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

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 elementsToo 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.

Then, why not read it backwards and forwards and backward and forwards, and keep adding to your understanding as you put the information into use.The reason to read it backwards is to get quickly into a proper plan for your training. Then, gain better understanding of the process from the front of the book.The recommendations towards load and rest, and for the intensities and duration of spesific workouts has been broadly well fitting to me and easy to adapt.

This book is a great guide to endurance training. It has helped me shape my training for some endurance events and has worked well. Some of it is geared towards elite athletes and he makes a few hints for newer athletes. So it is not comprehensive but gives a lot of ideas and then it’s up to you to make a plan that works for your individual body.

This book has everything you need to know to mountain race better, but will help in any endurance athlete to improve....the science is pretty straight forward and easy to follow...

These three extraordinary athletes have collaborated to create the best endurance training guide out there. It is chock-full of science, research, techniques, and strategies that can help you improve your endurance.First, they start with the Physiological Basis for Endurance, then move into Methods (120 pages, longest section of book), then they address Strength training, and finally How to Train which helps you develop your own customized plan.They give priceless advice about all the components that go into your endurance, which variables are easier to move, and how to move them (most efficiently). Then they show you how to create your own training personal plan for optimal performance while minimizing the chance of injury.If you are a trail runner, backcountry skier, mountaineer, hiker, or any 'uphill' sport, you'll find pure gold in this book. And it's extremely well-written.I think anybody reading this book would gain:* detailed techniques pertinent to their own strengths/weaknesses* detailed strategies to create your training plan* inspiration to pursue big goalsPersonal stories from 20+ other top athletes enrich the book (and gave me further specific advice). My only suggestion, if I may be so bold, would be an expanded discussion for the older athlete -- maybe a topic for a future book?I have been a huge fan of the authors for many years, since House's "Beyond the Mountain." "Training for the New Alpinism" helped me gain endurance to run a hilly 100K race last year and (sort of) keep up with my teenage son multi-pitch rock climbing. This new collaboration with Kilian Jornet adds his extraordinary perspective - and provides even more specifics.I predict this book will be the best investment you'll make in your training this year.

I wish I would have had this book years ago when I started training for my first marathon. This book dives into the physiology and biology behind training, helping the athlete understand how different types of training cause the body to adapt.This book is for serious people who want to know how to train for endurance events. There are sections that will help beginners transition to structured training, but it is mostly targeted towards athletes stringing multiple years of training together. The book spends about 2/3 of it's first pages just explaining muscle and endurance adaptation, so by the time it explains structuring specific training plans you understand and can adjust for yourself.One of the main points is spending the majority of your training time at a very low level intensity to build an adequate aerobic base, which I thought I had, but did not. It also provides specific strength training and running workouts to increase speed, and how they fit into the broader aerobic training. I would have paid 2-3 times more for this book because of the value I got from it.

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.

I’ve spent years in and around mountainous terrain, either going up or coming down. There are few texts available that aren’t bro or media centric affairs. This isn’t one of those, you can draw similarities from texts such as New Alpinism and others but to find a text rich in information, experience and science is rare indeed. Good stuff!

Probably the most comprehensive book for runners I've read.Highly recommended!Don't fall for online standard training programs or omni-present silly advices, first understand the mechanisms behind and then apply them on a personalised level.

I’m only an amateur runner. But this has been so useful and inspiring. It’s made it clear to me why I’m not progressing and how to change that. It’s also full of inspiring stories and pictures that make you want to get outside ASAP!

Scientific, impossible to put down unless absolutely necessary! Full of guidance and background info as to why’s and how’s of training. As a long distance runner I fully recommend this book for guidance on endurance sports.