Mountain Runner Coaching's mission is to help you enjoy the journey toward and the accomplishment of your running goal. We do this using our proven training methods rooted in decades of running experience and our athletes’ achievements. Coach support from head Coach Chris Grauch, a 9 x USATF Mountain/Trail Runner of the Year and 10 x Masters mountain running/trail National Champion, is included in your plan, as we’re all about boosting your confidence and fitness on the trails and making your trail half-marathon goal a reality.

THIS PLAN AT A GLANCE

This plan starts with 4 days per week of running, for a total of 4 hours per week, including a long run of 8 miles on trails. As the plan progresses, it moves to 5 days a week of running and up to two workouts per week on trail-specific terrain. The biggest week is 7 hours of total running time, which includes a long run of 15 miles.

Over the 12 weeks, the plan progressively builds trail time and elevation gain to prepare you for a race with 2000-3000ft elevation gain. The inclusion of our confidence-boosting MRC signature sessions will give you challenging run workouts on terrain that will prepare you both physically and mentally to meet your trail half-marathon goal!

TARGET ATHLETE AND PREREQUISITES

If you have already run a trail half-marathon and want to better your performance, or you have run a road half-marathon and are keen to try the same distance on the trails, this plan is for you. This training plan is set up to help you get the most out of your running on the trails and go into your trail half marathon feeling ready to achieve your race goal.

Prerequisites in the last 3-4 weeks:
- running at least 4 days per week and at least 4 hours per week
- at least 2 long runs of 8 miles
- preferably some trail running, but not necessary

PLAN SPECIFICS

• 4-5 days per week and 4-7 hours per week


• Utilizes structured workouts throughout


• Intensity effort determined by RPE (rate of perceived exertion)


• Builds run consistency over time


• Includes progressive challenge sessions


• Incorporates recovery weeks to allow you to absorb the training and then build on your fitness


• Downloadable to your watch/device


• Uses our MRC signature workouts to develop race confidence and motivate you toward your goal


• Coach support included, as your goal is our goal too!