STRENGTH TRAINING ROUTINES

Mountain Ready – Strength & Mobility Routine

This strength and mobility routine is designed to target the areas most in need of priming when it comes to mountain running, better preparing you for technical terrain, and all the ascending/descending that goes into big mountain races.


STRENGTH RELATED ARTICLES

Weekly Newsletter – Listening to your body

As runners, we’ve always got something going on! This is where the ability to discern whether something is an injury or just tightness/soreness becomes imperative. But even if something is only tightness, what do we do next? How do we help it subside? Here is my newsletter for athletes!

Pre-race checklist #3 – Recovery from training

What signs has your body given you in the past few weeks that you haven’t paid enough attention to? What areas of the body are most likely to take a hit on race day? Is there still time to work on making sure those areas are ready to go on race day? (e.g. strength work,…

My top tricks for getting rid of plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common running injuries. Having had the lengthy spell on the sidelines where I tried everything to rid myself of the injury, I knew exactly how to manage it my second time around, and stopped it from becoming a serous issue. And while plantar fasciitis can be an injury…

Weekly Newsletter – How much vert do you actually need for mountain races?

This weekend marked the anniversary of one of my favourite races – Sulphur Springs. It’s the fastest and most competitive trail race in Ontario, and with its runnable terrain and modest elevation, provides the opportunity for trail and road runners to intertwine.

In Ontario, you don’t get that much high-quality, runnable trails, as they’re…

The importance of mobility work for trail runners & injury-prone athletes

As I’ve continued to endure injuries even despite the diligent attention to this piece of the puzzle, I’ve reflected on how I can make sure my mobility is properly attended to as much as my runs. Here are my best tips for prioritizing mobility, and why it’s so essential for trail runners and injury-prone athletes…

The changes to my training in 2025

2025 has been a year of growth so far as I recover from an injury. It’s also been a year of newness, as I train in new trails in a new province under the guidance of a new coach.

We’ve focused more on running efficiency – touching more roads already in April than all…

My best mistake was plantar fasciitis

As much as the past three months have been somewhat brutal from both a physical and mental perspective (I even thought I’d have to retire at one point!), plantar fasciitis has been one of the greatest learning experiences I could have asked for in my running journey. I now feel like I’m setting myself up…

What I’ve learned through five weeks of injury rehab

The past five weeks have been mentally exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding as I’ve undergone my injury rehabilitation from plantar fasciitis. I’ve spent a significant amount of time learning about ultramarathon running as a sport, but also about injury prevention and healing, ensuring that when I come back to running, I’ll be in it for…


Trail Running & Marathon Coaching

I work with runners of all abilities, helping you take your potential to the next level, while enjoying your time on the trails (or roads!) in the process.

I started coaching in 2014 as a teenager. By 2020 before the age of 25, I was teaching a university class on Coaching & Leadership, directing a soccer club, and working with professional athletes, coaches and sporting clubs to help them achieve their high-performance goals.

In 2023, I slowly began my transition from working with soccer professionals to running pros. I now coach runners of all abilities, seeking to better their performance.

I work with athletes who podium the biggest races in Canada, to athletes finishing among the best in their age group, to athletes looking to complete their first 50K, marathon or trail race.

Meanwhile, I’m a top 1% worldwide athlete in the sport myself, working toward my own high-performance goals.

But while I love being an athlete, I’ve always thrived off coaching more. I want to help you to reach your goals, and do so for an affordable price.

This includes…


Why Rhys?

I come from a decade of coaching experience, and two decades of running experience at the high-end of the sport.

MENTAL SKILLS

Specializing in…

-> Positive psychology
-> Perfectionism
-> Confidence
-> Life outside of running

SPORTS PERFORMANCE

-> Speed development
-> Trail-specific development
-> Optimal training and optimal recovery strategies for your unique make-up

Testimonials

Rhys has been such an awesome coach to work with! He’s super flexible and always quick to respond whenever I have questions or need to make changes. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping you succeed. I’m really grateful for all his help in reaching my goals for this season!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

— Laurence L.

I am 56 years old, living in very flat Ontario. I only started running regularly in the summer of 2025. Prior to working with Rhys I had competed in just two 5K races. After 16 weeks of training, I ran the Mourne Skytrail and came third in my age group, beating my original goal by a full hour. Through a constant feedback loop in which I was able to give nuanced and accurate assessments of my running, Rhys was able to build an evolving plan that targeted my specific needs.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

— Ivan L.


WEEKLY TRAINING PLAN, DAILY FEEDBACK

Not just a training plan, but one that adapts to your schedule, with daily feedback and communication. My aim is to help you grow closer to your true potential as a runner, while enjoying the process along the way, and connecting you with all the resources you need to succeed.

I WORK WITH…

✅ Professional and elite trail runners competing for podium finishes and national team places.

✅ Busy working professionals + parents with demanding schedules that still want to show up strong and reinforce their love of running.

✅ Post-collegiate athletes making the transition into road running or trail running.

✅ Athletes working toward their first 50K, marathon, or trail race.


Reach out to Rhys!

Think I can help? Get in touch with your questions!

You can also follow my work on social media:

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨


Why Rhys?

I come from a decade of coaching experience, and two decades of running experience at the high-end of the sport. I’m a part-time professional trail runner for XACT Nutrition, competing in the biggest races in Canada.

I have also worked with professional athletes, coaches and clubs through my sports performance consultation on TheMastermindSite.com, and love helping people improve their craft.

MENTAL SKILLS

Specializing in…

-> Positive psychology
-> Perfectionism
-> Confidence
-> Life outside of running

SPORTS PERFORMANCE

-> Speed development
-> Trail-specific development
-> Optimal training and optimal recovery strategies for your unique make-up


Do you want to?

-> Gain expert insights into fuelling, pacing, training and the mental side of performance?

-> Have a training plan tailored to your body and the specifics of your next race?

-> Become a SMARTER and faster runner on the trails?

-> Improve your strength and injury resilience, while prioritizing your long-term development?

-> Take your untapped potential to the next level?


Current Location: North Vancouver, BC
Brand: XACT Nutrition
Distances: Short-Trail / 50K / Sub-Ultra

Strava: Rhys Desmond | Profile
UltraSignup: Results
ITRA: Results

2026

4️⃣ Whistler Half Marathon
5️⃣ Run Ridge Run 25K
9️⃣ Squamish 23K

2025

4️⃣ Javelina Jackass 31K
4️⃣ Trail Coureur des Bois de Duchesnay 34K
6️⃣ Ultra-Trail Harricana 28K
6️⃣ Historic Half Marathon 21K
🔟 Gorge Waterfalls 30K

2024

🥇 Sulphur Springs 20K
🥈 Ultra-Trail Harricana 42K Classique
7️⃣ Quebec Mega Trail 50K
9️⃣ Gorge Waterfalls 50K
⏸️ Squamish 50K – National Championships

2023

🥇 The Bad Thing 50K
🥈 Falling Water Trail Marathon 42K
🥉 Sulphur Springs 50K

UTMB: UTMB Index

Race-Day Mantra:

✅ Be smart.
✅ Work hard.
✅ Have fun.


Current Location: North Vancouver, BC
Brand: XACT Nutrition
Distances: Short-Trail / 50K / Sub-Ultra

Strava: Rhys Desmond | Profile
UltraSignup: Results
ITRA: Results

2026

4️⃣ Whistler Half Marathon
5️⃣ Run Ridge Run 25K
9️⃣ Squamish 23K

2025

4️⃣ Javelina Jackass 31K
4️⃣ Trail Coureur des Bois de Duchesnay 34K
6️⃣ Ultra-Trail Harricana 28K
6️⃣ Historic Half Marathon 21K
🔟 Gorge Waterfalls 30K

2024

🥇 Sulphur Springs 20K
🥈 Ultra-Trail Harricana 42K Classique
7️⃣ Quebec Mega Trail 50K
9️⃣ Gorge Waterfalls 50K
⏸️ Squamish 50K – National Championships

2023

🥇 The Bad Thing 50K
🥈 Falling Water Trail Marathon 42K
🥉 Sulphur Springs 50K

UTMB: UTMB Index

Race-Day Mantra:

✅ Be smart.
✅ Work hard.
✅ Have fun.