Category: Training Theory
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Tips for running on technical terrain
Technical trail running is my favourite style of all. I’ve thrown myself into the wolves with some of the most technical races I can find, and the bulk of my training is spent on some of the most technical trails around. I hope that these tips can help you to become a confident technical trail…
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Coaching myself to the Quebec Mega Trail 50K
Like Lil’ Wayne, I’ve spent the past few weeks listening to myself. Listening to my body. Listening to what I know works for me. Listening to what I know I enjoy.
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How to train for a mountain race without any mountains
I don’t have any mountains. I move mountains. But I don’t have any to train on. Often times, I feel like I want to escape. To train in the mountains so that I can match the mountain goats stride for stride. But in reality, you can train for mountainous terrain without mountains.
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Merging repetition & race-practice together
There’s often a conflict between the old-school coaches who design “drills” focused on repetition, and the new-school coaches who provide actual education toward what players will encounter in a game. But in reality, the two can easily be merged together. You see, game-realistic activities around a specific session topic naturally allow for repetition toward the…
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Visualization and race-specific training
I’ve always had a wild imagination. Growing up, I’d play hockey and soccer in my basement for hours on end. Every single time, I’d visualize being the best in the world. I’d break all the records, score the wildest of goals, and mesmerize the commentators every time. When I quit hockey at age 12 and…
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The art of downhill running
Much of the advice comes down to training with someone else that is good and watching their lines of travel, doing downhill intervals, or the very true facet of confidence. But you rarely here an elite runner discuss what they do from a technical perspective to run better at downhills. I discuss how to get…
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Sulphur Springs 50k Recap – A photo-finish at the final climb
My first ultramarathon is officially in the books, and with a third-place photo finish, I feel great about how I executed the race.
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My method for optimal recovery: POSSM
In my own recovery journey and subsequent battles through injury, I’ve developed my own acronym for how I want to recover in time for the next effort. I call it ‘POSSM’.
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My theory on race stimulation: 2x race practices
For every short distance run I’ve done over the years, I’ve always held onto a critical rule of thumb. Sometime in training, usually with three and then two weeks to go until race day, I practice my race distance at tempo pace. The point of these runs is not to actually test the intended race…
Rhys Desmond 