Articles

Endure24 Training Hints and Tips

Neil Jones

For those readers that are taking on this summer’s Leeds Endure24, or another endurance running event at that! Our resident ultra-marathon author – Neil ‘Quads of Fury’ Jones – has put together a training plan to build you steadily for the big 24 hours at the beginning of July.

 

 

Training

Basically, you will be asking your body to run multiple times in 24 hours, now if you have just started running this could be a big ask but it is certainly achievable.  An improver in the early stages of their running journey should aim to complete at least 2 laps each of the 8k route in the 24-hour period.

 

With 8 weeks to go we haven’t got a huge amount of time to train up specifically for the event but what we can all do is make some adaptions to our normal running routine.

 

“Hit those trails” and take a leaf out of fellow runner Anne’s book. There are plenty of trails around the local area and the Run Leeds website has a number of off road routes you can try. Spending about 30 minutes or so running trails will build running resistance by strengthening your ankles ready for the off road terrain run on the 1st July.  

 

Considering the main components of this running event will include a trail route and night running, I strongly recommend that you try and incorporate a least one trail running session a week and one head-torch run in the lead up to Endure24. For a more detailed breakdown of the essential kit check out Chris’s list here.

 

It’s very difficult to write a specific training plan that suites a majority of people because the Run Leeds team and certainly the Run Leeds readership will be at differing points in their running journey. Despite this I have put together a basic 8 week programme for you to follow, this will prepare you and ensure you arrive at Endure24 fit and ready to go.

 

The important thing to mention here is the Run Leeds team are coming together through a common interest; a celebration of running. Each one of us will set our own personal goals and have a unique experience over the weekend – we recommend you build this into your plans well in advance of the big day.

 

Day

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 7

Week 8

Monday

5 Miles

 

Rest / Gym

Rest

Rest

3 miles

Rest

4 miles

Tuesday

Rest

3 miles

3 miles

4 miles trail

3 miles head-torch

4 miles

Rest

Wednesday

 

Rest

 

Rest

Rest

Rest

Rest

Rest

Rest

Thursday

3 Miles Trail

3 Miles Trail

5 Miles Head-torch

5 Miles

6 Miles

5 Miles

3 Miles

Friday

Rest / Pilates

Rest / Pilates

Rest / Gym

Rest

Rest / Yoga

Rest

Rest

Saturday

3 miles

6 miles

5 miles

6 miles

3 miles morning

3 miles evening HT

 

3 miles morning

3 miles evening HT 

 

Endure24

Sunday

4 miles

4 miles head-torch

6 miles

6 miles trail

5 miles

6 miles

Endure24

 

It is suggested you start this training plan the week commencing the 1st May to give you plenty of room to manoeuvre with scheduling your runs. One thing to remember is you’re bound to miss a session off your training schedule, so don’t panic if this happens, because it naturally will!

 

If you are running Endure24 and have any further questions around training please contact Neil ‘Quads of Fury’ Jones on neil.jones@leeds.gov.uk