Before you hit the trail, knowing how to interact with other people and with nature can help make things flow. You’re likely to see somebody else out there or another animal, and knowing how to approach the situation makes for a better day for everybody.
Cairns are bad. Yes. We said it. Stop building cairns. They are rarely ever useful as a navigational feature. They are a nuisance that harm the trails and the land around them. Let’s open up a deeper dialogue.
Running on trails is a magnificently pure way to experience nature and be one with the landscape. No matter the method of travel though, human
Hydration Vests You’ve gotta haul that gear somehow! Hydration vests are the go-to to carry both water and gear close against your body for ease
Climbing your first mountain or 14er is an exciting and rewarding experience! You’ll get the achievement of seeing the world from above and the feel-goods of the endorphins from the exercise. However, the mountains aren’t a walk in the park, and getting down is mandatory. Some situations require extra caution and a little know how. With a bit of preparation, you’ll be able to get to the summit and back safely.
Whether you are training for a race or simply indulging in all the wilderness has to offer, there are a variety of factors, some constant, and some changing, that are likely to have an impact on your journey. Knowing these factors can help ensure your safety and get you back to the trailhead safely.
The Grand Canyon is the United States’ most popular National Park. Millions of visitors go there every year, but less than 1% of them ever travel below the rim. Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim is the most scenic way to get the full experience of the Canyon, and is a trail running dream route. Complete with narrow cliffside trails, towering canyon walls, the emerald waters of the Colorado River, and waterfalls for those who are lucky, this route will leave you in awe.
Training for trail and ultra running doesn’t have to stop when the trails get covered with snow. The snow presents an opportunity for a low-impact cardio and strength-boosting cross training exercise known as skinning. Skinning is a form of skiing in which a fuzzy, synthetic skin is stretched across the bottom of a pair of skis to allow an athlete to ski uphill, remove the skins at the top of the mountain, and ski down.
When running any distance, the bonk is bound to happen…it happens all the time. If you’ve ever been crushing it through the race, and then, out of nowhere, your day turns upside down to feeling tired, slow, heavy, or grumpy, you’ve bonked! It is possible to train to overcome it though! We’ll try to help you understand what is happening, and how to overcome it so that you can race more efficiently at your next big day.
Finding a pace at trail and ultramarathon races is a different beast compared to road races and marathons. How to find your pace and stick to it.
How much vert is enough to train for an ultramarathon? How should you incorporate hills? What workouts should you do? Hills aren’t always easy, but you’ll find them on pretty much any trail race out there. Here’s how to prepare for a successful hilly or mountainous ultramarathon.
Aid stations are more than just a physical checkpoint in a race, but also a mental one. They can be a huge boost to our race day from seeing cheerful volunteers and crews, hearing a festive atmosphere, and getting the nutrition needed to keep having a solid race. They also can be a place where you might stare into oblivion and have no clue what to do, especially after a tough section or many hours on your feet. Knowing what to do at an aid station can keep you moving strong and minimize down-time.
