We reveal how Koop AI turns 25 years of coaching into an adaptive, terrain-aware training system for trail and ultra runners. We share why we built it, what it does today, where it falls short, and how we’re improving it with real race data.

• why serious runners wanted expert validation without elite pricing
• the three pillars of coaching we modeled: prescribe, analyze, communicate
• onboarding that pulls real history, constraints, and race demands
• dynamic plan changes for travel, missed runs, and time budget shifts
• NGP-based feedback for trail intensity instead of raw pace
• race specificity: course demands, heat, altitude and future prompts
• features live now: chatbot tied to Koop’s content, calendar, swaps, block moves, cross-training, volume trends
• limits we own: early-stage feedback, UI/UX, depth of “why,” and NGP-driven plan adjustments still shipping
• how we validate against coach standards and major races like UTMB
• long-term mission to make top coaching accessible to everyone

Sign up: https://www.koopai-endurance.com/app/

Dr. Scott H. Frey is an internationally renowned neuroscientist and psychologist, accomplished endurance athlete, author, and teacher. Scott helps individuals and groups identify and realize their aspirations. He can be reached at: [email protected]

Want to become a better coach? Check out UESCA’s Ultramarathon Coach Certification.- https://uesca.com/courses/uesca-ultrarunning-coach-certification/

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance #sportsscience

Baptiste Morel-Prieur is a author on a recent paper titled Submaximal force-velocity relationships during mountain ultramarathon: Data from the field

Research from the 2023 UTMB offers ground-breaking insights into trail running performance by analyzing how runners handle different gradients throughout a race. Batiste Moral shares his data-driven approach that identifies specific areas where athletes can improve from year to year.

• Analyzing Strava data from 600 UTMB participants reveals distinct "force" (uphill ability) and "velocity" (flat ground speed) components of performance

• These components have no correlation with each other, meaning they represent different physiological abilities requiring targeted training

• Case study of Jim Walmsley shows 76% of his time difference behind Kilian Jornet in 2022 occurred on gradients steeper than 20%

• After focused training in the Alps, Walmsley specifically improved his steep climbing ability before winning UTMB 2023

• Durability analysis suggests flat terrain speed deteriorates more than uphill capability during ultras, indicating flat-ground training after fatigue might be more valuable

• Western States vs. UTMB comparison shows dramatically different terrain profiles despite both being 100-mile races<br>• Simple heart rate-based test can help identify your personal gradient-specific weaknesses

Papers discussed-Decoding Ultramarathon: Muscle Damage as the Main Impediment to Performance

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Sophie Herzog is the Owner and Co-founder and primary performance analyst at the MRYA
center for athlete development.

MYRA institute: https://www.myracad.com/
Koopcast on HRV

https://www.myracad.com/articles/the-athletes-career-insurance-implementation-of-monit
oring-tools-to-prevent-underperformance-in-sports

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Isabel Martinez is a Research Sports Dietitian In the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University. She is the author of several studies on gut training as well as consults with athletes in this area.

The Effect of Gut-Training and Feeding-Challenge on Markers of Gastrointestinal Status in
Response to Endurance Exercise: A Systematic Literature Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37061651/

Development of a low-fructose carbohydrate gel for exercise application
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024095288

Additional resources:
https://www.cerebralperformance.com/

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Dr. Scott H. Frey is an internationally renowned neuroscientist and psychologist, accomplished
endurance athlete, author, and teacher. Scott helps individuals and groups identify and realize
their aspirations. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Additional resources:
https://www.cerebralperformance.com/

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Michele Zanini is a PhD candidate at Loughborough University as well as the head of Strength and Conditioning for the Italian Triathlon Federation. During this podcast we ddiscuss the concept of durability as it relates to ultramarathon performance.

Papers discussed-
Durability of Running Economy: Differences between Quantification Methods and Performance Status in Male Runners

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Michael Rosenblat comes back on the podcast to discuss his new paper exploring what types of interval workouts are most effective for Ultrarunners.

Which Training Intensity Distribution Intervention will Produce the Greatest Improvements in Maximal Oxygen Update and Time-Trial Performance in Endurance Athletes? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data.

Michael’s website-https://www.evidencebasedcoaching.ca/

Koop’s article on interval training-https://trainright.com/decoding-ultramarathon-interval-workouts/

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Aitor Virbay is a Researcher in Exercise Physiologist and Metabolism and the Head of the nutrition and physiology department for the WT INEOS Grenadiers cycling team. He is also a scientific advisor to elite athletes and various companies as well as the Founder and Director of Glut4Science, a platform for scientific outreach.

Glut4Science: https://glut4science.com
Aitor’s X Account: https://x.com/mvaitor

SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning

Additional resources:
Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.
Information on coaching-
www.trainright.com
Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Curious about the secrets behind elite athlete contract negotiations? Get ready to master the art of securing powerful deals as we sit down with Kelly Newland, an expert who has transitioned from catering to top athletes to advising them on contract strategies. Inspired by her popular Instagram series, Kelly shares invaluable tips and tactics for athletes preparing to reCoach Jason Koop sits down with Kelly Newlon to discuss the state of elite ultramarathon contracts and best practices for athletes when negotiating.

Kelly's IG and pro tips
https://www.instagram.com/radboulder/

Ultrarunning Magazine-What do Professional Trail and Ultrarunners Earn?
https://ultrarunning.com/featured/what-do-professional-trail-and-ultrarunners-earn/

SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning

Additional resources:
Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.
Information on coaching-
www.trainright.com
Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

What drives an ultra marathoner to push through the final miles, or decide to DNF (Did Not Finish)? This episode tackles this profound question head-on, drawing from recent high-profile races like UTMB, Run Rabbit Run, and Leadville Trail 100. We explore the mental frameworks and pre-race preparations that can make or break an athlete's performance. By sharing personal stories and expert insights, we aim to provide guidance that helps athletes make confident decisions during and after a race, all while acknowledging the vital role coaches play in offering emotional support.

Coaches face a delicate balance of celebrating successes and owning failures, especially in the high-stakes world of elite races like Western States and UTMB. Through candid discussions and reflections on personal experiences, we highlight the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and continuous improvement in coaching. We delve into public perceptions of coaching effectiveness, the individualized support athletes need post-race, and the role of feedback in fostering a growth mindset.

Decision-making in ultra marathons is fraught with complexities, often involving more than just physical readiness. Using data from events like the Western States 100, we explore common issues such as nausea and mental fatigue, and how these can be mitigated through training and mental resilience. With insight from coaches AJW and Neal, we discuss lessons learned from DNFs, the integration of sports psychology into training, and the emotional journey of ultra runners. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the intricate dance of mind and body in the quest to cross the finish line.

SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning

Additional resources:
Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.
Information on coaching-
www.trainright.com
Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop