Races
Race Results
Eiger E51 13-week training plan overview, from April 20 to July 18, 2026, with block-by-block structure, weekly sessions, and key metrics.
Eiger E51 — 13 weeks to Grindelwald
52 km · 3,100 m D+ · Goal 9–11 h · Race day Sat 18 July 2026, 03:30
Peak running
10 h/wk
Peak vertical
4,500 m
Quality days
2 / week
Strength
2 / week
Block structure
Block 1 · Re-entry + vertical intro
Weeks 1–3 · 20 Apr – 10 May · introduce Uetli, first mountain days
4 → 6 h · 1,000 → 2,200 m
Deload 1
Week 4 · 11–17 May · absorb, test
4 h · 700 m
Block 2 · Specific build
Weeks 5–7 · 18 May – 7 Jun · big vertical, back-to-backs, descent focus
7 → 9 h · 2,800 → 4,000 m
Deload 2
Week 8 · 8–14 Jun · absorb
5.5 h · 1,200 m
Block 3 · Peak + Breithorn rehearsal
Weeks 9–10 · 15–28 Jun · hardest block, dress rehearsal
10 → 9 h · 4,500 → 3,400 m
Block 4 · Taper
Weeks 11–12 · 29 Jun – 12 Jul · shed fatigue, keep sharpness
7 → 5 h · 1,800 → 900 m
Race week
Week 13 · 13–18 Jul · freshen, travel, race
3 h + race
Weekly template
Key sessions & milestones
WEEK 2 · TUE
Uetli introduction
1 lap Z2, reconnaissance only. Note HR on each of the 3 climbs as your benchmark.
WEEK 5 · SAT
First race-nutrition rehearsal
4.5 h Alpine day with 70 g carbs/h. Start practicing with poles.
WEEK 7 · SAT
Biggest day yet — 2,000 m D+
5.5 h with 1,500 m+ climb. Candidate: First–Faulhorn (actual race terrain).
WEEK 9 · SAT · 20 JUN
Breithorn Trail Run
28.6 km / +1,420 m / −1,934 m. Full kit, full nutrition, 04:00 start. Tests your knees over 20 km of descent before race day.
Race-day pacing (9:30 target)