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Singletrack · July 21 · 1 hr 5 min

How John Fitzgerald Coached Jennifer Lichter to a Western States Course Record

Three weeks after Jennifer Lichter set a new course record at Western States, her coach John Fitzgerald joins the Singletrack Podcast to break down how it happened. Fitzgerald coaches an elite squad out of Missoula for Carmichael Training Systems, and this year he guided Jen to the win along with Jeff Mogavero and Adam Peterman into the men's top ten. We get into the philosophy underneath the results: why consistency is a trainable skill, why willpower is a resource you can spend too early, and what he means when he says success is rented. Fitzgerald explains the mental shift that took Jen from a mountain 50K specialist to a 100-mile course record holder, the on-course training camps that prepared his athletes for every crux of the Western States course, race-day fueling improvisations, downhill running as a skill, and his case for simplicity in a sport chasing every new gadget and lab test. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Janji - running apparel that goes the distance Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Additional Links: Coaching Profile Instagram: @ackfitz Support the show

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Three weeks after Jennifer Lichter set a new course record at Western States, her coach John Fitzgerald joins the Singletrack Podcast to break down how it happened. Fitzgerald coaches an elite squad out of Missoula for Carmichael Training Systems, and this year he guided Jen to the win along with Jeff Mogavero and Adam Peterman into the men's top ten.

We get into the philosophy underneath the results: why consistency is a trainable skill, why willpower is a resource you can spend too early, and what he means when he says success is rented. Fitzgerald explains the mental shift that took Jen from a mountain 50K specialist to a 100-mile course record holder, the on-course training camps that prepared his athletes for every crux of the Western States course, race-day fueling improvisations, downhill running as a skill, and his case for simplicity in a sport chasing every new gadget and lab test.


Partners:

  • Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
  • Janji - running apparel that goes the distance
  • Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains 
  • Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
  • Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes 


Additional Links:

Support the show

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