We reveal how Koop AI turns 25 years of coaching into an adaptive, terrain-aware training system for trail and ultra runners. We share why we built it, what it does today, where it falls short, and how we’re improving it with real race data.

• why serious runners wanted expert validation without elite pricing
• the three pillars of coaching we modeled: prescribe, analyze, communicate
• onboarding that pulls real history, constraints, and race demands
• dynamic plan changes for travel, missed runs, and time budget shifts
• NGP-based feedback for trail intensity instead of raw pace
• race specificity: course demands, heat, altitude and future prompts
• features live now: chatbot tied to Koop’s content, calendar, swaps, block moves, cross-training, volume trends
• limits we own: early-stage feedback, UI/UX, depth of “why,” and NGP-driven plan adjustments still shipping
• how we validate against coach standards and major races like UTMB
• long-term mission to make top coaching accessible to everyone

Sign up: https://www.koopai-endurance.com/app/

Dr. Scott H. Frey is an internationally renowned neuroscientist and psychologist, accomplished endurance athlete, author, and teacher. Scott helps individuals and groups identify and realize their aspirations. He can be reached at: Scott@CerebralPerformance.com

Want to become a better coach? Check out UESCA’s Ultramarathon Coach Certification.- https://uesca.com/courses/uesca-ultrarunning-coach-certification/

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance #sportsscience

Baptiste Morel-Prieur is a author on a recent paper titled Submaximal force-velocity relationships during mountain ultramarathon: Data from the field

Research from the 2023 UTMB offers ground-breaking insights into trail running performance by analyzing how runners handle different gradients throughout a race. Batiste Moral shares his data-driven approach that identifies specific areas where athletes can improve from year to year.

• Analyzing Strava data from 600 UTMB participants reveals distinct "force" (uphill ability) and "velocity" (flat ground speed) components of performance

• These components have no correlation with each other, meaning they represent different physiological abilities requiring targeted training

• Case study of Jim Walmsley shows 76% of his time difference behind Kilian Jornet in 2022 occurred on gradients steeper than 20%

• After focused training in the Alps, Walmsley specifically improved his steep climbing ability before winning UTMB 2023

• Durability analysis suggests flat terrain speed deteriorates more than uphill capability during ultras, indicating flat-ground training after fatigue might be more valuable

• Western States vs. UTMB comparison shows dramatically different terrain profiles despite both being 100-mile races
• Simple heart rate-based test can help identify your personal gradient-specific weaknesses

Papers discussed-Decoding Ultramarathon: Muscle Damage as the Main Impediment to Performance

Sign up for CTS Coaching-https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/

Subscribe to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning-https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning

Information on coaching-
https://www.trainright.com

Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop

Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6
Audible-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVR8P6

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #running #sports #sportsperformance