Training framework for a 1000km Ultra Run

Hi all,
I want to share my experience with Athletica and its science based approach.
In my article “the coach” is - the Athletica coach, and I used what I learned from Athletica to build my own framework for my self supported 1000km Ultra approach.
The short of it, without discovering Athletica ( and the help of the platform) , I would not be were I am right now - weeks away from the adventure of a lifetime
Read on here

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What an adventure you’re taking on, Jens. Fascinating story about your data use.

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Wow, ton of data and fascinating! FWIW I’ve also fallen into the “Oh I’m recovered, let me hit it” only to have it be a setback haha…happy to see your own learning and framework. And what a cool (and intense) event, keep us posted!

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Jens, could you send me a message to paulw@SimpleEnduranceCoaching.com? We’d like to have you join us on the Athlete’s Compass podcast to talk about your use of Athletica and all the data.

Based on your test run, and assuming performance maintained you are looking at roughly 133 hours moving. That is roughly 9.3kg of drink powder and bars. Do you plan to post it ahead or carry that extra weight from the start? Also water, you are crossing rural France. What is the plan to replenish a litre of water every couple of hours / 15km given the lack of shops?

My experience of ultra distance cycling is that heart rate gets suppressed a few days in though performance is maintained. Do not know if you will experience the sane running. But something to be aware of if setting heart rate targets. Sometimes RPE gives you a better indication as to whether you are working too hard a few days in.

email sent - cheers :smile:

Hi Phil,
Yes interesting questions - to your first question - I have a baseline of expedition dry food with a minimum kcal I guesstimated I need based on my average metabolic testing. I plan to consume roughly 60 to 70g of carbs per hour. I try and stay aerobic the entire time. I bring all the foods with me on a trailer I pull. I have a 10 litre water bladder - that I have onboard. Plus 2 l in total in my race vest. The challenge is going to be the logistics. I may end up knocking on a few doors in rural France asking for water - I have the same experience in that regard as you ultra-cycling through rural France .
Regarding the heart rate suppression - I agree and I have seen this on previous Ultras I ran too.
However, this time I stay mainly aerobic, guardrails are not only my HR Polar H10 strap and my Suunto Race S watch. The Suunto has what they call ZoneSense. Essential it tells me if I am staying aerobic or not - despite HR suppression - and I will have Stryd power pods that are set to a power range . So I keep an eye on a few numbers that are input and output.
At the end of the day, Once I pass the 2nd and 3rd day I am going into uncharted territory on the above.
And to be honest, that’s the exciting part :smiley: