How I Train for an Ultra Trail Race | 2 Months in Girona - Harry Runs

Aug 13, 2025

This is a quick summary of How I Train for an Ultra Trail Race | 2 Months in Girona from Harry Runs. 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:

Variability is essential – Combining rolling hills, technical mountain trails, and occasional road runs keeps you versatile and prepared for anything. This principle of a well-rounded plan is fundamental to success at any distance, including mastering the 10K.
Quality over quantity – Focus on hard-effort sessions like hill repeats and strides rather than just piling up miles. To get the most out of these efforts, it helps to understand the science behind them, which is why we recommend mastering interval training.
Strength matters – Regular gym work (leg press, single-leg squats, heavy-load reps) builds quad and core durability for steep climbs and punishing descents.
Cycling as cross-training – Gravel-bike rides add aerobic volume without the extra leg fatigue from running, all while boosting your hill strength.
Leg-speed drills – Short, fast hill strides keep your muscles firing quickly for technical terrain. These bursts build explosive power, using similar principles to the workouts required for mastering 5K speed.

Workout Example (adaptable to your paces):

Mountain run – 12 km with ~1,200 m elevation, include 6 × 30-second hill strides (hard effort, jog back recovery).
Gym session – 2× 10 min circuit: leg press 8 reps, single-leg squat 6 reps each side, core plank 45 s; repeat 3 rounds.
Bike ride – 45 min on gravel, moderate effort, standing on climbs for 3 × 5 min.
Recovery run – 8 km easy on mixed terrain, keep HR < 70% max.

Closing Note: Try this mixed-terrain week today, and feel free to adjust paces and distances in the Pacing app to fit your own fitness. Happy running