Viewing entries in
Coaching
When it comes time to step up to their first ultra, many runners automatically assume that they need to start running crazy-long distances, in extremes of heat, while fasting and restricting fluid intake. That's one approach I guess, but I'd suggest not a very good one. More important than anything is progressively overloading the body to adapt to the rigours of running long distances, and in no case is this more important than in the feet and legs.
Over the next several weeks I'm going to do a series of posts relating to the different aspects that go into making up "The Ultra Body" - which will include the physical and mental training and improvements required to make the step up from shorter distance runs to those progressing beyond the 42.2km and include plenty of elevation gain.
If you ask this simple question before each run, you ensure that each microcycle of training is purposeful. And as a microcycle is the building block of training - blocks of which when added up form a mesocycle, which in turn add up to form your macrocycle - by ensuring they are purposeful you give yourself the best shot of constructing a purposeful, targeted and efficient training cycle for an event.
