Leadville Trail Marathon Training Plan: 20 Weeks, Beginner, Heart Rate
Prepare specifically for the Leadville Trail Marathon with a structured 20-week heart rate training plan for runners new to this distance. It builds the aerobic durability, basic climbing and descending strength and race-day routines you need to finish the Leadville course strong and healthy.
The Race
42.5 km (26.4 mi) out and back from Leadville (3,094 m) with about 1,800 m (6,000 ft) of climbing to Mosquito Pass (4,019 m). Cutoffs at Adelaide and Resurrection. Mining roads, jeep roads and singletrack to Ball Mountain and Mosquito Pass, possibly with June snow. Wind and strong sun at the top.
Who It Is For
You run 3-4 times a week (about 3.5-4 h), have finished a trail half marathon or 25K, and can run 75 min on trails.
Your 20 Weeks
- Phases: Preparation weeks 1-2, Base weeks 3-8, Build weeks 9-13, Specific weeks 14-18, Taper week 19, race week 20.
- Weekly: 4 runs and 2 strength sessions, about 3.6 h rising to 7.6 h of running.
- Long runs: 1h15 to 4h00, with back-to-back runs up to 1h30.
- Climbing: about 450 m rising to 1450 m a week (the course averages 43 m per km).
- Race-specific: long steady climbs, steep hiking, downhill durability, altitude guidance, a dress rehearsal.
- Strength: two RunForce 45-min sessions built in the TrainingPeaks Strength Builder (A: Force & Posterior Chain; B: Single-Leg & Mountain Durability), with a demonstration video for every exercise.
Heart Rate Training
Every run is prescribed in RunForce heart-rate zones (% of max HR), with a field check in week 1. Workouts explain how to use HR on climbs, heart-rate lag on short reps, cardiac drift and the effect of heat.
Also Available
Other Leadville plans: 100 Mile, 50 Mile. Search "RunForce Leadville" in the TrainingPeaks store.
Your Coach: Adrien Thévenet
Endurance coach since 2011, working with elite athletes, professional endurance athletes, major race winners, and a Spartan National Champion across road, trail, and mountain running.
RunForce is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Life Time or the Leadville Race Series. The race name is used only to identify the event this plan prepares you for.
Certifications:
-25 Years of Endurance Sports Experience
-TrainingPeaks Level 2
-UESCA Ultrarunning
-RRCA Certified
-STRYD Power Coach
-ACE Certified
With 25 years in endurance sports, I offer tailored coaching for diverse runners - from beginners to sub 3-hour marathoners. Emphasizing well-being, we collaborate on a program that fits your life keeping you motivated.