The sport of ultramarathon is growing! With that, we have much more exposure to the wide range of events that fall within the ultra category. With growth, we see increased competitive pressure, but not always in a uniform manner. Let's discuss what this means for the different disciplines within ultramarathon, and what we will likely see in the coming years.

Endurance Training Simplified Series

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Everett Smulders is an American distance runner, coach, and entrepreneur. He became an NCAA All-American and achieved a personal best of 3:58.93 in the indoor mile (2021), going sub-4:00, along with strong marks like 1:48.31 in the 800m and 3:42.86 in the 1500m. After college, he transitioned into ultra running and endurance events. He is the founder and CEO of WesFly Athletics (or WesFly Training Systems), a running media and coaching brand.

Everett: wesflytrained.club/apply? I IG: @coachsmulders

Endurance Training Simplified Series

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Peter Bromka is a 2:19 marathoner, acclaimed writer, and passionate voice in the running community. Peter transformed his marathon debut from 3:07 to 2:19, coming agonizingly close to the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standard. Peter co-hosts the podcast, Road to the Olympic Trails, where collaborates with Lindsey Hein and Matt Chittim to uncover the stories behind the Olympic Marathon Trial Qualifiers.

Peter: peterbromka.com I IG: @bromka | X: @bromka

Endurance Training Simplified Series

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LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

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Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets. He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial)

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Brad: bradstulberg.com - IG: @bradstulberg - X: @BStulberg

Elite marathoner Rory Linkletter discusses his historic sub-60 half marathon at Houston, training philosophy changes, and preparation for upcoming races. Rory is coming off a big year, where he placed sixth at Boston in 2:07:02, second at Ottawa in 2:08:31 (winner recently provisionally suspended for doping), ninth at Chicago in 2:06:49.

Rory: World Athletics Profile - IG: @rory_linkletter - X: @ThePapaLinks YT: @LinkletterRory

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

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Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Jason Fitzgerald is a life long runner, and host of The Strength Running Podcast. In this episode, we discuss if Truett Hanes can reach the Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifying time of 2:16, the increase in strength athletes embracing running, the role of strength in running, and the rise in popularity of muscular endurance and fatigue resistance training strategies.

Find Jason: strengthrunning.com | IG: @jasonfitz1 | X: @JasonFitz1

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial)

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Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

I ended the year with a race where I didn't meet expectations. These types of experiences offer opportunities about what should be kept, versus what will likely lead to the same mistakes. For this episode, I highlight how I assess a training cycle to tease out the positives and the learning opportunities.

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

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In this episode, I reflect on my build into this year's Desert Solstice Track Invitational where I plan to target a fast 100 miler and 12 Hour ultramarathon. Included, my history with this event, how things went leading into it, how I structured my training, and my strategy around nutrition, hydration, pacing, and cooling for the event.

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial)

CurraNZ: www.curranzusa.com – code: BITTER20DEAL

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Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

In this episode, Jeff Mogavero joins the podcast to discuss his exciting year in trail and ultra running, including his impressive second-place finish at Javelina (2024), notable performances at Canyons and Western States, and a nail-biting win at Ultra Trail Cape Town. Jeff dives into the specifics behind these successes, highlighting the impact of fine tuning his hydration strategy. The conversation also explores Jeff's unique approach to cooling during hot races, his thoughts on nutrition and fueling, and his plans to tackle races like Western States and UTMB in the future.

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial)

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

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Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Find Jeff: jeffmogavero.substack.com | IG: @jeffmogavero | Strava: Jeff Mogavero

For this episode, I dive into some of the fundamental elements to structuring a running program in a sustainable way. This guide is helpful for beginners and runners looking to best organize their current training.

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial)

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

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Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Anne Flower burst onto the ultramarathon scene this year by breaking the long standing Leadville 100 Mile Course Record of 31 years at her debut 100 mile race. She turned things around quickly for a very different experience by breaking the 50 Mile World Record at the Tunnel Hill 100/50 three months later. Anne trains and races while maintaining a career as an ER Doctor.

Anne: Mountains to Mountains - IG: @_flowpow_

Endurance Training Simplified Series

ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial)

Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter