In the world of ultra running, where the line between endurance and exhaustion is razor-thin, marginal gains can define the difference between a personal best and a DNF. For Rachel Kim, a seasoned ultra runner from Boulder, Colorado, the key to unlocking her next level wasn’t a new carbon-plated shoe — it was an exercise journal.
The Training Plateau Dilemma
Rachel had been competing in 50K and 100-mile trail races for over six years, but 2023 brought her to a frustrating plateau. “I was logging the miles, doing the work, but my results didn’t reflect it,” she recalls. “I felt like I was training hard, but not smart.”
Enter the Exercise Journal
After reading about training load tracking on fitgit.me, Rachel implemented a visual-first exercise journal. She categorized each workout not just by mileage and elevation, but also by perceived effort, recovery markers (like sleep quality and HRV), and mental state. “Seeing it all laid out taught me more in a week than months of data apps,” she says.
Reframing Recovery and Load
One key insight? She was under-recovering mid-cycle and over-training during taper. “My journal showed a spike in soreness and poor sleep patterns two weeks out from race day — exactly when I should have been dialing back.” She adjusted her tapers and introduced more active recovery days.
Translating Insight into Results
The impact was undeniable. By June, Rachel shaved 42 minutes off her Leadville 50 record. She credits her performance jump to the clarity she gained from documenting and reflecting on her training. “It’s not just what you do, but how you understand what you do,” she explains.
Rachel’s Advice for Fellow Ultra Runners
Rachel suggests starting with simple, handwritten entries or use platforms like fitgit.me that support intuitive visual journaling. “Don’t just track distances. Log how you felt, what you ate, how you slept. Pattern recognition is power.”
The trail will test your grit — but your approach to training determines how long you last. Master that, and every race becomes another opportunity to rise.
Always remember to TTFBs!!!
