Max Keith

A beginner trail running plan by Max Keith, co-founder of Vert.run. Go from your first run to your first trail race in 8 weeks.

My first trail marathon nearly broke me. And I was fit. Here’s everything I wish I’d known before that race, from training to gear to why pace stops making sense the moment you hit a climb.We’re really serious about asking yourself these two things, because it’s actually pretty common for ultrarunners to feel obligated to try to tackle this distance before they’re ready. And while on one hand it can be good to have some “motivators” while training for or racing a 100 miler, the reality is that if you undertake this huge goal for the wrong reasons, it’s going to be much harder to actually achieve.

The 100k is a different animal. This guide covers the full specific training block for a 100k ultramarathon — intensity control, Mountain Index, power hiking, night running, crew strategy, and race day execution. Written by Vert.run coach Max Keith.
We’re really serious about asking yourself these two things, because it’s actually pretty common for ultrarunners to feel obligated to try to tackle this distance before they’re ready. And while on one hand it can be good to have some “motivators” while training for or racing a 100 miler, the reality is that if you undertake this huge goal for the wrong reasons, it’s going to be much harder to actually achieve.