Ailton Zulu Unfiltered: From Amateur Football to Trail Running

The Transition to Physical Education and the Birth of AZ Running

Ailton Zulu worked for years as a colorist, developing colors for major brands. However, his desire to work in sports was stronger. Despite the difficulties and having recently become a father, he decided to pursue Physical Education. He began interning and, after graduating, followed the path of a professional in the field.

AZ Running, his consultancy, was born organically. Initially, he informally trained people. "Why don't you make your consultancy official and come train me?" asked athlete Mari Deguchi, who became the "official student" and São Paulo mountain champion in 2014, marking the formal beginning of AZ Running, already focused on trail. Zulu makes a point of directing road athletes to other consultancies, keeping AZ's focus exclusively on trails, a niche where he feels most comfortable and specialized.

Trail Running in Brazil: From Amateur to "Gourmet"

According to Zulu, the Trail Running market in Brazil has undergone a notable professionalization in recent years. "We're moving from an amateur market to professionalization," he said. Events that once had 200-300 people now attract thousands, with a growing percentage of newcomers. He cited examples like La Mission and Indomit, which saw almost 70% new participants.

This professionalization, according to Zulu, manifests as the "gourmetization" of trail running, with events offering a complete experience, from medical and rescue care to well-marked trails and hydration. Even with more expensive entries, the added value justifies the investment. "It's not about the price, but the added value," he noted, emphasizing that the experience can make the race unforgettable.

Looking ahead, Zulu foresees a "ceiling" for trail running's growth due to trail limitations and cities' capacity to host large events. However, he bets on personalization and athlete education. Events spanning two weekends, spot raffles, and more sophisticated services like personalized rescue and "sherpas" for ultra trails are some trends he envisions for 2036. Technology, with facial recognition for photos and videos, and real-time physiological data on watches, will also shape the sport's future.

Na Montanha Podcast: A Passion with High Investment

Na Montanha Podcast was born from Zulu's desire to share knowledge. During the pandemic, he was already extracting audio from live streams for Spotify. In 2022, the idea of creating a studio to record online classes evolved into a podcast. In January 2023, the first episode was recorded.

Zulu doesn't hide the financial challenges. "90% [of the investment] is out of my own pocket," he revealed. Nevertheless, the project became a way to give back to the sport that gave him everything. "Everything I have, running gave me," he stated. The podcast aims to bring credible and relevant information to everyone, especially those without access to coaches or nutritionists. The success of Na Montanha inspired other podcasts, solidifying the strength of mountain running in the digital landscape.

Trail Through the Eyes of the Communicator

His experience as a communicator transformed Zulu's view of trail running. "It brought a more human perspective to me," he said. Stepping a bit away from the strictness of a coach, Zulu began to value the stories and motivations behind each athlete. "La Mission is the mission of many people's lives," he exemplified, highlighting the deep meaning of the races. He sees ultra-trail not just as an escape, but as a moment of connection and self-discovery, reinforcing the idea that "if you don't like yourself, don't go to an ultra, because you'll be alone with yourself for a long time."

The Race That Was Nearly Won

To conclude the conversation, Zulu shared an untold story about a race in Paraguay, the Ultra Trail Guarani. A student of races, he saw an opportunity to overtake the front pack on descents, his strong suit. On a technical descent, he passed several athletes and found himself in second place, behind an Argentine.

Upon reaching a bog, the Argentine was looking for the best place to step, while Zulu, with the mindset of passing without hesitation, advanced through the mud. "I pass as if there's no tomorrow," he recounted. However, Zulu's mind, already dreaming of victory, betrayed him. With few markings and following a mistaken instruction to "always go left," he took a wrong turn less than 2 km from the finish, entering a shorter distance route.

Realizing his mistake, he turned back and finished fifth overall, while the Argentine he had passed won. The following year, the Argentine greeted him ironically: "Be careful not to make a wrong turn this year." Zulu, who wasn't in his best shape, used the "trash talk" as motivation. He didn't win the race, but he surpassed the Argentine again, finishing fourth overall and winning his category. A lesson that, in running and in life, the mind is as crucial as the legs.