Free Ultra Marathon Training Plans & Tips

4.9 Stars from 764 reviews
Download The Free Printable PDF Plans Here!

*Plus, you’ll also receive free regular training tips from head coach Phil Mosley! Unsubscribe at any time.

How To Train For An Ultra Marathon

An ultra-marathon is any running event that’s longer than a standard marathon (26.2 miles). There is no single set distance, but ultra-marathon events commonly go up to 100km (62 miles). There are also multi-day Ultra events.

Like all runs, ultra-marathons vary in terms of terrain and elevation. You get some that are flat, some that are undulating, and some that are mountainous and technical.

If you’re training for an Ultra that includes lots of technical trails AND big climbs, you need to approach your training differently than you would for a less-extreme route.

For this reason, we designed a range of Ultra Marathon AND Hilly Ultra Trail Marathon training plans – to make sure you’re fully prepared, no matter what.

Table of Contents (click to scroll to each section)

Running Tips

Training for an ultra-marathon is no different to training for other running events, in that you need to progress your training gradually over time. There are no shortcuts. You also need to include regular recovery periods, so that your body can adapt, enabling you to train consistently for many months.

Your training should be built around three key runs each week. The first is a long run, where you slowly increase the duration over a period of months, up to a maximum of 5 hours (depending on the distance of your target event). This run should be done at chatting pace, ideally over a series of laps, so you can take on energy drinks and snacks at the end of each lap.

If you are training for a hilly ultra choose terrain and elevation proportionally similar to that of your chosen race. Training for long durations on trails in the hills/mountains will take some preparation and forethought. Your backpack may need to contain spare kit, nutrition, hydration, phone, navigation, mini first aid, cash, sun protection and more.

Your second key run is also relatively long, typically done in midweek, where you build up over several months to running a maximum of 2 hours. This run should ideally be done on terrain or gradients that are like your target event.

For your long runs, it’s always good to run in company, at least for some of it. It’s great motivation and it helps the miles fly by. Do your best to work this into your training plan if you can. Otherwise, it can get tough at times.

The final key run is a speed or tempo session. These are not endurance sessions as such, but they do improve your running pace, which then enables you to run at a given pace for less effort. You can vary these types of workouts throughout the course of your training. For example, you could try a weekly tempo session such as 5 x 1 mile at 10-mile race pace, with 1-minute recoveries (plus a warm up and cool down). After four weeks of that, you could progress it to 3 x 2 miles with 90 seconds recoveries.

Once you’ve done eight weeks of weekly tempo runs, move onto some speed work for the next eight weeks. For example, try doing 5 x 800m hard with 2 minutes 30-second recoveries (plus warm up and cool down). Progress your workouts every four weeks to keep your training fresh, and to encourage your body to keep adapting.

For Hilly Ultra Trail races these key runs will include skill-specific sessions. Such as training to improve your strength and efficiency in preparation for the ascents and descents you will encounter. Include workouts that have intervals of effort for both up and downhill running.

Any other runs can be done at chatting pace, typically 35 to 75 minutes in duration. If possible, do some of your running on soft surfaces like grass or trails, to reduce the impact on your body. Always be mindful of avoiding injury – over half of all runners are injured every year. Your first goal is always to make the start-line of your target race.

For this reason, we alternate the duration of the long runs in our training plans, so you’re not hammering your body every single weekend. Our training plans feature a three-week cycle like this:

Week 1: Moderately Long Sunday Run, Week 2: Long Sunday Run, Week 3: Active Recovery Week.

During your “active recovery weeks” your training is half as much as normal. This gives your body a chance to adapt, boosting your fitness and reducing your chances of getting injured.

After each “active recovery week” we then gradually progress the difficulty of your key workouts, so you’re continually challenged. This pattern of training will ensure you improve at the optimal rate.

Strength Training Tips

In our ultra-marathon training plans, there are usually two 40-minute strength and conditioning sessions per week. These workouts can help improve your strength and flexibility, leading to more efficient movement patterns and fewer injuries. We suggest you only do strength work in addition to at least three runs per week, rather than instead of them. However, strength work is an important ingredient when preparing for an ultra-marathon.

Using An Ultra Marathon Training Plan

Our training plans are for athletes who don’t feel the need for a personal coach, but who still want the structure and planning of an expertly-written training program. People who use training plans have been shown to be twice as likely to succeed in reaching their goals.

If you’re planning to do an Ultra Marathon, it helps if you’re already a runner, and you’ve already conquered some running events over shorter distances, such as a half marathon or marathon. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s a good idea to train for some shorter events first, before taking on the challenge of an Ultra.

Getting fit for Ultra Marathon will take longer than 8 or 12 weeks, especially if you’re relatively new to long-distance running. The free training plans on this page give you an idea of what to expect, but you may also benefit from a longer plan that starts off easier and ramps-up more gradually. Click here to browse our 9 to 39-week Ultra and Hilly Ultra Trail Marathon training plans (with email support).

Do your best to follow the workouts below, ideally in their given order. To help you train at the right levels, we use five training zones, based on feel or heart rate. If you use heart rate, you can use our simple heart rate training zone calculator. Note: our premium plans include fitness tests for smarter, personalised training zones on every workout.

  • Zone 1 – Feels like “Easy/Recovery” – Heart rate 68-73% of max.
  • Zone 2 – Feels like “Steady/Endurance” – Heart rate 73-80% of max.
  • Zone 3 – Feels like “Mod. Hard/Tempo” – Heart rate 80-87% of max.
  • Zone 4 – Feels like “Hard/Threshold” – Heart rate 87-93% of max.
  • Zone 5 – Feels like “V. Hard/VO2 Max” – Heart rate 93-100% of max.

We abbreviate your zones to keep things easy to read:

  • Z1 to Z5 – Your training zone.
Download All Our FREE PRINTABLE Ultra Marathon Plans Here!

*Plus, you’ll also receive free regular training tips from head coach Phil Mosley! Unsubscribe at any time.

12-Week Beginner Ultra Marathon Plan

This plan is suitable for Beginner or time-limited runners, aiming to get in peak shape for an Ultra Marathon event. With just 12 weeks to go until event-day, this plan assumes you are currently able to run/jog/walk for 3 hrs 30 mins. A good way to avoid injury and stay motivated is by following an expertly designed training plan. People who follow a training plan have been shown to be twice as likely to succeed in reaching their goal.

Average weekly training hours are 5:02 with the biggest week at 8:24 hours. There are four runs and a 45-minute strength and conditioning session. There is usually one workout per day and one day off each week. Your plan features a three-week cycle like this:

  • Week 1: Moderately Long Sunday Run
  • Week 2: Long Sunday Run
  • Week 3: Active Recovery Week.

Week 1 - Build Phase 1 (5 hrs 50 mins)

Monday: Recovery Day

  • Allows for recovery whilst promoting adaptation to previous training stresses. Helps you get faster and keep injuries at bay.

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (50 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (1 hr)

  • All in low to mid Z2. These runs are to be done slowly. They will gradually build your endurance and increase your efficiency. If you do them faster, you’ll increase your injury risk for no real benefit. If you need to include some walking sections in these runs, in order to keep your heart rate down, that’s fine.

Thursday: Strength – Adaptation Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Progression Run – Hard/Threshold (45 mins)

  • Main Set:
    • 5 mins in low Z2,
    • 5 mins in mid Z2,
    • 5 mins in upper Z2,
    • 5 mins in low Z3,
    • 5 mins in mid Z3,
    • 5 mins in upper Z3,
    • 5 mins in low Z4,
    • 5 mins in mid Z4.
  • Warm Down:
    • 5 mins in low Z2.

This tough workout will improve your running stamina and teach the body and mind to stay strong throughout your race.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (2 hrs 30 mins)

  • Easy or steady run all in low to mid Z2. This is your long run and will gradually increase in duration. If you need to include some walking sections in these runs, in order to keep your heart rate down, that’s fine.
  • Your plan features a three-week cycle like this:
    • Week 1: Moderately Long Sunday Run
    • Week 2: Long Sunday Run
    • Week 3: Active Recovery Week.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (30 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Adaptation Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Progression Run – Hard/Threshold (45 mins)

  • Main Set:
    • 5 mins in low Z2,
    • 5 mins in mid Z2,
    • 5 mins in upper Z2,
    • 5 mins in low Z3,
    • 5 mins in mid Z3,
    • 5 mins in upper Z3,
    • 5 mins in low Z4,
    • 5 mins in mid Z4.
  • Warm Down:
    • 5 mins in low Z2

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Easy/Endurance (3 hrs 30 mins)

  • Run/jog/walk all in Z1 to low Z2. It is key for you to gradually progress your running volume. Always be mindful of avoiding injury – over half of all runners are injured every year. Your first goal is always to make the start-line of your target race. With this in mind, if the long runs in this plan are more than 15% longer than you have done before then scale them back to no more than 10-15% longer than your last recent long run.

 

Monday: Recovery Day

  • It’s vital to make the most of these recovery weeks, as this training plan will get tougher and tougher as it goes on. You need to fully recover and start each new training phase feeling fresh and eager to train hard. There is enough training during the recovery weeks so that you won’t lose fitness

Tuesday: Recovery Day

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (32 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 12 mins in low Z4.
  • Warm Down:
    • 5 mins in Z2.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (45 mins)

  • All in Z2.

Saturday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (30 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (1 hr)

  • Easy or steady run all in low to mid Z2.

 

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (1 hr)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr 10 mins)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Progression Run – Hard/Threshold (50 mins)

  • Main Set:
    • 10 mins in low Z2,
    • 5 mins in upper Z2,
    • 10 mins in low Z3,
    • 10 mins in upper Z3,
    • 5 mins in low Z4,
    • 5 mins in mid Z4.
  • Warm Down:
    • 5 mins in low Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (2 hrs 30 mins)

  • Run/jog/walk all in upper Z1 to low Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (30 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr 10 mins)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Progression Run – Hard/Threshold (55 mins)

  • Main Set:
    • 10 mins in low Z2,
    • 10 mins in upper Z2,
    • 10 mins in low Z3,
    • 10 mins in upper Z3,
    • 5 mins in low Z4,
    • 5 mins in mid Z4.
  • Warm Down:
    • 5 mins in low Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (4 hrs)

  • Run/jog/walk all in Z1 to low Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Recovery Day

Wednesday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (34 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 2 x (7 mins in low Z4 + 2 mins recovery in Z1).
  • Warm Down:
    • 5 mins in Z2.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (45 mins)

  • All in Z2.

Saturday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (30 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (1 hr 10 mins)

  • Easy or steady run all in Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance – Steady/Endurance (50 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr 30 mins)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (49 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 4 x (5 mins in Z4 + 1 min recoveries in Z1),
  • Warm Down:
    • 10 mins in Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Easy/Endurance (3 hrs)

  • Run/jog/walk all in upper Z1 to low Z2.

 

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (30 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr 30 mins)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (49 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 4 x (5 mins in Z4 + 1 min recoveries in Z1).
  • Warm Down:
    • 10 mins in Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Easy/Endurance (4 hrs 30 mins)

  • Run/jog/walk all in Z1 to low Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Recovery Day

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Endurance Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (49 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 2 x (10 mins in Z4 + 2 min recoveries in Z1).
  • Warm Down:
    • 10 mins in Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Easy/Endurance (1 hr 20 mins)

  • All in Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (1 hr 15 mins)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (35 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Thursday: Strength – Strength Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (49 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 2 x (10 mins in Z4 + 2 min recoveries in Z1).
  • Warm Down:
    • 10 mins in Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Easy/Endurance (5 hrs)

  • Run/jog/walk all in upper Z1 to low Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

Tuesday: Recovery Day

Wednesday: Aerobic Endurance/ Strength – Steady/Endurance (40 mins)

  • All in upper Z1 to low Z2. Ideally on a hilly route.

Thursday: Strength – Strength Phase (45 mins)

Friday: Tempo Run – Hard/Threshold (49 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2 to Z3.
  • Main Set:
    • 2 x (10 mins in Z4 + 2 min recoveries in Z1).
  • Warm Down:
    • 10 mins in Z2.

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Aerobic Endurance – Easy/Endurance (2 hrs)

  • Run all in upper Z1 to low Z2.

Monday: Recovery Day

  • This week you will maintain your fitness and eliminate any traces of fatigue. It’s a good time to double-check your race day logistics and strategies. If your event is on Saturday, move your Friday run to Thursday and take Friday as a rest day.

Tuesday: Taper Week Run – Steady/Endurance (35 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2.

Wednesday: Taper Week Run – Hard/Threshold (30 mins)

  • Warm Up:
    • 15 mins in Z2.
  • Main Set:
    • 3 x (60 secs in low Z4 + 2 min recoveries in Z2).
  • Warm Down.
    • 6 mins in Z2.

Thursday: Recovery Day

Friday: Taper Week Run – Steady/Endurance (35 mins)

  • All in low to mid Z2. If your event is on Saturday, move today’s run to Thursday and take today as a rest day

Saturday: Recovery Day

Sunday: Event Day

Download All Our FREE PRINTABLE Ultra Marathon Plans Here!

*Plus, you’ll also receive free regular training tips from head coach Phil Mosley! Unsubscribe at any time.

12-Week Intermediate Ultra Marathon Plan

This short training plan is suitable for Intermediate runners, who want to optimize their 100k/50 mile Ultra Marathon potential. With just 12 weeks to go until event-day, this plan assumes you are currently able to run/jog/walk for 3 hrs 30 mins. A good way to avoid injury and stay motivated is by following an expertly designed training plan. People who follow a training plan have been shown to be twice as likely to succeed in reaching their goal.

Average weekly training hours are 6:19 with the biggest week at 8:49 hours. There are five runs and a 45-minute strength and conditioning session. There is usually one workout per day and one day off each week. Your plan features a three-week cycle like this:

  • Week 1: Moderately Long Sunday Run
  • Week 2: Long Sunday Run
  • Week 3: Active Recovery Week.

12-Week Advanced Ultra Marathon Plan

This short training plan is suitable for Advanced amateur runners, aiming to achieve peak 100k/50 mile Ultra Marathon fitness. With just 12 weeks to go until event-day, this plan assumes you are currently able to run/jog/walk for 3 hrs 30 mins. A good way to avoid injury and stay motivated is by following an expertly designed training plan. People who follow a training plan have been shown to be twice as likely to succeed in reaching their goal.

Average weekly training hours are 7:13 with the biggest week at 9:39 hours. There are six to seven runs and a 45-minute strength and conditioning session. There is usually one workout per day and one day off each week. Your plan features a three-week cycle like this:

  • Week 1: Moderately Long Sunday Run
  • Week 2: Long Sunday Run
  • Week 3: Active Recovery Week.
Share
Share
Share
Share
Print
About Phil Mosley (Coach & Founder)
About Phil Mosley (Coach & Founder)

Phil is a recognised expert with over 20 years of experience, having featured on many endurance sports publications (below). He founded MyProCoach in 2010 to to offer the world’s most comprehensive range of online training plans, all designed to help you enjoy the same success that my athletes and I have, while still making sure you have quality time for your family, friends and career (read 750+ detailed reviews here).

As featured on...

IRONMANU_Logo_full
download (1)
trainingpeaks_logo_vertical_2-color
Cycling_Weekly_logo.svg
GTN
220 triathlon
Like what you see? Preview Phil's PREMIUM plans now...
From 6-48 weeks, free email coach support, advanced tracking software and more!

Training Tips Blog

ONGOING FREE ADVICE FROM RECOGNISED EXPERT PHIL MOSLEY

Marathon runner

Marathon Nutrition Guide

Worried about what to eat on marathon race day? Try this race-day fuelling strategy that will see you shave minutes off your marathon time…  

▸ Read More

Don't miss out...

Get all 6 free Ultra Marathon plans now!

Where should we send them to?
4.9/5 from 750+ reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Plus, you’ll also receive free training advice via email from head coach Phil Mosley! Unsubscribe at any time.

Planning Your Off-Season

You can start our Off-Season (Fitness Maintenance) plans anytime you like.

They’re designed to help you maintain a good level of fitness when you’re not specifically targeting an event, such as, during the off-season, or anytime you’re taking a break from racing.

Planning For Your Event

For the best outcome, input the date for your “A” target race and the tool will default to a plan that will fill that gap nicely. If you want, you can then adjust the plan length to start it on a different day.

Note that you can still work in other, smaller races during your plan too!

The longer plans start easier and progress more gradually. This has a bearing on the difficulty level you choose. For example, a 12-week plan starts off at a higher level than a 36-week plan because with 12 weeks left there’s not as much opportunity to build up slowly.
Short Medium Long
Duration
4-12 weeks
14-24 weeks
27+ weeks
Required fitness level
Higher
Moderate
Lower
Training phases
2~4
5~7
8+
Fitness tests
1~2
3~4
5+
Our Standard and Masters plans are designed to get you ready for your target event, while our Off-Season plans allow you to recover from a tough season but still maintain your well-earned fitness.
STANDARD MASTERS OFF-SEASON
Approx. age
Under 40
Over 40
Any
Recovery weeks
Every 4 weeks
Every 3 weeks
N/A
Strength sessions
1-2 per week
2 per week
1-2 per week
Likely goal
Train for event
Train for event
Maintain fitness
This table provides a brief overview of which level might be right for you, to help you get the most out of your plan. You should also note your current fitness levels and how many times you have done this event before.
BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED
Experience
Little to none
1-3 years
3+ years
Time to train
Limited
Moderate
Ample
Likely goal
To finish
At least top half
Competitive
All our plans are available either for sale directly on the TrainingPeaks Store (where you can also see screenshots of sample weeks), or you can subscribe as an Unlimited Athlete to be able to swap freely between all of them, among other benefits outlined below.
BUY SUBSCRIBE
Price
$24 to $159 per plan
From $24 per mth
Flexible, structured training
TrainingPeaks training app
Coaching videos, articles & FAQs
Email coach support

During plan only

Anytime
Swap freely between all 900+ plans
Help setting up your training zones
Coach fortnightly engagement check
Discounted TrainingPeaks Premium (optional)
30-day moneyback guarantee
We're Sorry To See You Go!

Please confirm your cancellation below and one of our team will process it as soon as possible (stopping all future payments). Your subscription will still continue until the end of your current billing cycle (your “next payment date”) and there is nothing else you need to do.

Don’t worry, you will always be able to access your completed workouts and your TrainingPeaks login credentials will stay the same. Also, if any payments happen to come out before we cancel your subscription, we’ll simply refund them.