WELCOME TO THE IRONSTRIDE BLOG

Most trail runners treat rest after a race or a training block as a binary: either they're training or they're not, and the "not" part is something to get through as quickly as possible before returning to normal and getting back to training.

What happens if you replace one or more of your weekly runs with strength training sessions? Does your aerobic fitness suffer? Does your running performance hold, improve, or decline? And is there an optimal way to structure a week that includes both without one undermining the other? Or the quintessential question - can I get race-ready just by getting under the barbell?

The Romanian deadlift is the cleanest, most direct way to train the hinge pattern, which is arguably more important for the specific demands of trail running, where eccentric control on descents and hip extension power on climbs are both posterior-chain dominant qualities.

In this post, we analyse plyometrics as an effective tool for trail and mountain running.

This article outlines the need for single-leg strength training for mountain running, how it should be periodised and exercises to include.

Delve into the specific strategies for tapering strength training, and various approaches to optimise performance on race day.

While the terms sound similar, the difference between speed-strength and strength-speed is crucial for optimising any training programme.

Strength training periodisation for ultramarathon performance involves syncing ultramarathon training with supplementary strength training.

Strength training during an ultramarathon plan can seem like a mountain to climb. On the other hand, it's opportunity left on the table.