Skip to content

Evoke Big Vert Mountain Running Plan

Avatar photo

Posted:

$65

20 weeks

50k to 100 miles

skill level icon

Intermediate


This 20-week training plan is built for intermediate to advanced mountain runners who want to prepare for big vert races, ultras, and challenging multi-day events. It blends proven endurance training methods with targeted strength and muscular endurance workouts to build resilience for long climbs and descents. Athletes will learn how to customize weekly volume and elevation to match the demands of their specific goal event. By the end of 20 weeks, you’ll arrive at the start line with the fitness and mental confidence to tackle your biggest challenge yet.

Target Athlete
● Intermediate to advanced trail and mountain runners.
● Athletes training for 50 km to 100+ mile races with significant vertical gain.
● Runners who want to improve fatigue resistance for long climbs and descents.
● Mountain athletes looking to supplement aerobic training with specific strength and power.

What Makes It Special?
● 20 Weeks of Structured Training: A clear progression from aerobic base-building to specific uphill intervals and race prep.
● Big Vert Focus: Designed around vertical gain and downhill durability, not just mileage.
● Strength & Stability Work: Includes assessment, corrective workouts, muscular endurance cycles, and hill sprint progressions.
● Customizable Framework: Notes for how to adjust volume and vert for single-day, multi-day stage, or continuous ultra-distance events.
● Proven Methods: Built from decades of mountain coaching and training knowledge by Evoke Endurance coaches.

This plan does not include coaching, but we do offer consultation calls if you need additional support. We also encourage you to post questions in the free forum, where our coaching staff can answer publicly and help others out too.


Avatar photo

Meet the author: Scott Johnston

Scott Johnston is a world-class coach who blends a lifelong passion for mountain sports with a deep understanding of human performance. His background spans swimming, cross-country skiing, and alpine climbing, giving him unique insight into the demands of endurance sports. Johnston's coaching philosophy emphasizes enjoyable and sustainable training, as detailed in his co-authored books Training for the New Alpinism and Training for the Uphill Athlete.

Learn more