One of my athletes is doing a 29k trail run on a very hilly course in September.
In Athletica, we can choose either a half marathon or marathon for the race distance in the Goal Settings.
For the marathon, we’d get more volume, which is always a good thing.
For the half-marathon, we’d probably get more speed work, which would be useful.
Given the hilly nature of the trail run, what do people think would be a better choice? What are your thoughts?
This is a problem I also strugle with.
I choose to train for a half marathon because of less total milage and more speed work.
you’d better pick a marathon plan, because trail running requires much more time than road running
A trail race could take half as long again as on the road. Thus a 29k trail race may be equivalent in duration to a full marathon on the road.
Train for the duration
Train for the elevation. A hilly race is a lot different to a flat run.
Train for the terrain. Running or even just moving off road needs training to move efficiently picking the best lines. Running fast and efficiently downhill off road is a skill. The biomechanics are different. Fast on the road does not mean fast on trails.
Pace targets will be hard as it is a lot more variable on trails.