Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons

I thought there was something quirky and unique about “Relentless Forward Progress.” The entire book is split up into short, digestible sections on every conceivable topic related to ultrarunning. Some sections have guest writers who are established ultra runners. If you love reading about running and/or are intrigued by ultras, then you are going to devour this book. Before buying “Relentless” I checked out some of the reviews. Most were overwhelmingly positive, but there were a few negative ones, and the recurring theme seemed to be that readers found the book a bit basic. I admit there was nothing earth-shattering here. Critics mentioned that the book isn’t so different from marathon training guides. This is also true. A lot of the topics, on things ranging from training runs to hydration to foot care, were similar to what you’d find in a marathon guide. The very simple fact is that an ultra isn’t radically different from a marathon in terms of training. You should probably still do speed work, tempo runs, easy runs, and long runs. I think there are a couple important points to consider with “Relentless Forward Progress”: first, you can’t please all of the people all of the time, meaning that there are going to be a range of audiences for this book, all of whom have different expectations. There are those people who’ve never run anything longer than a marathon and are considering the ultra distances. There are those (like me) who’ve experimented with 50Ks and 50 milers and are toying with the idea of 100 milers. Then there are the 100 mile vets who continue to read every how-to guide they come across in hopes of gleaning new insights. This last group may be somewhat disappointed by the surface-level topics Bryon Powell covers. He’s trying to reach as many people as possible, so by necessity he can’t be overly detailed. You’re going to get a taste of the things you’ll likely encounter when you start running ultras; that’s Powell’s goal, and he achieves it here. And in Powell’s defense, I don’t think any ultra training guide is going to satisfy certain runners because what they’re searching for is the panacea to ultras. The secret is that there is no secret. Every potential problem that crops up in a marathon, from blisters to chafing to hydration issues, gets multiplied many times over in an ultra. Throw in nutrition, trail running, night running, and sleep issues, and you’ve created a huge challenge for any athlete. And there’s no one book that will help you overcome these challenges. You have to just run the distances and learn from experience. Powell says as much. He basically writes that he can help speed up the learning curve but there’s no substitute for experience, no magic pill that will prevent the lowest lows of mile 70. Take Powell’s advice and put it into practice. Ultras themselves are as idiosyncratic as the people who run them. One person may be struggling at the same time another is doing great, and that same person might crush one 100 miler and DNF the next. The real secret to the 100 mile seems to be the mental angle—how to stay positive and keep moving forward—and I think that part is individual to each person. You’ve got to figure that out for yourself. But if you want some great hints on how to dress for rainy weather, how to prevent blisters, how much to run in training, etc., then read this valuable book.

My measure for what makes a great running book is whether after I read it, or, better, in the middle of reading it, I'm ready to head out for a run. Byron Powell's Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons hits that mark. Runners may know Powell from his web site, irunfar.com. He's been a fixture in the ultrarunning and trail running communities for years.I have run 11 ultras myself, and have picked up bits and pieces of tips from Powell and others over the years. Many experienced runners won't find much of anything new in Relentless Forward Progress, but it's useful to me to have this information all together in a handy resource. Like any book, the information is static, but Powell frequently references his web site, where content is regularly updated.One of the strengths of RFP is the logistical planning. If you have only run road races, and/or have only run races of marathon distance or shorter, you have to be aware that trail ultras are a different animal. What do you bring, what do you wear, how do you deal with the variety of weather and lighting conditions you might encounter, what kind of support do you need to have? These and other questions are answered (some in more detail than others). Obviously, learning from your own experience is invaluable, but Powell distills his experiences, as well as many others who contribute short selections, and puts it all together here.While he offers guidance on eating before and during an ultra race, and presents a variety of training plans for ultras, these two areas are, in my opinion, the most questionable to put in a book like this. Every runner is so different that no plan can adequately meet the needs of all. Powell clearly agrees with this sentiment, and presents enough information that most any runner can take the raw material here and develop his or her own successful training plans and race strategies.It's been a few years since I've completed an ultra, but reading Relentless Forward Progress put a little fire in me to up my weekly mileage and sign up for a run. Let's hit the trails!

I bought this book because many people on a trail running group mentioned that this book is basically a bible for ultra-running. My main complaint is that most of the advice in this book can be found in any standard marathon training book, so if you already have a bunch of running/training books, I don't know if this book is really necessary. It might be a great resource for some new runners though. I'm going to try out one of the training plans (I believe the book comes with at least 3 training plans) and I'll update the review once I have run my target race.

Very basic primary on ultras. Still worth the $. If nothing else, the basic parameters of the training plans are good guides because there's really not much out there on what you should do to have success in 50-100+ mile races. I'd suggest it to runners I coached. Some of the back and forth about a few of the topics seems unnecessary. I like it clearly states you shouldn't be using NSAIDs and it's dangerous to do so. I can't remember if the hydration part was "drink to thirst" or not, so it probably was, which is also good.

So as I was starting to consider running an ultra, this was a great book to have picked up. In some chapters, I want to cry before even considering starting training, but in most, it makes the people seem so much more human than some of the books I've read on the topic before. Mostly because most books are written by or about the top runners, so their "slow ultra speed" is my sprint speed, while this book shows a more human side to it all, without making it sound like it'll be a walk in the park. Highly recommend this to anyone considering doing an ultra.

Must read for everyone starting out with running ultramarathons. I still look through it every time I'm starting training for a new long run.If you enjoy this book you can get more inspiration and news from Bryon Powell on irunfar.comNote:Be aware that the advise on hydration in endurance racing have changed since this book was issued i.e. you should drink dictated by thirst and not as much as possible.

Loads of info and it's not shy about directing you else where for the details - this book isn't going to tell you how to run without foot problems, but will point you to a treasure trove of other sources. Where the book excels is giving a balanced view of conflicting here say you get from other athletes and instilling some of the core principals of running ultras in you. Not to mention workable and adjustable training plans.

As I prepare to get back in the game of distance running after a 9 year lay off this book is fantastic....A no BS approach to how to get there and what not to do....Great advice throughout with realistic training programmes....None of this "you must run 100+ miles per week" business. Just good advice from those who have been there and done it and continue to push the limits of endurance. Can't recommend this book enough

Difficult to effectively review of a book on ultra-running so soon after purchase as it would mean following one of its 24 week training plans to their conclusion to really be able to judge it correctly.That said, it's a thoroughly enjoyable read.It assumes you already have a bit of running experience and doesn't waste time on stuff you should have already learnt before even considering ultra-running. Inspiring throughout, it offers good solid practical advice on all sorts of aspects specific to going further including weather conditions, support crew, choice of race etc. and even "Defecating in the Woods"(sic)!Training plans offered for races up 50km(31miles), 40miles to 100km and 100miles and are all proposed in up to 50 miles a week or up to 70 miles a week versions.As to criticism that it concentrates too heavily on trail running as opposed to road running I would say three things first most ultra events in the UK and Europe are mostly off-road, secondly if you're doing this kind of high-mileage then off-road is certainly physically safer for your joints etc. and thirdly there's simply a lot more to say about it than there is about the relatively straight forward practice of road running.I bought this on the recommendation of friends who are experienced ultra runners and thank them wholeheartedly for it.

Really useful book for anyone planning to run an ultra marathon. Really good training plans for varied distances, found it very informative