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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…
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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!
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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.
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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…
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Running slow on an easy run doesn’t make you slow
Running easy doesn’t make you a slower runner. It just makes you a smarter one. Here’s why!!
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Lessons from my latest race – Harricana 28K
After competing in three 30K’s this year and trying to find a rhythm with them, I feel like I finally nailed one last weekend at the Harricana 28K. Here are some of my reflections post-race and what I will take with me moving forward into future races.
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Individualized training and contrasting approaches for different athletes
My coaching philosophies have long centered around individualized approaches for success, even within team environments. I think you need to recognize what an individual has going on in their life, and not only who they are within their sport, but who they are outside of their sport. For an endurance sport this becomes even more…
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Ultra-Trail Harricana 28K Recap – I don’t hold hands
When it comes to trail running, I don’t hold hands. It sounds lovely and sportsmanlike, and all. But I much prefer to fight to the death. And I had so much fun doing so this weekend at the Ultra-Trail Harricana 28K!
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My recipe for a good race
Last year, I arrived at the UTHC 42K Classique with a nagging knee injury, but in one of the most pressure-free states of my adult life. It was one of my best races ever. I now reflect upon how I can produce more races like this in the future, including my return to Harricana this…
Rhys Desmond
Training Theory & Coaching
