Archive | Trail Running

Top Excursions from our Road Trip in Europe

We drove from Madrid to Budapest and back


Roadtripping across Europe was a bucket list goal of mine for many years. This summer we had the opportunity to visit ten countries: Spain, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, and Monaco.

  • Total days on the road = 39
  • Kilometers driven = 7619.9 (4,734 miles)

Our kids came with us as we traveled to races, hiked in the Alps, and podcasted from the road. You can hear the audio recap of our trip on podcast episode 389.

In this post I want to share eight excursions (runs, hikes, swims) that I particularly enjoyed!

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Race Recap: Running in the French Alps 🇫🇷

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In this podcast episode we take you along with us to France as we recap the beautiful but rugged ‘Marathon du Mont-Blanc’ that ascends up to 2,540 meters (8333.333 feet) above 
the town of Chamonix.  

Hear soundbites from Trevor’s “sufferfest” in the Alps and get inspired to do epic stuff!  

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Confidence to Run 50 Miles

Gretchen (left) with running friend Laura

Congrats to our coaching client Gretchen Smeltzer on finishing a trail 50 mile ultra!!

Gretchen ran the Syllamo 50 Miler in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Here is a recap she sent MTA Coach Henry. Reposted with permission.


Hey Coach Henry! Yesterday was incredible!! . . The weather was perfect. Started in the high 30’s and ended in mid 60’s.

Beautiful sunny skies. Lots of elevation and beautiful views of river valleys, Ozark Mountain vistas, Creeks and rocky craigs. Such a beautiful place!! Continue Reading →

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Interview with Sally McRae -Keep Your Heart Up ❤️

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In this episode we speak with ultra-runner Sally McRae winner of this year’s Badwater 135.

Sally grew up fast after tragedy struck her family at the age of 17.

Hear what it means to to “keep your heart up” as a runner. Plus, she looks back on how she conquered the fear of running at night; and gives practical tips for running defensively out on the trails. Enjoy!

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The Kaisermarathon in Söll, Austria 🇦🇹

Exactly one week before the 2 hour marathon barrier was broken in Vienna, Austria, I was in the county for a race of an entirely different variety. The Kaisermarathon (don’t you love how German smashes two nouns together) is a beautiful mountain trail race in the Wilder Kaiser region of Tyrol, in the Austrian Alps.

The race starts in the small village of Söll and winds its way onto a well-known (in that region) mountain called the Hohe Salve 1,829 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level. On this long awaited trip to Austria I was ready to trek through postcard-perfect scenes of Alpen paradise.

It rained relentlessly. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Scott Jurek

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In this episode we speak with Scott Jurek, legendary ultra runner who ran all 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 46 days!

In 2015 he set the record for the FKT (fasted known time) on the rugged Appalachian Trail averaging 50 miles per day. He tells his story in a new book which he co-authored with his wife Jenny called, North -Finding My Way on the Appalachian Trail. Continue Reading →

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American River 50 Combines Roads, Trail for Spectacular Ultra Race


Gloria Takagishi has a long list of running accomplishments — Boston Marathon, Western States, etc. — but will always remember and treasure her first ultra marathon, the American River 50 in California.

Now 70, Takagishi has started the race every single year. In fact, she finished AR50 each of the first 30 years of its existence.

On April 1 of this year, Takagishi will again line up at the starting line in Folsom for the race that is close to her heart. Continue Reading →

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Reflections on a Dark, Muddy Trail Marathon

My headlamp light was a DNF casualty a mile into the race. Fortunately, my Run Lites gloves kept the trail illuminated for the next four hours, allowing me to finish.

By Henry Howard

In the days leading up to the Winter Night Trail Marathon outside Indianapolis, Indiana, the forecast consistently called for freezing rain and/or rain.

But about 24 hours before the race on Jan. 14, the forecast changed. No precipitation and temperatures around 30 for the race. I figured my luck was changing and felt good heading into the race.

When I picked up my bib an hour before the race, I saw that it was number 300 — a perfect score in bowling. Another good omen, I thought. That thought would disappear soon after the 6 p.m. race start. Continue Reading →

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