Coach Weber
World-Class Ultramarathon Coaching since 1988
22 Seasons of Coaching Ultramarathon Runners and Champions
"Prepare to Better Your Best"
Badwater
Looks peaceful doesn't it? It is. Be there on race day in July and there is the same view, but see that ridgeline dropping off on the right hand side? Doesn't look that far away, but to get there one must cover 35 miles of black asphalt and temperatures of 115 degrees, or hotter. Then, just 100 miles to go.
Since, 1994 I have embarked on that journey 21 times. 17 of those made the 135 mile mark during the race or in solo format, with a dozen of those going to the summit of Mt. Whitney. On the other 4 unsuccessful crossings I went 66 miles, 67 miles, 90 miles and 122 miles. Journey #22 and hopefully successful finish #18 ... to include a summit of Mt. Whitney ... is scheduled to begin on July 13, 2009.
You might wonder if it gets any easier from year to year. While I find strength in having never failed to get to at least the 66 mile point, I have learned that I - and my crew - must make it past 122 miles until I am 100%. That has built a tremendous respect for the course and the conditions and a certain caution as I approach the start line. There is nothing historically 'assured' until I have passed Lone Pine and am into the final 13 miles. That said, I know of racers who have failed on that final climb ... very experienced racers. I know I could be the next to grind to a halt within sight of the Portals. To be cocky on this course or to forget its lessons is to ensure failure.
Despite all the above dire warnings and seriousness, Badwater is supposed to be fun ... at least for a few miles. Here I am heading out on what would be - in just 134 miles - my 10th official finish of the race. It feels so good to finally get started after all those months and miles of preparation.
...and in case you were wondering ... the look is a bit different, but the joy the same ... at the finish ... two days later ... worth every hour of training ... worth every sacrifice! Now, how about you? May I guide you to your own Badwater finish?
Badwater 2009
Were you selected?
You're in. Awesome. Now what? You may have done Leadville. You may have done Western. But, Badwater has a whole different way of kicking your ass than the traditional 100 mile races. Let's make sure you're prepared and ready to rock on July 13th. Let me put my 16 years of experience at Badwater to make you and your crew function optimally as you go from 'lowest to highest.'
I've been coaching Badwater finishers for a decade to include a race walker who buckled with a 44 hour performance, busy professionals with crazy schedules, and the youngest person and first insulin dependant runner to complete the 146 mile Badwater to Mt. Whitney Summit Solo among others. What have I done lately? In 2008, I coached 3 athletes for Badwater: Scott Snyder of Colorado; Mike Whalen of California; and Jesse Doggett of Arizona. All 3 finished. All 3 PR'ed. All 3 went disco dancing in Vegas the next night ... well, maybe not that.
Now, what if you applied but did not get selected? Let's take a look at your résumé and see what needs fixing or improvement. Let's get you rock-solid for 2010.
If you've got a solo in mind, equally awesome. Need some help? I bet I've got the answers having done multiple solos myself as well as coaching others to their own successful solo crossings.
While it's a bit late to offer a training program for Badwater 2009, there may be still a need for some advice. I do offer one-hour sessions for $60. We can cover any aspect of Badwater from the most effective ways to prepare for the heat, to how to get up the mountain and head back down to Badwater for the Double.
If you are looking for a complete package for a solo (with the exception of race week), I can put it together for you as well as personally be there for you every inch of the way.
By the way, you don't need the race, nor a crew to make the journey and 'Live Large'. Here's how I did the 438 mile Badwater Triple Crossing in 1994 (not to mention the 11 mile hike to get to the summit of Mt. Whitney where I began the Triple). What an awesome 10 day journey that was! Now, how about you? Want to put yourself 'in the picture' ... shoot me an email.
Leadville ... 2010
It's July ... 2009 ... and a lot of newbies are spending a whole lot of time on the internet and in the chat rooms (versus training) yapping, texting, and twittering about getting ready to run their first 50 miler in the lead-up to running Leadville ... 2009. I've got bad news. A person having a high probability of finishing Leadville, 2009, will have been in 100 mile shape in February 2009. They should have gone sub-24 on the near sea level and relatively tame Rocky Raccoon 100 course in February versus still getting around to getting ready for their first 50 miler (or worse, their first 50K) in May. This is a lesson learned by many year-after-year at Leadville and is a major reason why over half of the runners go home from Leadville with their tail between their legs versus a buckle on their belt. Even worse is when those runners start blaming what was their inevitable DNF at Leadville on race-day weather, getting lost, a gaiter blow-out, or on a bad bottle of Gatorade. Leadville is all about preparation ... preparation that takes many consecutive months of well thought out training, and participation in - and finishing - progressively more difficult and lengthy trail races. Put another way, Leadville is one of the worst choices for one's first 100.
If you really want Leadville, and you have not yet run 50 miles, how about if you do it right and start the process to succeed in 2010. There's plenty to learn, to do, to accomplish in the next 16 months. Preparing yourself for one of the toughest 100 mile trail races on earth takes time. Instead of looking for the motivational book, secret sauce, compression tights, or the 'trick' that makes tough training unnecessary, how about you embark on a path that will actually lead to the finish line of Leadville ... 2010.
I've been preparing runners for Leadville since the late 1980s and am confident that any experienced marathon runner in good health who is willing to do the right training over the appropriate amount of time ... and for some, that is 2 to 3 years (not 2 to 3 months), learns the lessons of ultramarathoning, builds a deep résumé of ultramarathon race finishes, and develops the mental and physical toughness required, can aspire to a finish. So, how about you? Think you have what it takes to begin the journey? 2010 is not that far away.
If you're in for 2009 and feel like you need some advice, I do offer one hour sessions that can address any aspect of Leadville that you need some help on. Sometimes this can make the difference between a rotten race day that ends in a DNF and that buckle.
Are you ready to move up from the marathon?
Every ultramarathoner, no matter how famous, accomplished, fast or slow, had a moment when they first encountered the ultramarathon and wondered, "Could I do that?". For me, at a coffee shop in Boulder, Colorado, in 1986, it was seeing a magazine picture of a long line of runners heading up the initial climb at the Western States 100. Just seeing that picture changed my life. I knew that was for me ... I could see myself in that picture ... someday.
Are you at the same point in your life? Have you seen yourself, if only in your mind, perhaps after reading a book, seeing a video, or being at a ultra event ... finishing an ultra ... yourself? What next? How do you make that 'picture in your head' become real ... as soon as possible ... as safely as possible?
I offer a free 30 minute consultation where we can talk about your ultramarathon dream and how to make it happen. Send me a quick email and tell me about yourself and your goal. I will then send over an athlete's questionnaire that will allow me to better understand your current level of fitness and ultramarathon goals. Then, I will offer you my ideas gained from 40 years as a runner and 20 years as a coach.
It is neither too late to make your move for 2009, nor is it too early to begin your quest for 2010 or even 2011. Today is the day.
Want to become an Ultramarathoner?
Want to become a Better Ultramarathoner?
Where do you begin?
Got Ultra?
Every town could use an ultramarathon to inspire and challenge. If yours does not have one, how about we change that? It is not that difficult to put on a basic ultramarathon race that is insured, has the appropriate permits, offers racers a nice t-shirt, medal and aid and is highly appreciated. I have put on over 50 of these events and will be happy to share that experience with you.
If you'd like to become an Ultramarathon Race Director in your town, e-mail the coach. We can make it happen.
Want to put on an Ultra?
USA 2009 Ultrarunning Calendar
Leadville Trail 100 Info, Charts and Links
Daily Training Hour Distributions
7 Secrets to a Successful Race by Hammer Nutrition
The Coach's Personal Badwater 2009 Training Log
I encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content of the Coach Weber website.
Coach Weber
This site was last updated 07/03/2009 17:05:34 -0000
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