Three Rules to Keep Your Running Simple
One writer’s advice after two decades of trail running: Run regularly. Not too fast. Mostly trails.
Author
Sarah Lavender Smith
Sarah Lavender Smith lives and runs near Telluride, Colorado. A coach and longtime freelance writer, she began covering the sport and its culture for Trail Runner in 2009. She is the author of the 2017 book The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras. She writes a column for UltraRunning magazine, formerly co-hosted UltraRunnerPodcast and blogs at TheRunnersTrip.com. Sarah took up running as a 25-year-old graduate student in 1994 and progressed to trail and ultra in the early 2000s. She has run several of North America’s toughest 100-milers and, at age 50, became the female champion of the 2019 Grand to Grand Ultra 170-mile self-supported stage race. She is the mom of two grown children and, when not running, devotes most of her outdoor time to riding her two horses. See her website sarahlavendersmith.com for info on her coaching.
My Stories
5 Ways To Know if a Stage Race is Right For You
Stage races are different from any other type of ultra. Here's how to tell if running long distances for days in a row is right for you.
Is Running A Threat To Your Relationship?
If you love both your partner and your running, it behooves you to spot running-related red flags in your relationship.
Coronavirus Hits a Colorado Trail-Running Family
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The Biggest Change I Made to Feel (and Run) Better
One runner's decision to change her relationship with alcohol, and how it impacted her life and athletics.
Troubles in Tapering
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Does This Buckle Spark Joy?
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Trail-Running Gaiters: Yay or Nay?
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“Funny Runner” Brittany Charboneau Overcomes Fears to Find Fun and Success in Trail Running
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Fear the Worst
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Hoofing It
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Old School Hero
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7 Distinctive Trail Races that Break the Distance Mold
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Starting Over Again
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How Magdalena Boulet Summited the World’s Highest Volcano
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A Trail Runner’s Resolutions
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A Different Kind of Trail-Running Goal
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Mountain Outpost, The Jackass of Ultrarunning
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Get to the Starting Line Stress-Free
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Three Strategies to Finish Fast In Your Next Trail Race
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What It Takes To Be An Ultrarunner
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Searching for New Motivation on the Trails
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3 Lessons Learned About Making the 50-Mile Leap
Elite 50-mile rookies speak out about what they got wrong at The North Face 50—and what they learned about transitioning from 50K to 50 miles
The Man Behind Ultramarathon Man
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Rickey Gates on Trail Running, Traveling and Living the Dream
In a sport not lacking offbeat characters with exceptional endurance, Rickey Gates stands out.
A Monster Miwok 100K
Last Saturday near San Francisco, the 17th running of the Miwok 100K surprised ...
Training For a Self-Supported Stage Race
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Checking In with Geoff Roes in Juneau
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Grand-to-Grand Ultra Debut a Success
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Stage Fright
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Rolling around in Southern England’s South Downs
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Get a Coach
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Old School
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Smile Away the Miles
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The Heart, Soul and Legs Behind America’s Longest-Running 50K
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The Just-Right Miwok 100K
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From Top Model to Top Ultrarunner
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Van of My Dreams
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The Injury Games
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The Struggle and Satisfaction of Stage Racing
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The Flip Side of FOMO
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A Trail-Running Treasure Hunt
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Reality Check
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A Better Trip Makes a Better Race
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How Western States Became a Race
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Race Prep Like the Pros
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How Do Those Kiwis Do It?
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What Every Trail Runner Should Know About Iron Deficiency
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What Makes a Trail Run?
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Avoid the Crew Snafu
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From War and Addiction to a 100K
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In New Book, Dean Karnazes Explores Ancient ‘Ultrarunning,’ Then Tries to Recreate It
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Math on the Run
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The Ultra of Lotteries
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Feeling Frozen
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No Mountains? No Problem
Training for an ultramarathon is never easy, but it's even tougher when you live in the city. Here are some tips for urban runners.
Friends for Miles
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Races, Bonfires, Slacklining, Beer: Why the Trail-Running Festival Is Trending
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You’ve Run a Long Way, Baby
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