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Less Gear, Better Decisions: Choosing What Actually Matters in Long-Distance Running

Less Gear, Better Decisions: Choosing What Actually Matters in Long-Distance Running

Long-distance running attracts gear questions almost immediately. Shoes, packs, watches, poles, nutrition systems, clothing layers, mandatory kit lists. For athletes preparing for their first marathon, ultra, or long trail event, it is easy to believe that the right equipment will make the distance manageable, or that the wrong choice will

By Mark Ellison 27 Jan 2026
Durability Over Speed: How Long-Distance Runners Stay Healthy Enough to Reach the Start Line

Durability Over Speed: How Long-Distance Runners Stay Healthy Enough to Reach the Start Line

Most long-distance races are not lost on race day. They are lost quietly, weeks or months earlier, through injuries that interrupt training and erode confidence. For runners preparing for their first marathon, ultra, or long trail event, injury is often the greatest fear, and for good reason. Endurance training places

By Mark Ellison 27 Jan 2026
Recovery Is Training: Why Adaptation Happens After the Run, Not During It

Recovery Is Training: Why Adaptation Happens After the Run, Not During It

Endurance athletes are often rewarded for pushing themselves further. More kilometres, more sessions, more discipline. Training culture reinforces the idea that improvement is earned through effort alone, measured by time on feet and accumulated fatigue. Yet adaptation, the process that actually makes an athlete stronger, fitter, and more resilient, does

By Mark Ellison 27 Jan 2026
The Final Third: Mental Strategies That Carry You Through the Hardest Part of a Long Race

The Final Third: Mental Strategies That Carry You Through the Hardest Part of a Long Race

Long-distance races are rarely decided at the start line. They are shaped gradually, kilometre by kilometre, until the final third reveals what remains. This is the point where physical fatigue is unavoidable, nutrition is working quietly in the background, and pacing decisions have already been made. What determines the outcome

By Mark Ellison 27 Jan 2026
Pacing the Distance: Why Going Slower Early Is the Smartest Race Strategy You’ll Ever Learn

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Pacing the Distance: Why Going Slower Early Is the Smartest Race Strategy You’ll Ever Learn

Why Most Pacing Mistakes Happen Early In endurance racing, most mistakes are made long before they are felt. The early kilometres of a race are deceptively easy, buoyed by adrenaline, fresh legs, and the energy of the field. For first-time marathoners and ultra runners, especially, this early comfort can be

By Mark Ellison 14 Jan 2026
Fuelling the Distance: Why Nutrition Becomes the Deciding Factor in Long-Distance Racing

Fuelling the Distance: Why Nutrition Becomes the Deciding Factor in Long-Distance Racing

Why Nutrition Becomes the Weak Point on Race Day Endurance sports often persuade athletes that fitness alone is sufficient. If the training is completed, the long runs logged, and the pacing plan set, then the result should follow. Yet for many runners tackling their first marathon, ultra, or long trail

By Mark Ellison 14 Jan 2026
Your First 5km Run: What to Expect Physically and Mentally

Your First 5km Run: What to Expect Physically and Mentally

Running your first five kilometres is a milestone for many runners. It’s often the point where running stops feeling like something you’re experimenting with and starts feeling like something you actually do. A 5km run is long enough to require fitness, focus, and pacing, yet short enough to

By Mark Ellison 05 Jan 2026

Latest

How Slow Should Beginner Runners Run? (Slower Than You Think)

How Slow Should Beginner Runners Run? (Slower Than You Think)

One of the most common questions new runners ask is how slow they should run. It’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of starting. Many beginners assume that if they aren’t breathing hard or moving quickly, they aren’t improving. In reality, running too fast is one

By Mark Ellison 05 Jan 2026
How to Start Running When You’re Unfit (Without Getting Injured)

How to Start Running When You’re Unfit (Without Getting Injured)

Starting running when you feel unfit can be confronting. Many people want to run but hesitate because they’re worried about being slow, getting injured, or feeling out of place among “real runners.” Often, they’ve tried before, pushed too hard too early, and quietly stopped when it became uncomfortable

By Mark Ellison 05 Jan 2026
What “Time on Feet” Really Means for Distance Runners

What “Time on Feet” Really Means for Distance Runners

Time on feet is one of the most misunderstood concepts in distance running. From a coaching and exercise science perspective, this article explains what it really means, where it came from, and how to apply it effectively in training.

By Mark Ellison 23 Dec 2025
Quick Tips to Train for a 50km Ultramarathon

Quick Tips to Train for a 50km Ultramarathon

Training for a 50km ultramarathon isn’t about being fast - it’s about being durable. If you can consistently run, manage fatigue, and fuel properly, a 50km ultra is achievable for far more runners than most people realise. This guide breaks down how to train without overcomplicating things. What

By Mark Ellison 18 Dec 2025
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