TRM Method: why is it considered one of the best training methods in the world?
The TRM Method represents an innovative and scientific approach to trail running training, used by Trail Running Movement coaches to transform beginner and amateur trail runners into athletes capable of tackling classic or extreme ultra trail challenges.
The method was born from real-world experience combined with scientific research applied to trail running, with the goal of offering a truly effective and structured training approach.
It’s not just about following a training plan, but about embarking on a complete journey that guides each athlete toward increasingly ambitious challenges.
Thanks to a system designed to improve performance, optimize results and minimize injury risk, the TRM Method is perfectly suited for those seeking personalized coaching with a trail running coach, even online, anywhere in the world.
If you want to understand how it works in detail and what makes it so effective, keep reading the article.
Enjoy the read!
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _
What is the TRM Method in Trail Running
The TRM Method is a proprietary methodology developed by Trail Running Movement (TRM), a reference point in online coaching for mountain endurance running.
It was created through the integration of real-world field experience and a scientific approach, and has been tested on international-level athletes.
Its goal is to guide each trail runner through a progressive development path, starting from shorter distances all the way to extreme challenges — even beyond 900 km — through structured long-term planning.
Designed by certified coaches with strong ultra-endurance experience, the TRM Method combines:
-
training periodization
-
physiological testing
-
data analysis to build truly personalized programs
It is an approach designed for trail runners of all levels — beginners, advanced amateurs, and elite athletes — who want to improve their performance through a complete 360° preparation.
What are the core principles of the TRM Method?
TRM coaches base their method on clear pillars:
-
total personalization through initial questionnaires that assess fitness level, goals, and personal constraints
-
scientific periodization through cycles of build-up, peak and recovery with progressive training volume and elevation gain
-
testing and monitoring of heart rate zones, uphill and downhill speed, updated monthly for precise training
-
injury prevention with a focus on gradual adaptation, recovery, technique, and proper equipment for long-term athletic longevity.
This structure allows coaches to rapidly improve any type of trail runner, supported by multiple communication channels — email, WhatsApp, or phone — with responses within 48 hours.
How does TRM Coaching work? From questionnaire to race
The professional training process begins with an in-depth analysis of each athlete’s history and previous experiences.
The tools used include:
-
initial questionnaires and tests to define training zones
-
monthly training plans via email covering running, trail-specific strength, long runs, and back-to-back sessions
-
updates based on feedback after training sessions or races
-
advice on nutrition, sports supplementation, trail running shoes, clothing, gear and race strategy.
TRM coaches complement online work with practical field experiences, organized through Trail Running Camps in iconic locations such as the Alpine High Routes and the Mont Blanc area.
This approach transforms theory into real-world experience, working on technique, strategy and managing complex situations directly in the mountains.
The result? Truly prepared trail runners, ready to face even the most ambitious challenges — from classics like UTMB and Tor des Géants to extreme solo adventures like the Transpyrenea.
Benefits of the TRM Method for trail runners
For most trail runners trained with the TRM Method, the main benefits include:
-
rapid progression in training load while avoiding dangerous overloads, moving from 20 km trails up to 330 km or even 900 km ultras
-
70–80% reduction in injuries thanks to strong attention to individual and personal characteristics
-
time and cost savings through professional plans that ensure a 98% race finisher rate.
TRM coaches rely on proven practices tested on themselves and hundreds of athletes worldwide:
-
methodology tested daily “in the field” by athletes across the globe
-
scalability and management of hundreds of athletes with online tools available 24/7 on all devices (smartphone, tablet, PC)
-
networking through collaborations with professionals (doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists), sports brands, race organizers and research or university centers.
Thanks to these techniques, a trail runner can achieve an average performance improvement of 15–20% per year.
TRM Training Plan: online plans for trail runners
TRM Training Plans are the core of the TRM Method. They are not simple training schedules, but structured pathways that integrate coaching, testing and advanced tools to support the athlete over time.
Each plan is based on in-depth analysis and evolves progressively according to:
-
feedback
-
collected data
-
personal goals
The result is a dynamic system designed to adapt not only to athletic performance, but also to each runner’s real life.
Below is a summary of the key elements of TRM Training Plans.
| Element | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Questionnaire | 360° athlete analysis | Fully personalized plan |
| Monthly Plans | 3–6 sessions/week | Adaptable to real life |
| Coach Support | Email (48h), WhatsApp | Monthly adjustments |
| Initial & Periodic Tests | HR, uphill power | Continuous optimization |
| Integrated Trail Camps | High mountains | Practical technique |
TRM training programs are designed to be sustainable over time, thanks to flexible durations and payment options that adapt to each athlete’s needs.
This makes the journey not only effective, but also realistic and manageable long-term.
Why choose certified TRM Coaches?
In 2026, with the boom of trail running — now counting over 500,000 practitioners in Italy alone — the TRM Method stands out for its scientific approach and real-world results.
One of its unique strengths lies in its coaches: they are not just trainers, but active athletes. TRM coaches run, test and experiment daily with new approaches, gear and strategies, bringing constantly updated real-world experience into their programs.
They regularly compete, often at an international level, sharing their experiences, those of their athletes and contributing to technical content and scientific research in the endurance trail running world — including extreme projects like the Transpyrenea.
Who created the TRM Method?
The TRM Method was born from the direct experience of two key figures in ultra trail running, with over 20 years of field experience across international racing, coaching, and applied research:
-
Cristina Tasselli
-
Marco Mori
Two professionals who transformed their experience into a structured and replicable method, now used by athletes of all levels.
Let’s take a closer look at the founders.
Cristina Tasselli Level 3 Trail Running Coach
Athlete and coach, co-founder of Trail Running Movement.
She is the only Italian female athlete to have completed a non-stop 900 km race with 55,000 meters of elevation gain.
Key races include: UTMB 170 km, Transgrancanaria 360°, Adamello Ultra Trail 170 km, Peneda-Gerês Ultra Trail 280 km, AVP 501 km.
In 2016, she brought Italy to the podium at the Transpyrenea 900 km, finishing as 3rd woman overall and 1st Italian.
Alongside her elite athletic career, she holds a strong CONI-certified background as a Level 3 coach, strength coach, and specialist in sports nutrition and supplementation. She is also actively involved in training new coaches in Italy.
Marco Mori Level 3 Trail Running Coach
Athlete and coach, co-founder of Trail Running Movement.
He has completed over 150 international ultra trail races, with multiple category podiums and participation in iconic endurance events such as: Ultra Trail Verbier 150 km, UTMB 170 km, Andorra 170 km, Kerry Ultra 200 Km, Transcanaria 360°, Peneda Gerês 280K, Tor Des Geants 330 km, AVP501 km.
He is also the only Italian coach to have completed the 900 km Transpyrenea, finishing in an impressive 10th overall position.
Since 2014, he has also been active as a sports director and President of TRM Team ASD and is a CONI-certified Level 3 coach. He is also an instructor in Level 1 and Level 2 trail running coaching courses.
In his spare time, he writes about trail, ultra, and endurance running topics.
Which elite athletes have benefited from the TRM Method?
Over the years, Cristina Tasselli and Marco Mori have coached and supported numerous athletes who have reached the top of international competitions, participated in World Championships, and achieved prestigious podiums.
Among them:
- Christian Pizzatti (Italy National Team)
- Clementine Geoffrey(France National Team)
- Meryl Cooper (UK National Team)
- Yvonne Vissers (Switzerland National Team)
- Claudia Chmielowska (Poland & UK National Team)
- Leonardo Casentini (Italian Youth Champion)
- .. and many more.
In which extreme races has the TRM Method been applied?
TRM has prepared athletes for some of the most extreme races and environments in the world, including:
- Marathon des Sables (Maroc Desert)
- 4 Deserts Racing the Planet (4 Deserti: Gobi, Atacama, Namib, Antartide)
- Lago Bajkal (Artic Desert Russia)
- Yukon Arctic Ultra (Artic Desert Canada)
- Deserto Oman (Arabian Peninsula)
- ultra trail ai Tropici (Thailand, Malaysia, etc.).
The success of these challenges is linked to the application of the TRM Method, tested at the Transpyrenea and supported by publications in leading scientific journals.
Conclusion: train and race with the TRM Method
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve likely understood how much scientific research, experience, and passion are behind the TRM Method.
This is not just a training program, but a complete 360° preparation that integrates:
-
injury prevention and management protocols.
Everything is designed to guide you through a concrete, effective, and sustainable journey.
If you want to test it, now is the time to start!
_ _ _ _ _ _
👉Do you want to turn your training into real, lasting results?
Visit Trail Running Movement, discover our personalised training and nutrition plans
and start your journey today towards running with greater confidence, greater awareness and, above all, greater success.
_ _ _ _ _ _
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the TRM Method in practice?
The TRM Method is a scientific training methodology created by Trail Running Movement, designed to guide beginner, amateur, and experienced trail runners from short trails up to 900 km races through a structured multi-year progression.
It combines real-world experience in extreme ultra trail events with certified technical expertise to provide a complete 360° preparation — from running and nutrition to race strategy and injury prevention.
Who is the TRM Method for?
It is designed for trail runners of all levels: beginners, athletes already racing 40–100 km distances, and elite runners aiming for 100–330 km ultras or extreme challenges worldwide.
It is ideal for those seeking personalized online coaching, with tailored training plans integrated with testing, gear advice, and continuous remote support.
What are the core principles of the TRM Method?
The main pillars are: full personalization through questionnaires and athlete analysis, scientific periodization with clearly defined load and recovery cycles, continuous testing and monitoring, and strong focus on injury prevention.
This approach allows for progressive increases in volume, elevation gain, and intensity, while maintaining high training quality and long-term athletic longevity.
How does TRM Coaching work from questionnaire to race?
The process starts with an in-depth analysis of the athlete’s background, fitness level, and goals through questionnaires and initial tests to define training zones.
Monthly plans are then sent via email, including personalized schedules (running, trail-specific strength, long runs, back-to-back sessions), and updated based on feedback after training sessions and races.
This is complemented by advice on nutrition, supplementation, shoes, clothing, and race strategy, as well as practical sessions during TRM Trail Running Camps in the high mountains.
What benefits does the TRM Method offer trail runners?
TRM athletes report fast and controlled progress, moving from 20 km trails to classic 100-mile ultras, and even 330–900 km endurance trail races, avoiding risky jumps and dangerous overloads.
The method aims to reduce injuries by up to 70–80%, increase finisher rates (up to around 98% in target races), and save time and money through professional planning and more informed choices in gear and race strategy.
Who created the TRM Method and why is it considered authoritative?
The TRM Method was developed by Cristina Tasselli and Marco Mori, ultra trail runners with over 20 years of experience and hundreds of international races, including the 900 km Transpyrenea with 55,000 m of elevation gain.
They are among the very few coaches in the world to have completed such an extreme race, also acting as testers for medical and athletic protocols.
Both are Level 3 trail running coaches, certified strength and conditioning specialists, coach educators, and authors of articles and research on ultra and endurance trail running — giving the method strong credibility.
What are TRM Training Plans and how do they help me?
TRM Training Plans are online training schedules that practically apply the TRM Method. They include an initial questionnaire, monthly plans with 3–6 sessions per week, coach support via email/WhatsApp, initial and periodic testing, and integration with high-mountain Trail Camps.
Costs are kept accessible thanks to different durations and payment options, allowing many trail runners to access professional and personalized preparation.
Why choose certified TRM Coaches over other coaches?
Because TRM Coaches are active athletes who test methods, gear, and strategies daily on themselves, and have direct experience in iconic races such as UTMB, Tor des Géants, Transgrancanaria 360°, and AVP 501 km.
They also work within a network of doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, sports brands, and research centers, offering athletes a complete and constantly updated ecosystem to tackle even the most extreme races — from Arctic deserts to sandy deserts.
#TRMMethod #TRMTrainingMethod #TRMTraining #TRMmethod #TRMTrainingPlan #TRMCoach #TRM #TrailRunningMovement
Article updated in 2026
best training method, certified coaches, coaches, coaches Christian Pizzatti, Elite Athletes Coaches, endurance training, FIDAL coaches, Metodo allenamento TRM, Metodo TRM, mountain running coach, second-level coach, trail runner training, Trail Running Coaches, trail running training, TrailRunningCoach, training method, TRM Methodology
