Racing versus surviving an ultra
At some point in an ultra many of us cross the line from racing to surviving. We go from feeling confident about finishing well, feeling in control of our legs, able to run sections we think are runnable, meeting our target time, running a PB, to being resigned to just finishing, wanting it to be […]
How to choose an online running coach
As an online running coach I’m obviously a big believer that a coach is a good investment in your running. It’s not just for the elite, in fact many of my clients make up the back half of the field. If you want to take away the uncertainty of what type of training you should […]
The A, B & Cs of racing
Welcome to the blog, our newest coach, Mile 27’s Ben Duffus. Here Ben gives his thoughts on how he plans his minor and major races throughout the year to optimise his performances One of the attractions of ultramarathon running is the opportunity to explore the limits of both our body and mind. But as the […]
Fat Burning for Ultra Runners
Given an ultra takes a lot longer than 2 hours (the approximate limit of our carbohydrates to supply energy) it is clear that fat is going to be a big contributor to our energy supplies. The less effective we are at using fat for fuel the more carbohydrates we have to consume during a race […]
The Big Red Run. Getting outside the comfort zone.
The comfort zone – it’s a place we all like to hang out. We know how it feels, we know it’s a safe place to be and the outcomes of any actions in the comfort zone are very predictable. But it’s not where all the fun happens, it’s not where we learn and grow as […]
How to train for the mountains when you live on the flat
Trail and ultra races in the mountains are growing in popularity. The challenge of the massive climbs and descents, the stunning views and the chance to connect with nature at its most spectacular are powerful draws. But many of us also live in places where there is very little in the way of elevation. So […]
Are time goals for races a help or a hinderance ?
Is setting a goal time and then working out splits to achieve along the way the best way to approach a race? Is time the best means of measuring your success? A goal can be defined as “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result”. Is the finishing time really […]
Sodium – do we need it?
The ability to measure our sodium losses in sweat during exercise has led some to thinking that we need to replace at least some of what we lose in sweat to ensure our blood sodium levels don’t fall to levels that effect performance or health. The thinking goes that somewhere between 230-1700mg of sodium can […]
Fuelling for optimum performance in ultras
One of the main reasons for a DNF in an ultra is nausea and vomiting (23% of DNFs at the 2009 WSER were for this reason). Even among those that finished, up to 40% of the Western States field experienced nausea and or vomiting that affected race performance. Stomach problems can sabotage all the hard […]
Is it all about the vert?
“It’s all about the vert” is a common catch phrase for those training for hilly ultras. But is doing lots of vertical all you need to do to perform well in an ultra with large amounts of ascent and descent? With the popularity of training software like Strava it is easy to compare the amount […]