Running and Trail Running; Is it Even Tactical?

🔥 Trail running isn’t just cardio—it’s combat conditioning for the real world.

In this episode of Prep and Defend, Fire Captain Chris Ruano takes you through the tactical legacy of trail running—from ancient warriors and WWII mountain troops to modern wildland fire crews. You’ll hear how this time-tested training method builds leadership under fatigue, terrain-specific capacity, and mental clarity under pressure.

Whether you're prepping for fire season, battling burnout, or seeking a mental reset—trail running is more relevant than ever.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• The military and fireline history behind tactical trail running
• How elite fire crews use trail work for endurance and leadership
• Why running in nature helps reduce cortisol and process trauma
• How to structure trail runs inside a Periodized Hybrid Training block
• The real reason: leadership happens on the move

✅ Action Step:

Pick a trail this week. Run it with intent—whether it's distance, elevation, or simply breathing room. Track it, reflect on it, and come back stronger.

♦️ Free Customized Periodized-Hybrid Training Guide

Our crazy First-Responder lifestyle makes it so difficult to improve our strength and physical performance.

Periodized-Hybrid Training is a unique year-round fitness strategy that I discovered through years of leading wildland fire crews as I struggled to stay prepared for fire-season not just once, but year after year.

By following this strategy, you’ll increase your strength and year-round performance, because its specially developed for the challenges and commitments of our first-responder lifestyle.