Trail Runner Nation

What if your best performance isn't behind you… it's just different now?  In this Aging as an Athlete episode, Krissy Moehl joins again as co-host in a discussion with Bryce Thatcher.  
Bryce Thatcher is a trail-running pioneer and founder of UltrAspire, who has spent over 40 years innovating hydration gear while living and embodying a lifelong commitment to mountain running and human-powered adventure.
We explore what it really takes to stay connected to trail running over decades. Bryce shares how a deep love of the outdoors and the human-powered movement form the foundation for long-term engagement in the sport. The conversation moves into how motivation evolves from personal performance to purpose, service, and community, while also addressing the tension between modern convenience and the sport's rugged roots. We reflect on gear innovation, race culture changes, and the importance of maintaining responsibility, resilience, and self-reliance on the trail. Bryce offers powerful insights on longevity, consistency, and adapting expectations as we age without losing joy. Ultimately, the episode is about staying grounded in your "why" while evolving with each season of life
Episode Sponsors:
Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail.
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:
02:30 – What Creates Longevity in the Sport Love of the outdoors + human-powered movement as the foundation for staying in trail running long-term. 
08:00 – Origins, Gear Evolution & Finding Your "Why" Early days of the sport, how gear has changed, and the risk of losing intrinsic motivation. 
13:30 – Redefining Performance: From PRs to "FK Me" Shifting from peak performance to personal best for your current stage of life. 
19:00 – Has Trail Running Lost Its Edge? Discussion on race culture, aid stations, responsibility, and the tension between convenience and adventure. 
27:00 – Solo vs Community: The Balance That Sustains Us Running as meditation vs shared experience, and why both matter for longevity. 
34:00 – Adapting as You Age: Training, Gear & Recovery Cross-training, strength work, and evolving expectations to stay healthy and consistent. 
55:00 – Advice to Your Younger (and Older) Self Consistency, simplicity, and long-term thinking as the keys to a lifetime in the sport.

In this episode, we are joined again by coach Adam Kimble to explore the book, The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning by Paul Bloom, and discuss why endurance athletes voluntarily seek discomfort in pursuit of meaning, growth, and satisfaction. We discuss the concept of "benign masochism," highlighting how pain and pleasure are deeply intertwined in long races and hard efforts. We talk about internal versus external motivation, the power of anticipation, and how reframing challenges can shape both performance and mindset. We explore flow state, decision-making under fatigue, and why doing hard things helps us better appreciate everyday life. Ultimately, the episode reflects on how endurance sports create community, reveal character, and provide a powerful lens for understanding human behavior and purpose.
Check out more about Adam and hire him as a coach HERE
Sponsors:
Tifosi Optics - check out how to win a free pair of the new Sanctum SL and how to get a discount
Peluva - let your feet be feet!
TimeStamps
00:00 – Intro & Book Overview: Introduction to The Sweet Spot and why endurance athletes are drawn to discomfort and meaning. 
03:20 – First Impressions of the Book: Initial reactions and key takeaways about doing hard things and personal growth. 
05:50 – What is "Benign Masochism"? Exploring voluntary suffering and why difficult challenges feel rewarding. 
08:10 – Internal vs External Motivation: Do we pursue hard goals for ourselves or for recognition from others? 
15:30 – Pain, Pleasure & the "Ikea Effect": Why effort increases satisfaction and meaning in achievement. 
21:10 – Pain as Presence & Mental Focus: How physical discomfort brings runners into the present moment. 
26:50 – The Power of Anticipation & Race Anxiety: Mental rehearsal, visualization, and preparing for both highs and lows. 
33:20 – Stoicism, Problem Solving & Simple Rules: Decision-making strategies when things go wrong during races. 
41:45 – The Paradox of Effort in an Easy World: Why modern comfort drives us to seek difficult challenges. 
48:30 – Reframing Struggle & Perspective on the Trail: How mindset shifts can turn suffering into forward progress. 
55:00 – Intention Over Perfection: Why showing up with purpose matters more than executing a flawless race. 
59:30 – Meaning, Community & Final Quotes: Closing reflections on bonding, humanity, and why endurance sports matter.

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Miller to discuss his book Run Like a Rarámuri : Stories and Wisdoms from the Sierra Tarahumara and Running Long and his deep connection to the Indigenous Rarámuri "running people" of Mexico's Sierra Tarahumara. Drawing on years spent living among the community, Michael shares how running is woven into their social fabric as a celebration of resilience, nature, and togetherness rather than competition or performance. The conversation explores powerful cultural concepts like korima, the practice of sharing without expectation, and how movement in nature can restore balance and contentment in modern life. Michael also reflects on the legacy of Micah True (Caballo Blanco) and the evolution of the Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco race, which now brings together runners from around the world while supporting local communities. We consider what trail runners can learn from the Rarámuri about simplicity, presence, and reconnecting with the deeper purpose of running. Ultimately, the discussion suggests that "running like a Rarámuri" is less about technique and more about learning to live with gratitude, connection, and joy.
Check out the non-profit True Messages for more information and how to support these projects, and these other links:
Ultra Caballo Blanco

 
Copper Canyons

 
Entre Amigos Camps

Instagram
Sponsors:
Tifosi Optics - check out how to win a free pair of the new Sanctum SL and how to get a discount
Peluva - let your feet be feet!
 
Timestamps
0:00 Intro to Michael Miller and Run Like a Rarámuri

2:05 What makes the Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco unique

6:15 Who the Rarámuri are and how Born to Run shaped their global story

14:10 Running as culture: traditional games, community, and connection

20:06 Michael's personal journey to the Sierra and why this became a passion project

29:37 Training vs. lifestyle: how the Rarámuri develop endurance naturally

34:52 Is the book about running… or about living?

44:42 Korima explained: sharing, gratitude, and the social fabric of the Rarámuri

51:11 Supporting the community: nonprofit work and how listeners can help

58:13 Closing reflections on Micah True's legacy and running free

In this episode of Trail Runner Nation's Aging as an Athlete series, along with Krissy Moehl, we welcome elite ultrarunner and therapist Darcy Piceu for a thoughtful conversation about longevity in endurance sports. Drawing on more than two decades of racing at the highest level, Darcy explains that there is no "magic pill" for staying in the sport long term, emphasizing instead the importance of self-care, strength work, listening to the body, and adapting training as athletes age. The discussion explores the mental side of endurance, including acceptance of changing performance, learning to manage negative thoughts during long races, and developing the wisdom that comes from decades of experience. Darcy also shares how mindfulness and time in nature play a powerful role in both mental health and athletic performance, something she incorporates into her therapy practice. We reflect on the evolving identity of an athlete over time, balancing competitiveness with enjoyment, family life, and other pursuits beyond running. We highlight that staying in the sport for decades is less about chasing podiums and more about cultivating resilience, perspective, and a lasting love for the trail.
Check out Darcy's Therapy practice, "Therapy in Action" or get in touch with her [email protected]. 
If you're in Bellingham, WA in March and want to help out at Chuckanut 50k, click here to volunteer.
Episode Sponsor:
Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail.
If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!
Episode Topics & Timestamps
1:00 – Darcy's Background: Elite Runner and Therapist
3:30 – What Creates Longevity in the Sport?
6:00 – The Mental Side of Aging as an Athlete
9:00 – Mindfulness, Stress, and Mental Training
12:45 – Mental Toughness in Ultrarunning
17:30 – The Power of Nature and Trail Therapy
23:00 – Managing Focus During Long Races
29:00 – Racing for the Podium vs Racing for the Experience
31:30 – How Darcy Found Ultrarunning
35:30 – Hardrock, Motherhood, and Career Balance
38:30 – Training Philosophy for Longevity
41:00 – The Wednesday Women's Run in Boulder
44:00 – Identity Beyond Running
48:00 – What Makes a Race Truly Successful?
52:30 – Advice to Younger and Older Versions of Yourself
56:30 – The Mental vs Physical Performance Question
1:00:15 – Therapy in Action and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Trail Runner Nation, we sit down with filmmaker Dylan Harris to talk about his powerful new film, The Cut-Off. Instead of following the front of the pack, the film shines a light on the runners fighting the clock at aid stations, chasing the courage it takes simply to continue. Dylan shares the inspiration behind the project, the stories that moved him most, and what the back-of-the-pack reveals about grit, community, and the true spirit of trail running. This conversation is a reminder that endurance isn't just about speed; it's about persistence, heart, and refusing to quit when the margin gets thin.
Links:
SomoCollective: Dylan's production company
Arivaipa Running: Producer and site of the film, Cocadona 250
Lucy's Dad Film: another of Dylan's films
Get the  "1 > 0" running hat HERE.

Time Stamps
1:30 – Introducing Dylan Harris and the story behind The Cut-Off
5:00 – Why focus on back-of-the-pack runners?
10:30 – The emotional reality of chasing aid station cutoffs
18:00 – Stories from filming: moments of grit, struggle, and triumph
26:00 – What the back-of-the-pack reveals about trail culture
34:00 – The community factor: volunteers, crews, and fellow runners
42:00 – Lessons from the film for everyday runners
50:00 – Where to watch The Cut-Off and what's next for Dylan
55:00 – Final thoughts and closing