Short and Fast, the Other Side of Trail Running with Morgan Elliot

I interview Morgan Elliott, a runner specializing in short and fast races. We discuss the mindset of redlining during a race and how to determine if it's going to be a good day. We also talk about vertical kilometers (VKs) and the intense physical and mental challenges they present. Morgan shares his experience of representing the USA in international races and the camaraderie among team members. We also touch on the topic of DNFs (Did Not Finish) and the different motivations behind dropping out of a race. In this conversation, Morgan discusses his experience racing in Europe, his training strategies, and his favorite distances and types of running. He talks about the camaraderie and strategy involved in team races, the importance of recovery and preventing injuries, and the thrill of racing in challenging conditions. Takeaways Redlining during a race means pushing yourself to the limit and knowing that you have to give it your all from the start. In VK races, the first few minutes are crucial, and it's important to pace yourself and not go out too hard. Representing your country in international races is a special experience, and it's important to give it your best and be proud of wearing the national team uniform. DNFs (Did Not Finish) are a personal decision, and while some athletes drop out due to injuries or financial considerations, others choose to push through and finish the race. The camaraderie among runners, whether in the front or back of the pack, is inspiring and creates a sense of community in the sport. Racing in Europe offers a unique atmosphere with enthusiastic spectators and low-key but talented competitors. Camaraderie and strategy play a significant role in team races, while individual strategies are more common in shorter races. Recovery and injury prevention are crucial in maintaining a consistent training schedule. Racing in challenging conditions can be both thrilling and advantageous, as it can unsettle competitors and provide a mental edge. Morgan's favorite distances are three to five hours, and he enjoys technical trails with difficult footing. He is attracted to races with steep climbs and enjoys the challenge of using his hands during the run. Morgan's favorite races include Zagama and Transvulcania, which offer diverse terrain and unique cultural experiences. He is always learning and adapting his training approach, and he plans to focus on shorter races in the upcoming year. Training includes interval workouts, such as tough hill days, to improve his speed and endurance. He embraces the opportunity to race against top competitors and believes in learning from every race experience. Goals for the future include participating in the Skyrunning World Series and completing a 120-mile loop in Summit County, Colorado. Sound Bites "Race when you have a full deck." "You're redlining from minute 10." "If you don't go out four minute miles, you're not going to be in the frame." "There are so many low-key badasses that show up to European races." "I love it when people are like looking at the weather and like, oh man, it's going to rain during a race. I'm like, yes. Anything that can get in the heads of my competitors." "I did a lot of Hill workouts. I call them tough Hill days and they are mean." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Redlining 02:18 The Challenge of Vertical Kilometers 04:13 Race Strategy and Going Out Too Hard 09:04 Representing Your Country in International Races 16:40 The Decision to DNF: Personal Choices 19:36 The Camaraderie Among Runners 28:14 Racing in Europe: Enthusiastic Spectators and Low-Key Competitors 29:12 Camaraderie and Strategy in Team Races 30:05 Recovery and Injury Prevention in Training 31:03 Thriving in Challenging Conditions 39:18 Favorite Distances and Types of Running 41:43 Favorite Races: Zagama and Transvulcania 45:36 Adapting Training Approaches and Goals 48:27 Interval Workouts: Tough Hill Days 55:14 Embracing Competition and Learning from Every Race 56:12 Future Goals: Skyrunning World Series and Summit County Loop Keywords running, redlining, race strategy, vertical kilometers, representing your country, DNFs, racing, Europe, training, camaraderie, strategy, recovery, injuries, challenging conditions, favorite races, goals