Beginner trail running programme — 8 weeks
Here is the 8-week programme Endu generates for a beginner athlete. It then adapts to your feedback after every session and can lead into a race objective.
- weeks
- 8
- sessions
- 32
- sessions / week
- 4
- peak week
- 2.8 h
Plan structure
Periodised in phases: build the base, move to race-specific work, then taper before the race.
- EvaluationWeeks 1–1 · 1 wk
- DiscoveryWeeks 2–3 · 2 wk
- BaseWeeks 4–6 · 3 wk
- ProgressionWeeks 7–8 · 2 wk
Volume progression
Week by week: lighter recovery weeks are built in to absorb the load.
| Wk | Phase | Hours | km | Elev. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evaluation | 2 h | 16 | 120 m |
| 2 | Discovery | 2 h | 16 | 120 m |
| 3 | Discovery | 2.1 h | 17 | 120 m |
| 4 | Base | 2 h | 16 | 149 m |
| 5 | Baserecovery | 1.9 h | 15 | 145 m |
| 6 | Base | 2.2 h | 17 | 170 m |
| 7 | Progression | 2.3 h | 19 | 65 m |
| 8 | Progression | 2.8 h | 23 | 60 m |
Sample week — week 4 (Base)
Real sessions from the plan with their targets. Each session is detailed step by step, and can be sent to a Garmin or COROS watch.
- MondayEasyHike-trot30 min · 4 km
- TuesdayEasy30 min easy30 min · 4 km
- WednesdayEasyHike-trot30 min · 4 km
- ThursdayEasyHike-trot30 min · 4 km
Example generated for a beginner-level profile (MAS 12.5 km/h, 4 days available per week). Your plan will depend on your level, availability and feedback.
This plan’s check-up
Pass with remarks
Volume rising at most 20% from one week to the next; 100% of the time at easy effort.
1 worth a look · 1 worth knowing · 8 checks passed
Remarks
Long run increase — In week 8, the long run goes from 36 to 45 min (+25%); 1 week(s) concerned.
Strength training — No strength session.
The 8 checks passed, in detail
Volume progression — Running volume rises at most 20% from one week to the next (a signal appears beyond 20%).
Lighter weeks — A lighter week comes back regularly (weeks 5).
Weight of the long run — The long run keeps a reasonable share of the week.
Intensity distribution — About 100% of the time at easy effort: the most common distribution among trained endurance athletes.
Demanding sessions — No more than 1 demanding session(s) a week: suited to the level.
Hard days back to back — Demanding sessions are separated by easy days.
Rest days — At least one rest day a week.
A beginner’s first month — No very intense session in the first four weeks.
Endu runs its own plans through the plan check open to everyone: same public rules, same thresholds, same sources. The rules and their sources, and a check of your own plan.
Why this plan works
Science-based periodisation
Base → build → specific → taper, with a recovery week every 3 to 4 weeks. Load goes up, but never two hard weeks in a row without a breather.
Paces, not vague feelings
Every session has target zones (pace, HR) computed from your MAS or a reference performance. A MAS test is built into the plan if you don't know yours.
Elevation as the central variable
Weekly climbing volume, long hilly runs, downhill technique and power-hiking for ultras: a trail plan is not a road plan with bumps.
A plan that listens
After each session you rate how it felt (RPE). Too hard? The plan eases what follows. Skipped a session? It reschedules or absorbs it.
On your watch
On Garmin with the Endu app, on COROS by direct sync: the guided workout shows up on your wrist, step by step.
Your plan, not a template athlete's
This plan is generated for an athlete at beginner level with 4 days available per week. Yours will be calibrated on your MAS, your available days and your feedback after every session. 3 minutes. 14-day trial, cancel anytime.
Create my plan for Getting startedFrequently asked questions
- How many weeks does the “Getting started” programme last?
- The programme lasts 8 weeks for a beginner athlete. There is no race to prepare: sessions build from your current volume and the plan follows your feedback after every session.
- Is this plan well built?
- Pass with remarks at Endu’s plan check, the same as for any plan: 8 of 9 checks passed. Volume rising at most 20% from one week to the next; 100% of the time at easy effort. The rules and their sources are public on endu.fr/en/controle-technique.
- How many sessions per week?
- This example has 4 sessions per week. You choose 2 to 7 training days and the exact days (e.g. Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun): the plan sticks to them.
- I'm a beginner, is this plan for me?
- The plan adapts to your declared level (beginner to semi-pro): starting volume, progression and intensity change. Endu also offers a "Discovery" mode without a race to build a base first.
- Can I follow sessions on my watch?
- Yes, on Garmin and COROS. On Garmin, the Endu app (Connect IQ Store) shows today’s session and starts it as a guided workout. On COROS, link your account from your profile: your running, trail and cycling sessions land in the watch calendar. Other brands are not supported yet.
- How much does it cost?
- 14-day free trial, then €7.99/month with no commitment or €59.88/year (€4.99/month). Unlimited objectives and sports.