Cruel Jewel 100 Training Weekend Update - 17 Weeks To Go! - Ryan Clayton

Aug 13, 2025

Intro: This is a quick summary of Cruel Jewel 100 Training Weekend Update – 17 Weeks To Go! from Ryan Clayton. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Weekly focus: Build toward 45 mi of mileage and 17,000 ft of vertical gain each week to meet the 100‑mile, 33,000 ft total goal.
Listen to your body: When calf soreness appeared, Ryan swapped a planned 60‑minute recovery run for a short, low‑grade hike (≈3 % grade, 1,100 ft over 3 mi).
Mix of sessions: Easy runs, hill‑repeat intervals, and a long‑run that combines flat and steep sections.
Targeted vertical work: Aim for ~330 ft of climb per mile (the average needed for the race) by using treadmill hill intervals and outdoor hill repeats.

Workout Example (Week Overview)

Monday: Planned 60‑min recovery run → 3 mi easy hike at ~3 % grade (1,100 ft gain).
Tuesday: 7 mi total; includes 9‑min hill intervals, treadmill set at 5 mph, higher effort on the hills.
Wednesday: 3 mi easy/hike (≈15 % grade) to keep legs moving while calf still tender.
Thursday: 5 mi with alternating grades (15 % down to 3 %) – hill repeat interval session.
Friday: ~5 mi at ~15 min/mi on treadmill, steady incline to keep vertical load.
Saturday (Long Run): Target 10–15 mi, 3–4k ft vert; ended up 17 mi with >5,000 ft gain, mixing flat miles and repeated hill climbs.
Sunday: 5 mi treadmill interval session, ~2,300 ft gain, rounding out 45 mi total for the week.

Practical Tips

When a muscle aches, replace the run with a short, low‑grade hike to maintain volume without aggravating injury.
Use treadmill hill work to control grade and intensity when outdoor terrain is limited.
Track weekly vertical gain; hitting 17k ft consistently builds the endurance needed for the 100‑mile race.
Mix flat mileage with steep repeats to hit the ~330 ft/mile average climb required for the Cruel Jewel.

Closing Note: Try swapping in a hill‑repeat interval or a short hike when you’re feeling a niggle – you’ll still stay on track for your mileage and vert goals. Customize the paces and distances in the Pacing app to fit your own fitness level, and keep pushing toward those 100‑mile dreams! 🚀