50K training plan for runners with an ultra behind them
This plan is for runners who have finished at least one ultra and want to arrive at the next one fitter and less broken, and who currently run about 45 km a week over 5 days, with a longest recent run near 22 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 6 h 11 to 9 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 24 (18 km) to 3 h 52 (25.5 km) in week 12. Climbing builds to about 1500 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 70 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 · experienced
- Weeks
- 16
- Peak week
- 9 h (62.5 km)
- Longest run
- 3 h 52 (25.5 km)
- Peak climbing
- 1,497 m
- Taper
- 13 days
Weekly Volume Progression
Week 1
Base 45 km · 356 m · 6 h 11Aerobic base
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Progression run, last 10 min steady
7.5 km 23 m D+ 46 min
- Start easy and finish the last 10 min at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only.
- Wed Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
7 km 42 m D+ 1 h 08
- 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 6 × 20 s hill strides
7 km 42 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
18 km 216 m D+ 2 h 24 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
5.5 km 33 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.
Week 2
Base 48.5 km · 442 m · 6 h 41Aerobic base
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Fartlek 6 × 1 min
8 km 28 m D+ 50 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
7.5 km 52 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
Easy run with 7 × 20 s hill strides
7.5 km 52 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
19.5 km 269 m D+ 2 h 39 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 with 6 strides
6 km 41 m D+ 1 h 01
- 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.
Week 3
Base Easier week36.5 km · 297 m · 5 h 09Aerobic base · cutback week
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Light week: progression run, last 14 min steady, a third shorter
6.5 km 20 m D+ 40 min
- Start easy and finish the last 14 min at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only.
- Cutback week: cut the hard part by a third and keep the effort honest.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
5.5 km 34 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
5.5 km 34 m D+ 43 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
14.5 km 181 m D+ 1 h 57 35 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 35 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
4.5 km 28 m D+ 51 min
- 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.
Week 4
Base 48.5 km · 654 m · 6 h 54Aerobic base
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Fartlek 8 × 1 min
8 km 35 m D+ 50 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.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
7.5 km 65 m D+ 1 h 13
- 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
7.5 km 163 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
19.5 km 339 m D+ 2 h 43 40 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Gut training: aim for 40 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
6 km 52 m D+ 1 h 02
- 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.
Week 5
Base 53 km · 787 m · 7 h 33Aerobic base
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Progression run, last 18 min steady
9 km 43 m D+ 56 min
- Start easy and finish the last 18 min at RPE 5–6: steady, short sentences only.
- Wed Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
8 km 77 m D+ 1 h 17
- 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
Short hill reps 9 × 45 s
8 km 192 m D+ 1 h 12
- 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
21.5 km 413 m D+ 3 h 02 40 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Gut training: aim for 40 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
6.5 km 62 m D+ 1 h 06
- 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.
Week 6
Build 55.5 km · 913 m · 7 h 37Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Threshold 3 × 8 min
9.5 km 50 m D+ 1 h
- 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 with 6 strides
8.5 km 89 m D+ 1 h 21
- 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
Sustained climbs 4 × 3 min
8.5 km 238 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
22 km 462 m D+ 3 h 08 45 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 45 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
7 km 74 m D+ 50 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 7
Build Easier week41.5 km · 601 m · 5 h 43Build: threshold and climbing · cutback week
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Light week: threshold 3 × 10 min, two reps fewer
7 km 32 m D+ 44 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+ 1 h 06
- 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
Light week: sustained climbs 4 × 4 min, a third less
6.5 km 163 m D+ 59 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
16.5 km 301 m D+ 2 h 19 50 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 50 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
5 km 46 m D+ 35 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 8
Build 55.5 km · 1,069 m · 7 h 47Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Threshold 3 × 12 min
9.5 km 58 m D+ 1 h
- 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
8.5 km 105 m D+ 1 h 22
- 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
Sustained climbs 5 × 5 min
8.5 km 279 m D+ 1 h 21
- 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
22 km 541 m D+ 3 h 13 50 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 50 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
7 km 86 m D+ 51 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 9
Build 60.5 km · 1,254 m · 8 h 33Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Threshold 2 × 15 min
10 km 66 m D+ 1 h 04
- 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 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.
- Thu Hills
Sustained climbs 5 × 3 min
9 km 317 m D+ 1 h 27
- 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
24.5 km 647 m D+ 3 h 38 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
7.5 km 99 m D+ 55 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 10
Build 62.5 km · 1,378 m · 8 h 53Build: threshold and climbing
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Threshold 7 × 6 min
10.5 km 74 m D+ 1 h 07
- 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 30
- 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
Sustained climbs 6 × 4 min
9 km 338 m D+ 1 h 28
- 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
25.5 km 719 m D+ 3 h 49 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 with 6 strides
8 km 113 m D+ 59 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 11
Specific Easier week47 km · 912 m · 6 h 39Race-specific · cutback week
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Light week: rolling tempo 30 min, a third shorter
8 km 48 m D+ 51 min
- 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.
- Cutback week: cut the hard part by a third and keep the effort honest.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
7 km 84 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
Light week: descent practice 4 × 4 min downhill, a third less
7 km 252 m D+ 1 h 08
- 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
19 km 456 m D+ 2 h 46 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
6 km 72 m D+ 43 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 12
Specific 62.5 km · 1,497 m · 9 hRace-specific
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Climbing at race effort 4 × 8 min
10.5 km 79 m D+ 1 h 08
- 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.
- Wed Easy
Easy run
10 km 150 m D+ 1 h 34
- 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
Power-hike practice 4 × 6 min
8.5 km 383 m D+ 1 h 27
- 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
Long run on race-like terrain
25.5 km 765 m D+ 3 h 52 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
8 km 120 m D+ 59 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 13
Specific 62.5 km · 1,497 m · 9 hRace-specific
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Rolling tempo 38 min
10.5 km 79 m D+ 1 h 08
- 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
10 km 150 m D+ 1 h 34
- 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
Descent practice 5 × 4 min downhill
8.5 km 383 m D+ 1 h 27
- 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
Long run on race-like terrain
25.5 km 765 m D+ 3 h 52 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
8 km 120 m D+ 59 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 14
Specific 62.5 km · 1,497 m · 9 hRace-specific
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Climbing at race effort 5 × 8 min
10.5 km 79 m D+ 1 h 08
- 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
10 km 150 m D+ 1 h 34
- 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
Power-hike practice 5 × 6 min
8.5 km 383 m D+ 1 h 27
- 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
25.5 km 765 m D+ 3 h 52 70 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 70 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run
8 km 120 m D+ 59 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
Week 15
Taper 43.5 km · 544 m · 5 h 21Taper
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Sharpening 6 × 2 min
8.5 km 45 m D+ 54 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+ 57 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Thu Easy
Easy run
8 km 84 m D+ 57 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Fri Rest
Rest
- Sat Long
Last long run, shorter
12.5 km 263 m D+ 1 h 47 70 g carbs/h
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Nothing to prove now — easy all the way.
- Gut training: aim for 70 g of carbohydrate per hour, starting in the first 30 min.
- Sun Easy
Easy run with 6 strides
6.5 km 68 m D+ 46 min
- RPE 3–4: fully conversational.
- Finish with 6 × 20 s relaxed fast strides, full recovery between.
Week 16
Race week 14 km · 0 m · 1 h 32Race week
- Mon Rest
Rest
- Tue Quality
Race-effort tune-up 3 × 5 min
6 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 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 20 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+ 8 h 18 70 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
- 8 h 18
- Aid-station time
- 12 min
| Distance | Estimated elapsed |
|---|---|
| 12.5 km | 1 h 56 |
| 25 km | 4 h 01 |
| 37.5 km | 6 h 08 |
| 50 km | 8 h 18 |
- 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
- 70 g/h
- Fluid
- 400–750 ml/h
- Sodium
- 300–600 mg/h
Long runs ramp from 30 g to 70 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.