The Field Notes
Course guides & training science.
What the world's hardest races actually demand — and how to train for the terrain, not just the distance.
Why "More Elevation" Doesn't Mean "Harder
Two very different New Zealand ultras, two very different failure modes — why comparing them by distance or vert alone misses the point.
Adam Allen · Jul 17, 2026 · 4 min readWestern States
Golden Ticket Season: Three Races, Three Completely Different Demands
Course Guide description: CCC, Javelina Jundred, and Tarawera 102K all punch a ticket to Western States, but they ask almost opposite things of your legs.
Jul 10, 2026 · 4 minCourse GuideWhere Runners Fall Apart at Tarawera: The Three Failure Modes of the T102
Most runners don't blow up at Tarawera on a climb — the T102 doesn't have one. They come undone in the back third. Here are the three failure modes, and how to train for each.
Jul 6, 2026 · 5 min