Make everything SMART.

Log in memories, not miles.

Trail Running SMART

Training Methodology

We strive to leave nothing to chance. Everything in your training should be tailored to you and controlled efficiently with particular interventions from one session to another. SMART is our means to the end of pursuing your goals more efficiently.

We are constantly improving our method

We are keen on learning more everyday in order to apply in our practice only the best principles of training available out there nowadays, in the vast sea of information. So you won't be the only one getting better, we are too. We are looking to improve our methodology each step we take, so that you get the most of what is out there in terms of knowledge on the field of training and racing, no matter the distance and surface. We follow a simple 6 step rule:

DISCOVER. LEARN. TEST.

VALIDATE. APPLY. DEVELOP.

Method.

KEY PRINCIPLES:

  • Plan. And then plan some more.

  • Consistent yet creative.

  • Individualize. Optimize. Progress.

  • Everyday is a day to learn something knew.

  • Each session is a quality session.

  • Coaching is personal. There is no other way.

We have knowledge and experience. But we are still learning.

We use every resources that we believe it will make a difference. At the level science & technology evolves, constant learning is mandatory. Don't worry, we got this covered. You just make sure you get the best experience and ENJOY THE JOURNEY, THE RESULTS WILL FOLLOW.

We only do quality sessions.

Key sessions? OK. Quality sessions? Everything should be a quality session! @SMART we only do quality sessions either is a easy run at a very easy pace or just a walk in the park, or even resting on the sofa, remember - it's all part of the plan. RECOVERY IS TRAINING!

Consistent yet creative

We work very consistently following a plan but that doesn't mean we can't get creative around it. Consistency has its levels. You should level up at a weekly or monthly level. Focusing on day to day consistency can usually get pretty hard and eventually you will crack. Instead of the usual easy run maybe you can jump on the bike and take a sightseeing tour. BE 100% CONSISTENT, 90% OF THE TIME.

Plan. And then plan some more

Alright. Let's get real. We will plan everything from the goal event backwards to where we are at. But it doesn't mean we stop there. We plan our nutrition, our race, our cycles, even our camps or other aspects that life may throw at us. It is in our power to plan everything that we can and let our adventures take care of the rest. Keep in mind that NOT PLANNING TO SUCCEED IS PLANNING TO FAIL.

Only 1 on 1 coaching

We coach people, athletes that want to improve their overall experience. Maybe they want to take a crack at a local race. Or maybe they dream of racing internationally at the highest level. Or maybe you just want to get better in order to have more fun on trails and get more adventurous each time you are out there with your family or friends. Either way you deserve a coach. Everyone deserves a coach. Let's team up and develop a long lasting relationship with our sport. We can't promise you won't get addicted to it. But no matter what, we and the community are here for you, in your journey to conquest any goals or challenges you might face on your unique path. For us, YOU are the most important. Our fellow trailrunner, part of our trailrunning community.

Individualize. Optimize. Progress.

With good knowledge and good communication, nothing can stop us reaching our goals. As long as we keep our gaze on the prize that is adventure, and we plan our approach to training and racing in a tailored manner with constant optimization, our path to progress and success is paved. We just need to follow it. Don't worry, it's FUN. Bringing science and sports together helps us bridge the gap between uncertainty and an adventure that will last forever. Don't forget to LOG IN MEMORIES, NOT MILES.

Periodization of training.

Planning everything that we can control is key. We go in depth with an enlarged approach to your short, medium and long time goals. We are looking to adjust your Anual Training Plan (ATP) in order to suit your particular schedule. Of course there are always changes in the initial plan. A plan is a plan, but it is also not more than a plan. As we know, LIFE can be pretty impredictable. And thats the beauty of it. Our power comes from constant adaptation to any particular situation that might come up.

  • There is no such thing as standard periodization (it has to be tailored to your specific needs, responsabilities and other key ingredients).

  • Thanks to TrainingPeaks we can track and adjust our ATP accordingly.

  • Yes, we will constantly adjust everything. Trust the process.

Focus on recovery.

RECOVERY IS TRAINING. It is not time away from it. Basically the best thing you can do in order to improve after your sessions is to recover from it. This is when adaptation takes place. This is when you get stronger, fitter, faster. This is also when you should sleep, replenish your reservoirs, and readjust your caloric budget in order to pursue another key session. Remember, there is no improvement without recovery. In fact, you should focus on recovery pretty much the same as you are focusing when performing each session.

  • We know, it's recurrent: but RECOVERY IS TRAINING. And a highway to improvement. So Sleep, eat your calories, the rest is a bonus.

  • If you don't pay attention to recovery you will pay to injury.

  • Listen to your body. We'll guide you throught it but it has to be discovered by yourself. We have a few tips&tricks on how you can gain important insights on your ability to recover and perform sustainable.

Testing & Assesing performance

We are using testing protocols in order to assess your baseline and furthermore to adjust the training on your specific needs. We see testing as being a tool for accounting performance in training but also an esential metric that guides us into making specific intensity adjustments. Testing isn't everything but it is certainly something you have to consider if you want to cancel the surronding noise around your training and to have more control on your performance and results.

  • We test to adjust, collect and not to set anything definitively.

  • Testing is a tool. The more you understand it and use it, the useful it gets in your performance equation.

  • You can only improve what you are able to test.

Constant communication

We understand that sometimes you just want space, but we'll keep it simple and fair. Communication is key when it comes to better understanding your current, past and future training. There's no need for useless scribble but it is mandatory to keep in touch in order to constantly assess and perform changes in the programme. Sometimes just a simple feedback is enough, sometimes not. Of course, if you are the chatty type or the data geek who wants to know everything there is to know about training, new trails and other stuff that us trailrunners are concerned about, we are more than happy to talk about our comun passions and goals. If you want to know more about the science behind each approach, we will make sure you have everything clear. Remember, EACH SESSION MUST BE QUALITATIVE. And in order to achieve that, one must know the purpose of it. We are here to explain it to you and to make sure you take all the right steps.

  • Face2Face, E-mails, Phonecalls, Zooms, Facetimes, Whatsapps - it doesn't matter, as long as we can communicate and get things done!

  • Coaching is part science part art. But we also see it as teamwork, adventure and a dive into the unknown.

Services

  • We provide training plans that are specific to your needs and will be adjusted accordingly from one session to another. As we team up to reach your goals, make sure you keep in mind that the journey should be at least as enjoyable as the destination.

  • We offer training, racing and fuelling related consulting. We also share our knowledge with you as we believe that together we can push our sport further into the spotlight.

  • Coming out soon… Stay tuned!

  • Coming out soon… Stay tuned!