Tips for Downhill Running, Process Goals, and Long-Term Running Planning with Coach Ian Sharman

Get tips from a coach who’s run over 250 marathons and ultras on 5 continents!

Ian Sharman is the founder of Sharman Ultra Coaching, a team of elite coaches. He got a marathon PR of 2:21 at age 43, and a half marathon PR of 1:03 at age 44. He's won over 50 marathon+ races with at least one win every year for 19 (and counting) consecutive years.

Ian also holds the fastest time in a trail 100-mile race by a Brit (12h44m), the record for the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (69h49m), has won the USATF 100-mile trail championship twice and is a four-time Leadville Trail 100 Champion. 

Listen to hear about:

• Getting hooked on ultras after a race in the Sahara Desert

  
  



• Ultramarathon strategies to maintain a consistent pace

  
  



• Behind the scenes of focusing on 100 mile races

  
  



• Goal-setting and long-term planning for running

  
  



• Tips for downhill running

  
  



• Outcome vs. process goals

  
  

Stay connected:

• Ian on Instagram: instagram.com/sharmanian

  
  



• Follow @sharmanian on Threads, Bluesky and X

  
  



• Ian’s website: sharmanultra.com

  
  



• For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod

  
  



• Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt

  
  



• Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com

  
  

This episode is supported by:

• PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 at www.puma.com.

  
  



• Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair.

  
  

• Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.

  
  

• Fuel Goods: Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box! Use code FTLR10.  https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun