In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Edwards, a tech consultant and elite ultra marathon runner based in Sandy, Utah. We discuss his experience racing the Belgian Waffle Race in Scottsdale, Arizona—an intense 104-mile gravel race with nearly 7,900 feet of elevation gain. Jonathan shares insights into race strategy, gear selection, and overcoming technical challenges on the course.Beyond cycling, Jonathan talks about his transition back to ultra trail running, his upcoming races—including UTMB and Speedgoat 50K—and his training philosophy for endurance performance. He breaks down his nutrition and hydration strategies, his approach to balancing trail running and cycling, and the importance of lactate threshold testing and zone-based training.If you're interested in gravel racing, ultra running, or optimizing endurance training, this episode is packed with insights and expert takeaways.Topics Covered:Belgian Waffle Race Recap: Course conditions, challenges, and performance breakdownBike and Gear Selection: Choosing the right setup for gravel racingTire Strategy: How tire choice impacts speed and tractionPower and Race Pacing: Managing effort across a long raceFueling for Endurance: Jonathan’s approach to carbs, hydration, and in-race nutritionTransitioning to Ultra Running: Upcoming race plans and training blockUTMB Preparation: Key strategies for tackling 100+ mile mountain racesLactate Threshold and Zone-Based Training: How Jonathan is optimizing his enduranceGuest Bio:Jonathan Edwards is an ultra marathon runner, endurance athlete, and tech consultant based in Sandy, Utah. A former road marathoner (Episode Highlights:[[[[Resources & Links:Follow Jonathan Edwards on Instagram: @JedsoutsideMountain Tactical Institute HomeCheck out the MTI Athlete TeamApply to be a Paid MTI AthleteMTI's Daily Programming StreamsIf you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe for more expert insights on endurance training and performance!