Tag: Short Trail Racing

• Squamish 23K – Race Recap

  

  This year, I made an intentional decision to go down in distance on the trails, working on fundamental speed and efficiency over total vertical gain, long training weekends, and all the extra layers that go into ultras. Along the way, I’ve relearned what I’ve always known: I’m much better when races get longer. This would…

  Rhys Desmond

  August 16, 2026

  My Personal Journey, Races, Trail Running

  Confidence, My Journey, Races, Racing Tactics, Running, Short Trail Racing, Squamish 23K, Squamish 50, Squamish BC, Trail Running

• 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

• Shorter, faster, stronger: Why I’m going down in distance on the trails

  

  When I decided to take up ultra running as a passion project in 2023, I had long seen myself as someone who would always be better going long. Long, and potentially, eventually, longer. But instead of going longer, I now have a burning desire to do something else. Go faster and shorter, and become stronger…

  Rhys Desmond

  August 5, 2025

  My Personal Journey, Races, Trail Running

  Athlétisme Québec, Canadian Trail Running, Confidence, Coupe Québec Trail, Fun, My Journey, Perceived Weaknesses, Recovery, Running, Short Trail Racing, Sub-Ultra, Trail Running, Training Theory, Ultra Running