Distance-based plan ready

Lost Souls -The Race That Finds You

Pittsburgh, PA, US · Trail

5.198 km

12 December 2026

Organizer-confirmed event dates · checked Oct 1, 2026· Date source

Listed distance; organizer confirmation pending· Distance source

Climb not known

Visit official race website Plan a season around this race

What TrailSplits knows

Beta training plan

Your 8-week training plan

The organizer-confirmed date shapes this generic plan. The selected distance still needs confirmation; vertical targets stay blank until course elevation is verified.

Full build runway

8 weeks and 3 days are available: enough for a full progression and taper.

Goal time?

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.

The plan starts 19 October 2026, 1 weeks from now. Until then, easy running at your usual volume keeps you ready for week 1; the season planner can fill those weeks with base training.

Default starting point: 22 stable km/week, longest recent outing 5 km, 4 running days/week, aiming to finish well.

No connected training history is used. Unanswered details remain conservative assumptions.

My kept plans

No account needed. A kept plan stays on this browser until its storage is cleared; find it under My kept plans, where you can also change single weeks.

Calendar

Choose a subscription that refreshes, or download a one-time copy.

Make this plan fit me better (optional)

Change only what you know. The preparation check and plan update immediately, without an account.

Stable recent km/weekTypical completed volume across 4–6 weeks. Longest recent outing

Your longest comfortable run lately, not a lifetime best. Recent consistencyStable load matters more than one unusually big week. GoalA performance goal needs a stronger demonstrated base. Running days availableCount days you can genuinely sustain. Experience at this distanceExperience changes how a short runway is interpreted. Current training statusThis answer is not saved. A generic plan cannot diagnose or clear a return to running.

Still being enriched: course elevation or GPX. Future previews may use new evidence; kept copies remain unchanged.

Plan assumptions and limits

Unknown ascent (D+): the engine omits vertical targets rather than inventing them.
Only 8 weeks and 3 days are available instead of the normal 12 weeks; this is a compressed, finish-focused build.
Generic planning guidance from race facts and stated training — not medical care or individual coaching.
Consecutive long trail outings are not established in your recent training. This plan keeps one main long outing with short easy sessions immediately around it; removed minutes are not made up. Race ambition and planned weeks do not establish this experience.
In 2 of the 8 weeks the running fits in fewer than your 4 days with early outings kept short by your completed history, so those weeks use fewer days; the others are rest days, or easy cross-training if you like.
Training distances and durations are approximate alternatives, not pace targets. Use current effort, not a hoped-for finish time. Repeat or shorten a week if recovery is poor; do not make up missed sessions.
Trail recovery after a long outing uses optional flat movement. Start with a short walk, check comfort and movement, and continue very easily only when it feels useful. Choose rest when you need it; keep climbing and descent practice on purposeful training days.

Peak week20 km

Peak climbingPending course D+

Starts19 October 2026

Week 1: Build consistent easy running17.2 km; long run 3.5 km

Mon 19 OctRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 20 OctEasy hills + uphill strides
30 min (about 3.7 km). 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.
Workout steps · 30 min

Practise controlled climbing and recovery.
1. Warm-up: 10 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
2. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
3. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
4. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
5. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
6. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
7. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
8. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
9. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
10. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
11. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
12. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
13. Cooldown: 13 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
Use familiar, controllable downhill terrain; walking is valid. If descending is unfamiliar or leaves soreness, shorten it or choose easy running. Easy breathing does not establish low mechanical load.
Thu 22 OctEasy run
55 min (about 6.7 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 24 OctLong run
30 min (about 3.7 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Sun 25 OctOptional flat recovery
25 min (about 3.1 km). Use a flat, familiar route. Start with 5 to 10 minutes walking, within this outing, and check that your stride feels comfortable and normal. If movement feels normal, walk or jog very easily for up to 25 minutes in total. Finish earlier when that leaves you feeling better. Choose rest if soreness, heaviness or altered movement makes this unhelpful. The purpose is an easy recovery check after the long outing. Keep climbing and downhill practice for their own training sessions. Use how you feel today and tomorrow to guide the next session.

Week 2: Build consistent easy running17.3 km; long run 3.5 km

Mon 26 OctRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 27 OctEasy hills + uphill strides
30 min (about 3.7 km). 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.
Workout steps · 30 min

Practise controlled climbing and recovery.
1. Warm-up: 10 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
2. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
3. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
4. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
5. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
6. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
7. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
8. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
9. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
10. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
11. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
12. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
13. Cooldown: 13 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
Use familiar, controllable downhill terrain; walking is valid. If descending is unfamiliar or leaves soreness, shorten it or choose easy running. Easy breathing does not establish low mechanical load.
Thu 29 OctEasy run
55 min (about 6.8 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 31 OctLong run
30 min (about 3.7 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Sun 1 NovOptional flat recovery
25 min (about 3.1 km). Use a flat, familiar route. Start with 5 to 10 minutes walking, within this outing, and check that your stride feels comfortable and normal. If movement feels normal, walk or jog very easily for up to 25 minutes in total. Finish earlier when that leaves you feeling better. Choose rest if soreness, heaviness or altered movement makes this unhelpful. The purpose is an easy recovery check after the long outing. Keep climbing and downhill practice for their own training sessions. Use how you feel today and tomorrow to guide the next session.

Week 3: Build consistent easy running17.9 km; long run 3.5 km

Mon 2 NovRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 3 NovEasy hills + uphill strides
30 min (about 3.7 km). 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.
Workout steps · 30 min

Practise controlled climbing and recovery.
1. Warm-up: 10 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
2. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
3. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
4. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
5. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
6. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
7. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
8. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
9. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
10. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
11. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
12. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; uphill
13. Cooldown: 13 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
Use familiar, controllable downhill terrain; walking is valid. If descending is unfamiliar or leaves soreness, shorten it or choose easy running. Easy breathing does not establish low mechanical load.
Thu 5 NovEasy run
60 min (about 7.4 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 7 NovLong run
30 min (about 3.7 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Sun 8 NovOptional flat recovery
25 min (about 3.1 km). Use a flat, familiar route. Start with 5 to 10 minutes walking, within this outing, and check that your stride feels comfortable and normal. If movement feels normal, walk or jog very easily for up to 25 minutes in total. Finish earlier when that leaves you feeling better. Choose rest if soreness, heaviness or altered movement makes this unhelpful. The purpose is an easy recovery check after the long outing. Keep climbing and downhill practice for their own training sessions. Use how you feel today and tomorrow to guide the next session.

Week 4: Easier week: less running in total, the same number of easy runs11.2 km; long run 2.5 km

Mon 9 NovRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 10 NovEasy run + relaxed strides
25 min (about 3.1 km). 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.
Workout steps · 25 min

Practise relaxed coordination.
1. Warm-up: 10 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
2. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
3. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
4. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
5. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
6. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
7. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
8. Work: 20 sec — Fast but relaxed; no straining; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm
9. Cooldown: 10 min 40 sec — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
Thu 12 NovEasy run
45 min (about 5.6 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 14 NovLong run
20 min (about 2.5 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.

Week 5: Grow the long run; keep the other runs easy15.1 km; long run 4 km

Mon 16 NovRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 17 NovEasy climbing: run-hike
35 min (about 4.4 km). Climb at a conversational effort, power-hiking the steep parts, and descend with control. Time on hills, not a workout.
Thu 19 NovEasy run
35 min (about 4.4 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 21 NovLong run
30 min (about 3.8 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort.
Sun 22 NovOptional flat recovery
20 min (about 2.5 km). Use a flat, familiar route. Start with 5 to 10 minutes walking, within this outing, and check that your stride feels comfortable and normal. If movement feels normal, walk or jog very easily for up to 20 minutes in total. Finish earlier when that leaves you feeling better. Choose rest if soreness, heaviness or altered movement makes this unhelpful. The purpose is an easy recovery check after the long outing. Keep climbing and downhill practice for their own training sessions. Use how you feel today and tomorrow to guide the next session.

Week 6: Your longest runs, still at an easy effort19.6 km; long run 3.5 km

Mon 23 NovRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 24 NovEasy climbing: run-hike
50 min (about 6.1 km). Climb at a conversational effort, power-hiking the steep parts, and descend with control. Time on hills, not a workout.
Thu 26 NovEasy run
50 min (about 6.1 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 28 NovLong run
30 min (about 3.7 km). Use race-like terrain where practical, but keep the overall effort controlled.
Sun 29 NovOptional flat recovery
30 min (about 3.7 km). Use a flat, familiar route. Start with 5 to 10 minutes walking, within this outing, and check that your stride feels comfortable and normal. If movement feels normal, walk or jog very easily for up to 30 minutes in total. Finish earlier when that leaves you feeling better. Choose rest if soreness, heaviness or altered movement makes this unhelpful. The purpose is an easy recovery check after the long outing. Keep climbing and downhill practice for their own training sessions. Use how you feel today and tomorrow to guide the next session.

Week 7: Reduce fatigue while retaining a small intensity reminder9.5 km; long run 3 km

Mon 30 NovRest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue 1 DecShort race-effort reminder
30 min (about 3.8 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 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.
Workout steps · 30 min

Practise controlled climbing and recovery.
1. Warm-up: 10 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
2. Work: 2 min — Controlled race effort; Current sustainable race effort; no aspirational pace; heart rate Z3 using your configured zones; uphill
3. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
4. Work: 2 min — Controlled race effort; Current sustainable race effort; no aspirational pace; heart rate Z3 using your configured zones; uphill
5. Recovery: 1 min — Conversational running or walking; open intensity target, no heart-rate or pace alarm; downhill
6. Work: 2 min — Controlled race effort; Current sustainable race effort; no aspirational pace; heart rate Z3 using your configured zones; uphill
7. Cooldown: 12 min — Conversational running or walking; heart rate Z1-Z2 using your configured zones
Use familiar, controllable downhill terrain; walking is valid. If descending is unfamiliar or leaves soreness, shorten it or choose easy running. Easy breathing does not establish low mechanical load.
Thu 3 DecEasy run
20 min (about 2.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Sat 5 DecLong run
25 min (about 3.2 km). Keep this comfortable and finish with plenty in reserve.

Week 8: Arrive rested; avoid last-minute fitness work6.6 km before the race

Tue 8 DecEasy run
20 min (about 2.4 km). Keep this short and conversational. The goal is freshness, not fitness.
Thu 10 DecEasy pre-race run
20 min (about 2.4 km). Run conversationally. If already familiar, include a few relaxed strides with full recovery; otherwise stay easy.
Fri 11 DecOptional shakeout
15 min (about 1.8 km). Rest, or jog very easily if that reliably helps you feel better.
Sat 12 DecRace day
Run the 5.2 km as planned: start controlled and use the fuelling and kit rehearsed in training.
Sun 13 DecPost-race recovery
Prioritize rest, food, fluids and gentle movement; do not schedule a workout by default.