Mountain ultras aren’t just longer trail races.
They’re repeated strength tests disguised as endurance events.
In this episode, we break down how to actually train for a mountain ultra, beyond just “running hills” and hoping for the best.
We cover:
The real difference between aerobic endurance and muscular endurance
Why long climbs and descents break runners before fitness does
How and why to train uphill running, steep hiking, and transitions
When weighted uphill sessions make sense and how to use them properly
The role of short hill sprints in mountain durability
What strength work actually supports mountain racing
How to train for mountains when you don’t live near mountains
This is not about doing more miles or chasing vert for the sake of it.
It’s about building legs that can keep working when the race gets long, steep, and uncomfortable.
Mountain ultras don’t reward who trains the hardest.
They reward who trains the smartest.
If you want help structuring mountain training properly, that’s exactly what we do inside Peak Endurance Coaching. DM me on Instagram @peakendurancecoaching or comment 'ready' or 'coach' on any of my posts or email me isobel@peakendurancecoaching.com.au
Train for what the race will actually demand.
Most runners finish a race and immediately worry about onething:
“How fast am I going to lose my fitness?”
In this episode, we break down why that fear is misplacedand why taking a proper break after a race is one of the smartest things youcan do for your performance, your body, and your mental health.
We cover:
Why you do not lose fitness in one week of doing nothing
Why even two weeks off has a negligible impact on aerobicfitness
The ideal post-race reset structure
One full week off with easy walksonly
A phase of unstructured crosstraining
Two weeks of unstructured,pressure-free running
Why two weeks without running can make you feel clunky andwhat’s actually happening neurologically
How quickly neuromuscular sharpness returns once you startrunning again
Why rushing back after races leads to fatigue, injury, andburnout
The overlooked mental health benefits of stepping away afterbig goals
If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, panicked aboutlosing fitness, or jumped back into training too hard after a race, this episode will change how you approach recovery.
Taking a break isn’t falling behind.
It’s how long-term runners stay healthy and consistent.
If you want help structuring your training and recovery soyou stop guessing and start progressing, check the links below to learn moreabout coaching.
Subscribe for more honest conversations about runningsmarter, not just harder.
Join Isobel and Ron as they delve into the essential tips and strategies for heat acclimatisation, a crucial aspect for runners and athletes facing challenging climates. Discover how to safely adapt to high temperatures, the physiological changes involved, and practical advice to enhance performance while minimizing risks. Whether you're training for a hot race or just looking to improve your endurance, this episode offers valuable insights to help you thrive in the heat.
Most runners swear running is their therapy. I get it. Ron gets it. We’ve both been there; using the miles to outrun the hard stuff instead of actually dealing with it. But in this episode we break down why that mindset quietly wrecks your running, your mood, and your progress. We get into the real reasons running can’t be your emotional safety net: You can't make good decisions when you’re fatigued. You attach your mental health to a sport that can be taken away with one niggle. You start using running as a distraction instead of a solution. And worst of all, you begin associating the thing you love with feeling awful.
This one is honest, confronting, and probably the wake-up call some runners need.
If you want to run stronger, last longer, and enjoy the sport without leaning on it to fix everything… listen in.
Clear, practical takeaways inside. No fluff. No sugarcoating.
Most runners think they know how to recover… until theyrealise their “rest days” aren’t actually restful, their legs always feel heavy, and they’re permanently training through fatigue.
In this episode, Isobel and Ron break down the REALdifference between active recovery and passive recovery — and exactly when each one helps or hurts your performance.
You’ll learn:
• Why active recovery is brilliant in some situations and terrible in others
• The biggest signs you’re under-recovering (even if you’re training “smart”)
• How complete rest can sometimes be the key to your next breakthrough
• The coaching mistakes runners make when choosing recovery strategies
• How to know when your body needs movement versus genuine downtime
• The recovery approach we use with ultra runners who want long-term durability
• Why fear of rest is ruining more athletes than overtraining
If you want to feel fresher, run stronger, and stopsabotaging your training with the wrong type of recovery, this episode will give you the clear, practical answers you’ve been missing.
Are you a trail runner who avoids the road like it’s the plague?In this episode, Ron and I break down one of the biggest mistakes we see in trail and ultra runners: relying on trails alone to build fitness.We get into:
• Why road running builds the engine trail runners desperately need
• The fitness gaps created by “trail-only” training
• How roads make pacing, speed, and long-run efficiency dramatically better
• Why even elite trail runners spend a big chunk of time on pavement
• The ideal balance of road vs trail for peak performance
If you want to climb stronger, descend smoother, race faster, and stop feeling “stuck,” this episode gives you the honest truth.
Listen in and learn why the best trail performance isn’t built on trails alone.
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Podcast, Isobel and Ron break down the exact approach runners should take when they’ve been doing nothing but easy running or have never done structured speedwork before and now want to get faster again.
We cover:
• Why speed is a skill not a pain game• How to introduce quality work without blowing up your tissues
• Why strength must come before intensity
• The simple weekly structure that actually works
• How to know when to progress — and when to hold
• Why most runners sabotage speedwork without realising it
If you’ve ever jumped into intervals and then wondered why you got injured or flat, this episode will make everything click.
Speedwork doesn’t have to break you.
When done right it unlocks that smooth, controlled pace that feels effortless on race day.
Enjoy the episode and if you want a personalised return-to-speed coaching program to implement this properly (with zero guesswork), send Isobel a DM on Instagram @peakendurancecoaching or enquire at www.peakendurancecoaching.com.au
This week, we’re diving into the questions every ultra runner is thinking—but not always asking out loud. No fluff, no generic advice, just honest, practical coaching insights (and a few hard-earned lessons) from years of racing and coaching ultras.
In This Episode, We Answer:
• Training for Elevation Without Hills
• Strength Training: Optional or Essential?
• Bonk or Medical Danger: Know the Difference
• Balancing Ultra Training with Work & Family
• Start Line Confidence & Imposter Syndrome
Got a question for the next Q&A? Drop it in the comments or message us on Instagram @peakendurancecoaching.If you’re training for your next ultra and want expert coaching support, visit www.peakendurancecoaching.com.au
The code for 25% off GSER, Rokeby Twilight Trail Run and Run Tarra Bulga is: UEPEAKVIP
This week, we’re diving into the questions every ultra runner is thinking—but not always asking out loud. That's why we asked ChatGpt what ultrarunners would ask!
From overtraining and gut issues to pacing mistakes, DNFs, confidence, and more, we’re tackling the real challenges you face on the trails. No fluff, no generic advice, just honest, practical coaching insights (and a few hard-earned lessons) from years of racing and coaching ultras.
In This Episode, We Answer:
• Overtraining vs. Just Tired: When to push and when to rest
• Mileage vs. Quality: What actually builds ultra performance
• How to Bounce Back from a DNF
• Gut Issues & Race Nutrition Mistakes
• Pacing the First Half of an Ultra Without Blowing Up
🎧 Got a question for the next Q&A? Drop it in the comments or message us on Instagram @peakendurancecoaching.If you’re training for your next ultra and want expert coaching support, visit www.peakendurancecoaching.com.au
Most runners obsess over VO₂ max. Watches flash it. Apps brag about it. Athletes compare numbers like trophies.
But here’s the truth: if VO₂ max decided races, we wouldn’t need start lines. We’d just hand medals to lab results.
In this episode, Ron and I break down the real difference between VO₂ max and lactate threshold — and reveal why neither metric tells the full story for trail and ultra runners.
You’ll learn:🏁 VO₂ Max — Your Engine Size
What it really means, how much you can influence it, and why it’s not the best predictor of ultra performance.⚡ Lactate Threshold — Your Sustainable Speed
Where the real racing happens, and why improving this matters more than chasing a bigger number on your Garmin.🪨 The Ultra Limiter No One Talks About: Muscular Endurance
The silent killer of 100 milers — and why blown quads, poor fueling, and mental fatigue end more races than oxygen capacity ever will.
If you want help building true ultra strength — beyond the lab metrics — that’s exactly what we coach inside the Ultra Performance Method.
In this episode, Isobel and Ron are calling out the biggest myths in running that just won’t die — from “more miles are better” to “pain is weakness leaving the body.”
These myths keep runners stuck, injured, and frustrated. Together, they break down the truth behind each one and share what actually works for long-term, strong, and sustainable running.
Expect a mix of science, experience, and a few laughs as they cover:
Why chasing mileage can backfire
How strength and mobility are secret speed tools
The real deal on carbo-loading
Why mindset, proper training and recovery matter more than gear
And why ultras will never get easier — but you’ll get stronger
If you’re ready to train smarter, not just harder, this episode will change how you think about your running forever.
🎧 Tune in now — and if you’re ready to go deeper, check out The Ultra Performance Method, our coaching program designed to help runners go further, faster, and injury-free.
Welcome back to the Peak Endurance Podcast with Isobel & Ron.
In this episode, we flip the script: instead of adding more to your training, we’re looking at what to avoid. Because sometimes, progress isn’t about piling on — it’s about cutting out the habits that hold you back.
We cover the 10 things smart runners don’t do, including:
kipping strength training
Ignoring recovery
Pushing through every niggle
Chasing junk miles
Winging nutrition
Going out too fast
Comparing everything to Strava
Neglecting mindset
Overcomplicating training
Going it alone
You’ll hear how small shifts in these areas can keep you injury-free, build confidence, and make you a stronger, more consistent runner.
Ready to put these principles into action? That’s exactly what I do with my athletes inside the Ultra Performance Method — integrating training, strength, nutrition, and mindset into one system. Check out www.peakendurancecoaching.com.au
A lot of runners think that hiring a coach means guaranteedresults. Or that once you’ve trained enough, ultras somehow get easier. In this episode, Isobel and Ron break down why both of those ideas are myths.
We talk about:
- why coaching is guidance and accountability - not a magic shortcut.
- the truth about training: it never makes ultras easy, but it makes you stronger at handling the ahrd.
If you’ve ever wondered why ultras still feel brutal nomatter how fit you are, or if you’ve questioned whether a coach can “guarantee”your success, this episode will set the record straight.
👉 Tune in to learn whychasing “easy” is the wrong goal—and why embracing the challenge is where themagic happens.
Ultras never go to plan. The runners who finish strong aren’t the ones who hope for a perfect day—they’re the ones who are ready for anything.
In this episode, I break down how to prepare for the inevitable curveballs of ultrarunning: nutrition mishaps, gear fails, weather chaos, and those mental lows that creep in at 3 a.m.
You’ll learn:
Why training in adverse conditions is a hidden superpower
How to fuel flexibly when things don’t go to plan
The art of problem-solving mid-race (without panicking)
Mental strategies to carry you through the final 20% when grit matters most
Quick fixes for common race-day disasters
By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to stay calm, adapt, and finish your ultra feeling strong.
👉 Grab my free Race Day Problems & Quick Fixes Checklist by commenting CHECKLIST on any post on Instagram
Ron and I break down what it actually takes to build true endurance over months and years—not just survive a big weekend. We unpack the physiology of aerobic capacity (why an easy-paced base is your performance superpower), how to apply progressive overload without tipping into fatigue, and the mindset tools that turn consistency into confidence on race day. You’ll learn how to build the base, add stress slowly, and let patience compound.
If you want a plan you can trust, check out Peak Endurance Coaching and sign up for my free workshop!
Whether you’re logging long runs on quiet trails or squeezing in miles along busy roads, safety should always come first. In this episode, Ron and I dive into practical strategies every runner can use to stay safe while training.
We cover:✅
Road running safety—visibility, traffic awareness, and sharing space with others
✅ Trail running safety—gear, navigation, wildlife, and running solo
✅ Personal safety tips—staying alert around people, tech use, and what to carry
✅ How to build safe habits without losing the joy of running
Staying safe doesn’t mean running scared—it means running smart. Tune in for actionable advice to keep your training consistent, confident, and worry-free.👉
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a running friend. Also, go to Instagram @peakendurancecaoching and DM me 'safety' for the tips. Also, check out my free workshop 'Spot and Fix Your Training Blind spots' on my website here<<
Are you forcing your runs even when your body is screaming at you? That’s a fast track to overtraining and injury. In this episode, we break down:
How to recognise the signs your body needs rest
When it’s okay to swap, shorten, or walk your run
The difference between productive discomfort and damaging fatigue
Why adjusting your training is not “quitting”—it’s the smartest move you can make
Listen in and discover how listening to your body can actually make you a stronger, healthier, and faster runner.
Ever had a week where every run feels like a slog and you start wondering if you’ve lost all your fitness? You’re not alone—and it’s probably not your fitness that’s the problem. It’s your recovery.
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Podcast, Ron and I break down:
Why “feeling flat” doesn’t automatically mean you’re unfit
The key signs you’re dealing with fatigue, not a loss of fitness
How to tell when you should push through and when you should back off
Practical recovery strategies to get your energy and performance back
If you’ve been training hard but can’t seem to find your spark, this episode will help you reset, recover, and return stronger than ever.
🎧 Listen in, learn how to work with your body, and stop beating yourself up over a bad run.
Think your best running days are behind you?
Think again. In this episode, Ron and I dive deep into what it really takes to thrive—not just survive—as an ultrarunner over 50.We explore the key physiological shifts that come with age, including hormonal changes and slower recovery, and explain how smart training, targeted strength work, and a more thoughtful approach to rest can keep you performing at a high level for years to come.
We share powerful insights from both coaching and personal experience, and we unpack:
Why running less can sometimes lead to more progress after 50
How to adjust training loads for long-term consistency
The real reasons you feel flat—and how to fix it
Simple recovery strategies that actually work
Whether you're an experienced ultrarunner or just starting your endurance journey later in life, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to hit the trails with purpose.
Are you training hard but still not getting faster, stronger, or closer to your goals? You’re not alone—and chances are, it’s not your motivation that’s the problem. It’s your approach.
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Podcast, coaches Isobel and Ron Tait break down the top 5 training mistakes most runners make—and how to fix them with smarter, more strategic methods. From running too hard all the time to ignoring recovery, you’ll learn exactly what’s holding you back and what to do instead.
✅ You’ll discover:
Why more training doesn’t always equal more progress
How to structure your runs for long-term gains
The critical role of strength and recovery
Why personalised plans beat cookie-cutter programs every time
Whether you're training for your first ultra or trying to shave minutes off your marathon, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you train smarter—not harder.
👇 Ready to take your running to the next level? Book a free discovery call or learn more about coaching with Peak Endurance here:
🔗https://koalendar.com/e/peak-endurance-coaching-consultation
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a running mate who needs to hear it!