By Jason Koop, CTS Coaching Director Author, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” This is an exciting time in ultramarathon running. Sports have periods of rapid change and progress, and then there are periods when performances, events, and technologies seem to plateau. With the influx of sponsor money, the professionalization of race organizations, and the continued …
By Jason Koop, CTS Coaching Director, Author “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Late last year, I was honored to be selected as one of the voters for Ultrarunning Magazine’s Ultrarunner of the Year. I felt as if I were invited into a special club, complete with a velvet rope (experience in the sport) and bouncer (Tropical …
By Jason Koop, CTS Coach Author of “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” For many ultramarathon runners, the event season is done and lottery season has started. Buckles were earned and many gels consumed during the course of your endeavors. Even after a healthy amount of rest you have great fitness from months of spring and …
By Andy Jones-Wilkins CTS Ultramarathon Coach Runners who are thinking of making the jump to ultramarathon distances frequently ask me what they should do to prepare for that jump in mileage and how they will know they are ready. While it is, like many things in this sport, often a matter of individual circumstances, I …
By Jason Koop CTS Coaching Director Author, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Three new CTS Ultramarathon Coaches will start taking athletes this week. To get them ready, I have been taking them through the paces of education and development so I’m confident they have the tools to help their athletes succeed. I have always taken this …
By Jason Koop, CTS Coach and author of “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” I love going to ultrarunning events to support, cheer, and congratulate/commiserate with athletes. And I go to some as a runner as well. This year I’ve been to several 100-mile and 100-kilometer events, and for the first time in a few years I …
By Jason Koop CTS Ultrarunning Coach Author, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” I have a long history with Leadville. I actually rode the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race before I ever considered doing the run. I first ran the Leadville Trail 100 in 2008, finishing 13th overall in 22:37:08. I carried an engagement ring for …
By Jason Koop CTS Coaching Director Author “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” The use of poles in ultramarathons has become increasingly popular. Once largely confined to European races, ultrarunning-specific trekking poles can now be seen in nearly every mountainous ultra in the United States. Advancements in materials and construction have helped to make poles lighter and …
By Jason Koop Author “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Columnist for “Ultrarunning Magazine” Ultrarunners inherently understand there’s a difference between the mechanics of running uphill and running downhill. When you look deeper into the biomechanics of ultrarunning, it is apparent there are really four distinct disciplines within the sport: uphill running, downhill running, flat running, …
By Jason Koop, CTS Coaching Director Author “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” During an interview at Wimbledon, tennis champion Serena Williams was asked what it was like to have athletes up their game in order to play her. Her answer is not only an insight into what has made her the dominant player of her …