How to Pace a Trail Ultra: Effort, Intensity & Race Strategy

How should you pace an ultra marathon, and what does “sustainable effort” really mean over longer races? We break down how to manage effort across different terrains and conditions, why pacing by feel matters more than numbers, and the common mistakes that lead to late-race slowdown. We also explain how training intensities translate to race day, and how finding the right effort is key to minimising fade and performing at your best.LINK TO INTENSITY ZONES here 🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ascend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE. 💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ascendtrail.app

How long should you really take to recover after an ultra, and how soon is too soon to race again?After TGC, we share our own recovery process and why jumping back into racing too quickly can hold you back. We talk through what’s happening in the body post-race, why “training races” aren’t really a thing at longer distances, and how recovery ultimately shapes your entire season. Because at the end of the day, you only benefit from the training you recover from.🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ascend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE. Use code thealbonway20 for 20% off your first month!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ascendtrail.app

A raw post-race debrief from Transgrancanaria Classic,recorded from the couch while still wrecked. Henriette and Jon unpack what it took to win: midnight start, river running, freezing wind, desert heat, tactical racing, shoe changes, fueling plans, and the small decisions that shaped both races. They also reflect on tapering, training with Ascend, and the key lessons they’re taking into the rest of the season. 🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ascend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (formerly AlbonApp) for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your runningbuddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find theshow.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ascendtrail.app

Tune in for a training update as Transgrancanaria Classic approaches in less than three weeks.We reflect on our separate training camp experiences, before diving into the key habits that help us get more out of our training. From sleep consistency and fueling properly to managing recovery and life stress, we explore the small, repeatable habits that support real training adaptations.If you’re trying to balance life, training, and recovery, this episode will help you think beyond the workout and focus on what actually drives long-term consistency and progress.🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp

Henriette and Jon check in from sunny Gran Canaria, where they’ve swapped icy winter training for warm, mountainous trails five weeks out from race day.They talk honestly about how training is going, the challenge of never quite feeling “ready”, and their approach to long runs this time around. They also compare this year’s training to last year’s, including a shift toward more intervals and “spicy” long runs, and discuss how to balance specificity with staying healthy.The episode then dives into recent community questionsfrom AlbonApp, covering what it really means when fitness numbers drop after time off, how to think about flat versus hilly running during base training, and what to do if race day is approaching but running impact fitness still looks low. They also discuss practical advice on training data; why accurate elevation, treadmill recording, and correctly set threshold pace matter.🔗 Link to threshold pace test HERE (scroll to bottom)🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp

Henriette and Jon unpack how (not) to plan a trail running season, and why you can’t just string together random races and hope for the best. With big ultras like TGC and UTMB in mind, they explain how a season needs space for base building, sharpening, tapering, and real recovery. Because long races don’t just take it out of you physically, they can hit emotionally too.They also share a training update from their current training bubble, including how Jon has built back after a tough UTMB period, why he’s bringing intervals back, and how AlbonAppguides their structure. You’ll hear how they think about anchor races, why fewer key races can lead to better season management, and what recovery actually looks like after a hard ultra.Plus: the UTMB “death spiral,” changing plans when injuries happen, racing vs training races, what they’re excited (andnervous) about this season, and a quick end-of-episode joy check-in: ft Northern Lights, pizza, and a Strava troll.🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp

Join the Albons as they dive into the challenges and triumphs of starting a new year with fresh goals and renewed energy. In this episode, Jon and Henriette share insights on maintaining motivation, avoiding common training pitfalls, and the importance of gradual progress. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or just beginning your fitness journey, this episode offers valuable tips to help you navigate the most dangerous training month of the year. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes, “expert” advice, and a touch of humor to kickstart your 2026 with intention and purpose.🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp

From load-management issues and toenail fungus to downhill DOMS, dodgy ankles and under-fuelled training sessions...this episode breaks down the trail running lessons we wish we’d learned years ago. We share the honest stories, practical tips and hard-earned insights that can help you avoid common mistakes, train smarter, stay injury-free and enjoy the long game in the mountains.🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp

It’s November...and yes, winter running has hit us hard. In this episode, Henriette and Jon Albon casually chat how to stay motivated and consistent through the dark season. They break down the mindset shifts that make their winter training do-able and explain how embracing reality can nudge your running experience in the direction you want and need. You’ll get practical advice on choosing winter gear (includingJon’s clothing setups), how to make treadmill sessions feel purposeful, staying accountable through goal-setting, and why being smart about winter-specific injury risks can make all the difference. 👊 If you want Jon’s personalised treadmill speed sheet, request yours here: https://forms.gle/AEYU6kqQ7fX6J9jv9🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlbonApp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp

In this episode of The Albon Way, Henriette and Jon share how to follow a trail running training plan without losing the joy and freedom that make the sport so addictive. From recovery and basebuilding weeks to group runs and spontaneous sunrise sessions, they unpack how a flexible approach keeps motivation high, prevents burnout, and makes training more sustainable. The duo also dive into the science of awe, those powerful moments that remind you why you run, and how reconnecting with them can transform your mindset and performance. Plus, they introduce a new segment, Moment of Joy, celebrating the small wins that keep every trail season fresh and fun.🧭 TRAIL TRAINING & ANALYTICSCheck out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Albon App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for personalised trail running plans, adaptive training zones, and data insights based on Running Impact. Your first 2 weeks are completely FREE!💬 SHARE & RATE THE PODCASTIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your running buddies and leave a quick review, it really helps more trail runners find the show.📲 FOLLOW US ON IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@henriettealbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonalbon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@albonapp