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Trail Runner Nation

EP 597: You Don't Have to Run Ultras To Be a Trail Runner

Trail Runner Nation

Trail Runner Nation

Fitness, Sports, Running, Health & Fitness

4.51.3K Ratings

🗓️ 12 November 2022

⏱️ 64 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Too often we mistake the terms "Trail Runner" and "Ultra Runner" as the same thing. They are not. In fact, running shorter distances can help us become better runners at any distance and better all around athletes.

Coach David Roche joins The Nation to talk about the benefits of running the next 5k or 10k turkey trot and how it helps us physiologically and biomechanically. It actually might be a whole lot of FUN TOO!

There are more people running ultras and especially longer ultras today. Are we moving to those longer distances too quickly? Is there benefit in running the shorter distances for a while before jumping into an event that takes all day?

David Roche is a 2-time USATF trail national champion and 3-time member of team USA. He is also part of the power duo of coaches at SWAP Running, along with his partner, Megan. They also a great book, The Happy Runner: Love the Process, Get Faster, Run Longer (you can listen to our book review with Megan and David HERE). Megan and David host a very fun and informative podcast, Some Work All Play Adventure Podcast. You can also find David as a frequent contributor at Trail Runner Magazine.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

The old statement I like is your best will never be enough unless it's always enough.

0:07.4

And hopefully running fits into that.

0:09.5

And 100-mile hours can be a great way to be like, oh my god, I'm doing this wild thing

0:13.5

and that can add fun.

0:15.1

But like, you can get that same thing from a 5K, you can get that same thing from a 10K,

0:19.0

you can get it from anything, you can get it from knitting.

0:22.4

And like I think that that well-rounded approach to it will help athletes be like, oh wait,

0:28.1

I can enjoy every aspect of this.

0:29.6

I go do speed work, not because it's going to make me faster at my 5K, but because this

0:33.9

concept of long-term growth adds purpose to the process that makes every single day a little

0:38.8

bit more playful and fun.

0:43.8

Welcome to TrailRunner Nation, where we go on virtual trail runs with interesting guests

0:56.7

are going to help us become better runners and hopefully better human beings.

1:00.6

If it's your first time, lace up your shoes, you're welcome.

1:04.2

The trail is long and there's plenty of room.

1:07.6

If it's your 570th time with us, thank you for enduring this podcast.

1:14.9

Slide right in for the run right behind David Roach because we're talking about running

1:18.4

5Ks and long runs and why it's so beneficial to include the short stuff in our training.

1:26.6

Today's episode is sponsored by ExoSkin.

1:29.3

We love the fact they're a vet-owned company and they're made right here in the USA.

1:34.4

Let's discuss their 3.1 Exo underwear.

1:38.5

They come in three lengths and they're great for trail running, hiking, biking, backpacking

...

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