Episode 78: Jason Koop on Coaching Competence and Smarter Training

As a runner himself, Jason Koop has two top-10 finishes at the Leadville Trail 100 and has finished some of ultrarunning's most challenging races like the Badwater 135, Wasatch 100, and the Hardrock 100.

He's the Director of Coaching at Carmichael Training Systems where he's been for over a decade working with runners, cyclists, and triathletes.

Today, coach Jason Koop focuses more on trail ultramarathoners, guiding some of the best ultra runners in the country:

• Dakota Jones, winner of the 2018 Pike's Peak Marathon (after he cycled 250 miles in the four days before the race...)
• Missy Gosney, 4th at the 2015 Hardrock 100 Mile
• Timothy Olson, former course record holder of the Western States Endurance Run

This wide-ranging conversation covers a lot:

• The nuances and pros/cons of progression runs
• Why (and how) to never let yourself become more than 10% detrained
• The impact of climate change on the sport of running
• What Jason Koop wishes he could tell his 20-year old self
• How he continually learns about running, coaching, and exercise science

Our conversation is a must-listen for aspiring coaches, ultrarunners, and running geeks who want to dive a little deeper into training theory.