Athletes of the Collective: Martin Wileman & Laura Maile

Training for a first, mountainous 100-miler is going to be one heck of a ride. It takes a history of consistent training coupled with months of dedicated work. Things are bound to get interesting at some point. Well, Martin and Laura have made their build for the PInhoti 100 extra interesting. 

Last weekend, they ran 26.2 miles…downhill…3000 feet: the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon. In theory, this sounds easier than a flat marathon. But anyone who has spent significant time on prolonged downhills knows that the quads beg to differ. 

For Laura and Martin, this was just the latest adventure in a multi-year campaign of bucket-list races. Back in May, they ran a half- and a 50-miler. In late June, they ran the Missoula Marathon. In August, the Grandfurther 25k—up and down Grandfather Mountain (ladders, ropes, boulder fields). And now this. 

How do they juggle these events within a build for their first mountainous hundred? If I had to point to one thing, it is this: their ability to navigate polarized training. 

After the 50-miler, Martin and Laura took 5 days easy. After Missoula, they took 7 days easy. After Grandfurther 25k, they took only 2 days easy—using the race during an acutely dense period of training to build strength. And after this last weekend’s downhill marathon, we will monitor how recovery is going and adjust training load as needed.   

Here’s the point: Martin and Laura’s ability to go SMALL allows them to go BIG along the path towards a 100-miler. It takes experience, trust in the plan, and a strong interest in racing. This race-heavy training architecture seems to have only supported and enhanced their drive for Pinhoti 100 in November. 

It is a great reminder that everyone can have a distinct path towards athletic progression and success. Some runners like to hop into a bunch of races along the path to their ultimate goal. Others like to bunker up and tunnel their way through training towards a great white whale. I am the latter, whereas Martin and Laura are the former. It has been really exciting and informative to see how they are so capable of sustaining a singular focus yet participate in all of these fun, distinct offerings along the way. Bottoms up!