Posts Categorized: Trail Running Tips

How To Hydrate for Trail Running in ALL Seasons

Dehydration is not just a hot summer topic, even though runners typically associate sweating or feeling thirsty with warmer months. Dehydration can be a serious issue even in colder weather and inhibit performance, recovery, and basic bodily functions. From a physical standpoint, cold, dry air requires increased fluids to humidify the air as it enters… Read more »

Andy Wacker’s tips for snowshoe running

In the following article, ATRA social media director Andy Wacker, shares his foray into snowshoe running as well as some tips for newbies to the sport. What better way to indulge the frigid Minnesota winter, than to face the cold and try out a new sport with old friends? That’s just what I did on… Read more »

Trail Races: Why choose one event over another?

This article focuses on choosing a trail race first appeared in ATRA’s fall 2023 quarterly newsletter Trail Times. Not all trail runners race in events. Those who do race typically have some interest in competition. It might be to compete against the clock for time, to post a specific result, or tackle natural elements like… Read more »

Top Three Downhill Running Tips: Mount Marathon Edition

“The downhill is by far my favorite part of Mount Marathon. This is when I’m most in my element. When I’m cruising down a mountain, I feel so powerful, and I’m just smiling just thinking about how fun it will be to run this race again one day.” —Allie Ostrander, 2017 Mount Marathon Champion and… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Track Workout for Speed

As seasons change, there may also be a shift in where we focus our training. In this article, Stephen R. Santangelo shares some tips for interval training featuring a track workout for speed. Santangelo has been in the fitness industry since 1979, and created his own specialty exercises & programs based upon the anthropological movement… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Review: GiBoard by Gibbon

This review was written by trail runner Sarah Barber who was provided a GiBoard by ATRA member Elliptigo at no charge to test and provide feedback. Defining Balance “balance [ ba len(t)s ] noun: physical equilibrium; stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis; mental and emotional steadiness…” If… Read more »

Coach Alex Willis’ Top Cross Training Tips For Trail Runners

Cross Training

Alex Willis, born and raised local from America’s highest incorporated town, Leadville, Colorado (situated at 10,200 feet), has made a name for himself as an accomplished athlete and endurance coach in a variety of sporting disciplines. Willis is a former USA Triathlon Team Member, collegiate runner and currently competes at the elite level in many… Read more »

Avoid These Five Dangerous Trail Running Training Pitfalls

New Year’s resolutions often bring a renewed commitment to training plans, but not all training plans are created equal. Organized training plans can be a great way to establish race goals and improve running performance, but there are also a few common “pitfalls” to be aware of when amping up your training routine. In this… Read more »

Trail Running Maui with Nancy Hobbs & Anita Ortiz

Anita Ortiz Maui

An excellent trail running adventure starts with a like-minded friend who is always up for traveling to explore new areas. I have such a best friend in Anita Ortiz and over the years we have visited locations near and far including Italy, Iceland, Slovenia, Austria, New Zealand, and Australia among them to enjoy running trails… Read more »

8 Trail Running Tips: How to get started

Challenge

Want to get started trail running but are unsure where to begin?  Here are 8 simple tips for beginners and first time trail runners. You’ve read a few things about trail running and even had a few friends tell you a thing or two about the sport, but you are still apprehensive about giving it… Read more »

Tayte Pollmann’s Top Winter Trail Running Tips

The winter months bring colder, more inclement and often snowy weather making it harder for us to get out the door and go trail running. Your favorite trails might be muddy or icy so it helps to know what gear is suitable for staying warm, dry and safe while running. With the right preparation and… Read more »

Nancy’s Top Ten Tips for Trail Running Success

Trail Running Tips

I was recently a guest on The Trail Life Podcast hosted by Jeff Stoner, owner of American Trail Running Association corporate member Endurance Race Series. Jeff and I talked about what makes the trail running community special and what it means to be a trail runner. Among the many topics covered during our conversation, I… Read more »

Max King Hosts “How to Trail Run” Zoom Workshop

Max King

[Editor’s Note: Scroll down for the full workshop replay on YouTube] Can you really learn something about trail running from a Zoom workshop? You can if the instructor is 2011 World Mountain Running Champion and trail running pro Max King. I tuned into an hour-long Zoom video presentation entitled, “How to Trail Run,” on July… Read more »

How to Trail Race During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Trail Racing

Written by American Trail Running Association founder and executive director Nancy Hobbs.  Although many trail races are still in the virtual mode, some states and counties are loosening coronavirus restrictions and a handful of in-person events are being staged. These live events look and feel a bit different from those held prior to the pandemic,… Read more »

Trail Runner Q&A: How To Be “Bear Prepared” In The Wilderness

Do you have questions about trail running? Send em our way and we’ll connect you with experts who know the answers. American Trail Running Association (ATRA) member Paul Clark from Idaho asks: “I’m planning a run in Yellowstone National Park which is known to be a Grizzly bear habitat. Is there a trail running friendly… Read more »

Tayte Pollmann’s Top 7 Foam Rolling Tips for Trail Runners

Tayte Pollmann’s articles are supported by American Trail Running Association corporate member Nike Trail Running. You can follow Tayte’s adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you liked this article, read even more of Tayte’s articles on our website. Foam rollers are one of the most effective recovery tools for trail runners. They can be… Read more »

Trail Runner Product Review: KT Tape Pro

KT Tape Pro reviewed by American Trail Running Association (ATRA) advisory board member and Wisconsin trail runner Susan Kendrick. Susan is the Director of Sponsorship for the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation and was featured in our View from the Pack series of articles. This product was provided at no charge by KT Tape for this… Read more »

ATRA Partner Active at Altitude Launches Runners Mindset Program

Announcement from Estes Park, Colorado based Active at Altitude, organizers of the annual US Trail Running Conference in partnership with the American Trail Running Association. Active at Altitude, creator of experiences that educate, inspire, and empower an active, healthy, mindful lifestyle, has announced a new program to help guide runners through these challenging times with… Read more »

Coping with Change: Advice from Elite Trail Runner Sam Lewis

American Trail Running Association executive director Nancy Hobbs interviewed 2019 US Mountain Running Team member Sam Lewis to see how she’s adjusting her training to and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sam Lewis lives in Moscow, Idaho where she is a teacher and coach. She stormed onto the mountain and trail racing scene in 2019… Read more »

How to Find and Enjoy “Secret Trails”

Tayte Pollmann’s articles are supported by American Trail Running Association corporate member Nike Trail Running. You can follow Tayte’s adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you liked this article, read even more of Tayte’s articles on our website.  Do you have a favorite trail that not many people know about? Perhaps it’s hard to… Read more »