As we close out our time on the track, we shift fully onto the trails next week. The work we’ve been doing does not go away. It moves into a different environment. Terrain, climbing, and longer efforts begin to shape how that fitness gets applied. The goal now is to carry forward the same structure, control, and consistency into a setting that more closely reflects the demands of trail running.

Each Monday, we will send a newsletter outlining the week ahead, including the purpose behind each session and what to focus on. That rhythm stays consistent throughout the season and is meant to give you a clear sense of the intention behind the work.

Our spring training block begins Wednesday, March 4 with our kickoff at Trailhouse. This transition marks a shift in context, not approach. The structure, progression, and intent developed on the track carry forward as we move into trail-specific work.

—The Ascend Trail Running Team

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Training with Ascend: What to Expect

Structure

Ascend is built around a simple, repeatable structure. There is a midweek quality session and a long run on the weekend. That predictability gives your training a clear weekly rhythm and removes the need to constantly plan or adjust. You know when the key work happens.

Just as important, the work is explained. You are not just showing up for workouts. You understand what they are designed to do and how they fit into the progression. Over time, that clarity helps you make better decisions within your own training.

Shared Accountability

That structure creates accountability through shared routine. You are seeing the same people each week, working through similar goals, and progressing together. Training becomes something you participate in rather than manage alone.

There is no pressure tied to that. It is simply easier to stay consistent when the work is shared and expected to happen at a certain time and place.

Consistency Builds Confidence

Confidence tends to follow from consistent work in a shared environment. You are not relying solely on your own interpretation. You see how others approach the same workouts, how they handle terrain, and how they progress over time.

That exposure changes what feels manageable. Longer efforts feel more within reach. Hard efforts feel more controlled. You develop a better sense of pacing and effort simply by being in that environment.

How the Week Works

Wednesdays are structured and consistent. Each session includes a warm-up, drills, and a clearly defined workout with two options so runners can choose the level that fits their current fitness and goals. The format stays familiar, which makes it easier to focus on execution rather than figuring out what to do.

Saturdays extend that work onto the trails through longer efforts. Each week includes a primary route along with options to adjust distance based on training needs. Runners tend to find others working at a similar level, which makes it easier to share miles and stay on plan for longer efforts.

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Spring Program Registration Is Open

Our full Spring schedule is now live and runs all the way through June. This is the most complete and thoughtful schedule we’ve put together. It balances aerobic development, trail-specific strength, skill work, and race-adjacent long run opportunities across multiple months of training.

This is not just a collection of workouts. It is a full season progression designed to support runners targeting spring and early summer races, as well as runners who simply want consistent, structured trail training.

You will see:

• Progressive Wednesday quality sessions
• Purposeful long run location rotation
• Skill and terrain progression across the season
• Flexibility for different race distances and experience levels

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Ascend Gear

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Have Questions?

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