The Physiology of Endurance Running Podcast The Athlete Series: Tom Evans
Aug 27, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Tom Evans, a world-class trail runner and 2023 Western States champion, shares his insights on training for ultramarathons. He dives into the physiological strategies behind racing at prestigious events like UTMB and highlights the importance of pacing and energy management. Tom also touches on the development of super shoes and the role of innovative gear. With a balanced approach to training that combines data analysis and intuition, he provides a fascinating look at the mental and physical challenges of endurance running.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Start Conservatively And Let The Race Unfold
- Be patient and resist early adrenaline; let the race come to you instead of pushing on fresh terrain.
- Back off early if you feel too good, because an early overspend can end your race hours later.
Use Heart-Rate Caps, Then Trust Feel
- Use data as a tool but prioritise feel; set a heart-rate cap and obey it to avoid unsustainable efforts.
- If your perception matches prior maximal-duration efforts, reduce intensity immediately to protect the race.
Small Pace Drops Yield Big Energy Savings
- Running slightly slower over long races saves disproportionate energy due to carbohydrate economy.
- Small pace reductions compound into large gains over a 20-hour event.