundless Coaching
    • Sunbeam Sunscreen
    • Super Goop
    Episode Sponsors:

    Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928.
    If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!

    Peluva - Footwear that let your feet be feet. Get 10% off on our DEALS page

    Timestamps

    00:00 – The Sun as a Performance Threat Scott introduces the idea that UV exposure may affect not only skin cancer risk and aging, but also long-term running performance.

    02:45 – Colleen's Skin Cancer Wake-Up Call Colleen shares how her own stage-one skin cancer diagnosis on her lip led her to interview her dermatologist and write about sun risk for ultrarunners.

    05:30 – How Sun Damage Can Drain Your Body The group discusses how damaged skin may force the body to spend energy on cooling and repair when runners need that energy for movement, fueling, and staying strong.

    07:15 – SPF, UPF, and What Actually Works Colleen explains the practical options runners can use, including SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, UPF clothing, sun hoodies, arm sleeves, and SPF lip protection.

    14:25 – Why Sun Hoodies Are Showing Up More in Ultras The conversation turns to lightweight sun hoodies, why runners in hot and exposed environments use them, and why you should practice with them before race day.

    17:50 – The Base Tan Myth and Other Bad Ideas Colleen pushes back on the idea that a base tan protects runners and explains why tanning still means skin damage.

    31:45 – Timing, Altitude, Clouds, and Race-Day Habits They cover how early morning runs reduce exposure, why altitude increases risk, why cloudy days still matter, and how runners can build sunscreen reapplication into race routines.
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet