[mhux]

Hey Evoke,

I am a newer runner and am just starting the ’20 wk First Ultra’ plan. I’m keen to run a trail race in early November this year, which is during week 14 of the plan. Due to my inexperience with ultra running, I was planning to do a 25K/2300′ option instead of a 50K/5000′ (which seems a bit rushed for me, training-wise). I mostly just want to feel good on the race, not ‘race it’, and use it as a concrete goal for training motivation.

My question is, can/should I shorten the plan to prepare for the 25K? I’m thinking I could just use the 25K race as week 14’s ‘3hr aerobic hill run’ and carry on with the plan as normal. I’m wondering how I should alter the plan if I end up racing a bit above AeT though?

Thank you!!

 

 

 

 

[Scott Johnston]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If this is your first event like this I recommend you just plan to do this as part of your training and do not alter the overall plan too much.

Plan to walk on many of the steeper/longer hills to keep your HR in Z2.  Otherwise the recovery time you need after the race will be long and negatively affect the overall plan.

If you HR does get above Z2 for some bits that is to be expected when racing but if you spend 23km with you HR in Z3 it will take longer to recover and upset your aerobic development.  If you need a target, try to limit the total time above AeT to 20% of the race time.

I hope this helps,

Scott

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