TRAINING FOR DISTANCE: WITH ULTRA RUNNER ANDREW LEE

The North Face athlete and ultra runner Andrew Lee, dedicates a wealth of time towards his running. When he goes in to a race, he wants to be prepared and ready to perform to the best of his ability. Andy Lee has been testing out the recently launched Mountain Athletics Training App, developed by The North Face with Mountain Athlete founder, Rob Shaul.

When you’re training for more than a game, the Mountain Athletics Training App will assist you with an activity-specific 6-week training program to ensure you are performing at the peak of your ability. We talk to Andrew Lee about his training, and his first impressions of the app.

Why do you train?

I just love it! It gives me a great sense of well-being and a clear mind. It also prepares me for the rigours of ultra trail running. Obviously a lot my training is tailored for this.

Prior to using the Mountain Athletics Training App, how do you train in general? 

Mainly running, with a bit of cross training and what I call body maintenance (BM) thrown in for good measure. This includes a combination of dynamic stretching, hip, glute and lower back exercises and movements. I find that these keep me in alignment and also aid my recovery.

An example of a high mileage week in lead up (just prior to tapering) for a race like the Six Foot Track Marathon, for me, looks something like this:

SATURDAY: 18KM EASY ROAD RUN

SUNDAY: 40KM STEADY-PACE TRAILRUN

MONDAY: 8KM EASY-PACE RUN

TUESDAY: 10KM RUN (MORNING/LUNCH) AND 7 x 1.1KM HILL REPS ON TRAILS IN THE EVENING (EACH REP CONTACTS ELEVATION GAIN OF 160M

WEDNESDAY: 8KM EASY-PACE RUN AT LUNCH AND 10KM COMMUTE RUN HOME FROM LOCAL TRAIN STATION

THURSDAY: DOUBLE DAY – 10KM EASY LUNCH RUN, STEADY PACE 18KM TRAILRUN IN THE EVENING

FRIDAY: 14KM EASY-PACE RUN

Training for a race though like the Hounslow Classic or Buffalo Stampede requires alot training on more gnarly / technical trails as opposed to training on groomed fire trails, single tracks and road runs which would do for Six Foot Track Marathon training. The key message here is to be race specific in your training.

How do you find training with The North Face Mountain Athletics Training App? 

I think it’s great and quite easy to follow. I also like the measured and progressive formatting of the exercises allowing for adaptation. The video demonstrations on all of the exercises in the various programs are very instructional and useful.

Can you see an effect of the work you’ve been doing with app?

Yes! I believe the two weeks of the running program exercises I did in the lead up to the recent Kedumba Half Marathon which contains an elevation gain of 800m, played a part in the result I obtained – 1st place and course record. Hence I’m keen for more, but at the same time I‘m also aware that I need to be careful, measured and patient with it.

What events do you have coming up that you’ll be training for?

Narrowneck Night Run, November 2015

Six Foot Track Marathon, March 2016

Buffalo Stampede, April 2016

UTA100 (formerly TNF100) May 2016

*Also hopeful of name being selected out of lottery ballot for 2016 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.

Are you training for more than a game? Set your own goal, get activity-specific workouts with The North Face Training App. Download it from the App Store today to start training for your next big outdoor goal.

2014 The North Face 100 Course. Photo: Lyndon Marceau