Trail Runner Nation

Marc Hopkins, author of Hard Things, set out to write a book about running the Bigfoot 200, but what emerged was something much deeper. In this conversation, he shares how endurance running became the lens through which he uncovered old stories about self-worth, fear, identity, and the belief that one more finish line would finally make him enough. Together, we explore why runners chase hard things, the difference between simply enduring life and living with purpose, and how the trail can expose what's really driving us. Marc also opens up about surviving a 99% heart blockage, learning when grit is a strength and when it's time to stop, and why vulnerability may be the toughest skill endurance athletes ever develop. If you've ever wondered why you run, or found yourself learning more about your life than your splits during a long run, this conversation will stay with you long after the episode ends.
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!
ALTRA: With the classic Altra Fit, you set the pace. Altra running shoes are designed with room for your toes so they can actually spread out -  for a natural fit. This gives you comfort, balance, and strength on and off the trail. Better balance and stability for our toes means more comfort – on mile 5, 50, or 100. 
Learn more about Altra Fit. Feel the Altra Difference and use code TRN10 for 10% off your first order at checkout at altrarunning.com. Stay Out There™ with Altra.
Stone Creek Coffee: Start every adventure with One More Mile, our limited edition coffee created by Stone Creek Coffee and Trail Runner Nation for runners who believe the journey is as meaningful as the finish line. Fuel your next early morning, long run, or post-run conversation, and save 20% with code ONEMOREMILE20. Every cup is an invitation to be part of a community that goes farther together.
RunMotion Coach: Whether you're training for your first trail race or chasing a new ultra PR, RunMotion Coach creates a personalized training plan that adapts to your schedule, fitness, and progress. Built by experienced coaches and powered by intelligent coaching technology, it helps you train smarter, stay consistent, and arrive at the starting line ready for your next adventure.
Timestamps
00:00 | Why We Chase Hard Things
Marc explains how a book about the Bigfoot 200 became an honest look at identity, purpose, and the reasons we pursue difficult goals.
08:00 | Enduring vs. Endurance
The conversation explores the difference between simply surviving life and intentionally moving toward something meaningful.
18:30 | The Finish Line Won't Make You Whole
Marc shares how he believed one more race would finally prove his worth, and why that mindset eventually fell apart.
30:30 | Lessons From a 99% Heart Blockage
A life-threatening diagnosis forced Marc to rethink strength, vulnerability, and what it really means to listen to your body.
43:30 | The Pebble in Your Shoe
A simple refrigerator magnet from Marc's childhood became one of the biggest life lessons in the entire book.
49:00 | Why the Next Finish Line Isn't the Answer
The hosts discuss identity, self-worth, and why chasing bigger races can never solve what's happening inside.
53:30 | When Can You Finally Call Yourself a Runner?
Marc explains why comparison steals joy and why every runner, regardless of pace or body type, belongs on the trail.

What if getting older doesn't mean doing less, but doing it better? In this installment of the Aging as an Athlete series, legendary ultrarunner Krissy Moehl welcomes longtime climber and Patagonia ambassador Kate Rutherford for a conversation about longevity, purpose, and evolving with age. Kate shares how decades of climbing taught her that technical skill, efficiency, and joy can eventually outweigh youthful strength and endurance. The discussion explores everything from body awareness and recovery to nutrition, community, and why learning to focus on what truly matters becomes one of the greatest athletic advantages. Whether you're a runner, climber, or simply hoping to stay active for life, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on growing older without giving up adventure.
Kate is a long time professional climber, artist, advocate for wilderness, eater of leafy organic greens, president of  Farm To Crag, and product line manager at Patagonia. Her passion for climbing has taken her all over the world including first ascents on Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Kenya, Iran, and Venezuela, a free ascent of El Capitan's Free Rider. She has had the opportunity to work with some amazing organizations, including Patagonia, La Sportiva, Edelrid, Black Diamond, Clif Bar, the Access Fund, and the American Alpine club. The combination of climbing, a biology degree from the Colorado College, rural homesteading in Alaska, subsistence hunting and fishing, carrots from Mom's garden, and watching organic regenerative agriculture's ability to combat climate change, has led me to co-found Farm to Crag. It is the perfect blend of climbing, stories, farms, maps, organic greens, environmental activism, and dinner parties.
Check out Farm to Crag
Episode Sponsor:
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!
ALTRA: With the classic Altra Fit, you set the pace. Altra running shoes are designed with room for your toes so they can actually spread out -  for a natural fit. This gives you comfort, balance, and strength on and off the trail. Better balance and stability for our toes means more comfort – on mile 5, 50, or 100. 
Learn more about Altra Fit. Feel the Altra Difference and use code TRN10 for 10% off your first order at checkout at altrarunning.com. Stay Out There™ with Altra.
Stone Creek Coffee: Start every adventure with The Long Run, our limited edition coffee created by Stone Creek Coffee and Trail Runner Nation for runners who believe the journey is as meaningful as the finish line. Fuel your next early morning, long run, or post-run conversation, and save 20% with code LONGRUN20. Every cup is an invitation to be part of a community that goes farther together.
 
TimeStamps
00:00 | Growing Older Without Growing Smaller
Krissy introduces climber Kate Rutherford and explores how aging can expand our relationship with movement instead of limiting it.
09:00 | Community, Trust, and Doing Hard Things
Kate explains the unique culture of climbing and why shared challenges create lifelong bonds.
17:00 | Trading Strength for Skill
The conversation explores how technical ability, efficiency, and body awareness become greater assets than raw physical power.
28:00 | The Power of Staying Present
From climbing walls to mountain trails, focusing on the next move instead of the finish line changes everything.
39:00 | Why Power Training Matters More With Age
Kate shares how short, intentional strength work has helped her continue pursuing big mountain objectives.
48:00 | Fueling for a Lifetime Outdoors
Nutrition, recovery, and whole foods become central themes as the discussion shifts toward long-term health and performance.
56:00 | Building a Legacy Beyond Sport
The episode closes with Farm to Crag, environmental stewardship, and the idea that the greatest adventures are those that strengthen both people and places.

Western States is more than a 100-mile race. For many ultrarunners, it's the unofficial holiday that defines the season. In this annual Trail Runner Nation tradition, Andy Jones-Wilkins returns to break down the 2026 Western States field, explain the stories behind the biggest contenders, and help everyday runners understand who to watch when race day arrives. Along the way, the conversation explores the race's unique culture, its history, the lottery system, the legendary Golden Hour finish, and why Western States continues to hold a special place in trail running despite the sport's rapid evolution. If you're following the race from home or standing somewhere along the course, this episode provides the context that transforms names on a start list into stories worth following. By the end, you'll be just as excited for Statesmas as AJW is.
Episode Sponsor:

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!
ALTRA: With the classic Altra Fit, you set the pace. Altra running shoes are designed with room for your toes so they can actually spread out -  for a natural fit. This gives you comfort, balance, and strength on and off the trail. Better balance and stability for our toes means more comfort – on mile 5, 50, or 100. 
Learn more about Altra Fit
Feel the Altra Difference and use code TRN10 for 10% off your first order at checkout at altrarunning.com. Stay Out There™ with Altra.
TimeStamps:
00:00 | Welcome to Statesmas
AJW explains why Western States has become trail running's biggest annual celebration and why the excitement starts weeks before race day.
05:00 | What Makes Western States So Special?
The discussion explores the history, atmosphere, traditions, and unique energy that make this race unlike any other.
13:00 | Course Conditions and What to Expect in 2026
With virtually no snowpack and a dry trail, the hosts discuss how this year's conditions could shape the race.
19:00 | Breaking Down the Women's Race
AJW highlights the favorites, dangerous newcomers, and rising stars who could battle for the podium.
42:00 | The Men's Race Preview
From Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet to emerging contenders and dark horses, the elite field gets a thorough analysis.
56:00 | How Western States Earned Its Legendary Status
The conversation dives into the lottery, qualifying system, volunteers, race traditions, and why earning a bib means so much.
1:00:00 | Final Podium Predictions
AJW reveals his official picks, shares bold predictions, and offers a few runners that fans shouldn't overlook.

What separates great ultrarunners from everyone else isn't just fitness. It's how they think. In this conversation, legendary coach and runner Ian Sharman shares the philosophy behind his new book The Art of Ultrarunning, explaining why execution, adaptability, and purpose matter just as much as training miles. Through stories from his Grand Slam of Ultrarunning record, hard-earned racing mistakes, and years of coaching athletes of every level, Ian reveals how to stay motivated, pace smarter, and perform your best when everything starts falling apart. The discussion goes well beyond racing, exploring consistency, ego, resilience, and why success often comes from making better decisions instead of simply pushing harder. Despite your experience or goals, this episode offers practical lessons that can improve both your running and the way you approach challenges off the trail.  Learn more about Ian at Sharman Ultra.
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!
Timestamps:
00:00 | Why "The Art" of Ultrarunning?
Ian explains why successful racing is about combining science with execution and why ultrarunning is as much an art as it is physiology.
09:00 | Finding Your Purpose
The conversation explores why every run should have intention and how a meaningful "why" helps runners push through difficult moments.
20:00 | Adapting When Goals Slip Away
Ian discusses how successful runners adjust expectations during a race instead of giving up when their original goal becomes unrealistic.
39:00 | Consistency Beats Hero Workouts
Why small, repeatable actions build stronger athletes than occasional epic training sessions, and how consistency shaped Ian's career.
47:00 | Training Is Practice for Decision Making
Running isn't just building fitness. Every workout teaches pacing, body awareness, problem solving, and race execution.
56:00 | The Grand Slam Battle with Nick Clark
Ian shares the remarkable story of chasing the Grand Slam record through four 100-mile races while battling one of his closest competitors every step of the way.
1:01:00 | Racing Yourself Instead of Your Competition
One of the episode's biggest lessons: take care of your own race first, then compete when the time is right. Execution nearly always beats emotion.

Tim Tollefson returns to Trail Runner Nation for a wide-ranging conversation about what makes trail running special and what happens as the sport continues to grow. Using a "Wheel of Trail Running" format, the discussion lands on two big topics: cultivating the next generation of trail stewards and the ongoing professionalization of trail running. Tim shares how his work with Runners for Public Lands and Mammoth Trail Fest has changed the way he views trails, volunteerism, and the responsibility runners have to give back to the places they love. The conversation explores everything from carrying a small saw on training runs to the challenges and opportunities created by big sponsors, larger race organizations, and growing prize purses. Throughout the episode, Tim makes a compelling case that trail running's future depends on balancing growth with the community values that built the sport. It's an honest look at how runners can help preserve trail culture while welcoming more people into it.
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!
Timestamps
00:00 | Welcome Back, Tim Tollefson. Tim shares updates from Mammoth Lakes and explains why the Eastern Sierra continues to inspire his running and community work.
05:45 | California Carpet and Gravel Running. A conversation about trail surfaces, the rise of gravel running, and how the sport continues to evolve.
11:45 | Why Trail Stewardship Matters. Tim discusses his work with Runners for Public Lands and why every runner should consider giving back to the trails they use.
22:00 | How Runners Can Get Involved. Practical ways to participate in trail work, volunteer projects, and local stewardship efforts.
30:00 | The Professionalization of Trail Running. The group explores sponsorships, prize money, corporate investment, and how the sport has changed over the past decade.
43:00 | Building Mammoth Trail Fest. Tim shares the vision behind Mammoth Trail Fest and how community, storytelling, and stewardship shape the event.
53:00 | What Trail Running Could Look Like in 2036. A look ahead at the future of the sport and the values Tim hopes will remain at its core.