4CycleRunner - Goshen, Kentucky

Daniel P.

Josh met and exceeded all of my expectations.
He trained me for a 50 miler, and in that time, he provided me with a training plan, constant feedback, nutrition advice, and ensured I was prepared on race day.

Working with Josh gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on training/performing. My overall fitness, holistic health, nutrition plan, and mental state have improved drastically and I owe all of that to Josh.

I plan to use Josh/4CycleRunner until my legs will not allow me to race anymore. Thank you, Josh!

-----Update
Josh has now trained me for over a year, and everything I said above still stands. I completed a 50 miler last week, and my success is largely due to his training. He will ensure you are 100% prepared for whatever distance you set out to achieve. Thanks, Josh!

Shelly S.

Josh!! One day i would like to meet you. My son, was already one of the most remarkable humans i know. Thank you for being there for him. He’s doing marathons!!! It still amazes me to see the drive he has to succeed and be better!

Brandon S.

1. How did the training program help you prepare for the race?
Josh helped me build a consistent base (which I hadn’t had) and the only way was up once we started!

2. What aspects of the coaching did you find most beneficial?
The knowledge Josh has and ease of use with training peaks!

3. Can you describe any specific improvements in your performance or fitness since starting the training?
After just a month of being consistent and training with Josh I could tell a big difference in the strength of my feet which I felt was mostly due to the 6 foot drills. Those little exercises don’t seem like much and don’t take long but they help tremendously. Do them!!

4. How did the coach support you throughout the training process?
Any questions I had I simply texted Josh or put it in the notes in Training Peaks and he always answered within 24 hours!

5. What challenges did you face during the training, and how did the coach help you overcome them?
I needed to learn the difference between good and bad pain (aka the growing pains). Josh always listened and never made me feel bad for not doing something I felt might lead to hurt.

6. How did the training program impact your mental preparation and confidence for the race?
I’m already a pretty driven and intense individual but sometimes the 3 and 4 days a week of running (in addition to strength training) were just a draaaaagg!! I still showed up and put the work in as best I could and found that if I just applied myself I could actually push myself a little further

7. Were there any particular strategies or techniques that made a significant difference in your race performance?
I learned from each Spartan race I did and built on that. Some races I failed in certain aspects but we added to the training and the next race went fine. So don’t be afraid to let your coach know where your weak points are. It’s ok to have weak points, that’s what coaches are for and Josh did an excellent job in preparing me for the next race!

8. How responsive and accessible was the coach when you needed advice or had questions?
It didn’t matter if the questions I had were program specific or just overall health/wellness/fitness/diet/etc. Josh answered them all and helped me become a better athlete.

9. What would you say to someone considering this coaching program for their next race?
Even if you have the drive to do all the research and program prep yourself, it won’t hurt to work with Josh (or a coach) for 2-4 weeks. You will learn from them!

Joshua H.

To keep it short and to the point I would not of been able to run a sub 24 hr 100 mile race without Coach Laker. He gave me all the tools i needed and a direct path to success, all i had to do was not deviate from the plan.

Laura !.

Josh is awesome. Attentive, consistent, knowledgeable and kind. He answered any of my questions I had. He is an integral part of my running journey. Always there to give support whenever needed. I looked forward to his weekly plan and knew that the accountiblity factor I was needing in my goals was being managed by both of us. During my training I did encounter some health issues that were unrealated to my running. Josh gave me strategies in figuring out the best way to go about things with my diet restrictions. I learned how to reach proper fuel intake considering my challenges. It worked! I reached my goal of getting faster and on my last race in Death Valley I was in the top 10 for females, shocked and super stoked. I am looking forward to working with Josh and reaching my next goal of going further and try a 50k. Very grateful.

Shannon W.

I started training with Josh after signing up for a 31K, my longest distance to date. As a newer runner, I knew I needed a bit more guidance but wasn't sure I was at a level to have a coach. Prior to this year, I had only followed templated training plans and ended up burned out, injured and unhappy with how I felt going into races. I needed more accountability and a more personalized approach. After working with Josh this year, I definitely see the benefit in working with a coach, no matter what level runner you are. Being able to set the training for your life/schedule and your goals/expectations for your races and having accountability through the training was immensely helpful. The training blocks were well laid out and Josh was always available to discuss progress and how things were going for me through each stage. I also learned that fueling/hydration strategy and discussions had been missing in my previous non-coach led training. Josh helped me work on figuring out my needs, and took consideration of challenges I face due to my endometriosis.
Race day can always throw things at you that you can’t always control, but despite that, I felt fully prepared for my race.
I’d recommend working with Josh to anyone that’s looking for going beyond just a textbook plan and really wants a personal focus to their training.

Mary C.

I started working with Josh to prepare for my second 50k after being close to cut of times in my first 50k, feeling burnt out with my training leading up to it, and ending the training injured. Josh coached me through my second 50k the following year, in which the course was 3 miles longer, double the elevation, and I was still 1 minute per mile faster in this race than the one I trained for alone! One year later, he just coached me through my first 50 mile race! Each training cycle I thoroughly have enjoyed. The training feels purposeful and is a lower workload than I would expect. Because we talk about my schedule needs, the training fits into my life well and can change based on my schedule changing. We also strategize before and after events or long efforts to make sure I feel comfortable with them and learn from them. Would definitely recommend and will continue to work with him!

John K.

I’ve worked with Josh three times so far preparing for 4 goal race ultras, and each race I toed the line more fit and more prepared than any race I’ve run before. Josh provided great training blocks tailored to my goals and abilities. It was clear through our work together that he understood how to motivate me and keep me on track throughout some long training blocks.

One of the biggest things I missed training on my own was a real focus on nutrition and hydration. Through Josh’s training I’ve learned much more about how it feels when I’m not keeping up with fuel before it takes me out of a race.

I’m running faster races and recovering from them quicker, thanks to Josh. I have and do recommend him to my running friends and will continue to use him as a coach when I am trying to accomplish big goals.

Goal race results with Josh:
Dino valley 100k: 17:44
Jackass 31k: 2:54 (PR)
Adrenaline 50k: 5:25 (PR)
Javelina 100k: 14:16