Darcie Murphy

For those who got their pick of races, consider yourself lucky. If you didn’t get your first choice, now is the time to start formulating a backup plan.

Let’s face it, the winter months in the northern hemisphere include a lot of dark hours. While not every ultramarathon or trail race requires runners to spend time running in …

It’s only November, but winter has already arrived in many parts of the world. Regardless of your location and feelings toward winter running, there are plenty of ways to manage …

I’ve had the privilege of coaching endurance athletes for over two decades, and not once during that time have I had regrets about the opportunity to coach in-person. While technology …

Experience, athleticism, age, fitness and a host of other factors play a role in how well runners can execute the various demands of running downhill fast. If you’re looking to …

Drop bags are a perk that can and should be taken advantage of for a greater chance of success on race day. Try to mitigate problems by preparing yourself with …

Even for the most solitary personality, group runs can add a fun, social and challenging element. Here are some ideas to help make group runs more appealing and approachable for …

Taking risks is uncomfortable for most of us, and everyone has a different risk tolerance. Still, it can lead to growth in the sport of ultrarunning and in other areas …

The treadmill is often a tool of last resort, or a skipped training session altogether if it is in fact a last option. I won’t argue if you’re in the …

Passion gives us purpose. It gives us a reason to do the things we do, and that includes running. But what happens when passion starts to fade? You’re not alone.

Wrapped into every challenge exists an opportunity—even when the hurdle is repeatedly running the same routes every week.

Autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, along with the end of race season. Consider leaving your watch at home or resist pushing the start button on the activity …

Coaching and being coached should be an ongoing, give-and-take relationship. It can give back to everyone in ways far beyond planning workouts and executing a perfect race day. When we …

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of race day, so one of the biggest things trail and ultrarunners can do is prepare themselves in advance for their …

While there is no single correct formula for mountain race preparation for athletes who have little or no access to outdoor hills and mountains in the winter, there are options …

Recently, a friend and I went skiing in an area that was new to us. We didn’t have what we deemed significant objectives and I was anxious to test my …

Lotteries for some of the largest races have already been held and many of us are outlining plans for next year. This is an exciting time, but it’s also easy …

Don’t miss the opportunities that fall brings. Being free from a formal training structure can be very liberating and should be unique to each athlete’s needs. Address areas that need …

As welcoming as the ultrarunning community is, there can still be a lot of intimidation related to the unknown for new-to-the-sport athletes. The following are a few specific tips for …

As we start to ramp up to race season, most trail and ultrarunners are increasing their training volume. Warm weather and long days beg for more time on the trails. …

Engaging with a host of other runners and athletes seems especially relevant right now. Creating a network of others who share your passion is a worthwhile endeavor that will deepen …

Ultrarunners tend to be independent and self-sufficient. These characteristics allow us to climb over mountains, blaze cold pathways before dawn and problem solve along hundreds of miles of trails. While …

While running far, climbing mountains and moving for hours on end are keys to success for ultramarathons, we should not overlook the benefits of running faster as we traipse over …

With a wise approach to layering, it’s possible to stay warm and dry and avoid concern for hypothermia or frostbite. Empower yourself to be confident, comfortable and safe in a …

The holidays are here. Is your wish list complete? For those of you who may be new to ultrarunning or are transitioning from a road background to the off-road scene, …