Trail race training blueprint

Free 16-Week Training Plan for Puglia by UTMB GRT 35K

Train for runnable Italian trail with ravine climbs, warm autumn exposure, and long steady sections.

At 35 km with 350 m of climbing, this distance challenges both endurance and climbing ability without the time-management demands of a full ultra. At 10 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 5 hours, so pace management starts from week one.

Race date: Sun, 25 October 2026 Open entry 35 km · 350 m Start: 09:45

Race prep workspace

Continue Puglia by UTMB GRT 35K

Your race plan, next route workout, official GPX, fueling, cutoff, weather, and calendar link in one place.

Current week
Week 13

Peak Volume · 0/4 workouts done

Next key workout
Long run, last 10 km at marathon pace

Sat · 2026-10-03 · 2h 25m · ~24.6 km

Race demand
10 m/km

35 km · 350 m · Firm cutoff

Race countdown
23 days

Sun, 25 October 2026

Public race preparation

Share the training preview

I'm preparing for Puglia by UTMB GRT 35K. Here is the public training preview. 35 km · +350 m · 23 days to race day Public preview only; my private routes and schedule changes are not included. Plan: https://trailsplits.com/races/puglia-by-utmb-grt-35k/training-plan?tier=strong-finish&strength=1&strength_track=no-gym&engine=unified&days=3

Tier: strong-finish. Strength: no-gym.

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.

Optional account and live calendar

Save it to your account, subscribe once, then adjust concrete dates as life changes. Signed-in plan changes save automatically and update the same personal calendar URL.

Use the snapshot calendar without an account, or sign in for autosave.

Fuel calculator

Calendar

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

Terrain autopilot

Find a matching route near you

We'll look for a loop near you that matches your next run (2h 25m · ~24.6 km) and rehearses the 10 m/km demand of GRT 35K.

Terrain intel

Expect gravel tracks, canyon paths, Mediterranean scrub, town connectors, and rolling climbs.

Weather & kit

October is usually milder than summer but can still be warm and exposed in southern Italy.

What this plan focuses on

  • Build runnable endurance.
  • Practice gravel and hardpack turnover.
  • Use short hill repeats for ravine climbs.
  • Prepare heat and hydration strategy.
  • Rehearse steady fueling on faster 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 35m of running.

Fit the plan to your recent training

A typical week over the last four weeks. Every box is optional: leave it empty if you would rather not say. 0 h 0 min means you are not running at the moment. When you give time, it sets the workload; distance alone is converted at 6.35 min/km.

Running time a week h min
Longest recent outing h min

This schedule opens at 3h 35m of running in week one and peaks at 5h 15m in a week; the longest planned outing is 2h 25m. 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.

Calendar subscriptions refresh on the calendar app's schedule. This calendar export uses the selected start date and includes weekly summaries and any pre-base sessions. Use Keep this plan above for a fixed copy of the displayed race schedule.

Route-aware workouts

Key sessions include route buttons that deep-link into the Planner with pre-filled distance + elevation filters.

Course demand summary

The plan is scaled from the race profile, not a generic road-running template.

View full race analysis
Vertical density
10 m/km
runnable course
Descent load
low
Little downhill to prepare for; general strength still helps.
Peak week target
0 m
5h 15m total training time
Cutoff pressure
Firm cutoff
8.6 min/km average required. At an easy all-day pace the course takes about 4 h of the 5 h allowed.

Training emphasis: aerobic cruising speed, cadence control, and late-race leg speed.

Plan summary

You are in week 13 of 16. The block began on 2026-07-06; the weeks before today are behind you, not ahead.

Duration
16 weeks
Start
2026-07-06
Peak weekly time
5h 15m
Peak weekly vert
0 m
Week 1 Base Building
3h 35m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-07-06 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-07-07 easy
Easy run + strides
45 min · ~7.1 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-07-07 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-07-09 easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~13.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-07-09 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-07-11 long
Long run
1h 25m · ~13.5 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise the fuel, hydration and kit you intend to use; treat amounts as rehearsal, not a universal prescription.
Find a route →
Week 2 Base Building
3h 45m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-07-13 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-07-14 easy
Easy run + strides
45 min · ~7.1 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-07-14 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-07-16 easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~11.9 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-07-16 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-07-18 long
Long run
1h 45m · ~16.6 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
Find a route →
Week 3 Base Building
3h 50m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-07-20 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-07-21 easy
Easy run + strides
50 min · ~7.9 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-07-21 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-07-23 easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~11.9 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-07-23 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-07-25 long
Long run
1h 45m · ~16.6 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
Find a route →
Week 4 Base Building
3h 10m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-07-27 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-07-28 easy
Easy run + relaxed strides
40 min · ~6.3 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-07-28 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-07-30 easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~11.9 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-07-30 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-08-01 long
Long run
1h 15m · ~11.9 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise the fuel, hydration and kit you intend to use; treat amounts as rehearsal, not a universal prescription.
Find a route →
Week 5 Base Building
4h 00m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-08-03 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-08-04 easy
Easy run + strides
50 min · ~7.9 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-08-04 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-08-06 easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~12.7 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-08-06 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-08-08 long
Long run
1h 50m · ~17.4 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
Find a route →
Week 6 Base Building
4h 20m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-08-10 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-08-11 easy
Easy run + strides
55 min · ~8.7 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-08-11 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-08-13 easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~13.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-08-13 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-08-15 long
Long run
2h 00m · ~19 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
Find a route →
Week 7 Build
4h 20m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-08-17 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-08-18 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Tue · 2026-08-18 tempo
Cruise intervals
1h 10m · ~11.7 km
Effort: Comfortably hard
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 5 minutes at a comfortably hard effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-08-20 easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~12.7 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-08-20 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-08-22 long
Long run, last 4 km at marathon pace
1h 50m · ~17.9 km
Effort: Easy, then marathon pace for 4 km
Run the first 13.9 km easy and conversational (about 89 minutes), then hold marathon pace for the final 4 km (about 21 minutes) and finish in control, not emptied. Marathon pace is the pace you can currently hold on race day, not a hoped-for one. Practise your race-day carbohydrate plan on this long run: 30 to 90 g per hour according to expected marathon duration, pace and stomach tolerance. Build toward the higher end only if you have practised it. Count the carbohydrate grams in your gels, drinks and other food rather than following a fixed gel interval. Practise drinking for your needs and the conditions; avoid overdrinking.
Find a route →
Week 8 Build
3h 35m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-08-24 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-08-25 easy
Easy run + relaxed strides
50 min · ~7.9 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-08-25 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Thu · 2026-08-27 easy
Easy run
1h 10m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-08-27 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-08-29 long
Long run
1h 35m · ~15 km
Effort: Easy
Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
Find a route →
Week 9 Build
4h 35m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-08-31 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-09-01 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Tue · 2026-09-01 tempo
Cruise intervals
1h 15m · ~12.5 km
Effort: Comfortably hard
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 6 minutes at a comfortably hard effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-09-03 easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~13.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-09-03 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-09-05 long
Long run, last 8 km at marathon pace
1h 55m · ~19.8 km
Effort: Easy, then marathon pace for 8 km
Run the first 11.8 km easy and conversational (about 74 minutes), then hold marathon pace for the final 8 km (about 41 minutes) and finish in control, not emptied. Marathon pace is the pace you can currently hold on race day, not a hoped-for one. Practise your race-day carbohydrate plan on this long run: 30 to 90 g per hour according to expected marathon duration, pace and stomach tolerance. Build toward the higher end only if you have practised it. Count the carbohydrate grams in your gels, drinks and other food rather than following a fixed gel interval. Practise drinking for your needs and the conditions; avoid overdrinking.
Find a route →
Week 10 Build
4h 50m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-09-07 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-09-08 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
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.
Tue · 2026-09-08 tempo
Cruise intervals
1h 20m · ~13.3 km
Effort: Comfortably hard
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 8 minutes at a comfortably hard effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-09-10 easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~13.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-09-10 strength
Strength (optional)
30 min
Effort: Moderate: controlled reps, stop 1–2 short of failure
No-gym Session B: step-downs (slow 3–4s), lunges/sit-to-stand, soleus raises, carries (backpack), dead bug. Quality reps; stop well before failure. Keep the slow step-downs at least a day away from a long run; if this session falls the day before or after one, swap them for core work. In peak weeks, keep it short and easy.
Sat · 2026-09-12 long
Long run, last 9 km at marathon pace
2h 05m · ~21.4 km
Effort: Easy, then marathon pace for 9 km
Run the first 12.4 km easy and conversational (about 78 minutes), then hold marathon pace for the final 9 km (about 47 minutes) and finish in control, not emptied. Marathon pace is the pace you can currently hold on race day, not a hoped-for one. Practise your race-day carbohydrate plan on this long run: 30 to 90 g per hour according to expected marathon duration, pace and stomach tolerance. Build toward the higher end only if you have practised it. Count the carbohydrate grams in your gels, drinks and other food rather than following a fixed gel interval. Practise drinking for your needs and the conditions; avoid overdrinking.
Find a route →
Week 11 Peak Volume
5h 00m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-09-14 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-09-15 strength
Strength (optional)
20 min
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.
Tue · 2026-09-15 tempo
Marathon-effort blocks
1h 20m · ~13.3 km
Effort: Steady and controlled
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 12 minutes at a steady, controlled effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-09-17 easy
Easy run
1h 30m · ~14.3 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Sat · 2026-09-19 long
Long run, last 9 km at marathon pace
2h 10m · ~21.9 km
Effort: Easy, then marathon pace for 9 km
Run the first 12.9 km easy and conversational (about 83 minutes), then hold marathon pace for the final 9 km (about 47 minutes) and finish in control, not emptied. Marathon pace is the pace you can currently hold on race day, not a hoped-for one. Practise your race-day carbohydrate plan on this long run: 30 to 90 g per hour according to expected marathon duration, pace and stomach tolerance. Build toward the higher end only if you have practised it. Count the carbohydrate grams in your gels, drinks and other food rather than following a fixed gel interval. Practise drinking for your needs and the conditions; avoid overdrinking.
Find a route →
Week 12 Peak Volume
4h 00m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-09-21 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-09-22 easy
Easy run + relaxed strides
50 min · ~7.9 km
Effort: Easy; strides fast but relaxed
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.
Find a route →
Tue · 2026-09-22 strength
Strength (optional)
20 min
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.
Thu · 2026-09-24 easy
Easy run
1h 20m · ~12.7 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Sat · 2026-09-26 long
Long run
1h 50m · ~17.4 km
Effort: Easy to steady
Use race-like terrain where practical, but keep the overall effort controlled. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
Find a route →
Week 13 Peak Volume
5h 15m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-09-28 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-09-29 strength
Strength (optional)
20 min
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.
Tue · 2026-09-29 tempo
Marathon-effort blocks
1h 25m · ~14.2 km
Effort: Steady and controlled
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 15 minutes at a steady, controlled effort, with 2 minutes easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-10-01 easy
Easy run
1h 25m · ~13.5 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Sat · 2026-10-03 long
Long run, last 10 km at marathon pace
2h 25m · ~24.6 km
Effort: Easy, then marathon pace for 10 km
Run the first 14.6 km easy and conversational (about 93 minutes), then hold marathon pace for the final 10 km (about 52 minutes) and finish in control, not emptied. Marathon pace is the pace you can currently hold on race day, not a hoped-for one. Practise your race-day carbohydrate plan on this long run: 30 to 90 g per hour according to expected marathon duration, pace and stomach tolerance. Build toward the higher end only if you have practised it. Count the carbohydrate grams in your gels, drinks and other food rather than following a fixed gel interval. Practise drinking for your needs and the conditions; avoid overdrinking.
Find a route →
Week 14 Taper
3h 45m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-10-05 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-10-06 tempo
Short race-effort reminder
50 min · ~8.3 km
Effort: Controlled race effort
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 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.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-10-08 easy
Easy run
1h 15m · ~11.9 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Sat · 2026-10-10 long
Long run, last 3 km at marathon pace
1h 40m · ~17 km
Effort: Easy, then marathon pace for 3 km
Run the first 14 km easy and conversational (about 85 minutes), then hold marathon pace for the final 3 km (about 15 minutes) and finish in control, not emptied. Marathon pace is the pace you can currently hold on race day, not a hoped-for one. Keep food and drink familiar and appropriate to this shorter run. This is a marathon-pace reminder, not a full race-fueling rehearsal. Keep the whole run short and comfortable.
Find a route →
Week 15 Taper
2h 50m · 0 m vert
Mon · 2026-10-12 rest
Rest
Effort: Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
Tue · 2026-10-13 tempo
Short race-effort reminder
35 min · ~5.8 km
Effort: Controlled race effort
Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 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.
Find a route →
Thu · 2026-10-15 easy
Easy run
1h 05m · ~10.3 km
Effort: Easy
Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
Find a route →
Sat · 2026-10-17 long
Long run
1h 10m · ~11.1 km
Effort: Easy
Keep this comfortable and finish with plenty in reserve. Practise the fuel, hydration and kit you intend to use; treat amounts as rehearsal, not a universal prescription.
Find a route →
Week 16 Taper
1h 10m · 0 m vert
Tue · 2026-10-20 easy
Easy pre-race run
35 min · ~5.5 km
Effort: Easy
Run conversationally. If already familiar, include a few relaxed strides with full recovery; otherwise stay easy.
Find a route →
Fri · 2026-10-23 easy
Optional shakeout
35 min · ~5.5 km
Effort: Very easy
Rest, or jog very easily if that reliably helps you feel better.
Find a route →
Sun · 2026-10-25 race-day
Race Day: Puglia by UTMB GRT 35K
Effort: Race execution
Run the 35 km as planned: start controlled and use the fuelling and kit rehearsed in training.

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: 8.6 min/km

Exports

Use the personal subscription URL for a live saved plan. Calendar links regenerate from their parameters and may reflect updated race facts or engine fixes. A kept plan and its downloads remain unchanged.

Disclaimer: this plan is general information, not medical advice. Adjust based on fatigue, experience, and injury history.

About the Puglia by UTMB GRT 35K course

At 35 km with 350 m of climbing, this distance challenges both endurance and climbing ability without the time-management demands of a full ultra. At 10 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 5 hours, so pace management starts from week one. This training plan adapts the 16-week structure specifically for 35 km with 350 m of elevation gain, scaling weekly volume and vert targets so your body is ready for race-day demands.

This distance sits at the boundary between endurance and speed — long enough to require serious aerobic preparation, but short enough that pace efficiency and descending technique make a real difference. The plan builds weekly volume progressively while including hill-specific sessions to sharpen climbing and descending rhythm.

Training phases for GRT 35K

The current 16-week schedule has these phases for 35 km and 350 m of climbing:

  • Weeks 1–6 — Base Building: Establish consistent aerobic training and introduce course-like terrain gradually.
  • Weeks 7–10 — Build: Reduce training load while retaining a small amount of familiar intensity.
  • Weeks 11–13 — Peak Volume: Practise the longest planned outings and race equipment without adding extra sessions.
  • Weeks 14–15 — 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 10 m of vertical per kilometer, much of the Puglia by UTMB GRT 35K 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.