How do you train for a trail race? I know you are looking for a trail running training plan, but completing your trail race takes a lot more than just 16 or 24 weeks of running a prescribed amount of miles.

Even when you have a general understanding of the terms, the running community will sometimes interchange terms and definitions to describe the same thing.

Runners are usually asking what to eat before, during, and after a workout. There is certainly a good amount of science about what to eat and when. But when looking at what and when to eat, I like to describe it as an experiment of one; you gotta try it to know if it works for you.

What and how much you can eat before and during a run is entirely individual. One person may have an iron stomach and can eat a giant bowl of pasta and head out the door, while another person may only be able to handle some liquid nutrition, and even that needs to be an hour before a workout.

When you are running, and things get difficult, your brain comes up with all of the excuses to try and get you to slow down, or it’s ok to take that walk break. Your mind knows all of your weaknesses and uses every one of them against you. The thing is that this response from your mind doesn’t just come into play with you are doing something that is physically demanding.

Most runners will never attempt an ultramarathon. It sounds too scary, too hard, and you would have to put in way too much training to complete one. So they never even think of trying. I am here to tell you that its way more accessible and a lot more fun than you ever thought it could be. Many ultra runners will tell you they fear a road marathon more than a 50k trail race.