Trail running doesn't always mean running an ultramarathon. From trail 5ks to marathons, there's a growing interest in middle distance trail events. Andy Wacker is making this space a more vibrant and welcoming community for runners.
Andy Wacker is a professional runner who excels on the track, road, and trail. He is the 2019 world Mountain Running Champ, 2016 US Trail Half Marathon Champ, 2015 US Trail 50k Champion, and a two-time NCAA XC All-American.
Andy seeks longevity in the sport and embraces a seasonal training approach to keep him running strong across different distances and disciplines.
These days, Andy is growing the trail running community as the founder of The Trail Team, a group of elite and sub-elite athletes that work together in Boulder, Colorado. The Trail Team aims to professionalize the sport and create more opportunities for runners everywhere.
In this episode, Andy and I talk about:
Andy's running journey from his first trail race in 2013 (which made him temporarily quit trail running) to now
The mindset shift from track running to trail running and finding freedom from obsessing over splits
Andy's unique approach to training and leaning into challenges
How Andy focuses on a seasonal approach and a cross-over model so that athletes can run on the roads and the track
How Andy is running for longevity in the sport
Why Andy loves sub-ultra races: Trail running isn't only ultrarunning, and sometimes it's a great idea to focus on middle distance races
Supporting sub-elite and professional runners through media storytelling, mentorship, and trail camps
Andy's plans for the Track Team in 2024
If you're looking to run through many seasons of life, you'll get inspired by this episode!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Learn about The Trail Team
The Trail Team on Instagram
Andy Wacker on Instagram
Get tips to master your mindset
Read the eBook on Running for Health and Happiness: The Beginner's Guide to Faster, Pain-Free Running
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