# Backyard Ultra Coach > Information about Backyard Ultra Coach, a Run Coaching business. ## About Coaching for Backyard Ultra Runners Personalised Coaching Welcome to Backyard Ultra Coach Why Choose Backyard Ultra Coach? Expert guidance for every Backyard journey Personalized Coaching Plans In-Depth Knowledge Holistic Service Your Path to Better Running Designed for Backyard Ultra Runners Achieve your running potential with us. I specialise in helping runners enhance their experience with Backyard Ultras. Whether you're a beginner eager to tackle your first Backyard or an experienced backyarder looking to increase your endurance, I understand the unique challenges you face. I provide personalized training plans that cater to individual fitness levels and goals. I also offer holistic running advice on a variety of topics such as running technique, mindset, race preparation and race strategies. Mindset is crucial for Backyard Ultras. With a focus on sustainable progress, you will learn the best practices to ensure your running journey is both fulfilling and injury-free. As long as you are committed to the process, we can work together to make it happen. Frequently Asked Questions Please contact me if you have any questions that I haven't answered here. The full set of FAQs can be found here. Q: Why do I need a Backyard Ultra running coach? A: The Backyard Ultra is a very specific format and offers its own unique challenges (and opportuntities!). A specialist in this area can leverage their own experiences and knowledge to provide you with a much better coaching journey than a generalist coach. As well as highly personalised training plans, a good coach will also: advise on form and technique increase your accountability and motivation inform based on their own running experiences improve your performance! Q: What levels of runners do you coach? A: I coach all levels, from beginners to experienced runners looking for advanced training. I tailor my approach accordingly. Q: What services do you offer? A: It depends on your needs. For examples, please see the Services page. Q: What specific needs do backyard ultra athletes have? A: A successful backyard ultra runner will be able to lock into the optimal pace and maintain a similar pace lap after lap. They will also need to adjust accordingly to the terrain and elevation of the course. To perform to their best, the runner will also need a strong and patient mindset. And of course it's necessary to do the right physical training and event-specific preparation. Q: Do I need to be an experienced backyard ultra runner? A: No, experience doesn't matter. Whether you’re completely new to backyard ultras or very experienced in them, our coaching is designed for all levels. Q: Does my location matter? A: Not at all. The majority of my coaching is conducted remotely. What matters is your dedication to the training and to your goals. Q: What should I expect from online coaching? A: Expect personalised support, flexibility in training schedules, ongoing check-ins, regardless of your physical location. Get in Touch Ian Wilson Get started today Certified Running Coach My Coaching Philosophy I strongly believe that no two athletes are alike. We differ as much on the inside as we do on the outside. We have different blends of muscle fibres that give us different capacities to respond to the different types of training. We have different nervous systems, perceptions of discomfort and cardiovascular capacities. There is no 'one size fits all'. The core principles never change, but the intensity and duration of training and racing should be fine-tuned to the individual. My approach to coaching runners is a blend of the science of running (acquired from formalised learning) coupled with the art of running (based on many years of personal experience). Being of a certain age now, I am particularly tuned in to the needs of the ‘older’ runner, whatever their previous achievements, current fitness levels or future goals. As the renowned New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard said: 'The wise only train according to their age, physical condition and their capacity to exercise'. Certifications My Running Experience Running is one of the most natural activities the human body can perform. Over the years running has provided me with a sense of purpose and personal achievement, as well as enhancing my physical and mental wellbeing. It teaches the value of patience and the value of incremental gains over a long period. It is indeed a marathon and not a sprint. Over more than 30 years of competition, I have covered distances from 5k to 75 miles, at home and abroad across a wide variety of terrains. Nowadays, I specialise in running backyard ultras. It's an intriguing event format, one that presents many different challenges to fixed distance races.  Like many runners, I started out with 10ks then 10-milers and half-marathons. For a while that was it, until I was 'encouraged' by a friend to take a charity place and run the London Marathon. That first marathon didn't go too well, and I remember being overtaken by Rupert the Bear at about the 23-mile mark. But I learnt from that first experience and after a few further attempts recorded a marathon personal best of 2 hours 44 minutes. From there, I branched into ultras and trail running. I love the variety of race formats, from 24-hour events around a track to 2-day mountain marathons. I have discovered what works for me and also what doesn’t (finding out the hard way is sometimes the best way to improve). Nowadays, in my early 60s, my pace has slowed but the endurance capability is still there. I get just as much enjoyment from training and competing as I used to, and am hooked on the challenge of the backyard ultra. Join Me on Your Running Journey Get started today Ready to take your running to the next level? Join Backyard Ultra Coach today and start your journey towards achieving your running goals. Contact Backyard Ultra Coach Frequently Asked Questions Contact us if you have any questions that we haven't answered here. Q: How can I reach Backyard Ultra Coach? A: You can contact me via the contact form on this page, through email, or by phone on 07980 833086. I aim to respond to all enquiries promptly. Q: Is there a fee for a consultation with a coach? A: I offer a free initial consultation to discuss your running goals and how my coaching services can support you. Q: Can I schedule a call with a coach? A: Yes, you can schedule a call with me through our website. Simply fill out the contact form above, and we'll arrange a suitable time. Ian Wilson Get started today Certified Running Coach My Coaching Philosophy I strongly believe that no two athletes are alike. We differ as much on the inside as we do on the outside. We have different blends of muscle fibres that give us different capacities to respond to the different types of training. We have different nervous systems, perceptions of discomfort and cardiovascular capacities. There is no 'one size fits all'. The core principles never change, but the intensity and duration of training and racing should be fine-tuned to the individual. My approach to coaching runners is a blend of the science of running (acquired from formalised learning) coupled with the art of running (based on many years of personal experience). Being of a certain age now, I am particularly tuned in to the needs of the ‘older’ runner, whatever their previous achievements, current fitness levels or future goals. As the renowned New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard said: 'The wise only train according to their age, physical condition and their capacity to exercise'. My Running Experience Running is one of the most natural activities the human body can perform. Over the years running has provided me with a sense of purpose and personal achievement, as well as enhancing my physical and mental wellbeing. It teaches the value of patience and the value of incremental gains over a long period. It is indeed a marathon and not a sprint. Over more than 30 years of competition, I have covered distances from 5k to 75 miles, at home and abroad across a wide variety of terrains. I have discovered what works for me and also what doesn’t (finding out the hard way is sometimes the best way to improve). These days I have a particular passion for running backyard ultras. Join Me on Your Running Journey Get started today Ready to take your running to the next level? Join One More Mile Coaching 2 today and start your journey towards achieving your running goals. Ian Wilson Get started today Certified Running Coach My Coaching Philosophy I strongly believe that no two athletes are alike. We differ as much on the inside as we do on the outside. We have different blends of muscle fibres that give us different capacities to respond to the different types of training. We have different nervous systems, perceptions of discomfort and cardiovascular capacities. There is no 'one size fits all'. The core principles never change, but the intensity and duration of training and racing should be fine-tuned to the individual. My approach to coaching runners is a blend of the science of running (acquired from formalised learning) coupled with the art of running (based on many years of personal experience). Being of a certain age now, I am particularly tuned in to the needs of the ‘older’ runner, whatever their previous achievements, current fitness levels or future goals. As the renowned New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard said: 'The wise only train according to their age, physical condition and their capacity to exercise'. Certifications My Running Experience Running is one of the most natural activities the human body can perform. Over the years running has provided me with a sense of purpose and personal achievement, as well as enhancing my physical and mental wellbeing. It teaches the value of patience and the value of incremental gains over a long period. It is indeed a marathon and not a sprint. Over more than 30 years of competition, I have covered distances from 5k to 75 miles, at home and abroad across a wide variety of terrains. Nowadays, I specialise in running backyard ultras. It's an intriguing event format, one that presents many different challenges to fixed distance races.  Like many runners, I started out with 10ks then 10-milers and half-marathons. For a while that was it, until I was 'encouraged' by a friend to take a charity place and run the London Marathon. That first marathon didn't go too well, and I remember being overtaken by Rupert the Bear at about the 23-mile mark. But I learnt from that first experience and after a few further attempts recorded a marathon personal best of 2 hours 44 minutes. From there, I branched into ultras and trail running. I love the variety of race formats, from 24-hour events around a track to 2-day mountain marathons. I have discovered what works for me and also what doesn’t (finding out the hard way is sometimes the best way to improve). Nowadays, in my early 60s, my pace has slowed but the endurance capability is still there. I get just as much enjoyment from training and competing as I used to. Recently I have developed a particular passion for running backyard ultras.  My personal bests: Backyard Ultra:  14 laps/hours (58 miles/94km)Marathon:  2h 44mHalf-marathon:  1h 15m10 miles:  53m10k:  32m5k:  15m Join Me on Your Running Journey Get started today Ready to take your running to the next level? Join Backyard Ultra Coach today and start your journey towards achieving your running goals. ## Pages - [Home](https://www.backyardultra.coach/index.md): Transform your backyard ultra running journey with Backyard Ultra Coach. - [About](https://www.backyardultra.coach/about.md): Learn about Backyard Ultra Coach and our passion for backyard ultras. - [Services](https://www.backyardultra.coach/services.md): Explore competitive pricing for expert Backyard Ultra coaching services. - [Contact](https://www.backyardultra.coach/contact-us.md): Get in touch with Backyard Ultra Coach for all your running needs. - [Blog](https://www.backyardultra.coach/blog.md): Explore running tips and training advice on our blog to achieve your fitness goals. - [FAQ](https://www.backyardultra.coach/faq.md): Find answers to common questions about our Backyard Ultra coaching services. - [thankyou](https://www.backyardultra.coach/thankyou.md): Thank you for joining One More Mile Coaching 2! Your journey begins here. - [Home-old2](https://www.backyardultra.coach/1-1.md): Transform your running journey with One More Mile Coaching 2. - [Aboutold6](https://www.backyardultra.coach/about-old-6.md): Learn about One More Mile Coaching 2 and our passion for run coaching. - [onboarding](https://www.backyardultra.coach/onboarding.md): Transform your running journey with Backyard Ultra Coach's coaching. - [form thankyou](https://www.backyardultra.coach/form-thankyou.md): Thank you for joining One More Mile Coaching 2! Your journey begins here. - [health history](https://www.backyardultra.coach/health-history.md): Transform your running journey with Backyard Ultra Coach's coaching. - [Running Form](https://www.backyardultra.coach/running-form.md): Improve your running form for better performance and injury prevention. - [onboarding process](https://www.backyardultra.coach/onboarding-process.md): Explore our seamless onboarding process at Backyard Ultra Coach for personalised run coaching. - [Threshold](https://www.backyardultra.coach/threshold.md): Setting Your Threshold with Backyard Ultra Coach - [Training Plans](https://www.backyardultra.coach/training-plan.md): Backyard Ultra Coach | Training Plan - [Home-test-video](https://www.backyardultra.coach/home-test-video.md): Transform your backyard ultra running journey with Backyard Ultra Coach. - [Services- old](https://www.backyardultra.coach/services-1.md): Explore competitive pricing for expert Backyard Ultra coaching services. - [nutrition](https://www.backyardultra.coach/nutrition.md): Transform your running journey with Backyard Ultra Coach's coaching. - [Data Analysis 22022026c](https://www.backyardultra.coach/data-analysis-c.md): Upload your CSV files to feed into training data analysis - [data analysis thankyou](https://www.backyardultra.coach/data-analysis-thankyou.md): Thank you for helping Backyard Ultra Coach! Your journey begins here. - [About20022026](https://www.backyardultra.coach/about-1.md): Learn about Backyard Ultra Coach and our passion for backyard ultras. - [Data Analysis](https://www.backyardultra.coach/data-analysis.md): Upload your CSV files to feed into training data analysis - [Data Analysis 220226b](https://www.backyardultra.coach/data-analysis-b.md): Upload your CSV files to feed into training data analysis - [Data Analysis](https://www.backyardultra.coach/data-analysis-1.md): Upload your CSV files to feed into training data analysis - [nutrition-old](https://www.backyardultra.coach/nutrition-old-1.md): Transform your running journey with Backyard Ultra Coach's coaching. ## Blog Posts - [Observations on the Backyard Ultra Individual World Championship](https://www.backyardultra.coach/blog/observations-on-the-backyard-ultra-individual-world-championship.md): Read the blog post: Observations on the Backyard Ultra Individual World Championship - [Backyard Ultra Analysis](https://www.backyardultra.coach/blog/backyard-ultra-analysis-v-2.md): Read the blog post: Backyard Ultra Analysis