Sports
Manuela Vilaseca Analyzes the Evolution of Trail Running
In a conversation with Sidney Togumi, the ultramarathoner reflects on 15 years of progress in training, science, and gear.
With around 15 years of experience in mountain running, Manuela Vilaseca looks back at the early days of trail running and discusses how the sport has transformed. The ultramarathoner highlights how technical progress and access to better gear have revolutionized ultra-endurance racing.
With roughly 15 years in mountain running, ultramarathoner Manuela Vilaseca has witnessed the global transformation of trail running firsthand. In a conversation with Sidney Togumi on Stemma Na Trilha, the athlete reflected on the key factors driving faster finishing times and constant record-breaking across the world's premier races.
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Professionalization and a deeper understanding of the sport
For Vilaseca, the primary driver behind the peloton's surging speed is the professionalization of both the sport and the athletes themselves. In the past, extreme challenges like 100-mile races were methodological unknowns. Coaches and runners were still trying to grasp the physiological demands of the distance and how best to periodize their preparation.
Today, a much deeper understanding of the sport enables training regimens that are far more specific, efficient, and grounded in applied high-performance sports science.
The mountain gear revolution
Another decisive pillar in this turning point has been the evolution of the gear market. Vilaseca recalls that when she started out, specialized trail equipment was scarce. Runners were practically limited to the rigid Salomon models available at the time—fondly remembered for punishing athletes' feet and toenails—while major athletic footwear brands like Nike, Adidas, or Asics had no dedicated trail running lines.
Today, the rise of dedicated outdoor brands and the entry of footwear giants into the mountain segment have delivered shoes with advanced cushioning, superior traction, and improved ergonomics—factors that directly safeguard physical longevity and elevate performance over hundreds of kilometers.
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