Race guides, training frameworks, and gear comparisons, written for runners who want to run smarter and go further.
Iron, protein, caffeine, vitamin D, and creatine: what the research supports, the doses that work, and when to get a blood test first. Plus what to know about laxatives and contaminated supplements.
October 16, 2026
The lottery, the Golden Ticket races, and what to do before the 2027 application window opens this November. Qualifying races, ticket accumulation, and the full timeline.
September 21, 2026
Many 100-mile DNFs come from race-day mistakes, not a lack of fitness. Simple targets for effort, carbs, salt, and drinking, with the research behind each one.
August 29, 2026
A personal review of the Topo Athletic Terraventure 5 in 2E wide. 14 miles on hilly dirt, mud, grass, and loose gravel, straight out of the box with no break-in.
August 9, 2026
After a 100-miler, inflammation spikes, muscle damage markers peak days later, and sleep stays broken for up to four nights. What happens in your body after the finish, and what to do about it.
August 3, 2026
GPS pace is meaningless on a mountain trail. Lab fitness tests can't predict 100-mile finishing times, so pacing matters. Here's the framework: effort targets by segment, walk strategy, and how to manage the back 50.
July 26, 2026
The evidence supports a 2 to 3 week taper. Most runners execute it wrong by cutting intensity alongside volume, and arrive at the start line undertrained in the one dimension that matters most.
July 17, 2026
A 2025 study found that twice-weekly heavy strength work improved late-race high-intensity performance by 35%. The exercises, the timing by phase, and the protocol that actually transfers to downhill running.
July 8, 2026
Roughly half of Leadville 100 starters don't finish. The reasons are specific and predictable: altitude timing, Hope Pass quad failure, conservative first-half pacing, night gear, and crew logistics. Here's what finishers do differently.
July 6, 2026
A walkthrough of using the Iron Miles Race Planner for a real 100K. Garmin-calibrated aid station splits, crew briefing sheets with directions, and task lists for every stop.
June 17, 2026
Heat does not slow every runner the same way. Here's the physiology behind cardiac drift and core temperature limits, and a practical framework for pacing, cooling, and staying out of the medical tent.
Updated July 8, 2026
Jim Walmsley is back. Kilian Jornet is the top returning men's finisher. Every top-10 woman from 2025 is returning. The 2026 field is the deepest in the race's 50-year history.
May 22, 2026
New trail shoes from NNormal and Inov-8, Osprey's rebuilt vest lineup, and a look ahead at the Garmin Fenix 9. What to buy now, what to wait on.
May 8, 2026
GI distress causes more DNFs than fitness failures. Here's what a race does to your gut bacteria, why heavy training blocks make it worse, and a research-backed 8-week protocol to fix it.
May 3, 2026
Most ultra runners eat far less than they need. Research shows the average runner takes in only 37g of carbs per hour. The recommended amount is 60-90g. Here's what that gap costs you, and how to fix it.
Updated June 5, 2026
A complete 16-week training plan for first-time 50K runners: base building, uphill intervals, back-to-back long runs, and a week-by-week breakdown you can download and follow.
April 3, 2026
Garmin Fenix 9, Enduro 4, and Coros Vertix 2S compared: battery life, weight, training metrics, and a note on heart rate accuracy for serious training data.
Updated April 25, 2026
A personal review of the New Balance 1080 v15 paired with Currex RunPro High Profile insoles. 46 miles logged on wide, tall, high-arch feet. Honest take on cushion, fit, and whether the combo is worth it.
March 29, 2026
Nine trail shoes for spring 2026: Nike ACG Ultrafly 2, On Cloudsoma, Brooks Cascadia Elite, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra 2, Topo Terraventure 5, Kiprun Kipsummit Max, Hoka Speedgoat 7, Hoka Zinal 3, and NNormal Cadi.
Updated April 25, 2026
What to pack in your drop bags, how to coordinate crew access, and how to use both systems together, organized by race segment from miles 25 through the night transition.
Updated April 25, 2026
We compared the top hydration vests for ultrarunning based on fit, capacity, and real buyer data. Here's what actually works on long days in the mountains.
March 20, 2026
A practical framework for runners stepping up to the 100-mile distance: base building, long run structure, back-to-back weekends, and race selection by experience level.
Updated July 12, 2026