Why does the amount of elevation gain in my trail training feel so low?
Elevation gain should be trained in the specified amount during your long runs
The quantity is based on your target race, its elevation gain per kilometer ratio, and your estimated race time.
For some races, you might feel like you're doing “too little” elevation gain in your weekly training compared to the total elevation of your race. But keep in mind that when the race’s elevation gain is broken down into an hourly target, the amount you’re assigned is appropriate. It’s not about the abSome readersHow is the minimum and maximum number of weekly sessions determined in a trail running program?
How many training sessions per week are included in a trail running plan?
The number of sessions per week depends on several factors and your runner profile.
The higher the km/effort of your trail objective, the greater the training load required to be adequately prepared. It's important to be aware of the workload and time commitment needed for a proper preparation before setting your goal. If you're looking for advice on how to organize your running/trail season, you can check out thiSome readersHow do I set a main trail running goal?
From the Website
Option 1
Via our partner Finishers, making sure the date, distance, and elevation of your race are correct. If you're not 100% confident in the information, go with Option 2.
Go to the “Objectives” tab
Click the “Set a goal” button
Click “Set your main goal”
Select the “Trail” tab
Choose “Find your next race with Finishers”
Search for your race using the filters or the search bar
Option 2
Enter your goal manuaSome readersCan we change the distance and elevation gain of our trail running objective during the training plan?
During your training, it won’t be possible to modify the distance or elevation gain of your race objective.
This is an improvement we’re aiming to implement in 2025, but no release date has been set yet.
That’s why it’s important to be sure about the race you want to prepare for and double-check the information you enter when generating your training plan. If you’re using our partner Finishers, we recommend verifying the race date, distance, and elevationSome readersWhat trail distances can we train for with Campus?
You've dreamed of it, and Campus made it happen. From 5K to ultra-trail, anything is now possible.
You can now plan your UTMB or even the Diagonale des Fous, as the new limit is set to 66 hours of maximum effort time. You got it — the 66-hour constraint raises a question about which distances different runners can prepare for, and this depends largely on your runner profile.Few readersAre my trail race results taken into account in my race history?
The answer is yes 🙌
Several characteristics of your race are taken into account to adjust the value of your time based on the actual race you completed. We’ll of course consider the exact distance and elevation gain, but also the technicality of the terrain, the average altitude of your race, and the weather conditions on race day. A great mix of information to give the most accurate and complete assessment of your profile!
By the way, you can go back into your race history and update yourFew readersWhat is the minimum preparation time for trail training plans?
Campus builds a training plan tailored to your profile and the estimated effort time required to reach your goal. Based on that, we determine the minimum number of weeks needed for your training plan.Few readersCan I link my BeTrail/UTMB/ITRA account to Campus?
It’s not yet possible to link these accounts to Campus. However, you can manually enter your index in your profile settings 😊Few readersCan I choose the number of weeks for my trail training plan?
Just like for road race goals, the estimated effort time range calculated for your race will determine the minimum amount of preparation time you’ll need.
This isn’t a setting you can adjust manually—our coaches set a minimum preparation duration, so it’s essential to plan your season accordingly. If you need help with this, you can check out this article: How to plan your running season? (article coming soon)Few readersHow is my progress estimated in my trail plan if no pace is specified in my sessions?
Your sessions will gradually become more challenging in both intensity and volume as your training progresses.
This allows us to assess your improvement based on the completion of your sessions (imported data) and how you felt during them (hello RPE, those little smileys 😉).Few readersHow do I choose the right hill for my trail race preparation?
We recommend choosing the hill or climb where the effort is as long as possible—so the longest hill you have access to. This gives you the most flexibility for your training. At Campus, we generally say that hill work should be done on slopes with a gradient between 4% and 8%, but ideally, you should train on inclines that are as close as possible to what you’ll face on race day.
The key is to avoid extremes—both overly steep hills and very gentle inclines, as neither are ideal forFew readersCan the effort time vary during the training plan or be adjusted when adding a new race result to the performance history?
The plan evolves each week based on the completion of your sessions (validating your workouts) and the RPE (the little smiley faces) you assign to them.
That’s why it’s so important to validate your sessions in real time. Right after your workout is even better for accuracy and detail 😉
If your plan evolves, your estimated time range can also change. This time range can also adjust if you enter a new reference race result (trail or road) in your performance history.Few readersI have access to a treadmill for my trail training — how do I enter that information?
Prioritize outdoor runs whenever possible
As with any training plan, it’s best to train on terrain similar to what you’ll encounter on race day. So, whenever you can, opt for outdoor runs instead of treadmill sessions, and choose trail paths over paved roads.Few readersCan I stop my current plan to switch to the new trail plans?
If you already have an ongoing trail goal, BE CAREFUL ‼️
If you still have enough time before your race, you can stop your current goal and create a new one (you’ll be starting over from scratch).
If your race is coming up soon, stick with your current plan.Few readersHow can I manage my effort during my target trail race?
Just like in any endurance sport, managing your effort is essential.
For most trail runners, the goal is to cross the finish line feeling good, having enjoyed the experience to the fullest, and to debrief with fellow runners over a well-deserved beer 🍺 — the true trail spirit!
Pay close attention to how you start the race
Try not to start too fast, which is a common mistake in races. A pace that's too quick at the beginning often leads to a crash in the second half. Be conservative, fFew readersCan the hill parameter be changed during trail training preparation?
The hill parameter can be adjusted at any time
If you make a change to this parameter, it will be taken into account starting the following week, just like all other settings on Campus. This can be useful, for example, if you’re planning a week or a weekend in the mountains. Simply update your setting — for instance, from 4 minutes of hill work to 1 hour — the week before your mountain trip, and you’re all set.
On the website: you’ll find this setting under the "My Account" → "My SetFew readersHow are paces managed for export in trail programs?
Heart rate
Expected perceived effort
Elapsed session timeFew readersHow can I work on D- (negative elevation) in my trail training ?
Few readersHow is the estimated effort time range for my goal determined?
With these new trail plans, there is no longer a precise estimated finish time.
Now, you'll receive an estimated effort time range, determined based on your race format (distance, elevation gain, and technical difficulty of the course), as well as your running history and runner profile.Few readersDo all the sessions in the trail plan need to be done on trail terrain (gravel, forest paths, mountains)?
Generally speaking, it’s best to complete your training sessions on terrain that’s similar to what you’ll encounter on race day. However, if that’s not possible, doing your sessions on the road is perfectly fine as long as the terrain is somewhat hilly. Ideally though, you should still try to do your long runs on trails whenever possible.
Should I include elevation gain during my easy runs (EF)?
There are no elevation gain requirements for your EF runs, because most of the climbing isFew readersI don’t have any hills available near where I live — how can I adjust this in my trail running preparation?
If you live in a flat area, no worries!
There's now a feature called muscle pre-fatigue (MPF) that allows you to simulate the effects of elevation gain — even if you don’t have any hills longer than two minutes nearby.
👉 This FAQ article explains exactly how it works ;)Few readersCan we add one or more secondary goals in a trail training program?
If you want to take part in one or more intermediate trail races during your training, this is now possible.
As a reminder, a secondary goal is not a priority. It is added to your main training plan and is treated as a training session.
That said, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to perform well. It simply means the program won’t be optimized for you to be at 100% on that race, because the main focus is your primary goal and progressing towards it.
How to add a secondary goal:
👉🏻 Go toFew readersIn the shock blocks, should we stick to the session duration or the elevation gain?
During training sessions, the most important factor is the effort time—the time spent walking or running.
That means you should prioritize the duration of your session if you’re unable to match the exact recommended elevation gain for your outing. The key is to work on inclines that are similar in percentage to what you'll encounter on race day.
Don’t forget: during these sessions, it’s essential to monitor your hydration and nutrition. If you have any questions about this,Few readers