This Stage Race Training Plan is a key part of the Stage Race Handbook – my complete guide to preparing, training, and running races like Marathon des Sables, or the 4 Deserts series . . . multi-stage races over several days and hundreds of kilometers!
Who Is It For?:
Anyone preparing for a Stage Race!
How Long?:
Six months // 24 weeks.
The training plan is over six months, so starts off quite lightly (3-4 10km runs per week).
As pace isn’t essential for stage race training, I have not included any recommended pace and mainly made the runs time-based as opposed to distance based. The one exception to this is the long runs on Saturdays, which I have given set distances to cover – this is to ensure you reach the criteria of completing certain distances in preparation.
Your weekends will be busy. I’ve scheduled the longest weekly runs for Saturdays, and a shorter run for Sundays. This is called running “doubles” – doing back-to-back long runs to get your body used to running long distances on tired legs.I’ve scheduled two cross training days per week, and one rest day per week. If you wish, feel free to take two rest days and only cross train once.
I’ve assumed a taper of 4 weeks. This should suit most stage racers, though the more experienced runners may wish to have a shorter taper.
Download The Training Plan Here
Enter your email and I’ll send you this free training plan now, in PDF and Google Sheets formats (completely customisable), in both miles and kilometers.
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Proven Training Plans by a UESCA-Certified Running Coach
Every one of our training plans has been developed by Thomas Watson, a UESCA-certified running coach.
Thomas is also a podium-finishing ultra-marathon runner and has dozens of marathons under his belt.
Each training plan has been road-tested by hundreds of runners, refined and improved, and is free to download and customize to suit your needs!
