Spring training starts March 4, and this schedule represents a lot of thoughtful work from the coaching team. The goal was not just to build hard workouts. The goal was to build a season that makes sense from start to finish.

This block includes 15 weeks of structured training built to support a wide range of runners, race goals, and experience levels. The focus this season is helping runners build durable aerobic fitness, get stronger on real trail terrain, and develop pacing skills that hold up deep into long efforts.

Runners should feel comfortable choosing the workouts that best match their race goals, fitness needs, and life schedule. Some will follow the full progression week to week. Others will plug into key long runs, quality sessions, or race-specific weekends. Both are valid. The structure is there to support the work you want to do.

We extend into late June to align with Western States weekend, where we will share volunteer opportunities for anyone who wants to give back to the sport and experience race weekend from a different perspective.

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What This Spring Block Focuses On

This season builds intentionally across:

• Movement quality and hill fundamentals early
• Aerobic interval and threshold development through mid-cycle
• Long run specificity across regional trail systems
• Race-aligned long runs that match real course demands
• Late-cycle durability and confidence

Workouts are designed to scale naturally across ability levels while keeping the purpose of each session intact.

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Weekly Structure

Wednesdays — Quality Sessions
These sessions focus on learning how to move well, control effort, and handle rising intensity without forcing pace.

Saturdays — Long Runs
These are where trail strength, fueling, pacing, and durability stack week over week. Locations rotate intentionally across terrain types and race-aligned routes.

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New This Spring: Sunday Brunch Run + Mobility (Monthly)

We are adding a once-per-month Sunday session built around recovery, movement quality, and community connection.

Each Sunday includes:

• Easy conversational running
• Guided mobility and stretching
• Time to hang out and connect afterward

Planned Dates:

• March 29 — Annadel (Trail House start)
• April 26 — Annadel (Trail House start)
• May 31 — Annadel (Trail House start)

These are designed to support consistency without adding another high-stress training day.

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Cost and Participation

All Ascend workouts are free and open to the community.

If you want to train with us, you can show up and run.

We are building optional sign-up and support options for those who want to help sustain and grow Ascend long term. More details will be shared soon.

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Key Community and Race-Aligned Weekends

This block intentionally lines up with major regional events, including Lake Sonoma, Annadel Trail Races, Canyons, Miwok, and Cool Moon, before rolling into Western States weekend.

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Full Schedule

Date	Run Type	Location	Community Notes
March 4	Wednesday (Kick Off!)	Trail House	Ascend Session 1 Kick Off at Trail House.
March 7	Saturday (Long Run)	Annadel (Channel Drive Parking Lot)	Empire Runners (10 Mile, 4 Mile, Kids 1k)
March 11	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
March 14	Saturday (Long Run)	Lake Sonoma (Trailhead TBA)	Lake Sonome 50k/100k Course Preview
March 18	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
March 21	Saturday (Long Run)	Red Hill
March 25	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
March 28	Saturday (Long Run)	Lake Sonoma (Trailhead TBA)	Lake Sonoma 50K/100K course preview
March 29	Sunday (Easy Run & Mobility)	Annadel (from Trail House)
April 1	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
April 4	Saturday (Long Run)	Hood Mountain
April 8	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
April 11	Saturday (Long Run)	N. Sonoma Mountain	Lake Sonoma 50K/100K Volunteers Needed! Sign up here!
April 15	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
April 18	Saturday (Long Run)	Annadel (Lawndale Trail Head)	Annadel Trail Races (5K,10K, Half) / Mendocino 50K
April 22	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
April 25	Saturday (Long Run)	Marin Headlands (Tennessee Valley)	Canyons by UTMB
April 26	Sunday (Easy Run & Mobility)	Annadel (from Trail House)
April 29	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
May 2	Saturday (Long Run)	Pole Mountain	Miwok 100K / Note – Pole Mountain parking lot doesn’t open until 8am
May 6	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
May 9	Saturday (Long Run)	Marinwood
May 13	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
May 16	Saturday (Long Run)	Sugarloaf
May 20	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
May 23	Saturday (Long Run)	Marin Headlands (Muir Beach)
May 27	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
May 30	Saturday (Long Run)	Islands in the Sky
May 31	Sunday (Easy Run & Mobility)	Annadel (from Trail House)
June 3	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Channel Drive Parking Lot
June 6	Saturday (Long Run)	Annadel (Channel Drive Parking Lot)
June 10	Wednesday (Speed / Hills)	Trail House
June 13	Races / Break	NA	Cool Moon Trail Races (5K to 100 Miles)
June 20	Races / Break	NA
June 27	Races / Break	NA	Western States – GO SHELBY!

Note: This schedule is tentative and may change based on trail conditions, weather, or access.

We will communicate any changes well in advance.

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Thinking About Joining?

Wednesday nights are designed to support a wide range of paces and experience levels while keeping everyone moving toward the same objective.

Whether you are training for a race or simply looking to run more consistently, you are welcome to join us.

Before the Spring block officially starts in March, feel free to join us for one of our final two Wednesday track workouts. These are a great chance to check out a session, meet the community, and get a feel for how Ascend works. Just show up and run.

See you on the trails,
The Ascend Trail Running Team

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Have Questions?

We are here to help. Reply to this email, or reach out via ascendtrailrunning@gmail.com.