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Rhys Desmond

Rhys Desmond

Training Theory & Coaching

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  • Jackass 31K @ Javelina – Race Recap – Alone in the dark 🔦

    Jackass 31K @ Javelina – Race Recap – Alone in the dark 🔦

    I treated this trip like an adventure. I didn’t have an exact time or place goal. I just wanted to have fun. And despite all the darkness of the race, there was a whole lot of adventure light. Here is my race recap of my 4th place finish at Javelina Jackass 31K!

    Rhys Desmond

    October 26, 2025
    My Personal Journey, Races, Trail Running
    Arizona, Headlamp, Jackass 31K, Javelina, John Raneri, Night Race, Races, Trail Running
  • Weekly Newsletter – Constructing your 2026 Racing Calendar

    Weekly Newsletter – Constructing your 2026 Racing Calendar

    As 2025 comes to a close, many of you have already given your racing plans for 2026 some significant and serious thought. After making sure you’ve taken enough time to celebrate the season that was, here is what you should keep in mind when constructing your 2026 racing calendar!

    Rhys Desmond

    October 23, 2025
    Hidden Gem, Races, Trail Running
    Coaching Newsletter, Goal Races, Hidden Gem, Newsletter, Races, Racing Calendar, Recovery, Trail Running, Ultra Running
  • Weekly Newsletter: My favourite workouts of 2025

    Weekly Newsletter: My favourite workouts of 2025

    As the year starts to come to a close, I reflect upon my favourite workouts of 2025.

    Rhys Desmond

    October 21, 2025
    Personal Development, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Fun, Hill Training, Hill Workouts, Interval Training, Intervals, Running, Running Workouts, Threshold Training, Trail Running, Training Theory, Ultra Running, Workouts
  • Weekly Newsletter – The biggest lesson I learned each year on the trails

    Weekly Newsletter – The biggest lesson I learned each year on the trails

    As another year of training racing starts to approach its end, I reflect on the biggest lessons I’ve learned in each of my years in the sport of trail running so far!

    Rhys Desmond

    October 13, 2025
    Hidden Gem, My Personal Journey, Personal Development, Races, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Coaching Newsletter, Friends, My Journey, Newsletter, Races, Racing Tactics, Racing Theories, Recovery, Sulphur Springs, Tanis Bolton, The Bad Thing, Trail Running, Training Theory, Ultra Running
  • Weekly Newsletter – Post-Race Blahs & Blues

    Weekly Newsletter – Post-Race Blahs & Blues

    After the high of a race, it’s inevitable that you may experience a low.​ Here is everything you need to consider to avoid falling into the trap of the post-race blahs and blues!

    Rhys Desmond

    October 10, 2025
    Races, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Coaching Newsletter, Fuelling, Newsletter, Post-Race, Races, Recovery, Trail Running, Training Theory
  • Training theories for a shorter, faster race

    Training theories for a shorter, faster race

    As I gear up towards my next few shorter races and coach many athletes doing the same, I wanted to share some thoughts on the training theories for a shorter race taken from my most recent training block – leading into the Harricana 28K.

    Rhys Desmond

    September 30, 2025
    Trail Running
    Confidence, Fatigue Resistance, Fun, Hard Workouts, Hill Workouts, Races, Running Efficiency, Short Trail Racing, Speed, Speed Development, Speed Work, Sub-Ultra, Threshold Training, Trail Running, Training Theory, VO2 Max, Workouts
  • Weekly Newsletter – The 80/20 Rule & Analyzing Heart-Rate Zones

    Weekly Newsletter – The 80/20 Rule & Analyzing Heart-Rate Zones

    If you’ve consumed any endurance content within the last few years, you’ve likely heard about the ‘80/20 rule’. It’s a great starting place, but requires a lot more nuance and knowledge of heart rate zones than at first glance. Here is how to analyze your own heart rate data, using examples from mine as a…

    Rhys Desmond

    September 27, 2025
    Trail Running, Training Theory
    80/20 Rule, Coaching Newsletter, Easy Running, Hard Workouts, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Zones, Newsletter, Running Heart Rate, Trail Running, Training Theory, Ultra-Trail Harricana 28K, Zone 1, Zone 2
  • Ranking every shoe I tried in 2025

    Ranking every shoe I tried in 2025

    After using Saucony all my life, I became increasingly annoyed about how little the shoes lasted on the trails. As a result, I explored six different shoes from five different brands this year. Here is my ranking of all the shoes I’ve tried in 2025, from bottom to top!

    Rhys Desmond

    September 21, 2025
    Trail Running, Training Theory
    Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed, Altra Lone Peak 9, Hoka Speedgoat 6, Running Shoes, Salomon Aero Glide 3, Saucony, Saucony Endorphin Edge, Saucony Endorphin Speed, Shoes, Trail Running, Trail Running Shoes, Training Theory
  • Weekly Newsletter – The best reflective exercise I do before every race

    Weekly Newsletter – The best reflective exercise I do before every race

    This exercise works in written form for those that enjoy writing or journaling like me, but it can also simply be done as a visualization exercise.

    Rhys Desmond

    September 20, 2025
    Personal Development, Professional Development, Races, Trail Running, Training Theory
    Mental Imagery, Races, Racing Theories, Reflection, Self Development, Self Reflection, Trail Running, Training Theory, Visualization
  • My unsolicited takes on elite trail running culture & racing in Canada – 2025 Edition

    My unsolicited takes on elite trail running culture & racing in Canada – 2025 Edition

    Here’s an article no one asked for, and perhaps one that could spark debate and maybe even hate! But I’ve seen a lot of stuff this year that gives me pause, and none of it could make for an entire article on its own. So here are my top takes in the elite trail running…

    Rhys Desmond

    September 16, 2025
    Races, Trail Running
    Canada, Coupe Québec Trail, Elite Athlete Culture, Harricana, QMT, Running, Squamish 50, Trail Running, Ultra Running, UTHC, World Championships, World Championships Selection Races
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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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