Let's Talk About The Barkley Marathons - Run Steep Get High

Aug 13, 2025

Intro: This is a quick summary of “Let’s Talk About The Barkley Marathons” from Run Steep Get High. 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:

Training for ultra‑steep events focuses on massive vertical gain (10‑30 k ft per week) combined with long‑distance mileage.
Rest and sleep are highlighted as the two most important recovery tools; taking a full day off after three weeks of hard training helped prevent burnout.
Listening to your body beats chasing numbers—pushing through sore knees led to a painful race experience.
Consistency (running 4‑5 days a week) and gradual vertical overload (2‑3 k ft per session) are safer than sudden spikes.

Workout Example:

Weekly Vertical Load: Aim for 20‑30 k ft of climb per week.
Sample Long Run: 20 mi (≈32 km) with 10,000 ft (≈3,050 m) of elevation gain.
Mid‑week Climb Sessions: 2 k ft (≈610 m) ascent on a local hill, repeat 2‑3 times, total 4‑6 k ft (≈1,220‑1,830 m).
Recovery Day: Full rest, prioritize sleep and nutrition.

Practical Tips:

Track vertical gain on Strava and aim for progressive overload.
Schedule a complete rest day after a three‑week training block.
Cut back mileage if knees or tendons feel overly sore; quality beats quantity.
Use a Pacing app to set custom climb‑pacing goals that match your own fitness.

Closing Note: Try this vertical‑focused routine this week, tweak the distances and climbs to fit your own paces in the Pacing app, and keep listening to your body—your next ultra will thank you!