I'm extremely excited to announce that I will be the "official coach" of the Run Rabbit Run 100 & 50 this year! Sound great, but what does that actually mean?

If you're running either race, I am offering you discounted coaching packages! (Email for details)

As part of my coaching packages you will receive discounts on products from the following brands: Altra Footwear, Ultimate Direction, VFuel Nutrition, Gnarly Nutrition, Zeal Optics, Elevation Tat, Injinji Socks, & RecoFit Compression!  

I will also be hosting two training runs in Steamboat Springs on the RRR100/RRR50 course(s) this summer, stay tuned for more info on that as we get the details ironed out!

​I have worked with a running coach before – and it didn’t go so well.  I ended up over trained, stressed out, and not enjoying the race that I spent a bunch of time and effort preparing for.  My experience in working with Josh Arthur was quite the opposite.  I met my goals, had a great time, and am hungry for more.

​When I started working with Josh last spring – I had just moved from St Louis to Denver – so I was in the midst of acclimatizing to the altitude and the relentless climbs here on the front range of the Rockies.  I had not been able to train consistently due to our move and my job change.  I also had an ambitious list of races scheduled for 2015 – including the Dirty 30 12 miler, Leadville Heavy Half Marathon, Kettle Moraine 100 mile relay, and Bear Chase 50k.  I came to the party having DNF’ed three 50k’s over the past few years – so finding the finish line at Bear Chase in September was the goal I was most eager to achieve.

Josh was quickly able to assess where I was with my fitness and get me on a regular training schedule to prepare for Dirty Thirty, Leadville, and Kettle Moraine – which all happened over a four week period in May and June.  When scheduling issues came up with work or family commitments – we worked around it.  When a previous foot injury flared up – he assessed the situation and worked with me to switch to a different shoe – which quickly solved the problem.  

Looking back on what I’ve achieved this year – the results speak for themselves.  I had a great time at Dirty Thirty and enjoyed hanging out with some of my new Rocky Mountain Runner friends.  This was my second year at Leadville – and I was able to cut 52 minutes off my time.  Instead of wondering whether I was going to die trying to slog up to the high point at Mosquito Pass – I quickly power hiked the climb and encourage other runners cheerfully as I was headed down.  Kettle was also a repeat engagement – I crewed and paced for a friend doing the hundred miler last year and had organized a 4 person team for the 100 mile relay this year.  Our team, the Crusty Old Farts not only finished, went sub-24, had a blast playing in the woods – but won our Mixed Master’s age group.  And yes – I did cross the finish line at Bear Chase 50k for my first ultra finish!!!

Working with Josh kept me accountable, helped me maintain a consistent training schedule, helped me to achieve my goals – all while having a bunch of fun and really enjoying the process.  I am wrapping up 2015 with the McDowell Mountain Frenzy in Arizona in December.  2016 includes Potwatomi 50 miler in April, Bighorn 50k in June, and Mark Twain 50 miler in September.  Looking ahead to 2017 – I can see a 100k and/or 100 miler in my sights.  

​Trail running for me is mostly about feeling like a 12 year old kid playing in the woods and staying happy and healthy.  The great friends and genuine relationships that are part of the ultra community keep bringing me back.  The races are about challenging myself and achieving what I didn’t think was reasonable or possible.  Having a great coach and friend like Josh Arthur keeps me moving forward on this journey – and helps to overcome the hurdles and setbacks that can happen along the way.

Coaching Testimonial – David Gibson

"Going into the 2014 racing season, I was looking for a coach with experience in trail and ultra running. Josh impressed me with his personal success as a runner as well as his background in exercise science. I had a big summer planned with a number of adventurous runs and Josh was really supportive both in helping me train, planning my race strategies, and organizing things around my schedule. I ran the 100 mile distance for the first time in 2014, being the first person to run the entire Rainbow Trail, a trail in South Central Colorado. Josh came out to support me during this adventure, running 16 miles with me through the night, getting me through the lowest point of the effort, and whipping up an excellent grilled cheese sandwich that helped get me through to the end. Josh then coached me to finish Run Rabbit Run 100 in just over 25 hours around two months later. These were two huge accomplishments for me, and without Josh's coaching and optimism about my progress, I don't know that they would have happened. The season was a great success and I believe a very large part of that was Josh's expertise and coaching. I'm looking forward now to the 2015 season starting and the cumulative progress of working with Josh again." -- Cory Linfield 

If you want to read more testimonials you can do so here, and if you are interested in my coaching please contact me via email. - Josh