For a 100-mile race, Gabe Joyes advises not to choose between a pair that’s already broken in and a brand-new pair, but to combine two phases. He recommends starting with the “broken-in” and suitable shoes, because they need to work without surprises from the outset. The switch afterwards to more cushioned shoes is described as a “sensational” moment for the body and as a mental reset, as long as you test them before the race.
To prepare for a first 200-miler, Gabe Joyes stresses that his strategy doesn’t necessarily involve longer runs, but more frequent ones. He says that over six to eight weeks, he generally does long runs of 20 to 30 miles “when his schedule allows”, i.e. three to four times per week. He keeps high-intensity work to a single session per week and also explains that “soft tissue” (hips, knees or muscles) often becomes the limiting factor.
Finally, regarding the “ultra-lean”, Gabe Joyes insists there’s no “real research” behind this phenomenon, which he describes as a sideways tilt seen in the final stages of a race. He says he links it mainly to “style” and “swagger”, and mocks alternative explanations, including the idea that the tilt comes from extreme fatigue in the trunk muscles. His point of view rejects the notion of physical collapse: instead, he sees it as a form of triumph.
