One of the key sessions in your UTMB training calendar will be hill training with significant elevation gain to simulate the climbs and descents you will encounter on the race.
Choose a significant hill
Depending on the topography of the terrain near you, you will need to choose a hill that offers a positive elevation gain of 500 to 1,000 m. If that doesn't exist in your area, choose the most significant hill that comes closest.
Hill repeat sessions: climbs and descents
The UTMB features long climbs on its courses, followed by equally long descents that can be punishing if you haven't prepared for them. You will therefore need to train to tackle major elevation changes. This means doing at least one session per week covering ascents and descents with a minimum of 500 m of elevation gain. If the hill you have chosen doesn't offer that much, repeat it as many times as needed to accumulate the desired elevation. The principle is to fatigue your muscles and teach them to respond better to the demands of the terrain and to develop mountain running reflexes. To find out more:
