Category: Training
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Can You Run Too Many Miles?
Can you run too many miles? Absolutely, but the number varies for every runner. Mileage is a crucial training stimulus, particularly for marathon and ultramarathon training, but it must remain within individual limits. Optimal mileage isn’t an arbitrary number; it’s the amount your body can consistently absorb, adapt to, and repeat. This post explains the… READ MORE »
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How to Train Durability for Trail Ultras
Struggling to maintain performance in trail ultras? Learn how to train durability for trail ultras using proven strategies such as long runs, back-to-back training, fatigue stacking, strength work, downhill conditioning, fueling, heat adaptation, and pacing. Discover how to resist fatigue and perform stronger deep into an ultramarathon. READ MORE »
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Strides for Trail Runners: Speed Without the Fatigue
Most trail and ultrarunners spend the majority of their training at low intensity. That’s necessary—but it comes with a trade-off: you gradually lose your ability to run fast efficiently. Trail runners shouldn’t neglect speed, as racing often presents moments where having that extra gear is essential. This is where strides come in. What Are Strides?… READ MORE »
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Why Runners Fade in Trail Ultras
Runners fade in trail ultras largely due to limited durability — the ability to maintain performance as fatigue accumulates. This article introduces the concept and explains why traditional performance tests often fail to predict success in ultrarunning. READ MORE »
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How Far Should Your Longest Training Run Be Before a 50K?
When preparing for a 50K, the most important question isn’t how long your single longest run is—it’s how effectively you manage your overall training load. Instead of feeling pressure to complete one massive “hero run,” long-term success comes from building durability, distributing mileage intelligently, and using well-timed training camps. Those factors matter far more than… READ MORE »
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Durability in Endurance Exercise – My Recertification
I just got recertified as a UESCA Ultrarunning Coach. As part of the recertification process, I wrote and submitted a paper about durability. I’ve long considered durability a crucial element of trail running. As a coach, I apply training approaches such as multi-day camps and specialized workouts to help my runners become more durable. READ MORE »
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Why We Don’t Use Heart Rate Zones to Prescribe Training Intensity
Wearables have made heart rate data ubiquitous and conveniently translate it into predefined training zones. But there is a problem: heart rate zones generated by popular platforms are based on population-level estimates rather than individual physiology, and they quickly become outdated. In this article, I explain why I rarely prescribe training by heart rate, why… READ MORE »
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Final Prep for the Mozart Ultra: 12-Hour Hill Repeat Competition
We strategically chose a brutal 12-hour hill repeat challenge as a final preparation and readiness test. Our goal was to validate the runner’s training and mimic the conditions of the Mozart Ultra, the target race. It worked! The training clearly paid off, providing the runner with a solid boost in confidence. READ MORE »
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Getting Mountain-Ready: Khao Chalak 3-Day Ultra Training Camp
Just back from an epic 3-day mountain ultra training camp at Khao Chalak, near Bangkok, Thailand. We worked hard, racking up mileage and crazy elevation gains to prep for the challenging Mozart Ultra in Salzburg, Austria. Check out our approach to training for races in the Alps. READ MORE »
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Key Trail Running Workouts
This post outlines the key trail running and ultrarunning workouts used at Top Of The Trail. It explains how these workouts fit across different intensity levels and how to apply them with proper intensity discipline. READ MORE »