100km Ultramarathon Training Plan: Trail Route, Pace, Recovery

100km Ultramarathon Guide: How to Plan Your 100 km Race Training

I mapped my 100 km race training around 12 weeks, starting with 1 long run weekly. 12 weeks is the sweet spot for trained runners to build without burnout. Add trail running twice weekly, and practice fueling every 30 minutes. Keep easy days truly easy.

Trail Route Selection: Oldest Trail Route vs Fastest Trail Running Route

• Pick 1 climb you can’t “shuffle” up; train it weekly on running on trails.
• Choose a route with 2+ runnable descents; practice braking at 5:30/km effort.
• Use old maps to avoid closures; check AllTrails before you drive.
• Time your loops: aim 20% slower on trail running route than road.
• Run both surfaces in training: dirt, roots, gravel.

I’ve raced the oldest trail route and the fast one; the oldest feels longer because of footing, so I’m training with ultramarathon discipline and long-run preparation, and you can support my effort here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edward-wallington . Every donation helps me keep going, share motivation with trained runners, and run on for veterans throughout the journey.

20% slower effort on trails kept me upright and on pace for the last 20km.

Long-Run Preparation for Trail Running: Running on Trails Without Overtraining

I treat long-run prep like a controlled experiment. I start easy, then only nudge pace after mile 90 on the first hour. On week two I test poles, using them just on steep climbs to save quads.

90 minutes is my cut-off for “long” workouts before I risk overtraining.

Race 100km Strategy: Running to Your Goal Pace on an Ultra Endurance Course

I pace by effort, not watch numbers, because an ultra endurance course punishes quick starts. I run the first 30km at 6/10 effort, then lock 7/10. 7/10 kept me on goal pace through the final climb.

Ultramarathon Training Program: 100km Race Training Schedule for Recovery and Form

My 100km race training schedule repeats a pattern: 2 faster trail days, 1 long-run, and 2 recovery runs. I keep most workouts under 80 minutes, then stack longer time only every third week. Every third week is where I add volume without losing form.

Train like you’ll race tired—because you will.

Recovery Run Essentials: Veterans Throughout the Year With “Heroes Help” Support

• After every hard workout, do a 20–30 min recovery run at easy chatter pace.
• Book a 30 min mobility block: hips, calves, ankles; I use the Nike Training Club app.
• Fuel carbs within 30 min: I aim 60g carbs using Skratch Labs gels.
• Sleep: 8.5 hours target; my watch shows best recovery at that range.
• Support veterans throughout: donate or volunteer 1x/month via Heroes Help.

I learned recovery isn’t soft; it’s your training engine for trail running.

60g carbs right after hard sessions kept my legs responsive for race 100km week.

Empower Veterans With Service-Based Community Events: Help Veterans, Run for Veterans

I’ve done a couple service-based runs where the miles felt lighter because the mission was real. I plan my fundraising like training: small, repeated asks, not one big push.

Veteran Support and Military Service Stories: Heroes Help Veterans Through Training and Discharge

I volunteer with Heroes Help and hear the same theme after served-in-the-military life: routine saves you. In training circles, I’ve watched people go from 2 days/week to 4 once they feel supported. 2 days/week was the starting point I saw most often.

Brand/Product Comparison: Ultra Training Gear and Recovery Tools for 100km Ultramarathon Runners

I use gear that survives dirt and hours, not just race photos. For recovery, I rotate PowerDot 2.0 ($350) and Theragun PRO ($599) after long distance running; for shoes, Salomon Sense Ride 5 ($120) for grip. $599 is why I treat the Theragun as “earned,” not automatic.