Training for the Uphill Athlete: A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers

This book sets out clear training principles for uphill athletes with excellent explanations as to why the plans work. The author usefully explodes the myth that high-intensity training is a substitute for low-intensity graft when developing endurance. The book has many interesting anecdotes from top athletes but never feels judgemental when describing slower participants. Highly recommended.

I bought this book earlier in the year (2020) and was immediately impressed with its layout, stunning visual appeal, and intellectual content. The superbly illustrated section on 'Aerobic Deficiency Syndrome' (credited to Phil Maffetone) was especially pertinent to me and was all the excuse I needed to continue my glacially slow locomoting at Zone 2 'intensity'. The 'vacuum cleaner' analogy really helped my understanding of the physiology involved in the aerobic base building process and was perhaps worth the price of the book in itself. Regardless of some gripes about the 'core' training section, and the fact that I am too old to put into practise a LOT of the information in this book, I still love it. Mr House and Mr Johnston's knowledge, experience and passion is the driving force behind this great book, and their UpHill Athlete website (with its excellent series of podcasts). I commend them for presenting this material in such an inspiring way and I think it is the gold standard text in this field.

Explains the process very well, and every fitness level is catered for.

I think this book ultimately provides the scientific base for what everyone else is already telling you, do your easy runs easier, build your base aerobic fitness before race/distance specific training, don't copy elite training because it won't work for you. Once I got past the chapters that reinforced those messages, as many other books already do, and the book started to present more specific programs and training types, I started to flick through it rather than properly read and take it in. Unless you're totally committed to micro-managing your training for 100% achievement, which unfortunately I feel most people do not have the time for, then the detail becomes overwhelming. If you're a recreational runner, or anyone other than an advanced club/elite runner, then like me you might find the later information in the book is just not that relevant. It's great to understand the scientific base and for the general training methodologies to be reinforced, however I would have liked more information on what specifically are advantageous training methods for "uphill athletes" whereas I feel this book is about general fitness and works on the road equally as well as on the trails. I'm a mid-level club runner who most enjoys the hills and the trails.

Super useful, thanks.

Excellent book for any ultra endurance athlete, all of the technical terms explained clearly and simply in English, so many simple training actionable to take away and apply to your own specific training plan. Excellent book and source of future reference !

Bought this to aid my training for a 110km ultra. Great book, bit of eye opener!

So comprehensive but also accessible. The knowledge and credibility of the authors came through. I would say some of the charts and graphics would better come through in the print version but it was my choice to buy the Kindle version so still a 5 star for the content.

Very useful book with practical information as well as nerdy graphs for those looking to self coach. They talk about the what, why, and how in a easy to understand manner, and example training plans. Nothing is new if you are a seasoned athlete, such as LT1 and LT2, zones, etc, but the book ties all the theory together very well.

Très bien

Muy buen libro de teoría para poder entender bien el rendimiento del cuerpo

Leitura essencial para qualquer corredor ou atleta de endurance

The book "Training for the New Alpinism" by Scott Johnston and Steve House set new standards for thorough, science and coaching-based training advice for alpinists and endurance athletes alike. Although focused on fast and light alpinism (aka "new" alpinism), Johnston's background as a coach in cross country skiing permeated the book and, as a result, much of the book could be easily applied to other endeavors- like cross country skiing, mountain running, and ski mountaineering (SkiMo). With support from Patagonia as publisher, a large emphasis was placed on clear, high quality, information-dense graphics that were far superior to anything else available at the time. I highly recommended this book when it was published and continue to do so today. Enter this new volume from Johnston and co-authors Steve House and Kilian Jornet that is focused on mountain running, ultra running, and SkiMo. Along with the same science and coaching-based guidance, similarly superior graphics, a unique focus on strength development, and an excellent handbook to developing your own training plan, "Training for the Uphill Athlete" represents a new milestone in quality and thoroughness in a training guide for the endurance athlete. In this book one will find a nicely presented approach to training for "uphill" endurance sports such as mountain running and SkiMo. Throughout, the authors provide a scientific and/or coaching-based foundation for the specific training programs being described. Of particular note are the sections on ATP production and lactate metabolism- the best presentation of this material that I have been exposed to. All of this gives the reader the basis for (or a starting point for) development of a personal training "philosophy"- something that is critical to the success of any training regimen. As is pointed out frequently in the book, each individual presents a unique combination of physiology, biomechanics, life situation, and personality. Provided with a basic foundational approach and the specific tools needed to enable successful, progressive training , the reader is well positioned to be able to design and execute upon a training program that is aligned with his or her abilities, time, commitment, and goals. The overarching mantras laced through the material are: aerobic base development, "progression, progression, progression", and the critical importance of substantial integrated strength training elements Too many athletes and recreationalists ramp training up too quickly, incorporate intensity too soon, suffer injury, and, potentially, burnout. By properly progressing training load and intensity and integrating strength sessions into the program such "training errors" can be largely avoided. These themes are regularly brought forward and discussed throughout the book and recommendations are provided to help the reader incorporate appropriate progressions and strength programs. Although of limited value, the book is punctuated by sidebar stories and opinions from representative uphill athletes- both elite level and some well-known sub-elite athletes. I find these individual essays to be more of a hinderance to the authors otherwise successful goal to provide clear guidance but I know that many find such stories inspirational. Also included are "Kilian's Notes"- short sections where Kilian describes his training history, training methods, and some specific workouts. Again, I find these of limited value as they are coming from an athlete who has been in intensive endurance training since he was 13 years old, with a 90+ VO2max, mental fortitude that is similarly off the charts, and has raced thousands of times. Having trained with athletes with some of these attributes, I can say that what they do is not particularly relevant even to those with relatively high VO2max and long histories with training for endurance sport. If you have ever competed against or trained with someone with a 90+ VO2max you will know what I mean. I suggest that one take these Kilian missives as just that- an entertaining peak into what such an extraordinary and accomplished athlete does and not a prescription for anyone else. Unfortunately there is no warning to this effect in the book. I have found little to disagree with in this book with the exception of the science fiction provided on "fat adaptation" and a "hook-line-and-sinker" devotion to the persistent hunting theory as a basis for understanding human endurance abilities. But these are minor items and thankfully nutrition is not a focus of the book so it is easy to let these go and concentrate on all of the truly valuable information and presentation in the book. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in understanding fundamental endurance training concepts, evolving a personal approach based on these concepts, and developing a reliable, flexible training plan that will, with consistency and commitment, lead to success and goal achievement in endurance sport.