How many weeks to prepare for Le Grand Trail des Cathares?

For an athlete at intermediate level, Endu builds a 25-week preparation. If your race is closer, the plan compresses phases while keeping the taper; if it's further away, it extends the base phase.

How many sessions per week?

This example has 4 sessions per week. You choose 4 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: every session exports as .fit, the format read by Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Polar and Wahoo. Import it in your watch app and the guided workout appears on your wrist.

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.

Le Grand Trail des Cathares 2026: training plan

100 km · 5,000 m D+CarcassonneUsual date: 25 October 2026

Le Grand Trail des Cathares — 100 km · 5,000 m D+ · Carcassonne. Here is the preparation structure Endu generates for an athlete at intermediate level training 4 times a week, with race day on 25 October 2026. Your plan will be calibrated on your VMA, your available days and your feedback after every session.

Create my plan for Le Grand Trail des Cathares

weeks: 25
sessions: 99
sessions / week: 4
peak week: 10.1 h

Plan structure

Periodised in phases: build the base, move to race-specific work, then taper before the race.

General preparation
Weeks 1–2 · 2 wk
Base
Weeks 3–10 · 8 wk
Build
Weeks 11–16 · 6 wk
Specific
Weeks 17–21 · 5 wk
Taper
Weeks 22–24 · 3 wk
Race week
Weeks 25–25 · 1 wk

Volume progression

Week by week: lighter recovery weeks are built in to absorb the load.

Wk	Phase	Hours	km	Elev.
1	General preparation	5.8 h	38	1,034 m
2	General preparation	6 h	40	1,246 m
3	Base	6.3 h	42	1,169 m
4	Baserecovery	4.9 h	34	759 m
5	Base	6.5 h	44	1,295 m
6	Base	6.8 h	45	1,377 m
7	Base	7 h	47	1,450 m
8	Baserecovery	5.5 h	39	951 m
9	Base	7.3 h	47	1,582 m
10	Base	7.6 h	49	1,639 m
11	Build	7.9 h	52	1,721 m
12	Buildrecovery	6.1 h	41	1,176 m
13	Build	8.1 h	51	1,878 m
14	Build	8.3 h	53	1,966 m
15	Build	8.6 h	55	2,049 m
16	Buildrecovery	6.7 h	45	1,430 m
17	Specific	9.3 h	57	2,227 m
18	Specific	9.1 h	58	2,227 m
19	Specific	9.7 h	60	2,392 m
20	Specific	9.6 h	61	2,394 m
21	Specific	10.1 h	62	2,561 m
22	Taper	7.4 h	48	1,528 m
23	Taper	5.9 h	41	1,101 m
24	Taper	4.8 h	33	551 m
25	Race week	3 h	24	82 m

Sample week — week 14 (Build)

Real sessions from the plan with their targets. Each session is detailed step by step and exportable as .fit.

TuesdayVery hard
🏔️ Short hills 14×1.5min
1 h 18 · 7.8 km
FridayEasy
🏔️ Easy trail run 30min — rolling terrain (~122m climb)
30 min · 3.5 km
SaturdayEasy
🏔️ Back-to-back long run 117min · 527m gain
1 h 57 · 12 km
SundayEasy
🏔️ Long trail run ~30.0km with 871m climbing
4 h 35 · 30 km

Example generated for a intermediate-level profile (VMA 15 km/h, 4 sessions/week). Your plan will depend on your level, availability and feedback.

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 VMA or a reference performance. A VMA 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

.fit export compatible with Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Polar: 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 intermediate level training 4 times a week. Yours will be calibrated on your VMA, your available days and your feedback after every session. 3 minutes. 14-day trial, cancel anytime.

Create my plan for Le Grand Trail des Cathares

Frequently asked questions

How many weeks to prepare for Le Grand Trail des Cathares?: For an athlete at intermediate level, Endu builds a 25-week preparation. If your race is closer, the plan compresses phases while keeping the taper; if it's further away, it extends the base phase.
How many sessions per week?: This example has 4 sessions per week. You choose 4 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: every session exports as .fit, the format read by Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Polar and Wahoo. Import it in your watch app and the guided workout appears on your wrist.
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.

Useful calculators

Effort-kilometre calculator VMA calculator Race fuelling calculator Heart rate zone calculator

By distance

20K trail 40K trail 80K ultra 100K ultra 170K ultra

Programmes without a race

Getting started Maintenance Return from injury

By race

UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc)CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix)TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie)OCC (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix)MCC (Martigny-Combe-Chamonix)Trail du Mont-Blanc (Marathon)Diagonale des Fous (La Réunion)Trail de Bourbon (La Réunion)