Happy Tuesday, trail friends. In November 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, updating him on these United States. In it, he wrote the now famous line “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” He knew nothing of running phenom Courtney Dauwalter’s consistency. After her victory this weekend, Billy Yang suggested an update to the idiom: Death. Taxes. Courtney.
In our featured article we look at Emily Halnon’s piece on the importance of training your brain and how it can make or break your success when running ultras. And in the DFL, Laura Green takes umbrage with the idea that “You’ll never regret going on a run.”
– Matt Hart
THE WEEKEND COOL DOWN
Death. Taxes. Courtney.
This past weekend, Courtney Dauwalter set a new course record (?: 1) at the 2023 Transgrancanaria Classic 128K, running the 80-mile length of the Spanish island of Gran Canaria in 14 hours and 40 minutes (and prompting our Tweet of the Week below).
After volunteering at the Black Canyons 100K a couple weekends ago, iRunFar columnist Andy Jones-Wilkins reflects on staying connected to the community that helped make him who he is today (?: 3).
As she approached her first 100-mile race, our writer Emily Halnon, struggled with limiting beliefs and negative self-talk. In our featured piece, she explores how mental conditioning is as important as physical conditioning, and leaves us with some tips on how to train your mind to handle mental hurdles and self-doubt.
How to Cope: Injury, Runner’s Low and Racing at Altitude
This week, Buzz and Corrine get real about how they tackle injury and the healing process.
Then, Corrine interviews Emily Halnon about the emotional crash she experienced after running her dream race, the Hardrock 100. Emily first wrote about this in “The Runner’s Low” for UltraSignup News.
Later, Buzz gives Steven from Georgia some tips on training for race day elevation when you don’t live at altitude.
The Trailhead Podcast is an UltraSignup production. This episode is presented by Sidas. Use promo code “Trailhead20” for 20% off your purchase at Sidas.com.
? Survey Says! The University of Central Lancashire polled trail and ultrarunners. Here is what they found. A Typical Trail & Ultrarunner:
Runs between 3-4 times per week
Has a weekly training mileage of around 50K
Owns five pairs of running shoes
Races four times per year
21% have run 100 miles or more
47% started running in the last ten years
65.6% have volunteered at a race
? Costly Kicks: With new brands like Speedland boldly asking $375 for a pair of running sneakers, iRunFar asks: Do trail running shoes cost more than in the past? The answer, YES, even when adjusted for inflation. “The average [price] has climbed to $160.20.”
?? Tendon Support: Tendons and ligaments are mostly made up of collagen. But do collagen supplements actually help strengthen connective tissue? Outside magazine’s Alex Hutchinson takes a look.
DFL (DEAD FREAKIN’ LAST)
⬆️ Regrets, We Have a Few: People like to say, “You’ll never regret going on a run.” Laura Green lists some of the runs she deeply regrets.
?? Tweet of the Week: “Who is in Courtney Dauwalter’s competitive orbit in ultra-trail events? Who could give her a run for her money? Or is she totally and completely in a class of her own right now?” ~ Finn Melanson
? A New Long Trail: Construction on a new trail connecting Washington, D.C. to Washington State is underway by the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy. When completed, the new multi-use route called the Great American Rail-Trail will run 3,700 miles across America.
? Rules for a Better Life: Though he left out trail running, Mark Manson put together a pretty good list of rules for a better life.