May 29, 20266 min read

Okay, You NEED to Hear What's Happening in the Trail and Nutrition World Right Now

From a jaw-dropping multi-sport athlete doing the impossible to the minerals your body is desperately begging for — this week in fitness news is genuinely too good not to share.

Okay, grab your post-run coffee because I have been absolutely *nerding out* over everything that dropped in the running and nutrition world this week, and I cannot keep it to myself. Whether you're deep in summer race training, planning your next trail adventure, or just trying to feel better in your body day-to-day — there is something in here for you. Let's get into it.

The Trail Running Community Is Absolutely Buzzing Right Now

Memorial Day weekend was basically a trail runner's fever dream. Between the Golden Trail World Series, the Skyrunner World Series, and a whole wave of 50K events scattered across the U.S., the ultra and trail community showed up *hard* this weekend. Every time I scroll through race results and finish line photos from events like these, I get that familiar itch — you know the one — where you're already mentally signing up for something you probably shouldn't.

But honestly? That energy is exactly what I love about this community. People aren't just running races; they're chasing something bigger. And the fact that both major world series were running simultaneously alongside grassroots 50Ks just proves how wide and deep this sport has gotten. If you've been on the fence about jumping into trail running or leveling up to your first ultra, consider this your sign. The scene is alive and thriving.

The Athlete Who Broke My Brain This Week: Heather Jackson

I need to talk about Heather Jackson because I genuinely cannot stop thinking about her story. Three weeks. That's how long it's been since she finished *fourth* at the Cocodona 250 — a 250-mile race through the Arizona desert. A race that would leave most of us horizontal for a month minimum. And what is she eyeing next? Only the Unbound XL, a 350-mile gravel cycling event.

I had to re-read that a few times.

What strikes me most isn't just the physical capability — it's the mindset. Heather is a true multi-discipline endurance athlete in the purest sense, and her story is a masterclass in what's possible when you stop putting yourself in a box. She's not a "runner" or a "cyclist" — she's just someone who loves to push limits across every terrain and discipline. Honestly, it's the kind of story that makes you want to lace up your shoes *right now* and go do something hard.

Training Smarter: Gabe Joyes Drops Some Real Wisdom

On a more practical note, coach and ultrarunner Gabe Joyes shared some genuinely useful guidance this week on weekly mileage building, vert recovery (or "vertcovery" as he calls it — love that), and smart pre-race planning. This is the kind of stuff I wish someone had handed me when I was first getting into longer distances.

The big takeaway for me? Vertical gain accumulates stress in ways that flat mileage just doesn't, and a lot of runners — myself included, honestly — underestimate how much recovery that demands. If you're building toward a mountain race or any event with serious elevation, treat your vert like its own training variable. Don't just count miles. Count the climb.

And on the pre-race planning front, his advice reinforced something I've learned the hard way: the week before a race is not the time to cram in extra fitness. Protect your legs. Trust your training. Show up rested.

Oh, and one more thing from the gear world — Nike is apparently turning *air into fabric* for running apparel. I know that sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the early buzz suggests this air-based textile tech could genuinely deliver on lightweight performance. I'm keeping a close eye on this one.

The Nutrition Edge You Might Be Completely Overlooking

Alright, let's talk fueling — because the nutrition news this week was just as exciting as the race coverage, and I think it's even more actionable for most of us.

First, I came across the story of triathlete twins Michal and Merav Mor, who literally built a health tech company to understand their own metabolism better. Their top tips for fat burning and sustained energy go way beyond the generic advice we've all heard a thousand times. The thing that resonated most with me was their emphasis on understanding *your* metabolism specifically — because what works for one athlete can be totally different for another. Personalized fueling is the future, and these two are living proof.

Then there's creatine. I know, I know — you might think of it as a gym-bro supplement, but a new review published in the journal *Nutrients* found that combining creatine with regular exercise can meaningfully improve blood sugar regulation. For endurance athletes trying to maintain consistent energy across long efforts, that's a big deal. It's not just about muscle. It's about metabolic health, and that affects every single workout and adventure you take on.

Don't Sleep on Magnesium — Seriously

And finally, the one I feel most personally called out by: magnesium. This mineral powers over 300 enzymatic reactions in your body — everything from muscle recovery to sleep quality to energy production. And the uncomfortable truth is that most of us aren't getting enough of it.

I've started paying way more attention to my magnesium intake over the past few months, and the difference in my sleep quality and next-day recovery has been noticeable. Whether you're getting it through food (think leafy greens, nuts, seeds) or supplementation, this is one of those low-effort, high-reward changes that I think every active person should consider. If your recovery feels stuck or your sleep is off, this might genuinely be the missing piece.

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