Four-time ultra-running champion Michele Yates is a runner with many talents. In addition to setting numerous course records and wins in trail and ultra races, she’s a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon, and has completed over 20 marathons, with nine wins. Want inside info on how she does it? She’s bringing up to 10 runners to the Gunnison National Forest near Crested Butte for a three-night event August 3-6, 2017 that will give them a taste of her running life.
It’s all a part of Ragged Running, Yates’ holistic training company, which offers personalized training that encompasses running and recovery, and hosts camps. During the three-day event, “campers will gain essential knowledge in hills, speed, nutrition, mobility and strength,” according to Yates.
Good nutrition is a key element to Yates’ ultra-running philosophy, so a big part of the focus here is that campers learn about the best foods to eat while training for their big event. And don’t worry too much about roughing it: The experience includes tents, sleeping cots, sleeping bags, pillows, portable toilets and camp showers.
Strong, injury-free ultra-running requires proper technique. The running portion of the camp includes instruction on how to achieve the best techniques for uphill and downhill running, drills for strength, and power and dynamic lead ups for speed and leg turnover that improve your stride. Mobility sessions put an emphasis on flexibility and recovery.
“No matter what level of athlete you are, I want to send you home with greater expertise to accomplish your goals,” says Yates. “The whole idea of the camp is to take a few days to build a better you, surrounded by a pristine atmosphere and creating friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Permitting fees, supplies, food, equipment and medical requirements are all included in the $750 camp cost. Learn more and sign up at raggedrunning.com/the-camp.
—Kim Fuller
