Crazy Mountain 100: 26-Week Training Plan
A complete training framework for the Crazy Mountain 100—based on Training for the Uphill Athlete methodology.
Quick Links
- Race Profile: Course, Cutoffs & Aid Stations
- Race Week & Taper Guide
- Aerobic Threshold Zone Testing
- Sleep Optimization for Ultramarathon Training
- Training Philosophy: Uphill Athlete Principles
- Preparation Checklists
Race Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Race Date | Friday, July 24, 2026 at 6:00 AM |
| Distance | 100 miles, point-to-point |
| Elevation Gain | ~23,000 feet |
| Elevation Range | 5,800 ft → 10,200 ft |
| Time Limit | 36 hours |
| Qualifier For | Hardrock 100, Western States 100 |
For complete course details, aid station information, and cutoffs, see the Race Profile.
Training Phases Overview
Race Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
Training Start: Monday, January 26, 2026
| Phase | Weeks | Dates | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base/Capacity | 1–12 | Jan 26 – Apr 19 | Aerobic foundation, strength, vertical accumulation |
| Build/Transition | 13–20 | Apr 20 – Jun 14 | Race-specific training, back-to-backs, tempo work |
| Peak/Specific | 21–24 | Jun 15 – Jul 12 | Maximum volume, race simulation |
| Taper | 25–26 | Jul 13 – Jul 24 | Volume reduction, freshness, race prep |
Before You Start: Foundational Work
Before beginning this plan, complete two essential steps:
1. Establish Your Training Zones
Test your Aerobic Threshold (AeT) and Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) using the protocols in our Zone Testing Guide.
Why this matters: Generic heart rate zones based on age formulas are inaccurate. Your training should be anchored to YOUR metabolic thresholds.
Key assessment: If your AeT-AnT gap is greater than 10%, you have Aerobic Deficiency Syndrome and should spend extra time in Zone 1-2 before adding intensity.
2. Establish Sleep Habits
Review our Sleep Optimization Guide and implement the foundational habits before training load increases.
Target: 7.5–9 hours per night with consistent sleep/wake times (±30 minutes).
Phase 1: Base/Capacity Building (Weeks 1–12)
Dates: January 26 – April 19, 2026
Goals
- Establish aerobic foundation
- Build general and mountain-specific strength
- Accumulate vertical gain progressively
- Dial in sleep habits and recovery routines
Weekly Structure
| Week Block | Week # | Week Ending | Weekly Hours | Weekly Vertical | Long Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base 1 | 1 | Feb 1 | 8–9 hrs | 4,000–6,000 ft | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Base 1 | 2 | Feb 8 | 8–9 hrs | 4,000–6,000 ft | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Base 1 | 3 | Feb 15 | 8–9 hrs | 4,000–6,000 ft | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Base 2 | 4 | Feb 22 | 9–11 hrs | 6,000–9,000 ft | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Base 2 | 5 | Mar 1 | 9–11 hrs | 6,000–9,000 ft | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Base 2 | 6 | Mar 8 | 9–11 hrs | 6,000–9,000 ft | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Base 3 | 7 | Mar 15 | 11–13 hrs | 9,000–12,000 ft | 3–3.5 hrs |
| Base 3 | 8 | Mar 22 | 11–13 hrs | 9,000–12,000 ft | 3–3.5 hrs |
| Base 3 | 9 | Mar 29 | 11–13 hrs | 9,000–12,000 ft | 3–3.5 hrs |
| Base 4 | 10 | Apr 5 | 12–14 hrs | 10,000–14,000 ft | 3.5–4 hrs |
| Base 4 | 11 | Apr 12 | 12–14 hrs | 10,000–14,000 ft | 3.5–4 hrs |
| Base 4 | 12 | Apr 19 | 12–14 hrs | 10,000–14,000 ft | 3.5–4 hrs |
Include a step-back week (reduce volume ~30%) every 3–4 weeks: Weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12 are good candidates.
Intensity Distribution
- 85-90% Zone 1-2: Easy aerobic running/hiking below Aerobic Threshold
- 10-15% Zone 3: Introduce tempo/muscular endurance work in final 4 weeks (only if AeT-AnT gap is <10%)
Key Workouts
Aerobic Foundation (4-5x/week):
- Easy runs/hikes keeping heart rate at or below Aerobic Threshold
- Uphill hiking with poles is excellent sport-specific training
- Focus on time, not pace
Long Run (1x/week):
- Build duration progressively
- Include significant vertical when possible
- Practice fueling and hydration
Strength Training (2-3x/week):
- Single-leg exercises (lunges, step-ups, single-leg deadlifts)
- Core stability and anti-rotation work
- Hip strength (clamshells, lateral band walks)
- Eccentric quad loading for downhill preparation
Sleep Considerations
- Establish consistent sleep schedule early—this is the foundation
- Morning workouts support earlier bedtimes
- Use step-back weeks to prioritize extra sleep
- If sleep quality declines, reduce training load before adding volume
For complete sleep optimization strategies, see Sleep Optimization for Ultramarathon Training.
Phase 2: Build/Transition (Weeks 13–20)
Dates: April 20 – June 14, 2026
Goals
- Transition from pure capacity to race-specific utilization
- Introduce back-to-back long efforts
- Build muscular endurance for sustained climbing
- Practice descending on technical terrain
- Test gear and nutrition under load
Weekly Structure
| Week Block | Week # | Week Ending | Weekly Hours | Weekly Vertical | Long Run/Back-to-Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build 1 | 13 | Apr 26 | 12–14 hrs | 12,000–14,000 ft | 4 hrs / or B2B: 3.5 + 2 hrs |
| Build 1 | 14 | May 3 | 12–14 hrs | 12,000–14,000 ft | B2B: 3.5 + 2 hrs |
| Build 2 | 15 | May 10 | 14–16 hrs | 14,000–16,000 ft | B2B: 4 + 2.5 hrs |
| Build 2 | 16 | May 17 | 14–16 hrs | 14,000–16,000 ft | B2B: 4 + 2.5 hrs |
| Build 3 | 17 | May 24 | 15–17 hrs | 15,000–18,000 ft | B2B: 4.5 + 3 hrs |
| Build 3 | 18 | May 31 | 15–17 hrs | 15,000–18,000 ft | B2B: 4.5 + 3 hrs |
| Build 4 | 19 | Jun 7 | 16–18 hrs | 16,000–20,000 ft | B2B: 5 + 3 hrs |
| Build 4 | 20 | Jun 14 | 16–18 hrs | 16,000–20,000 ft | B2B: 5 + 3 hrs |
Continue step-back weeks every 3–4 weeks: Weeks 14 and 18 are good candidates.
Intensity Distribution
- 75-85% Zone 1-2: Aerobic base maintenance
- 15-25% Zone 3-4: Tempo efforts, sustained climbs, muscular endurance
Key Workouts
Back-to-Back Long Runs (weekends):
- Saturday: Longer effort with significant vert (4-5+ hours)
- Sunday: Moderate effort on tired legs (2-3 hours)
- This teaches your body to perform while fatigued
Muscular Endurance Sessions (1-2x/week):
- Sustained climbs at Zone 3 effort (20-45 minutes continuous)
- Hill repeats with hiking poles
- Weighted pack hiking (optional, 10-20 lbs)
Vertical Sessions:
- Single efforts with 4,000-6,000+ feet of climbing
- Practice efficient power hiking
Descending Practice:
- Technical downhill running on rocky terrain
- Build eccentric quad strength
- Work on foot placement and confidence
B Race (Week 15–17 / May 4–24, optional):
- A 50K-50 mile mountain race makes an excellent training stimulus
- Tests fitness, gear, and nutrition under race conditions
- Not a goal race—run conservatively
Sleep Considerations
- Sleep needs increase as training load builds—plan for this
- Schedule long weekend efforts to allow for post-workout naps or early bedtimes
- Keep weekday sessions moderate to avoid disrupting sleep
- If sleep quality drops persistently, you may be overreaching—add recovery
Phase 3: Peak/Specific (Weeks 21–24)
Dates: June 15 – July 12, 2026
Goals
- Achieve maximum race-specific fitness
- Simulate race conditions (duration, terrain, fueling)
- Finalize all gear and nutrition choices
- Build confidence through successful long efforts
Weekly Structure
| Week # | Week Ending | Weekly Hours | Weekly Vertical | Key Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Jun 21 | 16–18 hrs | 18,000–22,000 ft | Extended back-to-back |
| 22 | Jun 28 | 18–20+ hrs | 20,000–25,000 ft | Peak week: Race simulation |
| 23 | Jul 5 | 14–16 hrs | 14,000–16,000 ft | Begin volume reduction |
| 24 | Jul 12 | 12–14 hrs | 10,000–12,000 ft | Transition to taper |
Intensity Distribution
- 80% Zone 1-2: Maintain aerobic base
- 20% Zone 3: Race-specific sustained efforts
Key Workouts
Peak Week Race Simulation (Week 22, Jun 22–28):
- Friday evening: Start a 4-5 hour effort (simulates race start)
- Saturday: 5-7 hour long run with maximum vertical
- Sunday: 2-3 hour moderate effort
- Total: 11-15 hours over 3 days with 10,000-15,000+ feet of vert
Extended Long Runs:
- Single efforts of 6-8 hours OR 30-40 miles with significant vertical
- Practice everything: pacing, fueling, gear, mental strategies
Final Gear/Nutrition Testing:
- Use exact race-day kit and nutrition
- No new experiments after Week 22 (June 28)
See Preparation Checklists for complete gear and nutrition testing protocols.
Sleep Considerations
- This is the highest-stress phase—prioritize sleep ruthlessly
- Consider taking PTO around peak week to maximize recovery
- Naps after long efforts are valuable
- If you feel run-down, sleep more rather than train more
Phase 4: Taper (Weeks 25–26)
Dates: July 13 – July 24, 2026 (Race Day: Friday, July 24)
For the complete taper protocol and race week schedule, see Race Week & Taper Guide.
Weekly Structure
| Week # | Week Ending | Weekly Hours | Weekly Vertical | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Jul 19 | 10–12 hrs (~60% of peak) | 8,000–10,000 ft | Maintain rhythm, one moderate long run |
| 26 | Jul 26 | 6–8 hrs (~40% of peak) | 4,000–6,000 ft | Easy running, shakeouts, travel/prep |
Intensity Distribution
- 90% Zone 1-2: Easy efforts
- 10% Zone 3: Brief tempo touches to maintain sharpness (early in taper only)
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jul 13–19 | Taper Week 1 |
| Jul 20–22 | Final shakeout runs |
| Jul 23 | Travel to Montana, packet pickup, race briefing |
| Jul 24 | RACE DAY |
Training Plan Summary
| Phase | Weeks | Week Ending | Hours/Week | Vertical/Week | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base 1 | 1–3 | Feb 1, 8, 15 | 8–9 | 4,000–6,000 | Aerobic foundation, sleep habits |
| Base 2 | 4–6 | Feb 22, Mar 1, 8 | 9–11 | 6,000–9,000 | Building volume, strength |
| Base 3 | 7–9 | Mar 15, 22, 29 | 11–13 | 9,000–12,000 | Continued building |
| Base 4 | 10–12 | Apr 5, 12, 19 | 12–14 | 10,000–14,000 | Peak base, introduce tempo |
| Build 1 | 13–14 | Apr 26, May 3 | 12–14 | 12,000–14,000 | Back-to-backs begin |
| Build 2 | 15–16 | May 10, 17 | 14–16 | 14,000–16,000 | B race (optional) |
| Build 3 | 17–18 | May 24, 31 | 15–17 | 15,000–18,000 | Race-specific work |
| Build 4 | 19–20 | Jun 7, 14 | 16–18 | 16,000–20,000 | Peak build volume |
| Peak 1 | 21–22 | Jun 21, 28 | 18–20+ | 20,000–25,000 | Maximum load, simulation |
| Peak 2 | 23–24 | Jul 5, 12 | 12–16 | 10,000–16,000 | Begin reduction |
| Taper 1 | 25 | Jul 19 | 10–12 | 8,000–10,000 | Freshening |
| Taper 2 | 26 | Jul 26 | 6–8 | 4,000–6,000 | Race week (race Fri 7/24) |
Key Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Jan 26 | Training begins |
| Feb 15 | First step-back week; retest AeT |
| Apr 19 | Base phase complete |
| May 4–24 | B race window (optional) |
| Jun 14 | Build phase complete |
| Jun 22–28 | Peak week / race simulation |
| Jun 28 | Gear and nutrition testing complete |
| Jul 12 | Peak phase complete |
| Jul 13 | Taper begins |
| Jul 23 | Packet pickup, mandatory briefing |
| Jul 24 | RACE DAY |
Related Pages
- Race Profile: Course, Cutoffs & Aid Stations
- Race Week & Taper Guide
- Aerobic Threshold Zone Testing
- Sleep Optimization for Ultramarathon Training
- Training Philosophy: Uphill Athlete Principles
- Preparation Checklists
Resources
- Training for the Uphill Athlete by Steve House, Scott Johnston, and Kilian Jornet
- Uphill Athlete website
- Crazy Mountain 100 official site
This plan is a framework. Adjust based on your individual response to training, life circumstances, and how your body feels. When in doubt, prioritize sleep and recovery over additional volume.