GO FURTHER. RUN STRONGER.
Online trail running coaching for mountain runners and ultramarathon athletes, from first trail objectives to multi-day endurance challenges.
Training for the trail ahead.
Progressively build endurance and strength with a plan that respects your current fitness and life outside running. TrainingPeaks supports data-driven adjustments and regular communication.
Does this sound familiar?
Why am I fast on roads but struggle on steep climbs?
How do I stop my quads feeling spent on descents?
Am I running my easy days too hard?
How much elevation should I train for?
How do I balance strength, speed work and long runs?
How do I practise fueling for a long ultra?
How can training fit around work, family and recovery?
What we’ll train
Aerobic development — Establish consistent, repeatable endurance work.
Uphill performance — Develop climbing capacity and purposeful hiking as well as running.
Downhill durability — Introduce eccentric strength and suitable descending practice progressively.
Running economy — Combine effort control, movement practice and sport-specific strength.
Race-specific preparation — Reflect your course, elevation, surface, support and likely time moving.
Fueling and pacing — Practise practical strategies during training rather than discovering everything on race day.
Your training week: 50 km mountain ultra
Monday — Recovery and mobility
Tuesday — Uphill intervals: 6 × 4 minutes, where appropriate
Wednesday — 60–75-minute easy aerobic run
Thursday — Strength and a 40-minute easy run
Friday — Rest or easy cross-training
Saturday — 3-hour mountain outing with relevant elevation
Sunday — 75–90-minute easy trail run or hike-run
Illustrative week for an athlete already prepared for this workload. Actual training is individual—not a universal first-ultra schedule.
Beyond the training plan
Explore race selection, course profiles, equipment, footwear, food access, hydration, pacing and race-week logistics. Pre-event conversations and post-race reviews help connect your training to the experience. Detailed planning support depends on your coaching package.
Trail running questions, answered
Is walking during a trail race acceptable?
Yes. Purposeful hiking can be an effective response to steep terrain and your intended effort.
Do I need enormous weekly mileage for an ultra?
No universal mileage target fits every runner. Your starting point, event and recovery shape progression.
Can I prepare from a flatter city?
Yes. We combine accessible conditioning with appropriate opportunities for trail and downhill practice.
Mountain expertise. Individual preparation.
Jordan Lenham combines university-level sports education, professional mountain guiding experience and coaching since 2011 with first-hand experience of ultramarathons, alpine climbing and multi-day backcountry journeys. Your TrainingPeaks programme evolves through feedback and scheduled check-ins. Canadian owned and operated, supporting athletes across Canada and worldwide.