Articles by Joe Uhan

Renewable Resources for Sustainable Ultrarunning

This October marked my third year as a mentor/counselor at the Team Red, White and Blue Trail Running Camp (more on the camp’s mission and organization can be found in this column, in the December 2015 issue). Unlike a l...

Superior Fall Trail Races

As a Midwest expatriate on the West Coast, it didn’t take long to catch wind of the Superior 100 – a point-to-point ultramarathon, run entirely on the Superior Hiking Trail. I saw bits of it first-hand when crewing a fri...

Central Governor and Stride

“It’s simple, but it’s not easy,” I tell many clients, as we muddle through the challenging process of running stride optimization. Throughout 2016, we’ve talked about running stride: the fundamentals, having a stride...

Ultra Form and Efficiency: Body Language

A few years ago, I stumbled upon a book with an interesting subject matter: handwriting analysis. Little was I aware that there is a whole “science” behind the meaning of the flow, shapes, sizes and slants of people’s wr...

Fake It ’Til You Make It

“Look fast, act fast and then run fast!” It was the summer of 1999, and as a young collegian, I’d landed what turned out to be a serendipitous summer job as a research assistant in the Department of Chemistry at the U...

The Stride Plan

The allure of ultramarathon running is, in large part, due to its complexity: navigating the challenges of distance, terrain, weather and how those variables affect the body and mind. Whole industries have developed to p...

Finding Balance with Ultrarunning

People get into the sport of ultrarunning for various reasons. Some to escape: the roads, the crowds, the noise and the stresses of everyday life. Others, to explore: nature, new places and the limits of both body and mind. To our delight, what we find out is those limits lie far beyond our wildest dreams. “I went somewhere I never thought possible” is a common refrain of any 100-mile finisher.

Foot Strike

Over the course of the year, we have outlined the fundamentals of running stride efficiency: trunk alignment, arm swing and hip drive. If those three elements are well executed, the fourth and final element – the foot st...

Running Form & Efficiency Hip Drive

Throughout 2016, we have analyzed the fundamentals of efficient running mechanics and how the demands of the ultra distance impact our run. Last month, we discussed arm swing. This month, we address the powertrain – the hips.

Hip Drive

Throughout 2016, we have analyzed the fundamentals of efficient running mechanics and how the demands of the ultra distance impact our run. Last month, we discussed arm swing. This month, we address the powertrain – the...

Arm Swing

Throughout 2016, we will break down the fundamentals of efficient running mechanics, and how the demands of the ultra distance – terrain, weather conditions and even gear – impact how we run. Last month, we discussed ide...

Trunk Alignment and Efficiency

Throughout 2016, we will break down the fundamentals of efficient running mechanics, and how the demands of the ultra distance – terrain, weather conditions and even gear – impact how…

Trunk Alignment and Efficiency

Throughout 2016, we will break down the fundamentals of efficient running mechanics, and how the demands of the ultra distance – terrain, weather conditions and even gear – impact how we run. This month, we identify idea...

UROY Superheroes

This year’s Ultrarunners of the Year (UROY) and Performances of the Year candidates are no different than in years past. They represent our fastest and toughest athletes in the sport: our superheroes. And like superheroe...

We Stand Alone, Together

There’s something strangely unifying about the shared commitment, struggle and triumph of the long run. For the veteran ultramarathon runner, this is well understood, if not implicit. We run and race together, in large p...

Oh, the Things I Know

When I began this column two years ago, the intent was to bring the historic roots of ultras to today’s newest ultrarunning readers. Driven by the value of sustainability, the notion was to help new runners avoid re-inventing the wheel: to learn the lessons without having to experience, first-hand, the painful mistakes that befell our predecessors.

Oh, the Things I Know

When I began this column two years ago, the intent was to bring the historic roots of ultras to today’s newest ultrarunning readers. Driven by the value of sustainability, the notion was to help new runners avoid re-inve...

Going Pro

In June, I celebrated six years as a licensed physical therapist. In “dog years”, I’m near retirement age. And dog years and “PT years” have something in common, because of this stark statistic: the average physical ther...

The Evolution of the Modern Aid Station

Today’s aid stations, especially at majors like Western States, are staffed by folks who are often veteran ultrarunners, have decades of experience and are as skilled as they come at meeting runners’ needs.

Exceptional Aid

In the earliest days of ultra-distance races, food and water were essential, if not life-sustaining. For years, aid stations have been central to the ultrarunning experience. But food and water aren’t the only nourish...

The Best Doping Disinfectant Is a Strong Community

Yet again, the competitive endurance community is embroiled in controversy. New allegations have surfaced involving the Nike Oregon Project, the flagship of American distance running excellence. The man at the helm, Albe...

Evolution of Western States Course

Every sport has its majors: world-class competitions that crown champions. Most of these events travel to different locations each year, highlighting either the home team or a special venue. But for a few athletic pursui...

Ultra Aggression

Sure, runners can get snarky in the heat of the moment—at race officials or at their own crew and pacers when things don’t go their way. But this has more to do with the stress of the event, and having their needs (however illogical or self-entitled they may be) properly met.

Longevity and Ultra Racing

These days, it’s in vogue to televise vintage sporting events, and while at my favorite watering hole recently, a classic was on the screen. The 1988 NBA All-Star game was memorable, not for the action, but for the playe...

Ultra Aggression

Ultrarunning, almost by definition, is a communal love-fest. It is a friendly, nurturing community, wherein we run together: with one another for the exploration of nature and self.  With the support of a crew, pacers...

Modeling Values in the Ultrarunning Community

Ultrarunning is growing. Growth is good, but growth can be painful. With the rapid growth of trail ultrarunning, there is a confluence of forces: on the lands that support us; on race directors who balance the needs of the trails, the volunteers and the runner; and on the runners themselves to commit, train, prepare for and ultimately execute what everyone tells them will be a Zen-like, transformational experience.

Modeling Values in the Ultra Community

Ask any race director what the number one issue with today’s runner is, and most will respond: “They don’t know the rules.” People sign up for races, do the training, yet fail to “get educated.” They don’t read the ra...

Cutting-Edge Research

A novel new addition to race week at this year’s Western States Endurance Run was the first-ever Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports Conference. Medical research is one of the three pillars of the Western States Foundation Mission, and the formulation of a research conference in conjunction with the race has been in the works for several years.

Children And Ultramarathons

In early March, for the first time in nearly eight years, I started coaching high school running. Coaching high school track and cross-country a dozen years ago – and the…

Road Warriors

At first glance, the North American all-time fastest road ultramarathon list looks like a time capsule: names and times from decades past, seemingly frozen in time. The bulk of those fastest- ever road and track performances were all logged over 20 years ago. In fact, the most recent entry onto the USA Top Ten list for the 50-mile distance was etched in 1990.

The Elite Runner-Volunteer: Striking a Balance By Giving Back

The following is an addendum to Joe Uhan’s April column, “Volunteerism & Running Longevity” Locally, Craig Thornley was the first runner I knew to model this athlete/activist balance. Thornley co-founded…

Volunteerism & Running Longevity

Besides self-improvement, embedded in my philosophy as an ultrarunner, therapist and coach is sustainability: what can we do today that will ensure we can do what we love, tomorrow? And the next several thousand tomorrows?

Deconstructing the Ultra Runners of the Year

True to its name, Now and Then looks deeper into the award’s 33-year history, looking for patterns and characteristics – physical, intangible, and logistical – of what it really takes to be the UROY.

Q&A with Grand Slammers, Ian Sharman and Nick Clark

Joe Uhan sat down with grand slammers Ian Sharman and Nick Clark to discuss their goals going into 2013, the competition between each other and how they feel the sport is growing.