TRAIL RUNNING in SCOTLAND - Training for a Mountain Ultra S2 E8 - Ben Parkes

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of “TRAIL RUNNING in SCOTLAND - Training for a Mountain Ultra S2 E8” from Ben Parkes. 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

Purpose: Build mountain‑leg strength and climbing endurance in the final weeks before the Mozart 100 (110 km, ~5,000 m gain).
Terrain: Rough Scottish trails with lots of scrambling, steep ascents, and technical downhill sections.
Pacing: Roughly 6:30 min/km on mixed trail (≈10 mi / 16 km) with 1,500 m of total ascent.
Nutrition on‑the‑fly: Simple carbs – peanuts, orange juice, water – work fine for a long climb‑heavy day.
Recovery: A light shake‑out run the day after a hard climb day to keep legs loose.

Workout Example

18 km Trail Climb Day (adjust distances/paces to your level)

This workout is designed for ultra-marathon prep, but the principles of building climbing strength are valuable for any hilly race. You can scale the distance and elevation down to prepare for a challenging trail event, applying similar effort-based principles you might use when Mastering the 10K: Proven Training Plans, Pace Strategies, and How a Smart App Can Elevate Your Performance.

Warm‑up: 10 min easy jog on flat ground.
Main set: Run 18 km on hilly trail aiming for ~6:30 min/km average pace. The key here is to focus on a steady effort up the climbs and keep your effort consistent rather than chasing speed. This endurance-focused approach is different from the high-intensity bursts you’d find in more structured hill repeats. For those looking to incorporate more varied intensity into their training, you can learn about Mastering Interval Training: Science-Backed Workouts and How a Smart App Can Personalize Them.
- Target ≈1,500 m total elevation gain (roughly 5 % grade on average).
- Include short scramble sections – treat them as “active recovery” while staying moving.
Cool‑down: 10 min easy jog + light stretching.
Fuel: Every 45‑60 min, take a handful of peanuts and sip orange juice/water.
Post‑run: Light shake‑out run (3‑5 km) the next day to flush out legs.

Closing Note

Give this mountain‑leg builder a try on your nearest hillier trails and tweak the distance or pace to match your current fitness. While this workout is fantastic for building endurance, a truly balanced training plan incorporates different stimuli. To build power and efficiency, consider complementing these long efforts with targeted speed work. Even if your goal isn’t a fast road race, the principles for Mastering 5K Speed: Proven Interval Strategies to Cut Minutes off Your Time can make you a stronger, more efficient climber.

Use the Pacing app to log your effort and adjust the numbers for your own goals. Have fun, stay safe, and keep climbing – the ultra is within reach! 🚀