Light 2 Light 50 Race Report: First Ultra Marathon Victory
Ultra marathon running isn't about winning, unless it is. Ultra marathon running is subjective; a person's journey through the darkness, down the Wicked Trail, is driven by his or her own passions, fears, and desires. This journey into pain is driven by his or her own...
Ultra Marathon Training: Crush Expectations
Most people running their first, or second, or third ultra marathon carry expectations into the race. They had training expectations; they planned the miles and hours they'd have to train, running and strengthening and stretching their way to ultra endurance. When...
Fasted Running Is Your Best Friend: 3 Reasons To Try It
For thirteen miles, I felt invincible. For the final three, I wasn't sure I'd finish. I felt like I did near the end of my first 100 mile race, although with much less lower body-body pain. It was an ultra marathon replication. I smiled during those long, arduous...
The Best Ultra Marathons: Is Yours On The List?
"What's the best ultra marathon?" Is it the most remote or adventurous like Marathon des Sables, the most challenging like Badwater or the H.U.R.T 100, or is it simply your first 100 miler, the one that breaks you into the world of ultra-endurance? Is it the race that...
Ultra Marathon DNF: Yes, You Failed. Yes, It’s Okay.
I was perusing some online ultramarathon running groups last weekend and came across a post about DNFs in ultrarunning. DNF stands for "Did Not Finish;" the participants name is not published and no belt buckle is awarded. The DNF is dreaded by many as hot-spots and...
UltraMarathon Pain Management: The Pain Cave
What is your perspective on ultramarathon running? Adventurous and exhilarating? Calming and therapeutic? Full of pain and suffering? Pain management has much to do with your perspective on running an ultramarathon. What is your perspective? Why do you run an...
“Find the Time” to Train for Your UltraMarathon
"I'd love to sign up for an ultra marathon! I just can't find the time to train or be away from my responsibilities. It's just not for someone like me." Find the time. Where are you looking for time? Early in the mornings and late at night? Around lunch? Anywhere you...
Why Run An Ultramarathon? To Find A Taller Peak…
I know what it's like to fall asleep while running. I've rested my hands on my knees as I trudged up a rugged trail, 90 miles from the starting line, wondering where the race had gone wrong. I've stumbled around roots and rocks in the dark, praying that the sun would...
Hitting the Wall in Running
The Wall. You've Hit It. Fatigue is the ultimate mental battleground. Your body is pulling one way, and your tapering will is pulling another. Your feelings against your goals: which comes out on top? Mile 5, or Mile 20, or Mile 80. Exhaustion, or hunger, or mental...
“UltraRunners are Crazy”
"UltraRunners are crazy." He peers through the trees. "I don't see them." "They're out there, I saw them!" "Wait. Yes! I see them, too! Up that ridge; there! They're climbing the mountain, into the trees..." Wiping the condensation from his glasses and adjusting his...
Are Ultra Marathons Bad For You?
Are Ultra Marathons Bad For You? "Boy, That's a Long Distance" I remember the first time someone asked if I ever wanted to run a marathon. My longest run to that point had probably been a lung-searing 5 miles. I set down the greasy pizza I was eating: "No way!...
5 Ultra Marathon Workouts You’re Not Doing
5 Ultra Marathon Workouts to challenge your mind: The Wicked Trail The following 5 ultra marathon workouts are not for the faint of heart. They're not for people who are new to fitness (although, scale accordingly and give them a try! Why not?). These workouts are...
How NOT To Train For An Ultra Marathon
How NOT to Train for an Ultramarathon When Planning Fails I signed up for my first 100 mile ultra marathon riding the high of having just finished my first 50 mile race. I knew 16 weeks was plenty of time to prepare; I would capitalize on what I learned in training...
Burning River 100 Race Report: My Wicked Trail
Burning River 100 Race Report My Wicked Trail My 2018 Burning River 100 Race Report may not look like some of the other race reports you’ve read. I’m not actually sure how those who provide detailed race reports do so; my memory is fogged, it went by so fast, and it...
Comfort Is A Lie
Comfort Is A Lie. The Executioner of Potential. The man looks around at his life. Not much to worry about. Not a lot of sweat. No real adversity. "Perfect," he thinks. "I'm comfortable." Isn't life supposed to be this way? Free of pain. Free from worry. Free from...
Have you rejected comfort?
NO CREDIT CARD REQURIED!
FREE “Comfort Is A Lie” Sticker!
latest articles
Light 2 Light 50 Race Report: First Ultra Marathon Victory
Ultra marathon running isn't about winning, unless it is. Ultra marathon running is subjective; a person's journey through the darkness, down the Wicked Trail, is driven by his or her own passions, fears, and desires. This journey into pain is driven by his or her own...
Ultra Marathon Training: Crush Expectations
Most people running their first, or second, or third ultra marathon carry expectations into the race. They had training expectations; they planned the miles and hours they'd have to train, running and strengthening and stretching their way to ultra endurance. When...
One Week From The Light 2 Light 50 Mile Run
My third ultra marathon, in my home state of North Carolina, has nearly arrived. The Light 2 Light 50 Miler will take place one week from today; I haven't run an ultra marathon since my 29-hour Burning River 100 nightmare in July, six whole months ago. What did I...
Fasted Running Is Your Best Friend: 3 Reasons To Try It
For thirteen miles, I felt invincible. For the final three, I wasn't sure I'd finish. I felt like I did near the end of my first 100 mile race, although with much less lower body-body pain. It was an ultra marathon replication. I smiled during those long, arduous...
The Best Ultra Marathons: Is Yours On The List?
"What's the best ultra marathon?" Is it the most remote or adventurous like Marathon des Sables, the most challenging like Badwater or the H.U.R.T 100, or is it simply your first 100 miler, the one that breaks you into the world of ultra-endurance? Is it the race that...
Ultra Marathon DNF: Yes, You Failed. Yes, It’s Okay.
I was perusing some online ultramarathon running groups last weekend and came across a post about DNFs in ultrarunning. DNF stands for "Did Not Finish;" the participants name is not published and no belt buckle is awarded. The DNF is dreaded by many as hot-spots and...
You’re to Blame
There are people in this life that are walled in. They're stuck in the parking lot, but they don't even realize it. Over the wall, this wall that surrounds the parking lot, they can see mountaintops covered in tall trees. They see trails winding through the forest....
5 Ways to Be Your Own Culture
"I decided to truly embrace this mantra, this mantra of the Wicked Trail, after I bought my husband one of your hats and saw how much he loved it. I wanted to be the inspiration for a renewal of his interest in fitness. Well, your hat beat me to it. Embracing his own...
An UltraRunner’s Secret Weapon: One Breath Of Air
UltraRunners have secrets. At Wicked Trail Running, we have a series of posts related to these secrets: An UltraRunner’s Secret Weapon. These posts will occur over time as we (and you) uncover mindset alteration techniques related to UltraRunning, the...
UltraMarathon Pain Management: The Pain Cave
What is your perspective on ultramarathon running? Adventurous and exhilarating? Calming and therapeutic? Full of pain and suffering? Pain management has much to do with your perspective on running an ultramarathon. What is your perspective? Why do you run an...
“Find the Time” to Train for Your UltraMarathon
"I'd love to sign up for an ultra marathon! I just can't find the time to train or be away from my responsibilities. It's just not for someone like me." Find the time. Where are you looking for time? Early in the mornings and late at night? Around lunch? Anywhere you...
Zero-Drop Shoe Transition: An UltraRunner’s Guide
I ran my first marathon in Brooks Glycerin 15s. I ran my first ultra marathon in Brooks Glycerin 15s. I ran my first 100 mile race in Brooks Glycerin 15s. Each of these three races were within 5 months of each other. Moral of the story: I really do love Brooks running...
An UltraRunner’s Secret Weapon: Patience
UltraRunners have secrets. At Wicked Trail Running, we're going to begin a series of posts related to these secrets: An UltraRunner's Secret Weapon. These posts will occur over time as we (and you) uncover mindset alteration techniques related to UltraRunning, the...
Become An UltraRunner: The First Step
So you think you may want to run an ultra marathon, to become an ultra runner? You think you might want to enter the ranks of the uncommon, the men and women who live outside the lines, who reject the mediocrity and complacency mass-marketed by culture, those who live...
Why Run An Ultramarathon? To Find A Taller Peak…
I know what it's like to fall asleep while running. I've rested my hands on my knees as I trudged up a rugged trail, 90 miles from the starting line, wondering where the race had gone wrong. I've stumbled around roots and rocks in the dark, praying that the sun would...
How to Run 100 Miles: ACTION
How to Run 100 Miles "People don't do that," I thought. "Nobody can run 100 miles! How do you run 100 miles?" When I first learned of ultrarunning, this was my initial reaction. Who what when where why and HOW do you run 100 miles? After a bit of research, the wheels...
Hitting the Wall in Running
The Wall. You've Hit It. Fatigue is the ultimate mental battleground. Your body is pulling one way, and your tapering will is pulling another. Your feelings against your goals: which comes out on top? Mile 5, or Mile 20, or Mile 80. Exhaustion, or hunger, or mental...
“UltraRunners are Crazy”
"UltraRunners are crazy." He peers through the trees. "I don't see them." "They're out there, I saw them!" "Wait. Yes! I see them, too! Up that ridge; there! They're climbing the mountain, into the trees..." Wiping the condensation from his glasses and adjusting his...
Are Ultra Marathons Bad For You?
Are Ultra Marathons Bad For You? "Boy, That's a Long Distance" I remember the first time someone asked if I ever wanted to run a marathon. My longest run to that point had probably been a lung-searing 5 miles. I set down the greasy pizza I was eating: "No way!...
5 Ultra Marathon Workouts You’re Not Doing
5 Ultra Marathon Workouts to challenge your mind: The Wicked Trail The following 5 ultra marathon workouts are not for the faint of heart. They're not for people who are new to fitness (although, scale accordingly and give them a try! Why not?). These workouts are...
How NOT To Train For An Ultra Marathon
How NOT to Train for an Ultramarathon When Planning Fails I signed up for my first 100 mile ultra marathon riding the high of having just finished my first 50 mile race. I knew 16 weeks was plenty of time to prepare; I would capitalize on what I learned in training...
Go Farther So You Can Go Further
"Go Farther So You Can Go Further" First time on our Ultramarathon Blog? Check out our Home Blog Page for other awesome articles about the Wicked Trail! The mantra of the ultramarathon runner: Go Farther So You Can Go Further. This idea holds little value to most;...
You Might Regret Not Running An Ultramarathon
Regret is a festering negativity, a self-blame for mistakes that have come and gone. Leave regret behind: run the ultramarathon. Do you fear the regrets that hide in the back of your mind? Do you refuse to look at them for fear the pain will become real again? It is...
Why Run an Ultra Marathon? Because Seriously, You SHOULD…
"An Ultra Marathon? Why?" Ultra marathons are often spoken of in hushed tones between crazy people who find pleasure in pain and peace in hopelessness. I was stopped recently by someone who works in the same company as myself. I wouldn’t call us ‘coworkers’ as we work...
Ultra Marathon Groups and The Wicked Trail
"I'm looking for a group to train for ultramarathons with!"I can’t train alone; I don’t want to! I want someone there to push me, to encourage me, and to motivate me to keep moving.My training group, my training partner, supports me. I would never be where I am...
Burning River 100 Race Report: My Wicked Trail
Burning River 100 Race Report My Wicked Trail My 2018 Burning River 100 Race Report may not look like some of the other race reports you’ve read. I’m not actually sure how those who provide detailed race reports do so; my memory is fogged, it went by so fast, and it...
Tapering for My First 100-Mile Ultramarathon
I’m tapering for my first 100-mile ultramarathon. Not only in the traditional sense… Tapering for a race is expected. Tapering for an ultra marathon is normal. A taper of physical training is important for feeling rested and physically prepared to accomplish a great...
Your First Ultra Marathon. My First 100 Mile Race. Why?
“What’s your weekly mileage?” “Are you ready? “It’s going to take how long?” “Why would you ever do that to your body?” “I could never do that.” Not enough. Probably not. At least a whole day. It’s not about what happens to my body. Yes, you could. I dove into the...
Motivation Is Not Real
“Get Motivated” Stand at any aid station during an ultramarathon, or any race at all, and you'll hear all about 'motivation.' “I’m motivated.” “Where can I find motivation?” “You need some motivation!” “What motivates you?” Motivation has locked its grip not only on...
Comfort Is A Lie
Comfort Is A Lie. The Executioner of Potential. The man looks around at his life. Not much to worry about. Not a lot of sweat. No real adversity. "Perfect," he thinks. "I'm comfortable." Isn't life supposed to be this way? Free of pain. Free from worry. Free from...
Light 2 Light 50 Race Report: First Ultra Marathon Victory
Ultra marathon running isn't about winning, unless it is. Ultra marathon running is subjective; a person's journey through the darkness, down the Wicked Trail, is driven by his or her own passions, fears, and desires. This journey into pain is driven by his or her own...
Ultra Marathon Training: Crush Expectations
Most people running their first, or second, or third ultra marathon carry expectations into the race. They had training expectations; they planned the miles and hours they'd have to train, running and strengthening and stretching their way to ultra endurance. When...
Fasted Running Is Your Best Friend: 3 Reasons To Try It
For thirteen miles, I felt invincible. For the final three, I wasn't sure I'd finish. I felt like I did near the end of my first 100 mile race, although with much less lower body-body pain. It was an ultra marathon replication. I smiled during those long, arduous...
The Best Ultra Marathons: Is Yours On The List?
"What's the best ultra marathon?" Is it the most remote or adventurous like Marathon des Sables, the most challenging like Badwater or the H.U.R.T 100, or is it simply your first 100 miler, the one that breaks you into the world of ultra-endurance? Is it the race that...
Ultra Marathon DNF: Yes, You Failed. Yes, It’s Okay.
I was perusing some online ultramarathon running groups last weekend and came across a post about DNFs in ultrarunning. DNF stands for "Did Not Finish;" the participants name is not published and no belt buckle is awarded. The DNF is dreaded by many as hot-spots and...
UltraMarathon Pain Management: The Pain Cave
What is your perspective on ultramarathon running? Adventurous and exhilarating? Calming and therapeutic? Full of pain and suffering? Pain management has much to do with your perspective on running an ultramarathon. What is your perspective? Why do you run an...
“Find the Time” to Train for Your UltraMarathon
"I'd love to sign up for an ultra marathon! I just can't find the time to train or be away from my responsibilities. It's just not for someone like me." Find the time. Where are you looking for time? Early in the mornings and late at night? Around lunch? Anywhere you...
Why Run An Ultramarathon? To Find A Taller Peak…
I know what it's like to fall asleep while running. I've rested my hands on my knees as I trudged up a rugged trail, 90 miles from the starting line, wondering where the race had gone wrong. I've stumbled around roots and rocks in the dark, praying that the sun would...
Hitting the Wall in Running
The Wall. You've Hit It. Fatigue is the ultimate mental battleground. Your body is pulling one way, and your tapering will is pulling another. Your feelings against your goals: which comes out on top? Mile 5, or Mile 20, or Mile 80. Exhaustion, or hunger, or mental...
“UltraRunners are Crazy”
"UltraRunners are crazy." He peers through the trees. "I don't see them." "They're out there, I saw them!" "Wait. Yes! I see them, too! Up that ridge; there! They're climbing the mountain, into the trees..." Wiping the condensation from his glasses and adjusting his...
Are Ultra Marathons Bad For You?
Are Ultra Marathons Bad For You? "Boy, That's a Long Distance" I remember the first time someone asked if I ever wanted to run a marathon. My longest run to that point had probably been a lung-searing 5 miles. I set down the greasy pizza I was eating: "No way!...
5 Ultra Marathon Workouts You’re Not Doing
5 Ultra Marathon Workouts to challenge your mind: The Wicked Trail The following 5 ultra marathon workouts are not for the faint of heart. They're not for people who are new to fitness (although, scale accordingly and give them a try! Why not?). These workouts are...
How NOT To Train For An Ultra Marathon
How NOT to Train for an Ultramarathon When Planning Fails I signed up for my first 100 mile ultra marathon riding the high of having just finished my first 50 mile race. I knew 16 weeks was plenty of time to prepare; I would capitalize on what I learned in training...
Burning River 100 Race Report: My Wicked Trail
Burning River 100 Race Report My Wicked Trail My 2018 Burning River 100 Race Report may not look like some of the other race reports you’ve read. I’m not actually sure how those who provide detailed race reports do so; my memory is fogged, it went by so fast, and it...
Comfort Is A Lie
Comfort Is A Lie. The Executioner of Potential. The man looks around at his life. Not much to worry about. Not a lot of sweat. No real adversity. "Perfect," he thinks. "I'm comfortable." Isn't life supposed to be this way? Free of pain. Free from worry. Free from...
Have you rejected comfort?
NO CREDIT CARD REQURIED!
FREE “Comfort Is A Lie” Sticker!
latest articles
Light 2 Light 50 Race Report: First Ultra Marathon Victory
Ultra marathon running isn't about winning, unless it is. Ultra marathon running is subjective; a person's journey through the darkness, down the Wicked Trail, is driven by his or her own passions, fears, and desires. This journey into pain is driven by his or her own...
Ultra Marathon Training: Crush Expectations
Most people running their first, or second, or third ultra marathon carry expectations into the race. They had training expectations; they planned the miles and hours they'd have to train, running and strengthening and stretching their way to ultra endurance. When...
One Week From The Light 2 Light 50 Mile Run
My third ultra marathon, in my home state of North Carolina, has nearly arrived. The Light 2 Light 50 Miler will take place one week from today; I haven't run an ultra marathon since my 29-hour Burning River 100 nightmare in July, six whole months ago. What did I...
Fasted Running Is Your Best Friend: 3 Reasons To Try It
For thirteen miles, I felt invincible. For the final three, I wasn't sure I'd finish. I felt like I did near the end of my first 100 mile race, although with much less lower body-body pain. It was an ultra marathon replication. I smiled during those long, arduous...
The Best Ultra Marathons: Is Yours On The List?
"What's the best ultra marathon?" Is it the most remote or adventurous like Marathon des Sables, the most challenging like Badwater or the H.U.R.T 100, or is it simply your first 100 miler, the one that breaks you into the world of ultra-endurance? Is it the race that...
Ultra Marathon DNF: Yes, You Failed. Yes, It’s Okay.
I was perusing some online ultramarathon running groups last weekend and came across a post about DNFs in ultrarunning. DNF stands for "Did Not Finish;" the participants name is not published and no belt buckle is awarded. The DNF is dreaded by many as hot-spots and...
You’re to Blame
There are people in this life that are walled in. They're stuck in the parking lot, but they don't even realize it. Over the wall, this wall that surrounds the parking lot, they can see mountaintops covered in tall trees. They see trails winding through the forest....
5 Ways to Be Your Own Culture
"I decided to truly embrace this mantra, this mantra of the Wicked Trail, after I bought my husband one of your hats and saw how much he loved it. I wanted to be the inspiration for a renewal of his interest in fitness. Well, your hat beat me to it. Embracing his own...
An UltraRunner’s Secret Weapon: One Breath Of Air
UltraRunners have secrets. At Wicked Trail Running, we have a series of posts related to these secrets: An UltraRunner’s Secret Weapon. These posts will occur over time as we (and you) uncover mindset alteration techniques related to UltraRunning, the...
UltraMarathon Pain Management: The Pain Cave
What is your perspective on ultramarathon running? Adventurous and exhilarating? Calming and therapeutic? Full of pain and suffering? Pain management has much to do with your perspective on running an ultramarathon. What is your perspective? Why do you run an...
“Find the Time” to Train for Your UltraMarathon
"I'd love to sign up for an ultra marathon! I just can't find the time to train or be away from my responsibilities. It's just not for someone like me." Find the time. Where are you looking for time? Early in the mornings and late at night? Around lunch? Anywhere you...
Zero-Drop Shoe Transition: An UltraRunner’s Guide
I ran my first marathon in Brooks Glycerin 15s. I ran my first ultra marathon in Brooks Glycerin 15s. I ran my first 100 mile race in Brooks Glycerin 15s. Each of these three races were within 5 months of each other. Moral of the story: I really do love Brooks running...
An UltraRunner’s Secret Weapon: Patience
UltraRunners have secrets. At Wicked Trail Running, we're going to begin a series of posts related to these secrets: An UltraRunner's Secret Weapon. These posts will occur over time as we (and you) uncover mindset alteration techniques related to UltraRunning, the...
Become An UltraRunner: The First Step
So you think you may want to run an ultra marathon, to become an ultra runner? You think you might want to enter the ranks of the uncommon, the men and women who live outside the lines, who reject the mediocrity and complacency mass-marketed by culture, those who live...
Why Run An Ultramarathon? To Find A Taller Peak…
I know what it's like to fall asleep while running. I've rested my hands on my knees as I trudged up a rugged trail, 90 miles from the starting line, wondering where the race had gone wrong. I've stumbled around roots and rocks in the dark, praying that the sun would...