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S4 Ep 17 How to Run Ultras for a Lifetime with Ian Sharman

Over the Next Hill Fitness··12 September 2026·53 min

About this episode

Send us Fan MailHe ran his first marathon within months of starting to run, then turned around and tackled Marathon des Sables, a brutal 150-mile multi-stage race in the Sahara. That willingness to learn by doing is exactly why talking with Ian Sharman felt so energising and so useful for anyone who wants to train smarter, race better, and stay in love with running for the long haul. We get into Ian’s journey from a corporate career as an economist to life as a professional ultrarunner and seasoned running coach, including what that transition really costs and what it gives back. He breaks down standout efforts like the Grand Slam of Ultra Running (Western States, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, Wasatch Front in about ten weeks), plus what “fast” actually means when you zoom out beyond comparison and focus on execution. Along the way, we talk honest early mistakes with fueling, shoes, chafing, and why comfort and consistency beat gimmicks every time. Ian also shares the principles behind his book, The Art of Ultra Running, including how to spot biased or unqualified “expert” advice, why strength training supports injury prevention as you age, and how to stay flexible when life collides with a training plan. We close with a practical pacing framework you can use immediately: split races into thirds so you stop burning matches early and start finishing stronger. Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a review so more athletes can find the show.Connect with Ian:Facebook: @sharmanianIG: @sharmanianX: @sharmanianhttp://www.sharmanultra.comIan's book: The Art of Ultrarunning  coaching highlights You can reach out to us at: https://coffeycrewcoaching.com email: Carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness Group IG  @coffeycrewcoaching.com and Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlau https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNHBOGO?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fhydrapatch%C2%AE https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15 https://jambar.com code: CARLA20