Alyssa Clark on the Artistry of Mapping

Meet Alyssa Clark. Professional runner for On, coach, cat mom, and all-around stellar human, Alyssa just claimed 2nd place at the Lavaredo 120K, finishing only 29 minutes and 11 seconds behind the legendary Courtney Dauwalter.

We sat down with Alyssa to uncover how route planning factored into her race strategy. From course recon runs in the Dolomites to precision shakeout routes mapped in Footpath, every line she plotted boosted her confidence and left her fully prepared for race day.

What can we learn from this conversation?

Route planning is a powerful mental and physical strategy when it comes to racing

Using tools like Footpath to study a race course or preview segments in advance allows athletes to build a deep sense of familiarity with the terrain. That familiarity can be a game-changer on race day.

When you’ve already visualized or physically experienced a section of trail, it brings a sense of calm and control during the race. Knowing what’s coming helps reduce uncertainty and keep you mentally composed, whether it’s a long climb, a technical descent, or an aid station placement.

There’s also a physical component. Running on the actual course terrain helps your body adapt to the specific demands of the race. The muscle stimulus of climbing that exact ridge or navigating those switchbacks builds not just fitness, but muscle memory. Come race day, your body knows how to respond, and your mind already has the map. If you’re not able to get out to your race destination ahead of the race, you can map out similar elevation profiles closer to home to train on to create that specificity in your training.

Route planning isn’t just logistics, it’s a form of creative expression in sport

Alyssa shared that she loves designing routes with big objectives in mind, like starting from the valley floor and climbing all the way to the summit. She also enjoys linking together meaningful or fun landmarks, an alpine lake to a pizza place. Others might find joy in crafting the perfect loop or chasing a certain elevation profile.

The key is that route planning should spark excitement. When you map something that makes you eager to get outside and traverse a new landscape, you’re tapping into a deeper connection with your sport.

So find what fires you up, get inspired, and start charting your next adventure—with Footpath in hand, of course. 😉