The Tribe of Runners Podcast 069: Periodization Training in Ultrarunning: A Smarter Path to Peak Performance
What if I told you that how you structure your training matters more than how many miles you run? In today’s episode, I dive into one of the most effective but often overlooked strategies in endurance training: periodization.
Whether you're training for your first 50K or tackling your tenth 100-miler, periodization can be the key to unlocking better performance, stronger adaptations, and a healthier training journey.
This episode breaks down how ultrarunners can use periodization to build for a race smarter, be more intentional in training, and use this to philosophy to not just to build fitness, but to peak right when it matters most: on race day.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What periodization is and why it works for endurance athletes
- How to train and manage fatigue
- How to train least to most specific
- How to plan backwards from your race date
The purpose of each phase:
VO₂ Max Block – building your aerobic ceiling
Lactate Threshold Block – increasing sustainable pace and efficiency
Endurance Block – long runs, back-to-backs, terrain specificity
Taper Phase – sharpening and recovery before race day
How to use back-to-back long runs and vertical gain strategically
Why training everything all the time can stall your progress
Real-life tips for applying this to your own training or your athletes'
Whether you’re self-coached or working with a coach, this episode gives you the tools to step back, look at the big picture, and train with true purpose.
Listen in and take notes. This could change how you train forever.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share it with your running crew, and leave a review to help others find the show!
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