From Floppy Discs to AI: How Jason Koop Became One of the Most Influential Coaches in Ultra Running

Jason Koop didn’t set out to become one of the most respected coaches in endurance sports.

Like many in the industry, he started at the bottom, as an intern, learning on the fly, building tools from scratch, and trying to make sense of a sport that was still evolving.

At the time, coaching meant spreadsheets, early software, and even storing data on floppy disks. It was a hands-on, trial-by-fire introduction to a career that would eventually span decades.

But what shaped Koop early on wasn’t just the work, it was the people.

He found himself surrounded by world-class coaches, often by chance, and that environment left a lasting impression. It’s something he still carries with him today.

The mentorship he received early in his career is something he now actively tries to pay forward.

From Generalist to Elite Specialist

Over the years, Koop’s coaching career expanded in every direction.

He’s:

• Built coaching systems and pipelines
• Developed education programs for coaches
• Managed teams and training environments
• Worked across multiple endurance disciplines

But more recently, his focus has narrowed.

Today, he primarily coaches elite ultra-runners, athletes competing at the very top of the sport, while still maintaining a connection to everyday runners.

That shift wasn’t accidental. It reflects both the demands of elite performance and the depth of experience required to operate at that level.

What He’s Learned About Performance (That Most Runners Miss)

Despite working with some of the best athletes in the world, Koop’s core philosophy is surprisingly simple.

Most improvement doesn’t come from advanced strategies.

It comes from consistency.

The majority of performance gains come from structured training built on overload and recovery.

Elite athletes don’t succeed because they’re doing completely different things.

They succeed because they:

• Execute the basics exceptionally well
• Stay consistent over long periods
• Then layer in precise individualization

That last piece, individualization, is where elites separate themselves.

They identify weaknesses and attack them directly:

• Nutrition
• Strength
• Psychology
• Race strategy

Everything is tailored.

But only after the fundamentals are nailed.

The Most Powerful Lever: Doing More (Strategically)

If there’s one idea Koop returns to again and again, it’s this:

Volume is the most effective tool for improving endurance performance.

Not dramatically more.

Just more.

A small increase, around 10%, applied consistently over time can create meaningful gains.

And yet, most runners look elsewhere first:

• Supplements
• New workout structures
• Complex training tweaks

Koop’s approach cuts through that noise.

Before changing anything else, he asks:
Can you do a little more?

Rethinking Training: Bigger Efforts and Focused Blocks

Koop also emphasizes something many runners overlook: how training is distributed matters.

Instead of only adding more sessions, he encourages:

• Making key sessions slightly longer
• Adding one more meaningful long effort
• Creating focused training blocks

These “DIY training camps” are especially powerful.

By stepping away from daily stress, work, responsibilities, distractions, athletes can temporarily increase training load and focus entirely on performance.

The result isn’t just physical adaptation.

It’s confidence.

Embracing Change: Why Koop Leaned Into AI Early

While many coaches are still debating AI, Koop made a different choice early on.

He paid attention.

Years before AI became mainstream, he recognized a pattern he had seen before, similar to the introduction of power meters in endurance sports.

At first, there’s skepticism.
Then resistance.
Then rapid adoption.

Instead of pushing back, he asked a different question:

How can this make me better at what I do?

That mindset led him to begin integrating AI into his coaching practice years ago.

How AI Is Actually Being Used in Coaching

Koop’s use of AI isn’t about replacing coaching, it’s about enhancing it.

He’s built systems that:

• Assist with athlete onboarding
• Support program design
• Analyze training data
• Track athlete sentiment over time

One of the most powerful applications is analyzing how athletes feel, not just what they do.

By identifying patterns in athlete feedback, fatigue, stress, confidence, he can catch issues earlier and respond more effectively.

It’s a layer of insight that’s difficult to achieve manually, especially at scale.

But There’s a Catch: AI Needs Guardrails

Koop is also clear about the risks.

AI is only as good as the information guiding it.

Without structure, it can produce:

• Inaccurate recommendations
• Generic programming
• Misleading insights

That’s why he emphasizes the importance of guardrails, using your own knowledge, experience, and methodology to guide how AI is applied.

AI should enhance expertise, not replace it.

What the Future of Coaching Looks Like

Koop doesn’t shy away from the bigger question:

Will AI replace coaches?

His answer is nuanced.

Yes, but not all at once.

And not at every level.

Like most technological shifts, it will happen from the bottom up:

• Generic training plans will disappear
• Entry-level coaching will be automated
• Higher-level coaching will evolve

The coaches who thrive will be those who:

• Adapt
• Develop real expertise
• Deliver unique value

Final Thought

Jason Koop’s career spans decades of change in endurance sports, from early coaching systems to the rise of AI.

But his core message hasn’t changed:

The fundamentals matter most.

Technology can enhance coaching.
It can improve efficiency.
It can uncover insights.

But it can’t replace experience, judgment, and real human connection.

And as AI continues to reshape the landscape, something interesting is happening:

Working with a real, experienced coach is becoming more valuable, not less.

Because true coaching isn’t just about data or plans.
It’s about context, nuance, accountability, and trust.

That’s something AI can support, but not replicate.

If you’re serious about your training and want guidance built around you, not an algorithm:

Click “Enquire Now” to work with a real, live coach who brings both experience and education to your training.

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Listen to the Maximum Mileage Podcast episode featuring Nick Hancock and Jason Koop: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jason-koop-ai-in-running-ultra-training-and-how-to-get-faster/id1692891567?i=1000764799037

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Watch The Performance Collective episode: https://youtu.be/wypgSM7D_CI?si=LAu4fz_Y9bxmWmVn

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