Race Ready or Not? Lessons from UTMB Prep

Jon breaks down his stormy UTMB: from an solid start and early lead to brutal rain/snow, frozen hands, fueling woes, and sharp knee pain that forced a DNF at Champex-Lac. We talk kit mistakes (layers, gloves, insoles), getting sucked into racing, the emotional call to stop, and what he’d change next time. Plus a quick recovery update and thoughts on what’s next.

Henriette and Jon Albon catch up on their final weeks of training ahead of UTMB before diving into the bigger question: what does it actually mean to be “race ready” as a trail runner Beyond VO₂ max or interval splits, they break down the key dimensions of trail race fitness. They also share practical tools, including the AlbonApp’s Fitness Profile, to help runners gauge readiness and train smarter. Whether your goal is simply to survive or to truly excel, this episode offers honest insights into preparing for the unique demands of trail racing. // TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke trail running plans. First 2 weeks are completely FREE!// SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST// FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

On this episode of The Albon Way, Jon and Henriette answer trail running questions from the community. They talk about balancing road and trail training, managing vert in training plans, preventing foot issues, and handling heart rate drift in hot weather. Packed with insights and real-world tips for trail and ultra runners.// TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke trail running plans. First 2 weeks are completely FREE!// SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST// FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

After a month-long pause, Henriette and Jon are back to share where they’ve been, how training has gone lately, and what’s ahead as they shift into UTMB prep mode with seven weeks to go. They talk through their “low mileage, high intentionality” training philosophy, why you don’t need ultra-long runs to race really far, and how they’re using smart planning to build fitness while staying healthy.// TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke trail running plans. First 2 weeks are completely FREE! // SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST // FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

Henriette recaps her race at Trail du Saint Jacques by UTMB – breaking down heat prep, fueling, and pacing – then dives into the weird world of tapering. From hormonal curveballs to taper panic, she and Jon explore why rest before a race can feel so wrong, and how to manage it. // TRAIL ANALYTICS & PLANNINGCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke trail running plans. First 2 weeks are completely FREE! // SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST // FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Albon Way, Henriette and Jon dive into the sweaty side of race prep, namely heat training. From DIY heat caves and sauna sessions to layering up for treadmill hikes, they break down the difference between active and passive heat exposure, when and how to use each, and why it’s not just for hot races. They share real-world insights from their own training (and missteps), plus essential tips on hydration, nutrition, recovery, and monitoring your body's response. Whether you're prepping for heat, altitude, or just want a fitness boost from sweating your arse off, this one's for you. //DISCOUNT CODES25% off ⁠226ers Norway⁠: ALBON25$40 annual credit + bottle: ⁠THE FEED⁠ (click on link) 15% off ⁠Moonvalley⁠: ALBON15 // TRAIL ANALYTICS & PLANNINGCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke trail running plans. First 2 weeks are completely FREE! // SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST // FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Albon Way, Henriette and Jon kick things off with an update on Jon’s recovery after the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (UTS), unpacking the physical and mental reset that follows a big race. They also get into their current approach to supplements before the conversation shifts to the core topic: gut training for trail running. They share practical strategies for building a fueling routine that supports race day performance, including how to gradually increase carb intake, experiment with gels and solids, and mimic race-day conditions in training. From understanding how hydration impacts fuel absorption to avoiding common aid station pitfalls, this episode offers plenty of takeaways for any trail runner looking to fuel smarter and run stronger.//DISCOUNT CODES25% off 226ers Norway: ALBON25$40 annual credit + bottle: THE FEED (click on link) 15% off Moonvalley: ALBON15 // TRAIL ANALYTICS & PLANNINGCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke trail training plans.  First 2 weeks are completely FREE! // SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST // FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Albon Way, Henriette talks to Jon about his recent win at the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB 100K. They dive into how the race unfolded from Jon’s perspective, his strategic approach to training and tapering, and the challenges he faced on the rugged Welsh trails. Jon also shares insights into the competitive landscape, including how he managed to stay ahead of his rivals to secure the victory. Tune in for an inspiring and insightful race recap!// TRAIL ANALYTICS & PLANNINGCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke training plans. Use referral code thealbonway2 for 2 weeks for free when you first subscribe.// SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST// FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

What really gets you through long trail races? In this episode, Henriette and Jon break down fatigue resistance – how well you can hold form, focus, and performance deep into a race. They explore why it matters more than flashy speed, how to build it through smart training, and how nutrition, gear, and mindset all play a role. Tune in for real talk, personal stories, and actionable tips to remain strong when it matters. // TRAIL ANALYTICS & PLANNINGCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke training plans. Use referral code thealbonway2 for 2 weeks for free when you first subscribe.// SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST// FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Henriette and Jon dive into top tips for race day – from modern carb loading strategies to pacing uphills (and downhills) and fueling right. They also chat about their Easter traditions, how weather seems to impact training, and bust a few trail racing myths along the way. Whether you're gearing up for your first ultra or chasing a PB, this one's packed with practical advice to help you nail your next trail race.// TRAIL ANALYTICS & PLANNINGCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for trail specific data insights and bespoke training plans. Use referral code thealbonway2 for 2 weeks for free when you first subscribe.// SHARE AND RATE THE PODCAST// FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp⁠⁠⁠