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Lessons from my latest injury
I know how difficult it can be to cope with both the physical and mental pain of an injury, and how difficult it can be to avoid the mistakes that make everything worse. Here are the lessons I’ve learned through this injury block, and how you can avoid falling into the same traps.
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How to maximize your potential as a trail runner in Ontario
After two years of trail running in Ontario, I have officially joined the club of people that have moved away from the province to gain greater access to mountains and competition at the highest end of the sport. But after going through the trials and tribulations of gaming the system in the province, I wanted…
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Letting the body heal
When you’re in the thrust of the season, injuries quickly become a stressful part of the training process. This can lead to not only more stress, but trying to push the body past the point of pain either through continued running or cross-training. This is what I did for months in order to try and…
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The smartest runner always wins
In trail running, it’s not always the fastest, fittest runner that wins. Quite often, it’s the smartest runner. The one that knows how to use a course to serve their own strengths. Here is why Elhousine Elazzaoui remains the front runner to win the Golden Trail World Series this year, and why smarts often outwit…
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Ending my year in September
I’ve long been an advocate that the year should start in September. But this time around, I am ending my year in September. No Bromont for me and no Defi des Couleurs for me.
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Race day preparation
My experiment in La Malbaie served as one of the most useful experiences I’ve had on the trails. Primarily, as a reminder of how critical race day preparation can be to putting together a performance. I knew everything I wanted to do on race day, at each different stage of the race or section of…
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What I need from a coach
It’s been over a year, and Doja Cat’s Paint The Town Red still hits so hard. Unequivocally, the part that hits the hardest is the part where she goes: “B, I said what I said.” Doja Cat’s words are utterly inspiring, even if coming with severe angry girl energy.
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Post-race recovery periods
Since my first race of the season all the way back in April, I haven’t had a single period of more than six weeks without a race. Is it over-racing? Le Duh. Is it fun? Le Fun. If you’re an elite runner wanting to do your best, while also thoroughly enjoying your experience – which…
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UTHC 42K Classique Recap – Controlled Crushing
Let me tell you a story about the 42K race that almost never happened. Far too dramatic, I know. Most likely untrue, I know. But (get ready for my here’s the thing moment!) here’s the thing: I recently posted that one of the best ways to approach downhills is with a sense of reckless abandonment.…
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Being the best is overrated
Let me tell you a secret. I’ve worked with professional athletes across a few different sports now. There’s something that they all share in common. They all think they’re not good enough. Guess what? Being the best is overrated.
Rhys Desmond
Training Theory & Coaching
