Trail race training blueprint
Train for high-altitude pacing, Andean climbs, and technical cloud-forest terrain near Quito.
At 13 km with 850 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. With 65 m of vertical per kilometer, expect significant hiking sections — training should emphasise power-hiking and efficient descending. The official cutoff is 5 hours, so pace management starts from week one.
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Expect volcanic slopes, mountain tracks, cloud-forest trails, and sustained climbs at altitude.
August conditions near Quito can swing from sun exposure to cold rain in mountain zones.
Swap concrete training days, or mark a day done/skipped without changing the race-specific template.
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Key sessions include route buttons that deep-link into the Planner with pre-filled distance + elevation filters.
The plan is scaled from the race profile, not a generic road-running template.
Training emphasis: sustained climbing, downhill resilience, and efficient hike-run transitions.
If your race has a time limit, this estimates the minimum average pace and whether your target finish time clears the cutoff.
Use the personal subscription URL for a live saved plan. The snapshot .ics is useful for a one-time calendar import or backup.
Disclaimer: this plan is general information, not medical advice. Adjust based on fatigue, experience, and injury history.
At 13 km with 850 m of elevation gain, this is a fast, punchy distance where speed and hill strength both matter. With 65 m of vertical per kilometer, expect significant hiking sections — training should emphasise power-hiking and efficient descending. The official cutoff is 5 hours, so pace management starts from week one. This training plan adapts the 16-week structure specifically for 13 km with 850 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.
The 16-week programme is divided into four phases designed around the specific demands of 13 km and 850 m of climbing:
At 65 m of vertical per kilometer, the Quito Trail Ecuador by UTMB 12K Humboldt course is significantly steeper than average. Training should include dedicated power-hiking sessions (poles recommended), steep downhill technique drills, and eccentric strength work for quad resilience. Practice eating and drinking on steep climbs — this is where many runners lose time to nausea and energy dips.