https://iron-miles.com Training plans, race guides, and gear reviews for ultramarathon runners. en-us © 2026 Iron Miles editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:57:52 GMT https://iron-miles.com/brand_assets/logo.png https://iron-miles.com https://iron-miles.com/articles/how-to-pace-a-100-mile-race.html GPS pace is meaningless on a mountain trail. At 100 miles, execution beats fitness every time. Here's a practical framework for pacing your first or fastest 100-miler. Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/how-to-pace-a-100-mile-race.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-taper-guide.html A 2 to 3 week taper is right. Most runners do it wrong by cutting hard efforts alongside mileage. Here is what the research shows and what to keep during your taper. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-taper-guide.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/strength-training-for-ultramarathon-runners.html Why aerobically fit runners' legs still fail at mile 60. The 2x-per-week strength protocol that improves late-race performance by 35%, backed by a 2025 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/strength-training-for-ultramarathon-runners.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/leadville-100-dnf-reasons.html Roughly half of Leadville 100 starters don't finish. The reasons are specific and predictable. Here's what actually causes DNFs at Leadville, and what the finishers consistently do differently. Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/leadville-100-dnf-reasons.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/race-planner-kettle-moraine-crew-guide.html A step-by-step walkthrough of using the Iron Miles Race Planner to build a crew plan for Kettle Moraine 100K. Garmin data, aid station timing, crew briefing sheets, and directions. Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/race-planner-kettle-moraine-crew-guide.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/racing-in-heat-ultramarathon-guide.html Heat doesn't slow everyone equally. Here's what happens physiologically when you race in the heat, why faster runners are hit harder, and a practical framework for pacing, cooling, and staying out of the medical tent. Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/racing-in-heat-ultramarathon-guide.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/western-states-100-2026-preview.html Jim Walmsley is back. Kilian Jornet is the top returning men's finisher. Every top-10 woman from 2025 is returning. The 2026 Western States 100 field is the deepest in the race's 50-year history. Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/western-states-100-2026-preview.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/spring-2026-gear-updates.html New trail shoes, a hydration vest overhaul, and a Garmin Fenix 9 preview. What's worth knowing from the spring 2026 gear calendar for ultramarathon runners. Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/spring-2026-gear-updates.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-gut-training-gi-distress.html GI distress is the most common reason ultra runners drop from races. Here's what it does to your gut bacteria, why training load makes it worse, and a research-backed protocol to fix it. Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-gut-training-gi-distress.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-fueling-how-much-to-eat.html Most ultra runners eat way too little during races. Here's how much you actually need, why under-fueling causes DNFs, and a simple race-day eating plan. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-fueling-how-much-to-eat.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/50k-ultramarathon-training-plan.html Free 16-week 50K training plan with daily workouts. Base building, hill work, fueling, pacing, and race selection for first-time ultramarathon runners. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/50k-ultramarathon-training-plan.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/best-gps-watches-ultramarathon-2026.html The three best GPS watches for ultramarathon runners in 2026 — Garmin Fenix 8 Solar, Garmin Enduro 3, and Coros Vertix 2S. What matters most, where each one wins, and a note on heart rate accuracy. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/best-gps-watches-ultramarathon-2026.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/nb-1080-v15-currex-runpro-review.html A personal review of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 (9.2 oz, size 12.5) paired with Currex RunPro High Profile insoles — 46 miles logged on wide, high-arch feet. Honest take on cushion, fit, and whether the combo is worth it. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/nb-1080-v15-currex-runpro-review.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/best-trail-running-shoes-spring-2026.html Nine notable trail shoes for spring 2026 — Hoka Speedgoat 7, Hoka Zinal 3, NNormal Cadi, Nike ACG Ultrafly 2, On Cloudsoma, Brooks Cascadia Elite, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra 2, Topo Terraventure 5, and Kiprun Kipsummit Max. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/best-trail-running-shoes-spring-2026.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-drop-bag-guide.html A complete guide to ultramarathon drop bags and crew support — what to pack, how to coordinate crew access, and how to use both to race smarter at any distance. Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/ultramarathon-drop-bag-guide.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/best-hydration-vests-for-ultramarathons.html 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. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/best-hydration-vests-for-ultramarathons.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding) https://iron-miles.com/articles/how-to-build-your-first-100-mile-training-plan.html Free 20-week 100-mile training plan with daily workouts. Base building, back-to-back long runs, fueling strategy, and race-day planning for first-time 100-milers. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://iron-miles.com/articles/how-to-build-your-first-100-mile-training-plan.html editorial@iron-miles.com (Miles Harding)