Ep 40 Christmas special: training systems over goals, and listener Q&A with René Borg
· Trail Running Ireland Podcast
In the Christmas special, Eoin Flynn and René Borg look at how to think about training, not just what to do. They use Scott Adams's idea that systems matter more than goals, then answer three listener questions: structuring three runs a week, losing fitness over a 10-day break, and why some athletes thrive on a fat-based diet.
Eoin rounds up recent results and explains the new UTMB World Series: 24 races confirmed for 2022, with majors offering automatic places and extra running stones for the 2023 finals in Chamonix. He thanks Patreon supporters.
René explains why a system of daily habits (warm-ups, cool-downs, sleep, eating) drives success more than a goal on its own, and why good systems take seasons to build and must change as life changes. Eoin notes that ultras fail more often than road marathons even with good preparation. René says ultra runners need clear race-day plans for blisters, stomach trouble and navigation. They discuss learning to think through problems rather than only looking up answers, and why you have to enjoy your training system.