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