In episode 11 of the Stride, Francesco shares his journey from a casual hiker in the Aosta Valley of Italy to a competitive trail runner. He discusses the evolution of trail running as a sport, the transition from hiking to racing, and the importance of structured training. Francesco elaborates on the physical and mental challenges of ultra-distance races, including nutrition and pacing strategies. He also touches on the global ranking systems in trail running and shares his personal goals for future competitions, emphasizing the importance of gradual progression in the sport.

Takeaways

• Francesco was born in Aosta Valley, Italy, where he developed a passion for mountain sports.

  
  



• Trail running was not competitive during Francesco's childhood; it evolved into a sport later.

  
  



• Transitioning from hiking to competitive running involved a gradual process of training and racing.

  
  



• Structured training plans significantly improved Francesco's performance in competitions.

  
  



• Nutrition and hydration are crucial during long races; athletes must plan their intake carefully.

  
  



• Francesco's longest races include 110 km with 8,000 meters of elevation gain.

  
  



• Training for ultra-distances involves long runs of 50-70% of the race distance.

  
  



• The UTMB index provides a global ranking for trail runners, but not all races are included.

  
  



• Francesco prefers setting individual competition goals rather than focusing on rankings.

  
  



• Mental strength is as important as physical training in completing ultra-distance races.