From Triathlon to Trail: How AP Racing Athletes Tackle Every Type of Endurance Adventures
AP RACING IS MORE THAN WHAT MEETS THE EYE
At AP Racing we’re probably best known for our triathlon coaching — but the truth is, we’ve been coaching endurance athletes of all kinds for years. From ultra runners to gravel racers, road cyclists to open-water swimmers, we understand that endurance lives far beyond the swim-bike-run. And we’re here to help athletes chase that next big goal — whether it’s a 5K swim or a 100-mile trail race.
Endurance Is a Lifestyle — Not Just a Sport
While triathlon will always be at our core, many AP Racing athletes are branching out into other endurance challenges — and they’re crushing it. That’s no accident. Our training principles are rooted in building durability, aerobic capacity, and mental resilience — skills that are essential no matter the event. Whether you’re toeing the line at an Ironman or hiking into the mountains for a trail ultra, the foundations are the same. Look no further than Daniel & Andy. Daniel has taken to the mountains and is getting heavily involved in SKIMO and x-country ski races. Similarly, we have a few athletes that have went all-in on the trail-
SITTING DOWN WITH 2 AP RACING ATHLETES:
We sat down with two of them— Justin Heckman and Patricia — who have recently stepped into the world of ultra running, trail racing, and big mountain goals. Their stories are different, but one thing is clear: the AP Racing community, coaching, and camp experience helped them go further — literally.
Meet Justin: From Triathlon Pup to Trail Grit
Andy: Justin started with triathlon, but ultra running caught his eye — and eventually, his heart.
Justin: “I liked the primitiveness in running. It’s just you and the ground. And there’s a lot of adventure and unknowns in ultras, which is right up my alley.”
Andy: It was at AP Racing camps that Justin’s entire training mindset shifted.
Justin: “When I first started, I didn’t trust the process. But Andy and Daniel helped me see that training is the journey, and racing is just the byproduct. Camps really changed everything — they made training fun, simple, and relatable.”
Andy: Justin has tackled some amazing events and personal challenges. He leaned in hard to a sense of adventure and grit and also leaned on other AP Racing athletes for support. For his 44th birthday he decided to do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim and we asked him about it-
Justin: ”I did the Rim to Rim to Rim and it was a wild Ride.
Two weeks before turning 44, I decided the best way to celebrate was to run the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim—solo. Somehow, I convinced my wife this was a great idea.
I flew to Phoenix, rented a car, drove to the Canyon, slept in the car, and hit the South Kaibab trail at 3:00 AM. Ran down the South Rim, up the North Kaibab to the North Rim by noon, grabbed some food, then turned around and did it all over again. A couple lemonades at Phantom Ranch powered me back up the South Rim.”
Total: 43.83 miles, 11,491 ft of elevation, 15 hours and 5 minutes.
The final climb out was brutal—easily one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I called my wife at the top just to say,
“I’m going to lie down and die for a bit—I’ll call you back.”
Thinking about doing it? Do it.
Best advice I got was from fellow AP racer Andy Zabel, who’d done it recently. Talking to someone with experience made all the difference.
Here’s what I learned:
Hydrate early and often. Once you’re dehydrated, it’s a long road back.
Go easy on the descent. Save your legs—you’ll need them for the climb.
Don’t overthink it. Just keep moving.
Andy:
Justin has taken on events like the Canyons 50k, Rancho Hills 50k, and the legendary Leadville 100 — where he learned the hard way what it means to dig deep.
Justin:
“I missed the 50-mile cutoff by 12 minutes at Leadville. That DNF hit hard — but I learned a lot. Mostly that I don’t ever want to DNF again. That’s now a driving force for me.”
From triathlon to ultras to CrossFit competitions, Justin is the kind of athlete who thrives on challenge — and with AP Racing in his corner, he’s just getting started.
Meet Patricia: Chasing Mountains and Community
Andy: For Patricia, the shift to trail running was about adventure, flexibility, and connection. We asked her what prompted this shift-
Patricia: “Trail running gave me a new sense of challenge. I was having a hard time training for triathlon with my work and travel schedule. Trail running let me train almost anywhere. Plus, I live in Colorado — I wanted to get deeper into the mountains.”
Andy: Even with limited run-specific training, her aerobic base from triathlon — and some seriously long rides with Coach Daniel — carried her through her first ultra. Here is what she had to say about that:
Patricia: “I did a 50-miler with zero ultra specific run training. But those 8-10 hour bike rides really built my aerobic engine and mental toughness. I kept expectations low, focused on enjoying the process and the people — and it was a blast.”
Andy: But for Patricia, one of the biggest reasons she keeps coming back to AP Racing despite starting on this new adventure?
Patricia: “AP Racing is all about the community for me. So many great guys and girls from every level who want to have fun and get after it. I’ve been to about 7 camps, and I’ll be at the next 7 too!”
Andy: This year, she volunteered at the Leadville 100 — and left completely inspired. Let’s find out what she thought of that experience-
Patricia: “The energy at Leadville was electric. I’m already planning my training for next year, coming up to Leadville to train, and using AP Racing camps as my launchpad.”
Why AP RACING COACHING AND TRAINING WORKS: Coaching That Adapts to Your Goals
At AP Racing, we meet you where you are — and coach you toward where you want to go. Whether you're chasing a new distance, looking for structure in your training, or simply want to find more joy in the process, we’ve got your back.
✅ Years of experience coaching ultra runners, cyclists, swimmers, and trail athletes
✅ A proven framework that builds aerobic fitness, resilience, and adaptability
✅ Community-driven camps and events that bring athletes together
✅ Personalized coaching tailored to your lifestyle and goals
Your Next Adventure Starts Now
Ready to dive into trail racing? Want to tackle a 200-mile gravel ride or explore a Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon? Maybe you’re a triathlete looking to mix it up. Wherever you’re headed, AP Racing can get you there.
Sign up to work with AP Racing and let’s build your next endurance adventure — together.
PS: Curiaous about AP Racing Camps? Just ask Justin or Patricia — they’ll tell you, they’re more than workouts. They’re where transformation happens.