Wild Runner Coaching Blog

Learn what durability really means in endurance trail and ultra running, why so many runners struggle late in races, and how consistent training, fuelling, strength work and recovery help you stay strong deep into an event.

Training for an ultra marathon requires a different approach than road running. In this post, I explain why pace and distance fall short on the trails, and how using time on feet and Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) can help you train more effectively, reduce injury risk, and build real endurance.

Once you’re out there, you’re in — no shortcuts, no easy way out. Just you, the trail, and the quiet challenge of seeing how far you can go. The Old Ghost Ultra is not a race to underestimate but it is one that will draw you back time and time again, all 85 kilometres of it.

The Old Ghost Ultra is one of New Zealand's most iconic trail ultramarathons, serving up spectacular scenery, relentless climbing and a challenge that tests every part of you. This race report follows my second attempt at the event, where an early leg injury threatened to end my day before it had really begun. Through problem-solving, stubborn determination and more than a little suffering, I discovered just how much strength can be found when you refuse to give up.