Vincent Bouillard, a French ultrarunner, credits his record-breaking Western States 100 win to his coach, Mario Fraioli. Bouillard, who had coached himself for over 15 years, found the transition to a coach-athlete relationship seamless. Their long-standing friendship and mutual respect laid the groundwork for their collaboration.

Before becoming a father, Bouillard realized the need for a coach to manage his training and avoid overexertion. Fraioli, already a successful coach, agreed to take on Bouillard, emphasizing the importance of not overcomplicating his training. Their partnership has provided Bouillard with a trusted advisor and a sounding board for his training strategies. Read more trail coverage.

The unique dynamic of their relationship, built on years of friendship, has been a key factor in Bouillard's success. Fraioli's coaching has complemented Bouillard's natural talent and work ethic, helping him break out of self-coaching routines and achieve new heights in ultrarunning. Related: Documenting the Western States 100: A Challenging Yet Rewarding Task.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Trail Runner. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.