PARK CLOSED - Forced changes to training plan! // Cruel Jewel 100 - 4 weeks to go - Ryan Clayton

Aug 13, 2025

This is a quick summary of “PARK CLOSED - Forced changes to training plan! // Cruel Jewel 100 - 4 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

A park closure (due to illegal mushroom hunting) cancelled the planned long‑distance runs, so Ryan switched to hill‑repeat sessions to keep the vertical‑gain stimulus.
He targets 7,000 ft of vertical gain in a single session by repeatedly climbing a ~100‑ft steep hill (hundreds of repeats over a 4‑hour workout).
Gear tips: choose shoes that fit your foot width (Hoka Torrent 2 for narrow feet, Olympus 4 for ultra distances), wash mud‑caked shoes in water, and size‑adjust trail poles for a comfortable grip.
Training focus shifts to aggressive taper: more rest days, lower weekly mileage, and maintaining the climb‑specific stimulus.

Workout example

Warm‑up: 1 mi easy on flat terrain
Hill repeats (100‑ft hill, ~3 % grade):
  • 10 min total work – 1 min up, 1 min down
  • 10–12 repeats per set, 3 sets (≈30 min)
  • Keep effort at ~HR 150–165 (hard but sustainable)
Cool‑down: 1 mi easy
Total: ~4 h 27 min, ~7 000 ft vertical gain

Adjust the number of repeats or sets to match your current fitness and the vertical‑gain you need.

Practical tips you can use right now

If shoes get muddy, deliberately run through a splash‑zone or puddle to clean the soles before the next repeat.
When using trail poles, pick the small‑size version if the larger grips interfere with wrist movement.
Schedule at least two full rest days per week during the taper to let the body recover while still hitting the weekly climb target.

Closing note Give the hill‑repeat session a try, tweak the repeat count to suit your pace, and use the Pacing app to log your effort and vertical gain. You’ll keep the climb‑specific fitness alive while the park stays closed – and you’ll be ready to crush the Cruel Jewel 100! 🚀