Free 16-Week Training Plan for Chihuahua by UTMB Napurega 20K
Prepare for canyon-scale climbs, long descents, dry exposure, and remote aid gaps in Chihuahua.
At 21 km with 700 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. At 33 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the course is runnable — the plan focuses on building your aerobic cruising speed while preparing you for the steeper sections. The official cutoff is 4 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
Expected race date: Sat, 2 October 2027Open entry21 km · 700 mStart: 07:30
I'm preparing for Chihuahua by UTMB Napurega 20K. Here is the public training preview.
21 km · +700 m · 365 days to race day
Public preview only; my private routes and schedule changes are not included.
Plan: https://trailsplits.com/races/chihuahua-by-utmb-napurega-20k/training-plan?tier=strong-finish&strength=1&strength_track=no-gym&engine=unified&edition=next
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Terrain autopilot
Find a matching route near you
We'll look for a loop near you that matches your next run (35 min · ~4.3 km · +75 m)
and rehearses the 33 m/km demand of Napurega 20K.
Terrain intel
Expect canyon trails, rocky descents, dirt roads, high plateaus, and sustained vertical change.
Weather & kit
October is generally drier, but daytime exposure and cooler nights both need rehearsal.
What this plan focuses on
Develop downhill quad durability.
Practice dry-weather hydration.
Build long climb-hike endurance.
Rehearse night and temperature swings.
Use poles and foot care on rocky terrain.
Unified race plan · beta
Uses the same load, recovery and taper rules as race discovery, with course-specific climbing only because this course has verified elevation.
Use it for race-effort sessions and race day. Easy runs stay easy whatever the goal; the plan's efforts come from how you run now.
Your starting point
Not stated. The plan assumes a typical starting week for this race and opens at 3h 00m of running.
Fit the plan to your recent training
This schedule opens at 3h 00m of running and 200 m of climbing in week one and peaks at 4h 15m and 625 m in a week; the longest planned outing is 1h 40m. These are prescriptions, not proof of readiness.
Adjust this plan
Swap concrete training days, or mark a day done/skipped without changing the race-specific template.
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Route-aware workouts
Key sessions include route buttons that deep-link into the Planner with pre-filled distance
+ elevation filters.
Little downhill to prepare for; general strength still helps.
Peak week target
625 m
4h 15m total training time
Cutoff pressure
Firm cutoff
11.4 min/km average required. At an easy all-day pace the course takes about 4 h of the 4 h allowed.
That leaves little margin: a bad patch, the weather or an intermediate cutoff can decide the day, and more training buys less time on a course like this than it seems.
Training emphasis: aerobic cruising speed, cadence control, and late-race leg speed.
Plan summary
The block begins on 2027-06-14, 36 weeks from now.
Duration
16 weeks
Start
2027-06-14
Peak weekly time
4h 15m
Peak weekly vert
625 m
Week 1Base Building
3h 00m ·
200 m vert
Mon · 2027-06-14rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2027-06-15hills
Easy hills + uphill strides
35 min · 75 m vert · ~4.3 km
Effort: Easy; strides strong but relaxed
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-06-16easy
Easy run
25 min · ~3.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 4 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-06-23easy
Easy run
35 min · ~4.8 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-06-30easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-07-07easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-07-14easy
Easy run
35 min · ~4.8 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy on rolling terrain. Then 6 x 20 seconds uphill strides, strong but relaxed, walking back down between them. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; the rest of the run is easy on the hills.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-07-21easy
Easy run
35 min · ~4.8 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 2 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-07-28easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-08-04easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-08-11easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-08-18easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes uphill at a hard but repeatable effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-08-25easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-09-01easy
Easy run
40 min · ~5.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 5 minutes on familiar, controllable terrain at controlled hard, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-09-08easy
Easy run
30 min · ~4.2 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 5 minutes on familiar, controllable terrain at controlled hard, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session A: Bulgarian split squat, single-leg RDL, step-ups (bench/stairs), calf raises, side plank. Quality reps; stop well before failure. If 10 reps feels easy, add weight (backpack/water) so the last 2 reps feel challenging. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Wed · 2027-09-15easy
Easy run
35 min · ~4.8 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 2 x 2 minutes at controlled race effort, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Run the 21 km as planned: start controlled and use the fuelling and kit rehearsed in training.
Sun · 2027-10-03recovery
Post-race recovery
Effort: Rest or very easy
Prioritize rest, food, fluids and gentle movement; do not schedule a workout by default.
Cutoff check
If your race has a time limit, this estimates the minimum average pace and whether your
target finish time clears the cutoff.
Result
Min pace: 11.4 min/km
Exports
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Disclaimer: this plan is general information, not medical advice. Adjust based on fatigue,
experience, and injury history.
About the Chihuahua by UTMB Napurega 20K course
At 21 km with 700 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. At 33 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the course is runnable — the plan focuses on building your aerobic cruising speed while preparing you for the steeper sections. The official cutoff is 4 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
This training plan adapts the 16-week structure specifically for 21 km with 700 m of elevation gain,
scaling weekly volume and vert targets so your body is ready for race-day demands.
Shorter trail races reward aggressive pacing and strong climbing. The plan emphasises quality intensity — hill repeats, tempo efforts, and race-pace sessions — while building enough endurance to finish strong on tired legs.
Training phases for Napurega 20K
The current 16-week schedule has these phases for 21 km and 700 m of climbing:
Weeks 1–6 — Base Building: Establish consistent aerobic training and introduce course-like terrain gradually.
Weeks 7–11 — Vert Accumulation: Increase course-specific climbing while rehearsing easy effort and fueling.
Weeks 12–14 — Peak Volume: Practise the longest planned outings and race equipment without adding extra sessions.
Week 15 — Taper: Reduce training load while retaining a small amount of familiar intensity.
Week 16 — Race week: Reduce training and follow the race-day plan.
Pacing a runnable course
At 33 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the Chihuahua by UTMB Napurega 20K course is runnable.
Training should emphasise aerobic cruising speed — tempo runs on rolling terrain, sustained effort on moderate climbs, and efficient flat-to-uphill transitions.
The biggest risk on a runnable course is starting too fast; practice negative-split long runs to build discipline.