topic


Consistent, high-quality training is the most significant factor in improving ultrarunning performance, outweighing the impact of optimized nutrition and gear.


coremsg

Focus on your training…

The group call held with my coached runners this month focused on ultra running nutrition, predominantly race fueling and I made the point that despite personally fueling much better now than I ever have, it hasn’t drastically improved my ultra running performance.

Clearly, there are many variables at play which I fully acknowledge but I stick by the statement. My younger limited knowledge self was faster than the older well experienced runner I find myself today. With youth on my side and hard training I was just fitter, stronger — faster even with poor fueling!

Please don’t misunderstand me and it’s the point I failed to make on the call — relatively — getting the nutrition right on race day makes me much better now than I would be getting it wrong! I value it and recommend you do too.

At the age of 43 in this strange world of ultra running I may still beat my former self in at least some distances, I’m optimistic of that. But do you know how I’ll do it? TRAINING. Then fuel right. It’s both we need. But if you are only going to get one right, make it the training.

On a recent long run with the big Lincolnshire skies

My point is this. I could spend hour after hour pursuing a fuelling strategy including focusing on my perfect electrolyte balance but not train all that well — I’ll extend this to the best kit money can buy too — trainers that spring and all that jazz — but I’d still expect little to no improvement in my results doing this.

On the other hand if I trained really well but only got my fuelling ballpark right and I didn’t have the very best kit — I would expect at least some if not a lot of improvement.

I see this pattern in those I coach all the time — it’s the TRAINING that makes the BIGGEST impact.

It’s the following that get the biggest percentage improvement in ultra running performance;

Running Consistency / Volume / Variety / Specificity

Strength / Corrective Exercise

Mobility

Recovery / Sleep quality

Daily healthy nutrition

Sound race day fuelling strategy

Low Stress

Limited alcohol intake

In essence quality training and recovery

……………………………………………………..

It is NOT specific;

Gel brand

Electrolyte brand

Kit

Super Springy Trainers

Watches

In essence BIG improvement is not product dependent.

Products offer a small percentage of improvement. They are valid and important and we need them. But they are the icing on the cake. Get them right then focus on your training.

I’d add the caveat that if fuelling for instance was a bigger issue, or you are having a nightmare with footwear — for you it stands to reason you need to focus on those areas more (using products), I do that within my coaching with those that need it — then they get bigger performance gains from righting the issues(s). But if it’s not a huge problem then don’t expect huge gains when you tinker with your strategy, it’s possible but highly unlikely to come.

Summary

Focus on your training and recovery. Put in the work then get the rest. Don’t skip the hills or the speed work — or that long run. Add that weekly strength session. Then get your fuel and products right. If you are investing a lot of time and money on products and not training well, that is your right — but don’t get it twisted — you’re possibly prioritising the 1–5% improvement gains over the 20–30% (+) gain you could make from training.

My ultimate point is ideally do BOTH — but focus on your bigger area of gain — TRAINING.

Thank you

Keep Roaming (& TRAINING)…

Ronnie

The group call held with my coached runners this month focused on ultra running nutrition, predominantly race fueling and I made the point…

Focus on your training…

```markdown
### title_rewrite
The Importance of Training over Gear and Nutrition in Ultrarunning Performance

### category
Sports Medicine

### topic
Ultrarunning Training Priorities

### coremsg
Consistent, high-quality training is the most significant factor in improving ultrarunning performance, outweighing the impact of optimized nutrition and gear.

### note
The author discusses his experience as an ultrarunner, highlighting that despite improvements in his race fueling and gear, his performance has not improved as dramatically as when he was younger and less experienced but trained harder. 

The key points made are:
- Proper training, including running consistency, volume, variety, and specificity, as well as strength, mobility, and recovery, has the biggest impact on ultrarunning performance.
- Optimizing nutrition, electrolyte balance, and using the latest gear (e.g., shoes, watches) only provide marginal improvements compared to the gains from quality training.
- The author acknowledges that if fueling or footwear is a significant issue for an individual, then addressing those areas can lead to larger performance gains. However, for most runners, the primary focus should be on training rather than fine-tuning products.
- The author emphasizes that the ideal approach is to do both - train well and get the nutrition and gear right. But if forced to choose, the focus should be on the bigger gains from training.

### data_sheet
My younger limited knowledge self was faster than the older well experienced runner I find myself today.
I could spend hour after hour pursuing a fuelling strategy including focusing on my perfect electrolyte balance but not train all that well — I'll extend this to the best kit money can buy too — trainers that spring and all that jazz — but I'd still expect little to no improvement in my results doing this.
On the other hand if I trained really well but only got my fuelling ballpark right and I didn't have the very best kit — I would expect at least some if not a lot of improvement.

### quotes
"Focus on your training and recovery. Put in the work then get the rest. Don't skip the hills or the speed work — or that long run. Add that weekly strength session. Then get your fuel and products right."
"If you are investing a lot of time and money on products and not training well, that is your right — but don't get it twisted — you're possibly prioritising the 1–5% improvement gains over the 20–30% (+) gain you could make from training."

### further_questions
What specific training methods or programs have been shown to have the greatest impact on ultrarunning performance?
How can runners balance the need for quality training with the potential benefits of optimizing nutrition and gear?
What role do individual physiological factors play in determining the relative importance of training versus nutrition and gear for improving ultrarunning performance?
```

Ultrarunning Training Priorities

the-importance-of-training-over-gear-and-nutrition-in-ultrarunning-performance

note


"Focus on your training and recovery. Put in the work then get the rest. Don't skip the hills or the speed work — or that long run. Add that weekly strength session. Then get your fuel and products right."
"If you are investing a lot of time and money on products and not training well, that is your right — but don't get it twisted — you're possibly prioritising the 1–5% improvement gains over the 20–30% (+) gain you could make from training."


quotes


My younger limited knowledge self was faster than the older well experienced runner I find myself today.
I could spend hour after hour pursuing a fuelling strategy including focusing on my perfect electrolyte balance but not train all that well — I'll extend this to the best kit money can buy too — trainers that spring and all that jazz — but I'd still expect little to no improvement in my results doing this.
On the other hand if I trained really well but only got my fuelling ballpark right and I didn't have the very best kit — I would expect at least some if not a lot of improvement.


data_sheet


The Importance of Training over Gear and Nutrition in Ultrarunning Performance


The Importance of Training over Gear and Nutrition in Ultrarunning Performance

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