Training

I don’t often post the details of my training cycles. Pay no attention to the man behind the spreadsheet. My training plans always start with my Saturday long runs. During the past several years, I’ve scheduled my last 20 miler two weeks out from race day. I then work backward with available weeks to see…

My three loyal readers are probably laughing their asses off at that title. Like I’m qualified to be giving advise on this topic? While it’s true I’ve developed some callouses hitting my snooze button this winter, I do have some opinions. Now do as I say. . . Choose Your Goal Wisely What you decide…

This isn’t about whether long runs are an important part of training for ultras. In my opinion, they should be a key component to your preparation. One of my core beliefs is that in order to get good at running long distances you need to . . . run long distances. Period. No, this is…

I feel like my motto these days should be “meh, good enough”, which would be one of the more ironic mottos in sports. People think of ultrarunners as elite athletes cranking out 100+ mile weeks in training or running for days on end. “Bigger, faster, longer” would be a great ultra motto. “Go big or…

OK, the title is a little dramatic, over the top, and maybe not 100% accurate, but that’s how I feel right now. Over the past 10 days I’ve managed to blow off two runs and cut another short. While not completely unprecedented for me, this is not the best way to train four weeks out…

I started up a strength training program six weeks ago. The goal wasn’t necessarily to run faster though. My focus is to get stronger in general. Mostly for injury prevention. Even though I haven’t been injured in the past decade, I’m fully aware that doing the same thing over and over again won’t work forever.…

I am truly blessed with my health. Outside of the occasional old man twinges, my body never hurts. I very rarely get sick and when I do it’s typically very mild. I can count on one hand (with some fingers left over) the number of times I’ve been too sick to get out of bed…

I’ve spent the first 10 years of my ultra career mostly avoiding cross training. I’ve periodically dabbled in some body weight exercises (pull/push-ups and planks), but I always seem to drop the habit after a couple weeks or a month or so. The closest I’ve come is my evening walks and while I’m consistently getting…

Somehow I managed to schedule myself 3+ months in-between races. Do you know what that means? It’s the off season! Of course, my definition of off season is likely different than most. It’s not like I stop running and switch over to another sport/activity. I really don’t cut back my volume much either. Pretty much…