What Coaching Ultra Runners Has Taught Me

Friday, October 23, 2026 · Mike Davis

It has been far too long since I have written anything, so let’s do something about that!

We are finally clear of the summer heat and enjoying some of the best running weather of the year. Temperatures in the 50s and 60s, with less humidity—pretty hard to beat! Hopefully, you are taking advantage of it and putting some miles on your shoes.

I just got off the phone with Richard, a client who is preparing for another Hamster Wheel Ultra. This will be his third time participating, progressing from six hours to eight hours, with a goal of twelve hours this year.

Think about that for a minute. A runner who once ran five miles is now preparing to cover more than ten times that distance. His progress has been amazing to watch. Having him trust No Finish Line Running to guide that journey has been as much a blessing for us as it has been a success for him.

Before working with Richard, the longest distance we had coached was the marathon. Helping him prepare for an ultra challenged me to grow as a coach. I had to build on what I knew, ask questions, and learn from others with more experience.

Having now worked with multiple ultra runners, I thought I would share three lessons that stand out—and how preparing for an ultra differs from training for 26.2 miles and below.

1. Mindset: Understand the Commitment

Training for a marathon takes commitment, discipline, and a willingness to give up a fair amount of time. Preparing for an ultra can take that commitment to another level.

Hours in your running shoes affect more than your legs. They affect family time, weekends, and your social life. The runner needs to understand that commitment, but so do the people sharing life with them.

That deserves an honest conversation before the training begins.

You also have to accept that conditions won’t always be comfortable. Some days will be cold, wet, or simply unpleasant. Learning to handle discomfort is part of preparation, while recognizing unsafe conditions and adjusting accordingly is part of good judgment.

An ultra is a commitment that needs to be thought through, both on and off the training schedule.

2. Discipline: Respect the Purpose of the Workout

Richard would tell you that this lesson took some time to learn.

His enthusiasm and determination are strengths. But early on, those same strengths sometimes pushed him beyond the limits we had set for a workout.

Runners can be pretty good at convincing themselves that if a little is good, more must be better. A faster pace, a few extra miles, or another hard effort can feel like a victory.

The question I ask is: How does that decision help the overall training?

Being capable of doing more doesn’t always mean doing more is useful. Each workout has a purpose, and the effort needs to support what comes next.

During our conversation today, Richard talked about how much he has learned to value staying within his training guidelines. That is progress worth recognizing, right alongside the miles.

3. Recovery: Be Willing to Adjust

One of the biggest challenges for both runner and coach is figuring out how much recovery is needed after a long effort—and then being okay with taking it.

A schedule gives us a starting point. It cannot tell us everything about how a runner will respond.

We look at training history, available data, and what the runner tells us. How do the legs feel? How is sleep? Is there lingering soreness? How are energy, motivation, and the effort required for an ordinarily easy run?

Those conversations matter. They help us decide whether to move forward, back off, or take another recovery day.

I believe recovery deserves the same individual attention as the running itself. That also means allowing enough preparation time. If the only way to meet a race goal is to cut necessary recovery, we need to reconsider the plan.

Running for a Lifetime

Coaching ultra runners has stretched my knowledge and made me a better coach. I am grateful to Richard and the other runners who have trusted us with their goals.

Whether someone is preparing for five miles, a marathon, or twelve hours on their feet, our approach remains the same: coach the individual, respect recovery, and keep long-term health at the center of the decisions.

At No Finish Line Running, we want to help you reach the starting line, enjoy the experience, and keep running long after that event is over.

Running for a lifetime will always guide how we coach.

I hope you are all getting outside and enjoying this amazing running weather!

God Bless,
Mike