100 Mile Mountain Ultra | Uphill Athlete

100 Mile Mountain Ultra

Advanced
20 weeks
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) based

Prepare for your best 100 miles.

This plan begins with specific hill sprints to build strength and durability before transitioning to 10 weeks of muscular endurance. The muscular endurance workouts are crucial to ensure your legs are ready for the demands of climbing and descending in the race. In the later part of the plan, you will start the functional runner routine that focuses on mobility, range of motion and specific strength for runners.

Along with these key workouts, the weekends are designed with a gradual progression of mileage and elevation gain and descent based on the elevation profile of the race. There are also notes on incorporating night running, pole use and mandatory kit. This plan follows the traditional four week cycle of a three week build to one consolidation week to absorb the training. The peak week tops out with an almost 50-mile (78km) week with almost 15,000ft (4600m) of elevation gain and descent. The plan culminates in a two-week taper to get you well rested for the big day.

This plan is based on your RPE, or “Rate of Perceived Exertion,” where workout intensities are guided by how hard you are working based on your perception of effort (how hard the workout feels to you) rather than by heart rate.

Whether you use an RPE-based or heart rate-based training plan, we recommend that you use a chest-strap heart rate monitor and GPS watch to log all your training.

Meet the demands of a challenging 100 mile course with a specialized plan focused on strength and durability in the mountains.

A plan built by experienced ultra mountain runners.

*Apple Watch syncing is currently not supported for RPE plans.

Succeed in challenging, big elevation, 100-mile races.

Questions?

How can I get the most out of this training plan?

Stay consistent with your training and make sure to prioritize the long runs and practicing with the gear you will use for the race. Rest when you are tired, and focus on good-quality workouts. You will see great benefits.

While it is ideal to use similar terrain, this plan can be adjusted for those who live in flat areas with the use of incline treadmills, stair master or box step ups.

Pay particular attention to the run sequence on the weekends to develop your multi-day strength. The three-day series of progressively longer runs will help you build durability and endurance. This will also help you develop proper fueling strategies and test your gear out for your event. Do not skimp on the hip mobility and strength as that work is the foundation for staying healthy and consistent.

If it is possible to have access to a gym, that is useful especially if you do not have easy access to hilly terrain. If not, a box for step-ups, a weight vest and dumbbells is sufficient.

What should I do prior to starting this plan?

This plan is designed for runners who are comfortably running 30-40 miles a week and have experience with ultras. If you need to increase your base fitness, we recommend our Intro to Ultra Marathons Training Plan.

What should I do after I complete this plan?

This plan is designed to be used for other mountainous hundred milers, but we also offer multi-day training plans if you are interested in longer efforts. Check out our Big Vert plan or Multi-Day stage run plan.

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