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The high mileage myth

The path to successful ultrarunning may not require running all the time

If you’re curious about striding into the world of ultrarunning, it may seem like you need to consistently train at 100-mile weeks. For some, high mileage is their modus operandi. It makes them happy, and their bodies have adjusted to years of volume. Yet, not every ultrarunner finds success when running high volume. Training for a 100K race doesn’t mean you need to run yourself into the ground week after week. Our Canadian hero Kathryn Drew proves how lower mileage may be the secret to her success.

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Kim Magnus (left) and Kat Drew with their hard-earned Golden Tickets at Canyons 100K. Photo: Eric Schranz

High mileage may work well for Camille Herron and Jim Walmsley, but it is not the only path to success. When Vancouver’s Kathryn Drew won Canyons 100K last week, earning her Golden Ticket to the Western States 100-miler, she trained with an average of 85K per week. Although that may seem like a lot for runners, it’s 75K less than the average mileage of Herron and Walmsley. And Drew is well on her way to becoming Canada’s version of the pros down south.

When Drew first started training for 100K and 100-mile races, she “felt like everyone was competing to get the most mileage in every week. I felt like crap all the time.” Under the guidance of a trail and ultrarunning coach, Drew has been training more consistently, but with lower mileage than in the past. “I haven’t seen much in terms of injury (knock on wood!), and I’m still loving it. I’m able to maintain somewhat of a balance with things other than running.”

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Kathryn Drew winning 2019 Chuckanut 50K. Photo: Jeremey Drosdeck

Drew is committed to never going over her prescribed mileage. She often plays it safe by running a bit less than what is on her program. Drew’s training consists of two full rest days each week (Monday and Friday). For mileage junkies, this schedule can be challenging. However, for Drew, it works, and her results prove it.

Like most things, high mileage is for some, but not everyone. In ultrarunning, experience and consistency trump all. Through years of experience and the ups and downs of training, individuals figure out what works for them.

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