50K training plan for experienced ultrarunners
This plan is for runners who race ultras regularly and want a sharper race, not just a finish, and who currently run about 60 km a week over 6 days, with a longest recent run near 26 km.
It runs 16 weeks: 5 weeks of aerobic base, 5 of threshold and climbing work, 4 race-specific weeks and a 13-day taper. Weekly training time builds from 7 h 27 to 10 h at its peak in week 12. Distance, time on feet and climbing all build gradually, and every fourth week is an easier one in all three so the work can land.
Long runs grow from 2 h 44 (22 km) to 3 h 55 (27.5 km) in week 12. Climbing builds to about 1750 m in the biggest week, with two harder sessions a week that change every week rather than repeating.
Every long run over 75 minutes carries a carbohydrate target that ramps from 30 g to 90 g per hour, so race-day eating has been rehearsed before race day.
If your race is less than 8 weeks away, or your current week looks very different from the one above, build a personalized plan instead. It is free, and it is anchored to your actual race date, course and fitness.
Other 50K levels: first ultra · finished an ultra
- Weeks
- 16
- Peak week
- 10 h (75 km)
- Longest run
- 3 h 55 (27.5 km)
- Peak climbing
- 1,745 m
- Taper
- 13 days
Weekly Volume Progression
Week 1
Base 60 km · 467 m · 7 h 27Aerobic base
- Mon Easy
Easy run
8 km 48 m D+ 1 h 11
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Fartlek 6 × 1 min
8.5 km 26 m D+ 48 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 6 × 1 min at RPE 6–7 with equal easy jogging between.
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. between reps.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
8 km 48 m D+ 1 h 11
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Thu Hills
Easy run with 6 × 20 s hill strides
7.5 km 45 m D+ 55 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Mid-run, 6 × 20 s brisk uphill strides on a moderate grade, walk back down.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, conversational
22 km 264 m D+ 2 h 44 30 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Gut training: aim for 30 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
6 km 36 m D+ 38 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 2
Base 63 km · 562 m · 7 h 53Aerobic base
- Mon Easy
Easy run
8.5 km 59 m D+ 1 h 15
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Progression run, last 10 min steady
9 km 31 m D+ 52 min
- Start easy and finish the last 10 min at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only.
- Wed Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
8 km 55 m D+ 1 h 11
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Thu Hills
Easy run with 7 × 20 s hill strides
8 km 55 m D+ 59 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Mid-run, 7 × 20 s brisk uphill strides on a moderate grade, walk back down.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, conversational
23 km 317 m D+ 2 h 54 35 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Gut training: aim for 35 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
6.5 km 45 m D+ 42 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 3
Base Easier week47 km · 376 m · 5 h 59Aerobic base · cutback week
- Mon Easy
Easy run
6 km 37 m D+ 58 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Light week: fartlek 8 × 1 min, two reps fewer
7 km 22 m D+ 40 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 8 × 1 min at RPE 6–7 with equal easy jogging between.
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. between reps.
- Cutback week: drop two reps and keep the effort honest.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
6 km 37 m D+ 58 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Thu Hills
Light week: easy run with 8 × 20 s hill strides, a third less
6 km 37 m D+ 44 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Mid-run, 8 × 20 s brisk uphill strides on a moderate grade, walk back down.
- Cutback week: do two-thirds of it.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, shortened
17 km 212 m D+ 2 h 07 40 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Cutback week: a shorter long run so the work of the last weeks can land.
- Gut training: aim for 40 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
5 km 31 m D+ 32 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 4
Base 63 km · 814 m · 8 h 06Aerobic base
- Mon Easy
Easy run
8.5 km 74 m D+ 1 h 15
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Progression run, last 14 min steady
9 km 39 m D+ 52 min
- Start easy and finish the last 14 min at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
8 km 70 m D+ 1 h 12
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Thu Hills
Short hill reps 8 × 45 s
8 km 174 m D+ 1 h 06
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 8 × 45 s uphill at RPE 7–8, walk or jog back down. Tall posture, quick feet.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, conversational
23 km 400 m D+ 2 h 59 45 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Gut training: aim for 45 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
6.5 km 57 m D+ 42 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 5
Base 67.5 km · 959 m · 8 h 43Aerobic base
- Mon Easy
Easy run
9 km 86 m D+ 1 h 19
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Fartlek 5 × 2 min
9.5 km 46 m D+ 55 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 5 × 2 min at RPE 6–7 with equal easy jogging between.
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. between reps.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9 km 86 m D+ 1 h 19
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Thu Hills
Short hill reps 9 × 45 s
8.5 km 204 m D+ 1 h 11
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 9 × 45 s uphill at RPE 7–8, walk or jog back down. Tall posture, quick feet.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, conversational
24.5 km 470 m D+ 3 h 13 50 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Gut training: aim for 50 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
7 km 67 m D+ 46 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 6
Build 69 km · 1,094 m · 8 h 42Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Easy
Easy run
9 km 95 m D+ 1 h 20
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Threshold 3 × 8 min
10 km 53 m D+ 58 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 3 × 8 min at RPE 7: comfortably hard — an effort you could hold for about an hour. 2 min easy jog between.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9 km 95 m D+ 1 h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Sustained climbs 4 × 3 min
9 km 252 m D+ 1 h 18
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 4 × 3 min climbing at RPE 6–7, easy back down.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run on race-like terrain
25 km 525 m D+ 3 h 20 55 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Walk the steep climbs from the start, as you will on race day.
- Gut training: aim for 55 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
7 km 74 m D+ 46 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 7
Build Easier week51.5 km · 712 m · 6 h 29Build: threshold and climbing · cutback week
- Mon Easy
Easy run
6.5 km 59 m D+ 1 h 03
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Light week: threshold 3 × 10 min, two reps fewer
7.5 km 34 m D+ 43 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 3 × 10 min at RPE 7: comfortably hard — an effort you could hold for about an hour. 2 min easy jog between.
- Cutback week: drop two reps and keep the effort honest.
- Wed Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
6.5 km 59 m D+ 43 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
- Thu Hills
Light week: sustained climbs 4 × 4 min, a third less
6.5 km 163 m D+ 55 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 4 × 4 min climbing at RPE 6–7, easy back down.
- Cutback week: do two-thirds of it.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, shortened
19 km 347 m D+ 2 h 29 60 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Cutback week: a shorter long run so the work of the last weeks can land.
- Gut training: aim for 60 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
5.5 km 50 m D+ 36 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 8
Build 69 km · 1,279 m · 8 h 53Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Easy
Easy run
9 km 111 m D+ 1 h 21
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Threshold 3 × 12 min
10 km 61 m D+ 59 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 3 × 12 min at RPE 7: comfortably hard — an effort you could hold for about an hour. 2 min easy jog between.
- Wed Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
9 km 111 m D+ 1 h 01
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
- Thu Hills
Sustained climbs 5 × 5 min
9 km 295 m D+ 1 h 20
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 5 × 5 min climbing at RPE 6–7, easy back down.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run on race-like terrain
25 km 615 m D+ 3 h 25 60 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Walk the steep climbs from the start, as you will on race day.
- Gut training: aim for 60 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
7 km 86 m D+ 47 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 9
Build 73.5 km · 1,465 m · 9 h 34Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
9.5 km 125 m D+ 1 h 25
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Threshold 2 × 15 min
10.5 km 69 m D+ 1 h 02
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 2 × 15 min at RPE 7: comfortably hard — an effort you could hold for about an hour. 2 min easy jog between.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9.5 km 125 m D+ 1 h 05
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Sustained climbs 5 × 3 min
9.5 km 334 m D+ 1 h 26
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 5 × 3 min climbing at RPE 6–7, easy back down.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run on race-like terrain
27 km 713 m D+ 3 h 45 65 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Walk the steep climbs from the start, as you will on race day.
- Gut training: aim for 65 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
7.5 km 99 m D+ 51 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 10
Build 75 km · 1,595 m · 9 h 49Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Easy
Easy run
10 km 141 m D+ 1 h 28
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Threshold 7 × 6 min
10.5 km 74 m D+ 1 h 02
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 7 × 6 min at RPE 7: comfortably hard — an effort you could hold for about an hour. 2 min easy jog between.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9.5 km 134 m D+ 1 h 05
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Sustained climbs 6 × 4 min
9.5 km 357 m D+ 1 h 27
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 6 × 4 min climbing at RPE 6–7, easy back down.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run on race-like terrain
27.5 km 776 m D+ 3 h 52 70 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Walk the steep climbs from the start, as you will on race day.
- Gut training: aim for 70 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
8 km 113 m D+ 55 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 11
Specific Easier week56 km · 1,038 m · 7 h 16Race-specific · cutback week
- Mon Easy
Easy run
7.5 km 90 m D+ 1 h 10
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Light week: climbing at race effort 4 × 8 min, two reps fewer
8 km 48 m D+ 47 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 4 × 8 min uphill at race effort — run what is runnable, hike the rest. Jog or walk down easy.
- Cutback week: drop two reps and keep the effort honest.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
7 km 84 m D+ 47 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Light week: descent practice 4 × 4 min downhill, a third less
7 km 252 m D+ 1 h 04
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 4 × 4 min of controlled fast downhill on race-like ground, hike back up. Quads take weeks to adapt — this is that adaptation.
- Cutback week: do two-thirds of it.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Long run, shortened
20.5 km 492 m D+ 2 h 48 75 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Cutback week: a shorter long run so the work of the last weeks can land.
- Gut training: aim for 75 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
6 km 72 m D+ 40 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 12
Specific 75 km · 1,745 m · 10 hRace-specific
- Mon Easy
Easy run
10 km 150 m D+ 1 h 29
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Rolling tempo 30 min
10.5 km 79 m D+ 1 h 03
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 30 min on rolling terrain at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only. Push the climbs, flow the descents.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9.5 km 143 m D+ 1 h 06
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Power-hike practice 4 × 6 min
9.5 km 428 m D+ 1 h 32
- 4 × 6 min of fast hiking on the steepest grade you can find, hands on knees or poles. Jog down easy.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Race-simulation long run
27.5 km 825 m D+ 3 h 55 80 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Race kit, race food, race-like ground.
- Run the runnable, power-hike the steep, practise the descents.
- Gut training: aim for 80 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
8 km 120 m D+ 55 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 13
Specific 75 km · 1,745 m · 10 hRace-specific
- Mon Easy
Easy run
10 km 150 m D+ 1 h 29
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Climbing at race effort 5 × 8 min
10.5 km 79 m D+ 1 h 03
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 5 × 8 min uphill at race effort — run what is runnable, hike the rest. Jog or walk down easy.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9.5 km 143 m D+ 1 h 06
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Descent practice 5 × 4 min downhill
9.5 km 428 m D+ 1 h 32
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 5 × 4 min of controlled fast downhill on race-like ground, hike back up. Quads take weeks to adapt — this is that adaptation.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Race-simulation long run
27.5 km 825 m D+ 3 h 55 85 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Race kit, race food, race-like ground.
- Run the runnable, power-hike the steep, practise the descents.
- Gut training: aim for 85 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
8 km 120 m D+ 55 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 14
Specific 75 km · 1,745 m · 10 hRace-specific
- Mon Easy
Easy run
10 km 150 m D+ 1 h 29
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Add 20 min strength after the run: split squats, step-downs, calf raises, single-leg deadlifts, side plank. 2–3 sets, controlled.
- Tue Quality
Rolling tempo 38 min
10.5 km 79 m D+ 1 h 03
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 38 min on rolling terrain at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only. Push the climbs, flow the descents.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
9.5 km 143 m D+ 1 h 06
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Hills
Power-hike practice 5 × 6 min
9.5 km 428 m D+ 1 h 32
- 5 × 6 min of fast hiking on the steepest grade you can find, hands on knees or poles. Jog down easy.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Race-simulation long run
27.5 km 825 m D+ 3 h 55 90 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational. Race kit, race food, race-like ground.
- Run the runnable, power-hike the steep, practise the descents.
- Gut training: aim for 90 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
8 km 120 m D+ 55 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 15
Taper 52.5 km · 649 m · 6 hTaper
- Mon Easy
Easy run
8 km 84 m D+ 53 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Tue Quality
Sharpening 6 × 2 min
8.5 km 45 m D+ 50 min
- Warm up 15 min easy, cool down 10 min easy.
- 6 × 2 min at RPE 7, 2 min easy between. Short and sharp — you should finish wanting more.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
8 km 84 m D+ 53 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Easy
Easy run
8 km 84 m D+ 53 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Last long run, shorter
13.5 km 284 m D+ 1 h 48 90 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Nothing to prove now — easy all the way.
- Gut training: aim for 90 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
6.5 km 68 m D+ 43 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 16
Race week 15 km · 0 m · 1 h 30Race week
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Race-effort tune-up 3 × 5 min
6.5 km 39 min
- Warm up 15 min, then 3 × 5 min at race effort with 3 min easy. The legs should feel springy, not tired.
- Wed Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
5.5 km 33 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
- Thu Rest
Rest
- Fri Shakeout
Shakeout 20 min
3 km 18 min
- Very easy, with 4 × 15 s strides. Check your kit and drop bags today.
- Sat Race
Race day: your 50K
50 km 1,250 m D+ 6 h 54 90 g carbs/h
- Start slower than feels right — the first hour should feel easy.
- Eat and drink from the first 30 minutes, on a timer, not on hunger.
Race day
- Planning estimate
- 6 h 54
- Aid-station time
- 12 min
| Distance | Estimated elapsed |
|---|---|
| 12.5 km | 1 h 37 |
| 25 km | 3 h 20 |
| 37.5 km | 5 h 06 |
| 50 km | 6 h 54 |
- Budget about 2 min per aid station (6 stops assumed): 12 min in total. Know what you need before you arrive.
- Split times include aid-station stops and slow gradually, as every ultra does.
The planning estimate sizes your training and fuelling; it is not a prediction.
Fuelling
- Carbohydrate
- 90 g/h
- Fluid
- 400–750 ml/h
- Sodium
- 300–600 mg/h
Long runs ramp from 30 g to 90 g of carbohydrate per hour, so your gut has rehearsed race-day intake before race day.
- Start eating in the first 30 minutes and keep a steady intake every 20–30 minutes.
- Race day is not the day to try anything new: every gel, drink and food should have been tested in a long run.