Are you a runner who likes to get on the Nordic trails during the winter? This training plan provides a 16-week program to help you transition from fall running to winter cross-country skiing and then back to spring running. Whether you skate ski, classic ski, or do a combination of both, this plan will help you maximize your winter training to build your overall fitness during snow season and give your running a head start come spring.

The program assumes some current running fitness from the summer and early fall. If you’re coming off an extended break in training, you may want to start with a few weeks of Aerobic Base Conditioning to focus on the development of extensive aerobic endurance along with the supporting structures you’ll need for more advanced training. Otherwise, if you’re coming off a summer/fall running season with a good base of fitness, start this plan a few weeks to a month out from XC ski season.

This plan begins with three weeks of VO2max run training to develop your aerobic capacity by focusing on intensity rather than volume and to prepare you for XC skiing. Your aerobic capacity, or VO2max, refers to the highest rate of oxygen transport by your body during maximal physical exertion. Think of this as your performance “ceiling.” By raising your ceiling, you will raise your overall fitness — including your ability to run and ski faster at an aerobic pace.

The plan then moves into a mix of XC skiing and running workouts with a focus on Lactate Threshold training over six weeks. The aim of this phase is to raise your lactate threshold, which allows you to stay aerobic at faster speeds. This is followed by another three-week block of VO2max training, but this time focused on skiing, to set you up for any winter XC ski races you may want to do.

The plan ends with four weeks of Endurance Training that transitions from skiing to running to help you start building training volume as you transition out of snow season and back into full-time running.

The plan assigns skiing and running volume based on training hours and training stress score (TSS). Adjust the frequency, volume, and intensity of the workouts up or down based on your personal starting point — see the guidelines within the plan to customize the plan for your own situation.

To target and monitor your training intensity, the workouts provide training zone descriptions based on breathing and talking cues to help you gauge your perceived exertion, as well as heart rate ranges, if you use a heart rate monitor. The Alp Fitness training zones are also compatible with Stryd running power. But you are encouraged to learn to judge your effort levels "by feel" even if using these other tools.

The plan includes an optional strength training program to supplement your running workouts.

No matter where you want to go, you must start where you are with your own unique goals in mind. This plan — like any training plan — represents an initial draft, rather than a final document set in stone. You will write the final version over the coming weeks as you glean feedback from your training and adapt the plan to your specific situation and goals. Train smart!

Training phase #1: VO2max with running focus (3 weeks)
Training phase #2: Lactate Threshold for running + skiing (6 weeks)
Training phase #3: VO2max with skiing focus (3 weeks)
Training phase #4: Endurance with focus on transitioning to running (4 weeks)