Bighorn 52 Mile Training Plan: 20 Weeks, Intermediate, Heart Rate
Prepare specifically for the Bighorn 52 Mile with a structured 20-week heart rate training plan for established trail runners who want a strong performance. It develops threshold, climbing strength, downhill durability and race-specific endurance for the demands of the Bighorn course.
The Race
84 km (52 mi) point to point from the Jaws trailhead (2,680 m) to Dayton, Wyoming (1,210 m), with about 1,500 m (4,900 ft) of climbing and nearly 3,000 m (9,800 ft) of descent. 16 h cutoff. Technical singletrack and jeep track through high meadows, mud and bogs, down to the Tongue River canyon, then The Wall, the long climb to Dry Fork, and the long descent to the river and the gravel road into Dayton. Cool start, hot canyon afternoon.
Who It Is For
You have finished at least one 50-mile or 60-80K race, run 5 times a week (about 6-7 h) and do regular 2 h long runs.
Your 20 Weeks
- Phases: Preparation week 1, Base weeks 2-7, Build weeks 8-12, Specific weeks 13-17, Taper weeks 18-19, race week 20.
- Weekly: 5 runs and 2 strength sessions, about 5.5 h rising to 13 h of running.
- Long runs: 1h45 to 6h00, with back-to-back runs up to 3h00.
- Climbing: about 650 m rising to 2300 m a week (the course averages 17.9 m per km).
- Race-specific: technical hill repeats, long downhill durability, muddy-trail running, The Wall-style climbs, heat training, back-to-backs, 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 and decoupling checks later. Workouts explain how to use HR on climbs, heart-rate lag on short reps, cardiac drift and the effect of heat.
Also Available
Other Bighorn plans: 100 Mile. Search "RunForce Bighorn" 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 the Bighorn Trail Run. 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.