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Rhys Desmond

Rhys Desmond

Training Theory & Coaching

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  • Newsletter: How much trail time do you really need for trail races?

    Newsletter: How much trail time do you really need for trail races?

    In any sport, I’ve long been a proponent of “game-realistic training”. The notion is that you need to prepare for the specific demands of what the game actually looks like. When it comes to endurance sports, this becomes more complex. What we need to develop as athletes is a well-rounded skillset.

    Rhys Desmond

    February 24, 2026
    Hidden Gem, My Personal Journey, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Confidence, Hidden Gem, Newsletter, Run Ridge Run 25K, Trail Running, Training Theory
  • Run Ridge Run 25K – Recap

    Run Ridge Run 25K – Recap

    I’ve never been so close to not starting a race. Had it been the day earlier, or the two or three prior, I might not have. But I’m so glad I started this race, as it was one of my best in years.

    Rhys Desmond

    February 22, 2026
    Races, Trail Running
    Confidence, Karl Augsten, Michael Stone, My Journey, Race Day, Races, Run Ridge Run 25K, Shaun Stephens-Whale, Trail Running, Visualization, Zander Geddes
  • Newsletter – Making the treadmill more fun!

    Newsletter – Making the treadmill more fun!

    The treadmill simply can’t compare to the thrill of running outdoors, enjoying nature, and the fun challenge of varying terrain. I enjoy treadmill workouts, but I don’t think I’d be alone in saying that I enjoy an outdoor workout ten times more in ideal conditions. With that, here are some of my top tips to…

    Rhys Desmond

    January 28, 2026
    Trail Running, Training Theory
    Fun, Indoor Exercise, Running, Treadmill, Treadmill Running
  • Weekly Newsletter – Adapting your training in the winter

    Weekly Newsletter – Adapting your training in the winter

    As you approach the Christmas season and the year comes to a close, it’s normal to fall into a bit of a slump with training. Here is how to adapt your training and stay motivated over the holidays and winter season!

    Rhys Desmond

    December 23, 2025
    Trail Running, Training Theory
    Adaptations, Coaching Newsletter, Fuelling, Injury Prevention, Newsletter, Running, Trail Running, Training Regimen, Training Theory, Winter, Winter Running, Winter Training
  • Weekly Newsletter: Giving yourself an off-season

    Weekly Newsletter: Giving yourself an off-season

    Last Sunday, I concluded my season with a historic half marathon (literally called the Historic Half Marathon). I think I’ve often looked at this year’s races as somewhere within the ‘B’ tier, with no standout results, no podium finishes and no ‘A+’ days. I’m inevitably hungry for what’s to come in 2026 and to put…

    Rhys Desmond

    December 6, 2025
    My Personal Journey, Personal Development, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Coaching Newsletter, Deloading, Injury Prevention, Newsletter, Off Season, Running, Stress Relief, Trail Running, Training Theory
  • Historic Half Marathon – Race Recap

    Historic Half Marathon – Race Recap

    I don’t know what it is with my body. Why it always chooses the week of a race to get sick. Racing while sick isn’t easy, but I also need to get better at being uncomfortable. Here is what I learned from Vancouver’s Historic Half Marathon.

    Rhys Desmond

    November 30, 2025
    Personal Development, Races, Trail Running
    Being sick, Confidence, Half Marathon, My Journey, Personal Development, Race Day, Race Recaps, Races, Racing sick, Running, Vancouver Historic Half Marathon
  • Dancing in the storm

    Dancing in the storm

    It’s been over a year now in B.C., and almost two since the reason I’m really here. And it forever feels difficult feeling like most of that has been thrown behind either in pursuit and prioritization of the efforts I put into my work in Ontario at the time, or after it inevitably ended so…

    Rhys Desmond

    November 24, 2025
    Inspirational, My Personal Journey, Personal Development
    Into The Storm, Life Lessons, Marianas Trench, My Journey, Positivity, Self Development
  • Weekly Newsletter – The Strava metrics that actually matter

    Weekly Newsletter – The Strava metrics that actually matter

    Recently, I’ve noticed a wonderful trend with my fitness. My heart rate has continued to lower by the month, both on easy runs and workouts. Faster paces are more manageable than they’ve been in years. Yet Strava has continuously shown a downward trajectory in my “Fitness”. It’s easy to see that this isn’t correct. But…

    Rhys Desmond

    November 16, 2025
    Trail Running, Training Theory
    Data, Fitness Score, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Zones, Prediction Trends, Relative Effort, Running, Strava, Strava Scores, Trail Running, Training, Training Theory, Training Zones
  • Weekly Newsletter – The best fitness stems from a variety of stimuli

    Weekly Newsletter – The best fitness stems from a variety of stimuli

    My greatest transformation this year has been really loving running on flat ground again. Running on roads in particular (which, actually, aren’t flat at all where I live), and the flatter paths that I might have previously avoided. And it’s completely showed up in my fitness! Here is why you need a variety of work…

    Rhys Desmond

    November 7, 2025
    Hidden Gem, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Coaching Newsletter, Fun, Newsletter, Running, Trail Running, Training Theory, Ultra Running, Variety
  • Weekly Newsletter – Dealing with low motivation

    Weekly Newsletter – Dealing with low motivation

    As the 2025 racing season comes to a close and the distant goals of next year feel oh so far away, it’s important to continously check on your moitvation levels and ensure that you’re in a good place for when training starts to get serious again. Here is how you can resolve feelings of low…

    Rhys Desmond

    November 1, 2025
    Hidden Gem, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Coaching Newsletter, Fun, Injury Prevention, Intrinsic motivation, Low motivation, Newsletter, Nutrition, Recovery, Red-S, Running, Trail Running, Training Theory, Ultra Running
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Get in touch!

I currently have space for road, trail and ultra runners working toward their goals — whether you’re a busy mom, a part-time professional, or brand new to the sport. Contact me today to get started!

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