A must read for everyone. The Ultra Mindset, by Travis Macy is a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and was disappointed when I got to the end. Travis Macy is a highly successful endurance athlete, and based upon reading of his other accomplishments, a very successful person, husband, father and business professional.
I enjoyed reading of his harrowing adventures and extremely difficult challenges that he was able to navigate successfully through a combination of fitness, determination and mental toughness.
I really liked the format of this book: Lessons learned from endurance event competitions that are applied to “regular” life and business. No matter your circumstances, the 8 principles articulated in The Ultra Mindset are practical and actionable solutions that can be applied to everyday life – a very real world orientation.
In particular, “The 4:30 a.m. Rule” resonated with me. This is all about making a commitment, setting forth the tasks that need to be acted upon in order to fulfill the commitment and then getting it done. I believe this is a fundamental trait of every successful person – whether in personal life, business, athletic competition, or whatever. Clearly Mr. Macy has this ability, which he writes was instilled in him early on by his father, also an accomplished endurance athlete.
Something all of us “normal” folks can take comfort from is the author’s admission of self-doubt that creeps in one’s mind at all the wrong times and how he used this as a motivator, not a reason to throw in the towel. How he was able to recognize the tendency to rationalize why quitting is a good thing. And then using this as a mantra to not quit, to persevere, to achieve. Mr. Macy put it best, he began to focus on the “why” not the “what” to get through to the next stage.
Travis Macy summited glacial peaks in the French Alps, rappelled into vast limestone caves in China, and ran through parched deserts in Utah. Most famously, he won one of the country's marquee ultra-distance events: Leadman, a high-altitude series of super-long-distance races, culminating with a 100-mile mountain biking race and a 100-mile trail run. Macy accomplished it without exceptional strength, speed, or flexibility, and without high-tech performance labs or performance-enhancing drugs.
His secret? A precise and particular outlook he calls the "Ultra Mindset," principles for daily life that are neither mysterious nor the sole province of ascetics or elite athletes: embrace fear, rewrite stories we tell ourselves, and master the art of seeking help, among others. By applying the principles such as "It's All Good Mental Training," "When you have no choice, anything is possible," and "Never quit...except when you should quit" to other areas of life, anyone can find success that otherwise would have seemed impossible.
Coauthored with award-winning running writer and journalist John Hanc, The Ultra Mindset blends exciting personal memoir with actionable, research-based advice. Dramatic stories of Macy's far-flung experiences in the professional endurance-racing world lead into relevant mindset principles, reflective self-assessments, mind- and body-enhancing workouts and activities, and compelling case studies. Macy's stories keep the pages turning as you forge your own winning outlook for success in business, sports, and life.
I have a question here from an athlete complaining that the antibiotics that he is taking seem to be making him slower and that it takes more effort to hold his regular pacing. This video give my insights into why this is happening and what he should be doing.
This book is an insight into Hal Koerner's approach to ultrarunning. In that sense, it is aptly titled. You'll read about Hal's thoughts, practices, challenges, and even his playlists. It is not so much a guide for ultrarunning in general but for "Hal's way" of ultrarunning. That said, let us not forget that Hal Koerner is one of the most successful ultrarunners of his generation. Hal's way works, clearly. And, by all accounts, he is a true sportsman and gentleman. And so I found myself reading as much to learn things about ultrarunning as I did to learn about Hal and what makes him tick as a runner. In that sense, I would have liked him to go deeper, both into his own motivations, challenges, how he creates meaning beyond competition, etc. (though, to be fair, that may be better suited for a autobiography sort of thing), as well as going deeper into the how & why his training plans are what they are, i.e. what science or experience are behind them.
It is worth a read so long as you know what you are reading. If you want a definitive intro to the sport, this may not be the best option. But if you know/admire/respect Hal Koerner's accomplishments as a runner and want to learn from his method, this is your read.
Hal Koerner is among America's top ultrarunners with podium results in more than 90 ultramarathons. In his smart, down-to-earth Field Guide, Koerner shares hard-earned wisdom, field-tested habits and practices, and reliable tips and guidelines to help you prepare for your most epic runs. You will read engaging stories of Koerner's own training and racing as well as insights and practical advice on trail running technique, proper fueling, race day game plans, and key mental strategies to carry you to the finish line. The guide offers three detailed training plans to prepare for 50K, 50-mile to 100K, and 100-mile ultramarathons.
Are you the kind of person who likes never ending trial and error, making as many mistakes as possible, or how about learning the hard way? If so, please avoid this book at all costs. It's not for you. On the other hand, do you enjoy gleaning the wisdom of others, making a very difficult task manageable, or being as prepared as you can be for an event that is filled with the unexpected? In that case you've found what you're looking for.
When I ran my first ultra I thought I had done my homework. I thought I was prepared. I thought wrong. My only complaint about "Relentless Forward Progress" is that it was published about 5 years too late. Had I had this information I might have avoided severe cramping, lightheadedness, and a resounding question that seemed to enter my head at the base of every hill... "What am I doing"?
Bryon has left no stone unturned. In a sport that is so complex, writing a "how to" could be about as perplexing as an ultra it's self. This book could be over-the-top, intimidating, and self-absorbent but it's none of the above. It's a no nonsense, straight forward, non PhD needing look at ultra running unlike I've ever read before.
I could go into all the details that the author covers but the list would be too long. All I'll say is if you want to learn...read it. If you want affirmation that you're on the right path..read it. Or if you're anywhere in between..you guessed it..read it. You'll learn something. I guarantee it.
Marathons have become too easy for some runners. What was once the pinnacle of achievement in a runner's life is now a stepping stone for extraordinary adventure in ultramarathoning. The number of ultrarunners--those running distances of 50k (31 miles), 50 miles, 100k (62 miles), or 100 miles--is growing astronomically each year.
Dean Karnazes' Ultramarathon Man and Chris McDougall's Born to Run have inspired tens of thousands to try these seemingly superhuman distances. But to date, there has been no practical guide to ultramarathoning. Now, Bryon Powell has written Relentless Forward Progress, the first how-to manual for aspiring ultrarunners. Powell covers every aspect of training for and racing ultra distances. Along the way, more than a dozen elites and experts, including Geoff Roes, Krissy Moehl, Michael Wardian, Dave Mackey, and David Horton, provide invaluable advice on running ultramarathons. By its conclusion, this encyclopedic volume prepares runners for going farther than they have ever gone before and, in the process, shows them that they are capable of the "impossible."
I have this question from an athlete about how to add focus to training workouts. Is it better to train for speed or elevation gain? My answer, in this video, is deceptively simple and profound - when compared to how I see many athletes complicate their training programs.
The race director of the Ironman 70.3 event in Durban South Africa was assaulted by a member of the Durban municipality with the help of her bodyguards. The South African race director of the international competition, an event that brought over three million US dollars is tourist and related revenue to the region was reportedly told to pack his bags and leave because "his sort" were no longer welcome in South Africa. This video gives my comments on the matter.
If you're reading this, you're probably a runner. Maybe you like getting out in nature. Maybe it's your break from the kids, from work, your alternative to therapy. Maybe you're a road racer. Maybe you ran in high school or college and it's as deep a habit as brushing your teeth. Or maybe you just jog, as one of my friend says, so you can eat cheese and drink beer and not feel guilty about it.
But ultramarathons? Despite the growth of oddball and novelty running events (relays, mud races, and so forth), ultras are still the genuine lunatic fringe. So what would the 99% of runners have to gain from reading this book? The same thing that all of us gain when we push ourselves in sport: self-knowledge.
Stepping up to ultra-running can be daunting at times but after reading these stories you come to realise the joy awaiting you in the miles ahead. I recommend this more than other "How to" books for anyone who runs far. You'll be amazed and inspired.
James Shapiro begins by relating with heart-rending detail his experiences in a six-day race in "Swifts on the Wing." In "To the Limit and Beyond," Kenny Moore takes you through the Great Hawaiian Footrace, a horrendous six-day ordeal that seemingly changes his life. Don Kardong, one of the wittiest and most personable writers in the sport, in "Le Grizz" goes the fifty-mile distance at the infamous race. Ed Ayres, former editor of Running Times, takes on the Western States 100 in "Wings of Icarus," and the event turns out to be a kind of catharsis in his life. In "Road Warriors," Hal Higdon's report on his group's attempt to run across the state of Indiana is a lighthearted, self-imposed challenge that turns into a spiritual odyssey. Tom Hart attempts to run a solo thirty-seven-miler on his thirty-seventh birthday, which reveals that an ultra is more than a feat of endurance, it is a journey into self. John L. Parker, Jr. ends with "And Then the Vulture Eats You," an uproarious analysis of ultra runners.
This book touches on a bit of everything running related, even stuff that most running books think are too gross or too basic to cover. I love the book title, but don't expect the book innards to be quite so decisive. The author says that the book is not about him, that it is about the reader, and I have to say that whether you agree or disagree with his take on a topic he does make you think about your choices and how you go about making them.
The Squirrel Wipe project is an unorthodox primer to the adventurous world of trail running and ultramarathons by ultrarunner and author of 'The Barefoot Running Book' Jason Robillard. The tips provided throughout the book range from practical to weird as Robillard sets out to teach others how to run ridiculously long distances through the wilderness based on his endless self-experimentation. This book goes where no other ultrarunning book dares by covering topics like testicle shaving and methods to get rid of annoying training partners. This book replicates a drunken conversation at a local pub versus the stuffy academic "how-to" tone of other similar titles.
I am often asked "how much" recovery time is necessary after completing an ultra - especially your first ultra. My focus is more on what you do with your recovery period. It is far more important how you combine nutrition / hydration / massage / foam rolling / and workout intensities. These are the factors that will impact on the speed of your recovery - much more so than the simple counting up of days or weeks of recovery time. This video explains my strategy in greater detail.
The lighter you are the less you have to carry up hills. This leads many athletes down the road of stimulants and "weight loss" products. This video answers a question from an athlete about using stimulants for weight loss as part of ultramarathon preparation. These are my opinions in the video.
When I am coaching an athlete, the competition season is split between training blocks and racing blocks. Racing blocks are built around key events of the season while events during training blocks are done at training intensity levels. From this perspective I give my opinion on what to do during the 8 weeks between two ultramarathons.
Personally I am not a great advocate of caffeine in day to day life. However many of the athletes that I coach do use caffeine on a day to day basis. This video unpacks how to get the maximum benefit from caffeine during an ultramarathon.
A client recently complained to me that a vegan diet makes you a slower runner... This is my opinion on a vegan diet and how it impacts athletic performance.
I have seen so many adverts showing the 'benefits' of chocolate milk as the "ultimate" recovery drink. This really riles me up! Find out why in this video.
Here is my strategy for weight loss. It has worked for me. Shredding over 25lbs in two weeks. This system works faster than any Bikini Body program I have seen - and keeps the weight off long term. Forget everything that Vegangains, Durianrider and Freelee and the other vegan fanatics have been saying about health and weight loss. Eat as much as you want and follow the simple guidelines in this video and watch the pounds melt away.
This video covers how to convert your 70.3 fitness level into training for a 50 mile ultramarathon This is the strategy I would use to build a training plan for athletes that I coach.
Ever wondered what happens to your body when you train at high altitude. This video explains that and also explains why so may elite athletes micro-dose with EPO to get their marginal gains over their opposition.
If you want to run faster for longer then all you need to do is follow this simple strategy to get the most from your compression socks. This video could change how you view the benefits of compression socks forever.
