Krispy Kreme Challenge promoting obesity and heart disease

I am astounded...

A 5k running event where competitors need to stop half way and consume 4200kCal of donuts... That's around 2200kCal of saturated fat. Saturated fat that makes red blood cells stick together and not deliver oxygen to the muscles. Saturated fat that blocks glycogen delivery to your muscles.

In today's video I look at these factors in more detail and how these type of events are a disaster waiting to happen.

What do you think? Do these kind of activities have a place in an activity that promotes health and fitness? Share below.

Ideal Body Weight for Ultra Running

Continuing on the theme of athletes going on diet...

While trail running ought to be about promoting a healthy lifestyle, just about everything I see has something to do with restriction and / or stimulants of some kind.

While keeping the folly of that in mind, this video looks at the concept of ideal body weight for Ultra Running.

What are your opinions about body weight and ultra running. Share below.

Why Most Runners Don't Lose Weight

What is it with athletes these days. Everybody seems to be on a diet while training and most continue to complain that they still struggle to shed the pounds.

Then there are the flood of articles, books and blog posts promoting calorie restriction / calorie deficit as the way to get lean.

Let's look at one of these articles together and analyse the advice.

Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

BEST GOPRO Carry Options for an ULTRA

When it comes to filming your run, there are many options. On the one end of the scale you have choices that give you superb finished product (Casey Neistat) while on the other end you can do what is easy on the day, but gives you a less than wonderful end product.

In today's video I discuss your options that will give you the best possible outcome without interrupting your run too much.

As I have learnt through the filming of some of my runs, the true magic happens in the editing process.

What do you do to get that perfectly framed video clip of your running? Share below.

EPO made me SLOWER

It had to happen at some stage... Somebody asking about my coaches perspective on EPO.

I am sure that the question came up because Lance has been in the news so much lately.

I do not condone the use of EPO, or any other PED, at all. That said, this video covers what happens in the athletes body in terms of performance after EPO.

Remember, in terms of health risk, that micro dosing EPO has a lower risk to health than eating burgers, fries and milkshake EVERY day.

What are your thoughts on EPO? Does it work? Share below.

Ultra Runner Takes on Triathlon - What Now?

There are many ultra runners that do triathlons for variety in their lives, and many triathletes that run ultras for the same reason.

Understandably, you will not find an online program that builds switching from ultra to tri and back - you will need to work with your coach for that. One thing that I have picked up is the trend line of cardio fitness levels that matches what is needed for various ultra distances to a corresponding triathlon distance.

This video discusses that correlation and gives you the ability to work out what type of triathlon is possible for you based on what you are currently doing as an ultra athlete.

What have your experiences been as an ultra / tri crossover athlete? Share below.

Lunch options to fuel a 16 mile running commute

If you commute to work by car, will you start your drive home with an empty fuel tank? Then why do it with a running (or bike) commute?

This video looks at healthy, nutrient dense, lunch time refueling options. My book has more detail as well as recipes.

What do you think? Share below

Fat Adapted Running like Kenyan Champions

There has been a lot of talk - especially within the Banting community - that in order to be able to implement fat adapted running in your training, you need to be on a high fat diet.

So in this video I examine the way the Kenyan champions implement fat adapted running and what their dietary choices are during this phase of their training.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Share below.

QUITTING FRUIT because SUGAR makes you FAT

Sugar seems to be getting a bad rap these days to the extent that many have started fearing fruit in the belief that eating too much fruit will lead to obesity.

Having been clinically obese years ago, I have experienced first hand what fruit does and doesn't do to your body weight.

That is what I share in THIS video. What do you think? Share below.

Coach Edu: Coaching For You

In part one of the series on Coaching For You we analyze areas of your training where personalized adapted coaching will be more efficient for you than a "one size fits all" program that you download from the internet.

THE Run Workout that BURNS the MOST FAT

Fat Adaption and Fat Burning are major buzzwords these days... Just add Banting and Ketosis and you will have enough to get everyone into a froth.

This video deals with run workouts that specifically target fat burning.

What are your experiences. Share below.

Training to COPE with the LONG DARK NIGHTS of the SOUL in ULTRA RUNNING

Night running - that unique aspect of ultra distance trail running.

Long, dark and quiet hours where your entire world is confined to that small pool of light from your head torch. As Nietzsche says: "When you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you..."

This video deals with how best to train and prepare for those dark hours of night running.

What do you do to prepare for those inner demons that come out in the dark? Share your thoughts and opinions below.

Training from Marathon to 50 Miler: Why Time Scales Vary?

There are a multitude of training plans available across all distances.

I am sure that you have noticed that some plans are as short as eight or ten weeks, while others extend to 20 weeks or longer.

If online training programs are as "one size fits all" as they claim to be, why is it that training plans for the same distance can vary so much.

It is this irregularity that I examine in today's video. But what do you think? Share below.

Swapping out workouts in a training plan GOOD or BAD Idea

So often in our lives various commitments seem to be set on derailing our best thought out (or downloaded) training plans. You know - those times when it feels like an inner civil war between family, work and your training plan.

The temptation then arises to start swapping out workouts to try and make everything fit together better. Some workouts swap out easily while others could lead to unwanted stacking up of metabolic fatigue.

These are the factors that I discuss in more detail during today’s video.

How often do you swap out workouts in your training plan and how well has it been working for you. Share your experiences, thoughts and opinions below.

MY CHOICE of TORCH for NIGHT RUNS

I am sure that many of you make use of those pre-dawn or post-dusk hours to get your training runs in... Not to mention those 50 and 100 miler events that go through the night...

This seems as good a time as any to discuss illumination choices for your 'dark runs.'

This video covers what my personal choice is for illuminating my night runs.

What about you. Share your choices below.

Performance Enhancement with BEEF JERKY

You will be amazed at the questions that I get about whether this, that or the next thing can be used to boost performance... Some are more dubious than others.

And so it is with today's video. Today we analyze beef jerky as running fuel - and in what way it may be able to boost athletic performance.

What do you think? Share your opinion below.

Occasionally I get the "miracle worker" type request from an athlete - and today is one such day. Obviously not even I can turn an obese couch potato into a Scott Jurek inside a month.

However, this is not quite like that. In this video I explain how I help a fit young lady come back from a layoff and get her to the level where she is capable of completing a trail 25k.

What do you think? Share your thoughts and opinions below.

Remember - there are still four spaces left in the Coach Edu Athlete Roster for 2016. Sign up for personal coaching from only $3 per day.

My Favorite Multi Vitamin

Now that we are getting into the coldest months of the year (not that I really notice the cold in the South of Spain) conversation inevitably turns to options for vitamin supplements.

My winter time vitamin regime is almost identical to what I do in summer. I share that with you in THIS video.

What about you? What do you do to get your vitamins in? Share below.

Whole Food Fueling for Runners

It is well known that I am a firm advocate of whole food options when it comes to athlete fueling, both in training and racing.

The question that flows from that is what are my personal choices for whole food athlete fuel.

That is what I cover in THIS video.

What about you? What whole food fuel choices do you use? Share below.

Using CROSS TRAINING for ALL WORKOUTS 50 Miler Preparation

We have all heard of the benefits of cross training as a way to gain cardio fitness while taking a break from the impact nature of running.

What happens when an injury sidelines you from your 50 miler training program and cross training is your only pain free alternative for most of your remaining weeks till race day?

Is it possible to cross train your way to a 50 mile ultra? That is the question that I answer in today's video.

What do you think? Could you cross train your way to a successful 50 miler? Share your thoughts below.

Controling Exercise HEART RATE with Hydration and Nutrition

As we all know, many and varied external factors will impact on your heart rate during a workout or race.

But what about your nutrition and hydration strategy. To understand the impact this has on your exercise heart rate watch today's video.

What do you think about the effects of nutrition and hydration on exercise heart rate levels? Share your opinion below.

AM I DEHYDRATED Know The Signs

Hydration is a vitally important aspect of athletic performance - not just during your run or race, but all day, every day.

That is why I have devoted an entire chapter of my book to how you can maintain proper hydration - so that you start your run in a way that gives you the best chance of success.

This video explains the signs that you need to look for.

How do you ensure your hydration is adequate? Share below.

Art of the 100k TAPER

The Art of the 100k Taper goes far deeper than simply what to during race week or the week before that.

Think of it as the capstone at the top of your training pyramid. This delicate balance between pyramid and perfectly shaped capstone is what I cover in today's video.

What do you do for key events of the year. To Taper or Not To Taper, That is the Question... Share your opinion below.

THIS is how to find a DECENT 50 MILER TRAINING PLAN

When you are looking for a decent 50 miler training plan that will work for YOU, there are a few key factors that you need to be aware of. These factors will help you find the training program that is the best fit for YOU.

This video covers those factors.

Niggles vs INJURIES: Know the Difference

If you have been running for a while I am sure that you have encountered at least one niggle along the way. Those bits of discomfort that come and go as you run... That pain that is mysteriously here today and just as mysteriously gone tomorrow.

The injury is a completely different beast The debilitation of not being able to go for a run for weeks or in some cases months... or longer...

So, when does a niggle cross that invisible line and become an injury? When should you pay closer attention to that niggle so that it does not become an injury.

These are the questions I cover in today's video.

What about your niggle vs injury stories... Share below.

The Advantage of rotating your running shoes

We all get motivated to put in more running miles every time we lace up a new pair of running shoes.

I am sure that, like me, you are building an interesting assortment of running shoes.

The question arises: Is it better to wear one pair out before moving on to the next? Or will it be better to wear multiple pairs in rotation?

In this video I share the advantages of rotating running shoes. But, what do you think?

LANCE ARMSTRONG to RUN WESTERN STATES 2016

It has just been confirmed that Lance Armstrong will be running at Western States this year.

No doubt this will create another social media storm, both within the ultra and trail running community as well as main stream media.

This video gives some background into Lance's participation at Western States as well as public reaction every time "Mellow Johnny" shows his face at a trail event.

What do you think? Share your opinion below.

Trail Running's biggest problem with WADA

There has been a lot of robust debate of late across various social media regarding the use - widespread or not of performance enhancing drugs within the sport of trail and ultra running.

This has led to an interesting spin-off debate... Cannabinoids are on the WADA list of banned substances. Does this mean that a large number of trail runners will be lining up to get Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) forms for their "medical" marijuana usage?

What do you think? Share your opinion below.

The perfect PACER for a 50 Mile Ultra

Today we discuss the benefits of having a pacer for a 50 miler ultra marathon.

Then - what is the best way to go about asking someone to be your pacer...

How do you ask others to be your pacer? Share below.

Last Minute TIPS for Final 7 Days till FIRST ULTRA

It's amazing how nervous we all get as the big day of our first ultra gets closer and closer. That leads to questions about tips and tricks for the race.

This comes from the space that as you get into race week there is nothing that you can do to get fitter, but a lot that you can do to completely screw up all your hard work.

This video is all about my most important tips that I give athletes that I coach when they are a week out from their first ultra.

Getting the most from your 800m repeats interval session

I have a question from an athlete about everybody's favorite interval session. The 800m repeats session.

By way of an answer I explain what I do and what I prescribe for the athletes that I coach.

Choosing how far to go for the weekly long run on your training plan can be challenging - especially for the newer runner. And more so when you are preparing for your first ever 50k.

Make the run too short and you won't get sufficient aerobic fitness from the run. Likewise, if you make the run too long, then your running form will start to "break down" as you become more fatigued.

In this video I explain what your options are for getting the miles in - including a valuable lesson from the Kenyan elite athlete squad.

How do you go about choosing the distance of your weekly long run? Or do you follow the advice of your coach? 

Stairmaster vs Hill Repeats RUN WORKOUT

Today we have an athlete question from a young lady who is thinking of doing a workout of the stair master in place of hill repeats run session that her coach has put on her training plan.

This gives me the chance to explain to you the fundamentals of a stair master training session vs the hill repeats session.

Which do you prefer and how well do they work for you? Share below.