At Ascend Trail Running, we believe that consistent training is the foundation for achieving big goals. Our program is built to help you grow stronger, run farther, and stay motivated, whether you’re preparing for a race or simply want to be part of a welcoming trail running community.
We offer a structured, supportive environment where all paces and experience levels are valued, and where every runner has a place. This includes first time trail runners, to veteran ultra runners.
Our goal is simple: meet you where you are and help you keep moving forward.
Group Runs
We host two structured runs each week, thoughtfully designed to build endurance, strength, and confidence:
- Wednesday Evenings – 5:45 PM
Our midweek trail workouts rotate between different locations around Santa Rosa. Each session focuses on a specific skills ranging from climbing and descending to pacing and efficient footwork. Led by experienced coaches and athletes, these workouts are a great way to improve technique, challenge yourself, and train in a positive and supportive environment. - Saturday Mornings – 7:30 AM
Our Saturday long runs explore a variety of Sonoma County’s beautiful trails. These runs are focused on building endurance, enjoying the trails together, and getting comfortable with different terrain. Routes and distances are shared in advance, and no matter your pace, you’ll have others to run alongside.
Consistency is key to growth, and our group runs provide the structure, support, and community to help you stay on track.
Training Structure
Instead of rigid, individualized training plans, we provide weekly mileage suggestions and workout guidance designed to help you progress steadily.
Each week, you’ll receive:
- Suggested weekly mileage range based on your distance goal
- Key points for Wednesday’s focused workout
- Saturday long run details, including trailhead location and route info
- Trail tips on pacing, nutrition, strength, and recovery
This flexible framework allows you to tailor your training to your needs while benefiting from a proven progression that builds endurance and trail-specific strength over time.
Mileage Recommendations
Before starting with us, we recommend having a minimum weekly mileage base depending on the distance you are training for:
- 5K and 10K:
Recommended base: 5–10 miles/week
Peak mileage during training: 15–20 miles/week - Half Marathon:
Recommended base: 10–15 miles/week
Peak mileage during training: 25–30 miles/week - 25 Mile:
Recommended base: 15–20 miles/week
Peak mileage during training: 30–35 miles/week - 50 Mile and beyond:
Recommended base: 30–35 miles/week
Peak mileage during training: 45–65 miles/week
These are guidelines, not hard cutoffs. If you’re close, motivated, and healthy, you’ll find that consistency and the support of the group will help you grow into the training.
Whether you’re training for a race or simply looking for structure and community, Ascend keeps you moving forward with purpose and support.
Ascend Trail Running 