Simon Donato

Earlier this month a study was published by researchers from the Mayo clinic suggesting a correlation between an increased risk of lethal heart arrhythmias and “ultra” endurance sports (including ultra marathons).

Great races should have great fields, and if tiny field limits are imposed on race organizers, then these officials should impose the same regulations on surface and mineral rights offerings. There is no room for contradiction here. If you can log it/mine it = big field; No logging/mining = small field. I can live with that.

I had always been into barefooting as a way to develop strong blister-free feet and generally strengthen the legs, but as I experimented with barefoot running, I began to think that there was more to running injury free than simply losing the shoes. Together with Amy Barnett, who handled strength and conditioning for Adrenaline Rush Athletics in Calgary we designed a study to test the role core strength played in maintaining a natural running gait and preventing breakdown and injury over distance.

I should be sleeping. I’m in Boston, hours from the race. Yes, I’m excited. I didn’t expect to be excited though. After all, it’s a road race, but man, it’s shaping up to be one hell of a road race. I had been skeptical coming here and wasn’t looking forward to the pounding on the road. I’m a believer now!

Caballo Blanco is missing after going out for a trail run in New Mexico. How can we help?

This early season ultra certainly lived up to it’s pre-race billing as North America’s most competitive 50 km race (over 650 athletes competed).

Four of Canada’s best ultra runners advocating faster downhilling in races, but only when the body has been properly conditioned.

Life’s short, but ultras aren’t, so you’ll have plenty of time to think about your next interval session when you’re mid-way through your next 50 miler.

In science, energy required to start a reaction is much larger than energy required to sustain it. In life and running, the same is true.

My goal is to share my experiences in planning for ultras, training for ultras, racing ultras, doing well, blowing up, and dealing with injuries.