Q and A W/ Xterra Running Champion, Max King

Max King – Elite Trail Runner

Sponsors: Montrail, Mountain Hardware, Hammer Graet Gossip Nutrition, Reco-Fit, Swiftwick, Polar, Rudy Project

Max King is “The King” in Xterra, the ultimate off-road Triathlon and Trail Running Series. He is a 5-time Xterra US National Champion, 4-time Xterra World Champion, London Marathon Pacer (20 miles), and considered amongst the top trail runners in the world. Growing up in Colorado, I have always followed the Xterra Games and greatly appreciated the chance to gain some insight from Max on how he trains and what is expected in the future.

Q. Seems like a full schedule with work, a new daughter, and running; what is a day in the life like for a professional runner?

A. It tends to vary a lot, but I’d say I wake up, have breakfast with the fam, head out for my morning run, work at Footzone, either a second run or coaching in the afternoon/evening, and go back home for more time with the family. Always seems like I can’t get into a routine. I always fill my days around my training, but it’s always something new.

Q. What’s on tap for the upcoming year regarding Xterra, 2016 Olympic Training, and racing in general? Are you expanding your versatility to include shorter XC racing and ultra-endurance running?

A. Lots is coming up this year. Many more trail races and a few ultras. My main objective this year is to make as many World Championship teams as possible, including XC (Cross Country), 100k ultra, track, and mountain running. I haven’t started thinking about the next Olympiad yet, but I’m sure it will include a run in at least one Olympic Trials event.

Q. Trail or Track? I’m sure they each have their moments.

A. Trail, for sure. Yes, the track has its moments, and I love running fast, but I’d rather be running on a trail any day.

Q. Any favorite trails you can share?

A. It’s just like when someone asks if I have a favorite race: they are all so different and spectacular in their own right that I really can’t have favorites. Each has a unique aspect that makes it special. Aside from that, one of my favorite areas to run in is the Alps. Spectacular trails everywhere with a hut system that compares to nowhere else.

Q. Nutrition? Meat or Not? Are you a calorie tracker, or burn it off?

A. Meat. I give big props to any vegetarian athlete that can perform well. There may be a diet that is perfect for athletes: raw, veg, vegan, paleo, high carbs, high protein, but I enjoy food way too much to have to be restricted to a particular diet. Couldn’t do it. And I don’t track calories. I try to eat a healthy, balanced diet. My weight doesn’t fluctuate, and I don’t have the time to track calories.

Q. Outside of running, how do you mentally and physically prepare for racing?.. Yoga?, Strength Conditioning?, Biking?, Swimming?

A. Physically, I try to do some low-weight strength training and yoga several times a week. I’ve started skiing and mountaineering during winters, which has helped my climbing ability. Mentally, there is nothing special other than finding a sustainable training regimen. That’s the biggest thing for many athletes’ careers; they don’t figure out how to make it sustainable over the long run and end up burning out. So, I do what I need to do. I’m self-motivated and love to run in the mountains, but I also like a good track workout. If I feel like I’m getting burnt out, I take a break or decrease the workload.

Q. Do you utilize fitness tech, gadgets, or apps for training and racing?

A. I don’t rely heavily on them, but heart rate is one of the most important things for athletes trying to get faster or in better shape. It’s THE most important metric you can track, so I use a Polar HR monitor on almost all of my runs during training. I also track mileage that way with a GPS, but it’s secondary to HR and time on my feet.

Q. Any specific gadgets or apps you would recommend to our readers?

A. My favorite has been the Polar RCX-5 GPS. Polar is the best in the business for measuring HR, and their system with a separate GPS sensor is key for me. I’m a watch wearer, so an all-in-one unit doesn’t work. The RCX-5 is small enough to wear all the time, and I can grab the GPS unit with/20-hour battery life along with the HR strap when I head out the door.

Q. Couple songs that come to mind that gets you over the hump when training or racing?

A. I don’t normally listen to music when I run, so it’s usually the last thing I hear that gets stuck in my skull. It isn’t very pleasant. I’ll warm up to Linkin Park most of the time, and that can get me pretty fired up for a shorter race.

Q. Any basic tips for those looking to enhance their running skills?

A. Train. There’s no secret sauce or pill you can take to get better. It’s hard work, pure and simple. The way to pack the most training into a shorter time is to do the mileage on hills. My old coach used to tell me that speed and strength work in disguise.