Training plans

Pick your summit date and Ridgework writes the weeks back from it: mostly easy walking, one long day that grows, the daypack you will actually carry, and strength you can do at home. If a week goes badly, the next one changes. Finish well, not a time.

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A first ultra for a lot of people — finish well, not just finish. Mostly easy running, one quality session once the base is there, and a long run that grows toward the day you picked.

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Not a first ultra. Months of easy time on feet, late back-to-back long runs and a four-week taper, all written around the date you gave.

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A first trail race, for someone who already runs. Easy volume, one quality session a week, and a long run growing toward two hours.

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No race on the calendar, on purpose. Easy time on feet at a pace you can talk through, growing slowly from the week you have now, however cautious. That steady base is most of what a day like this asks for: hours on foot up a rocky alpine valley, at a pace you could hold all day.

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One big mountain day, for someone who already climbs. Aerobic approaches, real climbing sessions and mountain-specific strength, then a taper into your weather window.

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A linked alpine route over several days. Hiking base, then climbing plus loaded back-to-back days — built so you peak on day one and still have something left on day three.

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A high-altitude expedition, months out. Hiking and easy volume, progressive pack carries and muscular endurance — with a last block that is about sleep, food and packing, not one more hard carry.

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