The Trail Running Briefing

Coach Isaac Alcaide
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  • Updated Weekly

The Trail Running Briefing is a short, weekly podcast for trail runners and endurance athletes who want to train with purpose. In 5–8 minutes, each episode focuses on one specific aspect of performance: training design, physiology, strength, durability, or race execution. No hype. No filler. Just clear, practical insights you can use immediately. Hosted by Isaac Alcaide, endurance coach, the podcast is designed to be listened to on the move, during easy runs, commutes, or recovery helping you understand your training so you can run better, longer, and with more confidence on the trail.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 37 - ULTRA BURNOUT: WHEN MORE IS NO LONGER BETTER

    Can too much training take away your love of running? In this episode of The Trail Running Briefing, we explore athlete burnout, why trail and ultra runners are particularly vulnerable, and how the constant pursuit of improvement can sometimes become counterproductive. Drawing on the latest scientific research, we explain the difference between normal training fatigue, overtraining and burnout, and explore how accumulated training demands, insufficient recovery, psychological pressure and everyday life stress can affect both performance and motivation. More importantly, we discuss practical strategies to recognise the early warning signs, reduce the risk of burnout and maintain a healthy balance between training, recovery and personal life. We also explore how to recover when burnout has already developed and rediscover the enjoyment of running. Because sustainable ultrarunning isn't about how much training you can tolerate. It's about becoming stronger while protecting your health, wellbeing and love of the sport for years to come. Key references: 1. Lin, C.-H., et al. (2025). Re-examining Athletes’ Stress-Burnout Relationship: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Sports Studies, 47(2), 110–156. 2. Dišlere, B. E., et al. (2025). A Scoping Review of Longitudinal Studies of Athlete Burnout. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1502174. 3. Reardon, C. L., et al. (2026). Mental Health in Elite Athletes: International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement (2026). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 60(15), 1083–1130. 4. Glandorf, H. L., et al. (2026). Athlete Burnout, Biomarkers, and Mental and Physical Health: A Longitudinal Examination of Physiological Mechanisms and Processes. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 15(3), 299–319. 5. Mountjoy, M., et al. (2023). 2023 International Olympic Committee's Consensus Statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(17), 1073–1097. 6. Saw, A. E., Main, L. C., & Gastin, P. B. (2016). Monitoring the Athlete Training Response: Subjective Self-Reported Measures Trump Commonly Used Objective Measures: A Systematic Review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), 281–291. 7. Walsh, N. P., et al. (2021). Sleep and the Athlete: Narrative Review and 2021 Expert Consensus Recommendations. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(7), 356–368.

  2. Oct 9

    Episode 36 - ARC100 by UTMB: What You Need to Know Before You Race It

    In Episode 36 of The Trail Running Briefing, I take you through the ARC100 by UTMB from the perspective of someone who has raced it twice, in 2025 and 2026. This episode is designed as a practical course guide for runners preparing for the race. I break down the key sections of the route, including the wet and boggy terrain around Lizard Point and Mullion, the runnable stretches towards Penzance, the technical section from Mousehole to Porthcurno, and the importance of using Land’s End as a chance to reset. I also focus on what I consider the toughest part of the race: Pendeen to Lelant. This long, technical section can take many hours, so carrying enough water and nutrition and preparing mentally for slow progress is essential. Along the way, I share lessons from my own experience, including foot management, accepting wet conditions, using barrier cream, training with wet feet, pacing the runnable sections sensibly, and which parts of the course are most worth recceing. The key message is simple: don’t race the distance, race the terrain in front of you.

  3. Oct 2

    Episode 35 - Cross-training for ultras: Specificity still wins

    Cross-training can be a valuable tool for ultrarunners, but it should always serve a clear purpose. In this episode of The Trail Running Briefing, I explore why specificity still matters, especially for mountain ultrarunners. A long ultra is not simply one discipline: it involves running uphill, running flats, running downhill and, very importantly, power-hiking steep climbs. We look at why uphill walking can be one of the most race-specific forms of “cross-training”, how cycling can build additional aerobic volume with less impact, and where swimming can be useful during recovery, injury management or high-load periods. I also explain why strength training should not really be considered cross-training at all, but rather an essential part of ultramarathon preparation. The key question is not: “What is the best cross-training?” It is: “What adaptation am I trying to create, and what is the most specific way to achieve it without adding unnecessary fatigue?” Train the engine but train the movement too. Key references: Endurance Coach GmbH et al. (2026). Cross-training between running and cycling: effects on VO₂max and running performance — a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. Finiel, L., Carron, S., Margot, C., et al. (2026). Energetic cost of locomotion closely aligns with the preferred uphill walk-run transition at constant vertical speed in runners. European Journal of Applied Physiology. Martinez-Navarro, I., Vicente-Mampel, J., López-Grueso, R., et al. (2026). Uphill Walking Economy and Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Trail Runners: Relationship with Ultra-Trail Performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine. Brill, J.W. & Kram, R. (2021). Does the preferred walk-run transition speed on steep inclines minimize energetic cost, heart rate or neither? Journal of Experimental Biology, 224, jeb233056. Vernillo, G., et al. (2020). Steep (30°) uphill walking vs. running: COM movements, stride kinematics, and leg muscle excitations. European Journal of Applied Physiology. Tanaka, H. (1994). Effects of cross-training: transfer of training effects on VO₂max between cycling, running and swimming. Sports Medicine. Reilly, T., Morris, T. & Whyte, G. (2009). The specificity of training prescription and physiological assessment: a review. Journal of Sports Sciences. Eihara, Y., et al. (2024). Effect of Strength Training Programs in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners' Economy at Different Running Speeds: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. Recent umbrella review (2025). The Effect of Strength Training on Endurance Performance Determinants in Middle- and Long-Distance Endurance Athletes.

  4. Sep 25

    Episode 34 - Mental Toughness for Ultrarunners

    Mental toughness in ultrarunning is often misunderstood. It isn’t about ignoring pain, refusing to walk, or proving how much suffering you can tolerate. Current research suggests the more useful skill is how you respond when things become difficult. In this episode, I look at what the evidence tells us about mental toughness, pain coping, resilience and self-efficacy in ultra-endurance running and why stubbornness should not be confused with toughness. We also explore a simple practical framework: Acknowledge. Assess. Act. Recognise what is happening, work out what you can control, and take the next useful action. Because sometimes mental toughness means pushing. Sometimes it means slowing down, eating, walking, adapting the plan or fixing a problem early. The goal isn’t to become unbreakable. Mental toughness isn’t about suffering more. It’s about responding better. Key references: Song, Q., & Song, Y-G. (2026). Psychological Traits Associated with Mental and Performance Resilience in Long-Distance and Ultra-Endurance Runners: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 17, 1919146. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1919146. Delalay, M., & Hotz Boendermaker, S. (2026). Mental Pain Responses of Ultramarathon Runners: A Scoping Review. Sports, 14(2), 72. DOI: 10.3390/sports14020072. Paley, C. A., & Johnson, M. I. (2025). Human Resilience and Pain Coping Strategies: A Review of the Literature Giving Insights from Elite Ultra-Endurance Athletes for Sports Science, Medicine and Society. Sports Medicine, 55, 2137–2146. DOI: 10.1007/s40279-025-02277-4. Alschuler, K. N., Krabak, B. J., Kratz, A. L., Jensen, M. P., Pomeranz, D., Burns, P., Bautz, J., Nordeen, C., Irwin, C., & Lipman, G. S. (2020). Pain Is Inevitable But Suffering Is Optional: Relationship of Pain Coping Strategies to Performance in Multistage Ultramarathon Runners. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 31(1), 23–30. DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2019.10.007. Brace, A. W., George, K., & Lovell, G. P. (2020). Mental Toughness and Self-Efficacy of Elite Ultra-Marathon Runners. PLOS ONE, 15(11), e0241284. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241284. Studied 56 elite HURT100 runners.

  5. Sep 18

    Episode 33 - The Older You Get, the More Expensive an Injury Becomes

    Episode 33 explores running injuries through a simple risk-management lens: Risk = Probability × Impact. The central idea is that ageing does not automatically make runners fragile or guarantee a higher injury risk, but the consequences of a significant injury can become more costly because rebuilding lost strength, fitness, tendon capacity and race-specific durability may take longer and disrupt a larger proportion of our training. The episode argues that our risk appetite should evolve with age. Rather than becoming overly cautious, masters runners should become more selective about which risks are worth taking. Hard training, long runs, strength work, hills and race-specific stress still matter but unnecessary risks such as aggressive progression, excessive racing, poor recovery or ignoring persistent niggles offer little return. The key message is simple: protecting consistency is itself a performance strategy. Train hard where the adaptation justifies the risk, reduce avoidable injury risk, and spend your “risk budget” wisely. Key references: Mckendry J, et al. (2018). Muscle morphology and performance in master athletes: A systematic review and meta-analyses. Ageing Research Reviews. Delabastita T, Bogaerts S, Vanwanseele B. (2018). Age-Related Changes in Achilles Tendon Stiffness and Impact on Functional Activities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Svensson RB, et al. (2016). Effect of aging and exercise on the tendon. Journal of Applied Physiology. McCrum C, et al. (2018). Alterations in Leg Extensor Muscle-Tendon Unit Biomechanical Properties With Ageing and Mechanical Loading. Frontiers in Physiology. Jones MD, et al. (2021). Sex Differences in Adaptations in Muscle Strength and Size Following Resistance Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. Hayes EJ, et al. (2023). Recovery from Resistance Exercise in Older Adults: A Systematic Scoping Review. Sports Medicine – Open. Saragiotto BT, et al. (2014). What are the main risk factors for running-related injuries? Sports Medicine. van Poppel D, et al. (2021). Risk factors for overuse injuries in short- and long-distance running: A systematic review. Journal of Sport and Health Science.

  6. Sep 11

    Episode 32 - Cardiac Drift: Why Your Heart Rate Rises When Your Pace Doesn’t

    In this episode of The Trail Running Briefing, we explore cardiac drift: why heart rate can gradually rise during long runs even when pace or effort appears unchanged. We explain the relationship between heart rate and stroke volume, why heat, dehydration and prolonged exercise increase cardiovascular strain, and how this matters specifically for ultrarunners. We also look at aerobic decoupling and durability, and discuss how pacing, consistent aerobic training, progressively longer runs, sensible hydration and heat acclimation can help reduce excessive drift. The key message is simple: the same pace does not always mean the same physiological cost. Key references: Coyle, E.F. & González-Alonso, J. (2001). Cardiovascular drift during prolonged exercise: New perspectives. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 29(2), 88–92. Fritzsche, R.G., Switzer, T.W., Hodgkinson, B.J. & Coyle, E.F. (1999). Stroke volume decline during prolonged exercise is influenced by the increase in heart rate. Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(3), 799–805. Montain, S.J. & Coyle, E.F. (1992). Influence of graded dehydration on hyperthermia and cardiovascular drift during exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 73(4), 1340–1350. González-Alonso, J., Calbet, J.A.L. & Nielsen, B. (1998). Muscle blood flow is reduced with dehydration during prolonged exercise in humans. The Journal of Physiology, 513(3), 895–905. Maunder, E., Seiler, S., Mildenhall, M.J., Kilding, A.E. & Plews, D.J. (2021). The Importance of 'Durability' in the Physiological Profiling of Endurance Athletes. Sports Medicine, 51(8), 1619–1628. Smyth, B., Maunder, E., Meyler, S., Hunter, B. & Muniz-Pumares, D. (2022). Decoupling of Internal and External Workload During a Marathon: An Analysis of Durability in 82,303 Recreational Runners. Sports Medicine, 52, 2283–2295. Tyler, C.J., Reeve, T., Hodges, G.J. & Cheung, S.S. (2016). The Effects of Heat Adaptation on Physiology, Perception and Exercise Performance in the Heat: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 46(11), 1699–1724.

  7. Aug 28

    Episode 31 - Peak Form: How to Reach It and Why You Can’t Stay There Forever

    Peak form is not simply about being as fit as possible. It is the point where high fitness meets low fatigue, allowing an athlete to fully express the adaptations built over weeks and months of training. Hard training develops aerobic fitness, strength, durability, climbing and descending ability, but it also creates fatigue. This means runners can sometimes be getting fitter while temporarily feeling slower or heavier. Tapering works by reducing that fatigue while preserving the fitness already developed. Research supports substantially reducing training volume before an important race while maintaining some intensity. The purpose is not to create new fitness at the last minute, but to reveal the fitness already there. Peak form should also be viewed as a window rather than a permanent state. Fitness can be maintained for relatively long periods, but the ideal combination of fitness, freshness, race specificity and psychological readiness cannot be held indefinitely. After an A-race, the goal should therefore not be to stay at your peak, but to repeat the cycle: RECOVER → REBUILD → DEVELOP → TAPER → PEAK AGAIN. The key message of the episode is simple: Training builds the fitness. Tapering reveals it. Wang, Z., Wang, Y., Gao, W., & Zhong, Y. (2023).Effects of tapering on performance in endurance athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 18(5), e0282838.DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282838 Bosquet, L., Montpetit, J., Arvisais, D., & Mujika, I. (2007).Effects of tapering on performance: A meta-analysis. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(8), 1358–1365. Mujika, I., & Padilla, S. (2003).Scientific bases for precompetition tapering strategies. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35(7), 1182–1187.DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000074448.73931.11 Calvert, T. W., Banister, E. W., Savage, M. V., & Bach, T. (1976).A systems model of the effects of training on physical performance. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 6(2), 94–102.DOI: 10.1109/TSMC.1976.5409179 Spiering, B. A., Mujika, I., Sharp, M. A., & Foulis, S. A. (2021).Maintaining Physical Performance: The Minimal Dose of Exercise Needed to Preserve Endurance and Strength Over Time. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(5), 1449–1458.DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003964 Millet, G. Y., Tomazin, K., Verges, S., Vincent, C., Bonnefoy, R., Boisson, R. C., et al. (2011).Neuromuscular Consequences of an Extreme Mountain Ultra-Marathon. PLOS ONE, 6(2), e17059.DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017059

  8. Aug 21

    Episode 30 - The Plateau Problem: Why Ultrarunners Stop Improving and How to Move Forward

    In Episode 30 of The Trail Running Briefing, we explore why ultrarunners sometimes stop improving even when they are training consistently and working harder. A plateau doesn’t always mean you need more mileage or more intensity. It can mean your body has adapted to the same training stimulus, accumulated fatigue is hiding your fitness, recovery or fuelling is insufficient, or your training is no longer targeting the qualities that actually limit your performance. We look at the importance of purposeful progression, keeping easy runs genuinely easy, strength training, durability, recovery weeks, adequate fuelling and race-specific preparation. The key message is simple: training is not about collecting more kilometres, it is about creating adaptation. Before doing more, understand what needs to change. Key References: Zanini, M., Folland, J. P., & Blagrove, R. C. (2026).Regular Long Runs and Higher Training Volumes Are Associated with Better Running Economy Durability in Performance-Matched Well-Trained Male Runners.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 58(1), 162–173. Zanini, M., Folland, J. P., Wu, H., & Blagrove, R. C. (2025).Strength Training Improves Running Economy Durability and Fatigued High-Intensity Performance in Well-Trained Male Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 57(7), 1546–1558. Tiller, N. B., & Millet, G. Y. (2025).Decoding Ultramarathon: Muscle Damage as the Main Impediment to Performance.Sports Medicine, 55(3), 535–543. Llanos-Lagos, C., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Moran, J., & Sáez de Villarreal, E. (2024).Effect of Strength Training Programs in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners' Economy at Different Running Speeds: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.Sports Medicine, 54(4), 895–932. Sperlich, B. et al. (2023).The Proportional Distribution of Training by Elite Endurance Athletes at Different Intensities During Different Phases of the Season.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, 1258585. Oliveira, P. S. et al. (2024).Comparison of Polarized Versus Other Types of Endurance Training Intensity Distribution on Athletes' Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Mountjoy, M. et al. (2023).2023 International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Consensus Statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57, 1073–1097. Meeusen, R., Duclos, M., Foster, C., Fry, A., Gleeson, M., Nieman, D., Raglin, J., Rietjens, G., Steinacker, J., & Urhausen, A. (2013).Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Overtraining Syndrome: Joint Consensus Statement of the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(1), 186–205.

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About

The Trail Running Briefing is a short, weekly podcast for trail runners and endurance athletes who want to train with purpose. In 5–8 minutes, each episode focuses on one specific aspect of performance: training design, physiology, strength, durability, or race execution. No hype. No filler. Just clear, practical insights you can use immediately. Hosted by Isaac Alcaide, endurance coach, the podcast is designed to be listened to on the move, during easy runs, commutes, or recovery helping you understand your training so you can run better, longer, and with more confidence on the trail.

Information

  • Creator
    Coach Isaac Alcaide
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Coach Isaac Alcaide
  • Show Website
    The Trail Running Briefing

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