
KoopCast
Coach Jason Koop covers training, nutrition and recent happenings in the ultramarathon world.
Latest episodes

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 37min
The Brain’s Role in Ultrarunning Performance with Scott Frey, PhD (2024) #240
Dr. Scott H. Frey is an internationally renowned neuroscientist and psychologist, accomplishedendurance athlete, author, and teacher. Scott helps individuals and groups identify and realizetheir aspirations. He can be reached at: Scott@CerebralPerformance.comAdditional resources:https://www.cerebralperformance.com/Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunningInformation on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoopBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 9min
Durability in Ultrarunning with Michele Zanini, PhD | KoopCast #239
Michele Zanini is a PhD candidate at Loughborough University as well as the head of Strength and Conditioning for the Italian Triathlon Federation. During this podcast we ddiscuss the concept of durability as it relates to ultramarathon performance. Papers discussed- Durability of Running Economy: Differences between Quantification Methods and Performance Status in Male RunnersSign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunningInformation on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoopBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

4 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 19min
Polarized or Pyramidal Training for Ultrarunning with Michael Rosenblat, PhD #238
Michael Rosenblat comes back on the podcast to discuss his new paper exploring what types of interval workouts are most effective for Ultrarunners. Which Training Intensity Distribution Intervention will Produce the Greatest Improvements in Maximal Oxygen Update and Time-Trial Performance in Endurance Athletes? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data. Michael’s website-https://www.evidencebasedcoaching.ca/Koop’s article on interval training-https://trainright.com/decoding-ultramarathon-interval-workouts/Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunningInformation on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoopBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance

12 snips
Oct 25, 2024 • 1h 23min
High Carbohydrate Intake for Ultrarunners #237
Aitor Virbay is a Researcher in Exercise Physiologist and Metabolism and the Head of the nutrition and physiology department for the WT INEOS Grenadiers cycling team. He is also a scientific advisor to elite athletes and various companies as well as the Founder and Director of Glut4Science, a platform for scientific outreach.Glut4Science: https://glut4science.comAitor’s X Account: https://x.com/mvaitorSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 41min
Elite Athlete Contracts with Kelly Newlon #236
Curious about the secrets behind elite athlete contract negotiations? Get ready to master the art of securing powerful deals as we sit down with Kelly Newland, an expert who has transitioned from catering to top athletes to advising them on contract strategies. Inspired by her popular Instagram series, Kelly shares invaluable tips and tactics for athletes preparing to reCoach Jason Koop sits down with Kelly Newlon to discuss the state of elite ultramarathon contracts and best practices for athletes when negotiating.Kelly's IG and pro tipshttps://www.instagram.com/radboulder/Ultrarunning Magazine-What do Professional Trail and Ultrarunners Earn?https://ultrarunning.com/featured/what-do-professional-trail-and-ultrarunners-earn/SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

9 snips
Sep 21, 2024 • 1h 9min
Thoughts on DNF with Coaches AJW and Neal Palles #235
What drives an ultra marathoner to push through the final miles, or decide to DNF (Did Not Finish)? This episode tackles this profound question head-on, drawing from recent high-profile races like UTMB, Run Rabbit Run, and Leadville Trail 100. We explore the mental frameworks and pre-race preparations that can make or break an athlete's performance. By sharing personal stories and expert insights, we aim to provide guidance that helps athletes make confident decisions during and after a race, all while acknowledging the vital role coaches play in offering emotional support.Coaches face a delicate balance of celebrating successes and owning failures, especially in the high-stakes world of elite races like Western States and UTMB. Through candid discussions and reflections on personal experiences, we highlight the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and continuous improvement in coaching. We delve into public perceptions of coaching effectiveness, the individualized support athletes need post-race, and the role of feedback in fostering a growth mindset.Decision-making in ultra marathons is fraught with complexities, often involving more than just physical readiness. Using data from events like the Western States 100, we explore common issues such as nausea and mental fatigue, and how these can be mitigated through training and mental resilience. With insight from coaches AJW and Neal, we discuss lessons learned from DNFs, the integration of sports psychology into training, and the emotional journey of ultra runners. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the intricate dance of mind and body in the quest to cross the finish line.SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Sep 12, 2024 • 48min
Double Threshold Workouts for Ultrarunning with Rune Talsnes #234
Coach Jason Koop discusses the merits of double threshold workouts with Rune Talsnes. Comparison of acute physiological responses between one long and two short sessions of moderate-intensity training in endurance athletes.SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Sep 7, 2024 • 42min
High Performance Coaching for Elite Ultrarunners Launch #233
Coach Jason Koop sits down with Stephanie Howe PhD, Nicole Rasmussen and Sarah Scozzaro to discuss the development and launch of our High Performance Coaching service for elite ultra runners. Info on the High Performance Coaching ProgramSubscribe to Research Essentials for UltrarunningAdditional resources:SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

6 snips
Aug 26, 2024 • 1h 12min
The Race Recovery Cycle with CTS Coaches Adam Ferdinandson & Neal Palles #232
Ever wondered how elite trail and ultra runners manage to stay competitive throughout a jam-packed racing calendar? Join us as CTS coaches Neal Pallas and Adam Ferdinandson unlock the secrets to mastering the race recovery cycle. From developing tailored recovery plans to navigating the intricacies of transitioning between different race categories, this episode is loaded with actionable strategies to keep you performing at your peak while steering clear of injury and burnout.What happens when you need to balance high-intensity training with essential recovery? Addison lays out a comprehensive framework for categorizing race sequences, helping athletes pinpoint the critical phases of their training regimen. Whether transitioning from B races to A races or tackling back-to-back A races like Western States and UTMB, you'll gain clarity on how to optimize your training peaks and recovery intervals. And let's not forget the psychological aspects—physical healing isn't complete without addressing your mental well-being. Discover how maintaining supportive relationships and engaging in enjoyable activities can help you stay mentally sharp and avoid burnout.Finally, we dive into the practicalities of tapering and reintroducing intense workouts post-recovery. Neil and Adam share their expertise on individualized tapering strategies, emphasizing the importance of choosing races that align with your personal interests and values. Plus, get insider tips on monitoring your progress and knowing when to push the intensity. From determining appropriate recovery times to the benefits of community engagement at races, this episode offers a holistic approach to sustaining peak performance throughout the racing season. Don’t miss our invitation to join us at the Javelina 100 and explore how being part of the CTS family can elevate your running game.Additional resources:SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Aug 19, 2024 • 49min
Excelling in Chamonix - Coach Roundtable | CTS Coaches Stephanie Howe & Ryne Anderson #231
Coaches Stephanie Howe, PhD and Ryne Anderson discuss what athletes should and should not be doing in the several days leading up to UTMB.Timeshifter appAdditional resources:SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
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