Being successful at every stage of a life and a running career is no easy task. Allie “Mac” McLaughlin has had her share of injury struggles and setbacks, but says they have guided her life decisions in a way that she is now grateful for. And she’s stepped on the podium of races from high school, through Division I as a CU Buffalo, and now in the professional trail running ranks. This week, Morgan Tilton profiles the ever resilient Allie Mac.

The best mountain runners know, poles are vital to covering a ton of vert fast. When the terrain gets steep, it can be more efficient to bring your arms into the equation.

The technique, long used by ski mountaineers, utilizes the muscles of your back and arms to help propel you upward. In technical terrain, they also help with balance and can give you more points of contact when you are bombing descents. Make yourself a quadruped to save your quads.

For many of us the beautiful solitude of running big mountain miles in remote places is what the summer signifies. As we bid farewell to the hotter months, our September selection is a photo from professional mountain sport photographer, Dan Patitucci, whose team spent three weeks this year getting to know the trails in this region of Switzerland in an effort to add a mini-guide to their “Elevation : The Alps Trail & Peak Running Resource.”

“One of our favorite trails was here, in the Savognin, above Val Surses,” he says, “names you likely haven’t heard of, but really ought to get to know.”

Want to be featured? Tag #ultrasignup on your favorite trail pics!

? Mythical Mom Superpowers: Yitka Winn, deploys her new “mom superpowers” at a 100-miler.

⛏️ Time to Go to Work: Trail Runner reminds us that every inch of trail we love to run was built by someone and without maintenance would gradually be reclaimed by the wilderness.

? Tweet of the Week: Coming back to running after injury? Gordo Byrn has some advice — get started with a Run:Walk: “The PowerWalk is a skill, you need to train it.”

? That Raccoon Energy: “Emerging from the medical tent, after the race paramedic gives you the OK to continue with your upset tummy.”

?️ FreeTrail: Congratulations to our Trailhead Podcast host Corrine Malcolm, who recently joined Dylan Bowman’s FreeTrail as editor-in-chief.

? Video of the Week: Aravaipa Running caught Nathaniel Chan cruising through the aspen grooves during the Flagstaff Sky Peaks 50km.

? Marathon Master: Lastly, we’ll leave you contemplating a 4:37 per mile pace for 26.2 miles of pavement. ? Check out Eliud’s “bottle man,” Claus-Henning Schulke and tell your crew to step it up!