How to Build Fatigue Resistance with the Coach of Both UTMB Champs, Scott Johnston

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Sep 25, 2025

Scott Johnston, a world-class mountain and endurance coach and author of 'Training for the Uphill Athlete', shares his insights on building fatigue resistance. He explains the difference between local and global fatigue and emphasizes the role of the nervous system. Scott discusses effective workouts like high-intensity intervals and resistance training, as well as the importance of fueling and running economy. With practical tips and training priorities, he reveals how to convert marathoners to ultra-capable athletes and why speed on roads doesn't guarantee success in the mountains.

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INSIGHT

Local Muscles Limit Endurance

Fatigue resistance often means local muscular fatigue in the propelling muscles, not just whole-body tiredness.
Improving local fatigue resistance lets global fatigue become less limiting at race pace.

INSIGHT

Size Principle Explains Pace Limits

Motor unit recruitment follows the size principle: low-force fibers fire first, then larger, less-enduring fibers join as speed increases.
Those higher-force fibers fatigue sooner and therefore limit sustainable pace for long races.

ADVICE

Use Intervals Judiciously

Use high-intensity intervals to recruit and train the higher-force fibers needed for faster race paces.
Beware they cause heavy global fatigue and require longer recovery, so program them sparingly.

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Scott Johnston is one of the top coaches in the world, especially in mountain and high alpine sports. He's worked with Killian Jornet and recently coached both winners of the most prestigious trail race on Earth, UTMB (Tom Evans & Ruth Croft).

He's also author of one of my favorite training books, Training for the Uphill Athlete and founder of the Evoke Endurance coaching group.

This conversation focuses on fatigue resistance:

What is fatigue resistance?
Local vs. global fatigue
Top workouts to build fatigue resistance
The role of the nervous system in fatigue

Scott's wisdom has helped the best runners in the world reach the top of the podium. I know it can help you, too.

Resources:

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