Gary's Barkley Simulation

Gary's Barkley Simulation

Workout - Gary's Barkley Simulation

  • 60min @ 9'00''/km
  • 480min @ 7'30''/km
  • 60min @ 11'00''/km
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Inspired by GARY ROBBINS TRAINS FOR THE BARKLEY, Where Dreams Go To Die (Advanced Preview), from TheGingerRunner, here’s what the workout looks like. Watch the full video for the full picture; below are the core elements so you can try this session.

Key points:

  • Overnight trail run with 8–10 lb of gear to prepare for Barkley Marathon conditions (load up to 9 lb).
  • Around 20,000 ft of combined ascent and descent over roughly 10 hours.
  • Builds navigation skills, footwork in the dark, and adaptability to rain, fog, and snow.
  • Fueling matters. Empty stores cause mid-run crashes.

Workout example:

  1. Pack 8–10 lb of essentials (water, food, layers, safety kit).
  2. Start around 10:00 PM and hold steady effort for about 10 hours, targeting 20,000 ft of total vertical (four or five thousand-foot climbs).
  3. Run low-light sections. Work on footfall awareness and headlamp technique.
  4. Eat every 45–60 min to keep energy up and avoid bonking.
  5. Finish before dawn (around 6:00–7:00 AM). Note total distance (15–23 mi) and elevation gain.

Final thoughts: A night run with a weighted pack builds mental toughness and trail fitness for ultras. Use the Pacing app to adjust pack weight and vertical to your current level, and watch the full video for Gary’s context.

References

Inspired by TheGingerRunner

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