Everyday Ultra

How to Train for Mountain Ultramarathons (Even If You Don’t Live in the Mountains)

10 snips
Dec 24, 2025
Guest
Andrew Redden
Guest
Christie Brinker
In this insightful discussion, Christie Brinker, a certified ultra coach from the Midwest, and Andrew Redden, an experienced mountain racer, share their expert advice on training for mountain ultramarathons. They delve into the common mistakes runners make when preparing for steep climbs and offer practical tips on treadmill training and simulating course elevation. The duo also emphasizes the importance of power hiking, downhill training, and altitude acclimation strategies, ensuring you’re race-day ready—no matter where you live.
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ADVICE

Use Camps To Rehearse Race Conditions

  • Use training camps to do back-to-back days, practice nutrition, and nail effort at race altitude.
  • Prioritize course-specific miles and timing to validate cutoffs and pacing expectations.
ADVICE

Recon The Course To Remove Unknowns

  • Recon as much of the course as possible to remove unknowns and prevent underestimation.
  • Expect surprising terrain and adjust mental and pacing plans accordingly.
ADVICE

Quiet Feet And Look Ahead On Descents

  • Practice 'quiet' downhill running: land softly, look ahead, and control footfalls.
  • Use vision drills (spot markers) to train your eyes to scan terrain rather than stare at your feet.
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