RUNNING COACH BLOG

Menstrual cycle endurance performance is often assumed to vary across cycle phases. However, research in trained female endurance athletes shows that objective performance, metabolic responses, and autonomic regulation remain largely stable throughout the menstrual cycle. In our study, perceived performance and wellbeing fluctuated, but without accompanying reductions in physiological capacity, highlighting the need to separate symptoms from true performance changes.

Training for ultramarathons often raises one of the most common questions: how long should my longest run be? Many runners believe there is a magic number or a single epic run that guarantees success. The truth is different. Your longest run will depend on many factors, including experience, current fitness, and how well you can tolerate volume. It is not about hitting a specific distance or time in training. Understanding how to approach your longest run can make the differe

Choosing the right running shoes is a common concern among runners, and it’s a topic I often encounter with my athletes and in the clinic.

Periodisation is a structured approach to ultramarathon training that systematically develops an athlete’s physiological adaptations over time.

VO2 max is a critical measure in the world of exercise physiology, especially for endurance athletes.

Heat acclimatisation (HA) is a technique elite athletes use to enhance performance in both hot and cold conditions.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) refers to the variation in the time between heartbeats. Unlike the constant ticking of a watch, heartbeats adjust according to vital functions. HRV measures this variability.

Race nutrition stands as a pivotal factor in the success of ultramarathon runners. Inadequate nutrition strategies often lead to underperformance or hitting the dreaded "wall".

In the world of running, understanding the intricacies of training intensity is paramount for achieving peak performance while avoiding the pitfalls of overexertion and injury.