What can you do to improve your ultra-running when training opportunities are limited and you have less time?

Whilst we’ve had limited time to train due to Coronavirus, I’ve focused a lot more on improving my speed. And I think you should too!

This article outlines:

• What are the benefits for ultra-runners of training to improve your speed?

• Some specific ideas for training sessions

• What else should you consider when doing this type of training?

Much of the world is on lockdown and have restrictions on how much they can go outside. But that just means it’s a good chance to shake up your routine and try something different.

This week’s article includes:

• Three shorter sessions to improve your speed

• What signals you should pay attention to so you don’t overdo it

I hope it’s useful. But above all else, put your and everyone else’s health and safety first

Staying fit during the Coronavirus Pandemic is really important, both for your physical and mental health. This article outlines:

• Whether you should be exercising at all

• How to mentally approach this time

• Some ideas for working out at home - Including links to other useful articles and resources

And if you do it right, you just might come out an even better runner than before!

Elite ultra-runner and environmental activist Damian Hall tells us about:

• The massive environmental problem we’re all facing in the next 8 - 10 years

• What specific actions we can all start doing - We don’t have to be perfect… But we do have to do something!

• An insight into his ultra-running training - A typical training week, his top training tips and what kit he uses

I hope that this article gives you some information and inspiration on the things we can start doing to save the planet.

What psychological strategies do you use, alongside all the running, cross-training, conditioning work and other training that you do?

In this article, Performance Mindset Coach and ultra-adventurer Luke Tyburski shares his top 3 mental strategies. And I share 3 of mine, which I’ve used to help me achieve race wins.

Plus, Luke has given all readers of JamesRunsFar a discount off his brand new performance mindset course.

Extreme endurance adventurer Sean Conway has an incredible CV.

• The first and only man in history to cycle, swim and run the length of Britain

• Holds the world record for cycling unsupported across Europe

• He completed a self-supported 4,000+ mile triathlon around the entire coast of the UK

In this article, Sean tells you about his incredible and inspiring athletic story, what his training looks like and how he balances life with his family.

This is a review of my first place finish at the Phoenix Events PRDNDTS 6-hour race on 9th February 2020.

I also managed to achieve a NEW 6-hour RECORD for all of the Phoenix events!

The article includes a review of the race itself, tips if you’re thinking of doing it. Plus the kit and nutrition strategy I used.

You can also grab yourself a copy of my FREE pre-race checklist. Which will help you prepare for your own races.

In this article I review the Men’s Alfresco Parka Hoodie from Born Tough.

It’s a sleek and practically designed hoodie. Which has also kept me warm through winter.

This is a review of the Country to Capital ultra race where I came in 5th place in January 2020.

The article includes a review of the race itself and tips and advice if you’re thinking of doing it. Plus the kit and nutrition I used.

You can also grab yourself a FREE pre-race checklist, which will help you prepare for your own races.

What’s the best way to achieve the big, ambitious running goals you’ve set yourself in 2020?

• Do you write them down in lots of detail?

• Do you confidently tell your friends and family what your plans are for the year?

• Or do you simply keep them in your head and hope that they will happen?

In this article, I look at some simple techniques that will help you create good habits and make 2020 your best year of running ever.

2019 was a fantastic year for running performances.

And it seems like the quality and quantity of running tips and training advice is better than ever.

This blog lists out the best 23 articles that I read in 2019 - Covering training, racing, nutrition, psychology and inspirational stories.

One thing that can help improve your running performance is apps.

But with a huge amount of choice out there, which apps are the best?

In this article, I tell you the apps that have helped my running performance, nutrition, or simply kept me entertained on long runs and races.

Keeping your running training on track over Christmas is one of the most difficult things to do. There are so many parties, so many delicious treats and so many easy ways to fall off the wagon.

Here are 12 tips to try to keep your fitness up in the festive period.

Books are the perfect present for a runner for Christmas. You have plenty of time to read, plus you need some inspiration for the year ahead.

These 10 books are some of the best that have helped me with my own running.

And they will make the perfect Christmas present for the runner in your life… Or yourself!

What does it take to complete the most difficult adventure race in the world? The Barkley Marathons!

John ‘Random Forest Runner’ Kelly is one of the 15 people to have ever finished the brutal challenge, since it began in 1986.

In this article, John tells us:

• The way he approaches failure

• How he manages his time between family, a job and mega-challenges

• Running training tips and the kit and nutrition he uses

Adam ‘Tango’ Holland is an extreme endurance runner, athlete and world-record holder, who has:

• Completed almost 450 marathons and ultra-marathons

• Won more marathons and ultra-marathons than anyone else in Europe (top 5 in the world).

• Become the fastest person to run 10 marathons in 10 days

Adam tells us about his biggest achievements, top tips for running and his nutrition and kit advice. Plus, why he’s called ‘Tango’!

‘Mountain Man’ Matt Poulton is a fell runner and photographer.

He is currently combining both hobbies by attempting to run all the 284 Munros of Scotland, the 214 Wainwrights of Cumbria and the 3 Classic Rounds.

Matt tells us why he’s doing it, who inspires him and his running tips and advice.

This week, we get some expert pacing advice from someone who has helped thousands of people achieve their running goals.

Paul Addicott has paced for 82 running events. Mostly marathons. And so he has learnt a lot about how to run these type of events to achieve your target time.

I’ve recently returned from my longest-ever running injury, which lasted more than 10 weeks.

But during this time I kept my fitness levels up by doing a number of other activities.

In this post, I list out the four things that I did. And how you can apply them when you’ve got a running injury.

Are you one of the 65 - 80% of runners who get injured every year?

Most runners think about the physical impact of injury, like not being able to train. But the psychological perspective is very important too.

If you approach your injury and recovery in the right way, you can actually improve your performance in the long run.

This week we are trying to answer a very controversial question! Are women better ultra-runners than men?

There have been numerous examples of women winning ultra-races outright - Ellie Pell, Courtney Dauwalter and Jasmin Paris to name a few.

In this article, Marie Bernards gives her thoughts on why women are crushing the longer distances.

Angela White, AKA ‘The Running Granny’, recently ran more than 800 miles in 18 days. Setting a world record in the process!

In this article ‘The Running Granny’ tells you:

• About her incredible world record - Including why she did it

• Her top tips for running

• Her nutrition and kit recommendations

What does it take to complete some of the toughest endurance races in the world? Including the MdS, UTMB, TDS and the UTMR

In this article, Alan Li (a man who has completed them all!) gives you tips and advice that can help you achieve your goals, kit and nutrition recommendations and an overview of these super-tough races

Have you ever had a ‘did not start’ (DNS) or ‘did not finish’ (DNF) in a race and wondered how to bounce back?

In this article, sports psychologist Evie Serventi gives you 6 tips on how to use a DNS or DNF in a positive way to help you improve your future performance.

Runners and endurance athletes do some strange things that make us believe they will improve our performances.

Whether that’s our pre-race rituals, our lucky pants or the systems and processes that we go through.

But can they actually help improve your performance?