40 TIMES | Training for Grindstone #5 - Ryan Clayton

Aug 13, 2025

Here is a breakdown of the epic 40 TIMES | Training for Grindstone #5 workout from Ryan Clayton. It’s a great watch, and we’ve summarized it here so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Goal: 4,000 ft of elevation gain in a single session (≈ 7 mi total, ~3 hrs).
Strategy: Run 40 repeat ups-and-downs of a ~100-ft hill (each up-and-down counts as one repeat). A session like this builds incredible strength, making it perfect for ultramarathon training or for conquering a challenging course in your next race. It’s an excellent workout to incorporate into a longer training plan, such as the one in our guide to Mastering the 10K: Proven Training Plans, Pace Strategies, and How a Smart App Can Elevate Your Performance.
Use short breaks (4–10 min) as needed—especially for photos or family time.
Hydration and fueling are critical; Ryan noted he was low on food and felt tired.
After the session, plan a rest day to recover before the next training block.

Workout Example

This workout is a perfect, real-world example of a high-volume interval session. If you want to dive deeper into the science behind this type of training, check out our comprehensive guide on Mastering Interval Training: Science-Backed Workouts and How a Smart App Can Personalize Them.

Warm-up: 10–15 min easy jog on flat ground.

Repeat 40 times:
  • Run up the hill (≈100 ft elevation gain, ~0.3–0.4 mi) at a comfortable effort.
  • Turn around and run back down.
  • Take a 30–60 second walk or easy jog if needed.

Total: ~7 miles, 4,000 ft total climb, ~3 hours.
Cool-down: 10–15 min easy jog + stretch.

The strength you build with these hill repeats is a powerful asset for any race distance. While this session is geared toward endurance, the same “repeat” format can be adapted to focus on pure velocity. You can explore similar strategies in our guide to Mastering 5K Speed: Proven Interval Strategies to Cut Minutes off Your Time.

Adjust the number of repeats or hill length to match your own elevation goals or time constraints.