Author: Eric Deeter

A healthy mindset knows when to stop

Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the Olympics drew both criticism and praise. I imagine most of the critics never stood in her shoes. 

This week I talk with Tony Diaz. He is a runner, a cyclist, and Wushu martial artist. He holds several national titles in Wushu and competed in the Wushu World competition and placed 5th.

He said, “I saw the look on Simone’s face and recognized she was in trouble, because I’ve had that same look on my face.”

Tony is passionate to help others who struggle with anxiety and the pressure to perform when your mind is fighting against you. He is quick to say that he’s not experienced the level of pressure as Simone, but he’s had a taste of it. And his perspective and insights give a glimpse into the real struggle many people face in life.

Links:

Facebook
Instagram

Trail runners and ultra runners have a streak of adventure in our souls. We love the challenge of pushing our limits. And for some of us, we have a drive to keep expanding our horizons.
My guest this week is Jim Lane, a fellow barefoot runner who followed his desire for adventure to the country of Costa Rica. After serving in the military and as a firefighter, he retired and moved his family to a small mountain town in Costa Rica. 
Jim documents his running and his family’s adventure in Costa Rica on his YouTube channel, The Wandering Gringos.
Warning: This episode might make you want to visit Costa Rica. 

Links:

The Wandering Gringos YouTube

The Wandering Gringos Facebook

Bushcraft Costa Rica

Ultra runners don’t just eat . . . we fuel. And when our fueling doesn’t work the way we’d planned, it often leads to problems in a race and the dreaded DNF.

Dana Eshelman is a registered dietitian nutritionist, a nutrition coach, and a triathlete. She has numerous half-Ironman races to her credit and is training to compete in a full Ironman next year.

 The knowledge Dana shares is for all athletes, and for ultra runners . . . it might give you the edge to keep your stomach solid for your entire race.

Connect with Dana:

Instagram
Facebook group
Website

Candice McField is an executive health coach and former professional body builder. She recently wrote a book called As For Me And My Body, a guide to fitness based on fundamental wellness principles to help people get off the diet treadmill and become truly fit.

Candice writes: Permanent change of any kind begins within. It requires transforming your  mind and spirit, not just your body.

Her approach to health is in line with my coaching style. This episode has a little different flavor than the usual Trail Talk. I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas. Send me a DM and let me know what you think.

Links to contact Candice:

Website
Book: As for Me and My Body
Facebook
Instagram

The official minimum distance you have to do each day for a “run streak” is one mile.  Most runners on a “run streak” will face those days when the minimum is all they can do.

My guest this week has a run streak of 43 years. He’s run every day for over 15,706 days and counting. 

But he thought the minimum requirements were too lenient, so he decided to make sure to have at least 40 miles a week. He’s maintained that streak for 33 years . . . 1,739 weeks and counting.

Bruce is an exercise physiologist and an inventor. He has great stories as well as insights about how to keep running for life.  

Connect with Bruce:

Facebook

Gym Valet

Ultra runners set big goals. And we put in a huge amount of effort and time and mindset to achieve them. 

Ryan Steiner is my guest this week. And his ultra running goal took him ten years to achieve. He overcame great physical and mental challenges to get to the starting line of his first ultra. And he found acceptance and encouragement in the trail running community. 

He has big goals ahead if him too. And the mindset he developed to get him here will keep him moving forward, I’m sure.

Connect with Ryan:

Facebook
Strava
Instagram

You have to be extraordinary to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. My guest this week is working her way to a world record for the most ultramarathon races completed in a year. 

Technically an ultramarathon is any race longer than a marathon — 26.2 miles. Usually we say that the 50K (30-ish miles) is where the “real” ultras start. 

But Jameelah Abdul-Rahim Mujaahid isn’t satisfied to go for just enough. She is running 50 and 100 mile ultras as she goes for the world record.

She has some great stories, and I hope to have her back to tell about her success when she is finished!

Contact links:

Facebook
Instagram

Experience is the best teacher. And most of us who run figure out what works by trial and error. 

But what if you could learn from someone else’s experiences? My guest this week is John Krause. He shares his ultra running knowledge and his trial and error experiments as a runner on his YouTube channel, “Motivation Theory Running.” 

In this episode we talk about his approach to running as well as his reasons to try and then adopt a plant based diet is a runner.

John’s links:

Website
YouTube channel
Strava – Motivation Theory Run Club