How to be a versatile runner

Perform at any distance, any surface

I’ve done a lot of running over the last 15 years. Everything from nighttime orienteering races in the Finnish wilderness, to track races against some of the fastest runners in the world. Most recently, I’ve been training for mountain ultra races.

Plenty of variety, but ultimately one driving motivation: How do I get better?

It is the question that keeps me engaged with sport. Never solved, always evolving. Sometimes measurable, often intangible.

Training for a 55 km mountain ultra with 3500 m of climbing and descending is different to training for a sub 28:30 10,000 m on the track. But not that different.

The fundamentals remain the same no matter the goal.

I have a little more time this year and I want to make use of that to share some ideas. So I have renamed this Substack - How to be a versatile runner.

The aim is to document what I’ve learned about training and preparation for a variety of different races. Where possible, I will talk to other athletes and coaches to try to bring their insights as well. I really enjoyed doing the ‘Inside the training diaries’ posts and I intend to do more of those. There is so much to learn from athletes and coaches who are pushing their limits.

The idea isn’t for any of this to be perfect. Training is never perfect and there is no one correct method. My ideas will evolve, but I hope that documenting that here will provide value to you in your journey.

I am constantly learning and my intention is to write articles which I would have found helpful weeks, months, or years earlier.