Leadville Coaching

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Leadville Trail 100 Coaching
Days until the 2013 Leadville Trail 100. Make 'em count!

Want This in 2013?

Coach Weber can help!

Not years of Leadville experience, DECADES.

"I coached my first Leadville Trail 100 Finisher in 1989 and am still coaching Leadville Trail 100 Finishers in 2012. Let me apply that experience to help you run your best race ever in 2013."

- Coach Weber

"If you are thinking about running Leadville, I recommend having Coach Weber's experience and understanding to support and guide you."

Marcus Chapman-Leadville Trail 100 Big Buckle Finisher

Marcus Chapman crosses the Leadville 100 Finish Line in 24:28! His first trail 100 ever!

Marcus Chapman writes:

"I had decided to compete in the 1999 Leadville Trail 100. I had never run a 100 mile so I decided to go out on the Internet to find all the necessary information I would need to put together a training plan that would prepare me for the event in August. I spent numerous hours combing various Net sites and reading a multitude of articles. What I realized very quickly was that I really had no idea how to train for the 100 mile distance and was not going to figure it out on my own. So I took a friend’s advice and started looking for coaches.

I was hesitant at first, you might even say skeptical. I had trained for numerous events, including an Ironman, on my own and the combination of youth and luck had always seemed to get me to the finish line in one piece. Besides, the last time I had someone "coaching" me was seven years ago when I played collegiate soccer and to be quite honest, I never really liked the guy. So after further research and with some reluctance and much skepticism I contacted Coach Weber.

All it took was one phone call talking with Coach Weber about his philosophy, methodology, and experience for me to sign-on. Coach Weber and I spoke for almost two hours and it seemed that in this conversation we had just barely scratched the surface of what this he knew about ultra running and even more importantly what his insights were on succeeding at Leadville. There was never a sales pitch, instead he focused on what it would mean to tackle Leadville. He simply said: "This is going to be the hardest thing you have ever done. You must train hard and smart for a race like Leadville.    This is what I expect from my runners..."   When I hung up the phone, I immediately felt twice as confident that I would succeed at Leadville if I had Coach Weber in my corner.

What I found in the following months of training with Coach Weber was that his ability to adapt my training schedule to fit my specific needs made all the difference. For instance, there was a time when a knee injury threatened my training and Coach Weber was able to keep me on the road and on-track for Leadville by training me in a creative fashion that allowed healing and continuation of aerobic and strength training.

Coach Weber also understood that I was both a runner and a "normal" person with other commitments. He knew that I wanted a life outside 'training'. His commitment to me as an athlete and a "normal" person kept things balanced and on track.   An example is this: I got married in June 1999 and wanted time to enjoy my honeymoon. Coach Weber was able to structure my training to give me two weeks in late June to enjoy Europe with my wife and still be ready to toe the line at Leadville ready to run on August 21^st.

In addition to helping me train properly, Coach Weber’s knowledge of how to actually run the ultra on race day proved invaluable. As a newcomer to the sport, I really had no idea what I needed to do. Coach Weber brought to the table a complete game plan for the race. Based on Coach Weber’s recommendations, I started training with the equipment, clothing, fluids and fuels that I would later find invaluable during the Leadville race. The result was that on race day I was able to go 100 miles without nutritional or equipment issues. I knew exactly how much and how often to eat and drink, what equipment to use and what I should think about with respect to pacing myself.

To make a long story short, I trained with Coach Weber from the beginning of March 1999 until the race in August 1999. I was successful at Leadville, crossing the finish line at Sixth and Harrison in 24:28 with a sense of accomplishment that is simply beyond words."

Marcus Chapman - Leadville Trail 100 Finisher

Tom Waterman of Iowa having just finished the 2009 Leadville 100 Run
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"Scott Weber's coaching got me to the 2009 LT100 finish line in eight months, on my first attempt. I'm a full time trial lawyer and married father of four school-age daughters living in Iowa, with little spare time for training and no prior ultra-running experience. Yet after a PR in my sixth Ironman triathlon, I was looking for a new challenge for my 50^th birthday. I had not had a formal coaching relationship since college, but knew as a four-hour marathoner I needed trustworthy expert assistance to make every day count and have a shot at a silver buckle in less than a year. Other coaches charge less; I opted for Scott's decades of experience coaching Leadville participants. It proved to be money well spent.

Scott impressed me from the beginning with his professionalism. We first determined whether my goal was realistic—to finish the Leadville 100 mile trail run in August with my ultra-running training regime to begin in January of the same year. I had never run a yard more than 26.2 miles before, and my monthly running mileage as a triathlete fell well short of the weekly averages needed for the LT100. I had little margin for error. Scott was able to gradually increase my mileage while adjusting for injuries. He set goals that were difficult but attainable as we reached a series of milestones: my first 50K training run; my first 30/20 mile training weekend; my first 50 mile ultra race in April; my first 24-hour run in May; my first month running over 250 miles in July; and finally, my first 100-mile run August 22-23—when I earned my silver buckle with a 28:31:35.

Throughout this journey, Scott was responsive by email and generous with his time by teleconference. Importantly, he worked collaboratively with my scheduling challenges to accommodate work, family vacations, and less-than-optimally timed local ultra events. And the knowledge he imparted on fueling, attire, pacing and gear came together beautifully. I heartily endorse Scott Weber as an online ultra-coach."

Tom Waterman, Iowa - Leadville Trail 100 Finisher

Flatlander Steve O'Connor & Coach Weber at the 2010 LT100 Finish Line

Here's what 2010 LT100 Finisher Dr. Steven O'Connor had to say:

August 28, 2010

I contacted Coach Weber in late December 2009, to apply for his services to prepare me for the Leadville Trail 100 race in August 2010. Although I was reasonably fit, I was 50 years old and a “flatlander,” not a great combination---it was clear that he would have his work cut out for him! Despite the difficulties, Coach Weber went right to work arranging a training plan that would give me a fighting chance of finishing the LT100.

Coach Weber is very involved with his clients. He is easily accessible to discuss training issues and is a vault of knowledge and experience regarding ultras. His training concepts are practical and scientifically based. He has developed his training plans over years and has fine-tuned the nutrition, hydration, and electrolyte replacement aspects of his program. It is a program of success!

If you are looking for a cheerleader to say, “oh, you look tired, why don’t you rest,” then you are looking in the wrong place. He has a great saying, “Leadville doesn’t care!” I can tell you that that is an understatement! If you want a Leadville finish, then you had better realize that you are in for the toughest 25-30 hours of your life, and you need a coach who knows what he is doing and has a successful track record of finishers. He will be tough, sometimes painfully so, yet he will do his best to adjust the training to maximize your results. Leadville requires an unbelievable commitment to training, luck, and precise preparation. I had over 20 years of athletic experience and successes, but I could not have even imagined trying a Leadville attempt without a first-tier coach. If you doubt me, look at the percentages of “first time starters versus first time successful finishers” and calculate your odds! Coach Weber takes his clients seriously enough to have been at the race. At the race he was there to give encouragement, stark reality checks, and motivation. The best part was at mile “99” when he said, “you’re going to make it, take your time and enjoy it to the finish!”

A coach cannot run the race for you, so you have to take care of that responsibility on your own, but you will need a coach like Scott Weber to even be in the game. I am sure that I would not have left Twin Lakes on the outbound without his expertise. So, although the “buckle” may sit on my mantel, it has to be shared with Coach Weber!

Thank you again, Coach!

Respectfully,

Stephen L. O’Connor, MD - Leadville Trail 100 Finisher

Here's what 2011 LT100 Finisher Scott Loughney had to say:

Scott Loughney at the Leadville Trail 100 Start Line

September 7, 2011

In late June 2010, I interviewed several top ultra running coaches following a 9 month break after qualifying and competing at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. After being away from my running shoes for nine months, I selected Coach Scott Weber because of his passion for ultra running and great mix between experience as a coach and ultra runner.

It took Scott no time to understand who I was and how to prepare me to become an ultra runner. Without a running base in the first six months, Scott crafted a plan that led to a top 10 finish in my first 50 miler and a top 25 finish at the Rocky Raccoon 100. During the next 6 months, Scott’s very personalized approach built on my strengths and we worked on areas for improvement which resulted in my first 50 mile win, top 20 finish at the Bighorn 100 and a Leadville Trail 100 finish.

At the Leadville Trail 100, Scott worked tirelessly as my coach, crew member and paced me over the “power line” in the late and challenging stages of the race. My favorite part of our time together over the power line was when Scott hand crafted walking sticks from the trees to keep me moving forward. Damn that was funny! Now, that is a coach that goes the extra mile for his athletes.

Scott helped me with everything from tailoring training and selecting races to nutrition and racing gear. The most effective component of Scott’s coaching was building a training and race schedule to fine tune skills and create a balance with the rest of my life.

Scott is the best running coach I have ever had and best money I have ever spent on my endurance sports hands down.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and insight in making my 1st year as an ultrarunner a fun and amazing experience. Looking forward to a great 2nd year!

Cheers,

Scott Loughney - Leadville Trail 100 Finisher

Scott Loughney at the Leadville Trail 100 Finish Line

Here's what 2012 LT100 Finisher Greg Harfst had to say:

Greg and his pacer coming in strong to the 2012 Leadville 100 Finish Line

August 26, 2012

I have now finished the Leadville 100 under the 30 hour cutoff for two consecutive years. Neither finish would have happened without Coach Weber's guidance.

If you're contemplating running the Leadville 100, then you are probably fairly confident and tough. That's not enough. The race is far harder than you think it is. Even if you have attempted the race, you don't understand its true difficulty until you crawl across the finish line. It takes a lot of toughness, preparation, and strategy to finish the race.

Also, there are a myriad approaches to finishing the race. When you talk to other runners, you get bombarded with a kaleidoscope of tactics. It's more confounding when you ask said runner the ultimate question: "well, did you finish?" Often the answer is "no". The race is hard.

Coach Weber knows all about the race, but he's also very practical and humble. Follow his advice. Execute his training. Practice his nutrition plan. Finish the race.

Respectfully,

Greg Harfst - Leadville 100 Finisher

Leadville Finisher Greg Harfst, Karen - His Pacer (for 50 miles!), and Coach Weber at the 2012 Leadville Finish Line

Now ... how about you? Is 2013 YOUR year?

Will 2013 be your first Leadville Trail 100 start?

Want to go home with a Leadville Buckle THE FIRST TIME? Willing to train hard for it? Willing to learn how to hydrate, fuel, and run smart? Coach Weber can prepare you.

Or...was your last try at Leadville a DNF? You're tired of getting your ass kicked at Leadville and going home empty handed wondering 'what the heck happened'???

Worried that Leadville 2013 might be just another highly expensive no-finish ass whooping? (yep...those Leadville Trail 100 shirts with the '100' crossed out and replaced with a '50', or '62', or whatever are funny...but, they aren't what you came for).

Why not let Coach Weber help you adjust your 2013 preparation so that THIS TIME you finish your Leadville 100 weekend with a walk up to the front of the gym to receive your Leadville 100 Buckle and Sweatshirt.

Or...you are an experienced 100 mile runner and you are ready to set a personal best at Leadville 2013?

Make it happen in 2013! Coach Weber can assist you to make sure your preparation is on-target, effective and designed for success. Make sure the many hours of training you will do result in the best performance possible on race day.

Or...are you aiming to be among the top runners either overall or age group at the Leadville Trail 100 in 2013?

Coach Weber has coached winners of the Leadville 100, Old Dominion 100, Rocky Raccoon 100, Marathon de Sables, Umstead 100, the Mile High 100, the Plain 100, the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race as well as members of the U.S.A. National 100 K team, World-Ranked 24-Hour runners, holders of course records from coast to coast and more. If you have the talent and the desire to be among the elite racers going for the Leadville 'Ore Cart' Champion's Trophy in 2013, then contact Coach Weber to discuss the coaching possibilities.

If you are interested in making your 2013 season your best ever, then email me. I will send you an athlete's questionnaire and provide a free consultation. Based on that free consultation, we might decide to work together as coach and athlete. Only premium, individualized programs are offered; no 'canned programs' ; no 'assistant coaches'.

World Class coaching and attention will be provided to you whether your dream race is sub-30, sub-25 or sub-20. I keep my roster small so I can deal with each athlete individually. I will use my 25 years of experience at the Leadville Trail 100 to give you your best shot at running your perfect race.

Rates for new clients signing up for Leadville 2013 coaching will be $275 per month.

Coach Weber

coachweber "at" outlook.com

2013 is Coach Weber's 26th season of coaching ultra runners.

"Coach Weber's expertise and knowledge of ultramarathoning played an instrumental role in my success at the Leadville Trail 100.   He has helped me achieve my goals and set new ones. I recommend his coaching to anyone who seeks to excel in running." LT 100 Finisher.

"My three hour improvement at the Leadville Trail 100 was a testament to better training, better mental attitude, better nutrition, better fluid management; all of these are directly attributable to Coach Weber's suggestions, demands, and insight. It's clear I had the native ability, I just needed help with all the details. For me, Coach Weber was the answer". LT 100 Finisher

"My best running coach ever." LT 100 Finisher

"I truly could not have done it without you. It wouldn't have even been close." LT 100 Finisher

I encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content of the Coach Weber website.

Coach Weber

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