Running Dominance
More running than walking
This week you cross a major threshold - you will run more than you walk for the first time. This is a big mental shift. Your body is ready for this challenge.
Week at a Glance
Run (Short)
Stairmaster
Rest/Recovery
Hill Repeats
Ruck
Run (Long)
Rest/Recovery
This Week's Reading
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Best Foods for High Altitude Hiking
Daily Workout Details
Complete breakdown with coaching notes for each session
Monday
Run (Short)
You will begin with an easy 5 minutes walk to get your muscles warm and your heart rate elevated. Then, you will complete 6 rounds of intervals, alternating between 2.5 minutes of running at a Easy jog and 3 minutes of walking to allow for active recovery.
Finish strong with a 5 minutes cooldown walk to gradually bring your heart rate down, followed by focused stretching for your lower body to prevent tightness and support recovery.
Workout Structure
Easy walk
Easy walk
"Slightly more running than Week 6. This is when you become a "runner"."
Tuesday
Stairmaster
Begin with a 5 minutes easy warmup to get your legs moving and blood flowing. Then maintain a moderate steady pace for 22 minutes. This is where the real work happens. Focus on maintaining good posture throughout, keeping your shoulders back and avoiding leaning heavily on the handrails.
Cool down for 5 minutes at an easy pace, allowing your heart rate to gradually return to normal. Do not skip the post-workout stretching, as your calves, quads, and hip flexors will need attention after this session.
Workout Structure
"Increased from 20 minutes. 11 intervals total."
Wednesday
Rest/Recovery
This is when the real magic happens. While you rest, your body repairs the micro-tears in your muscle fibers, strengthens connective tissues, replenishes energy stores, and adapts to the training stimulus you have been giving it. Without adequate rest, you risk overtraining, injury, and burnout.
Rest days are not a sign of weakness or laziness. They are a critical component of any successful training program. Consider taking an Epsom salt bath to soothe sore muscles, spending time in a sauna to promote circulation and relaxation, getting a massage to work out any knots or tension, or simply putting your feet up and reading a good book.
Embrace this day, trust the process, and come back tomorrow ready to work hard again.
Workout Structure
Your body is working hard. Give it the recovery it needs.
Optional Activities:
- • Light stretching
- • Yoga
- • Foam rolling
"Rest after two solid training days. Your body needs this."
Thursday
Hill Repeats
Hill repeats build the leg strength and cardiovascular endurance you need for summit day. Find a consistent hill with a moderate grade and walk or jog up for 1/4 mile, then walk back down for recovery. The downhill walk is just as important as the climb because it lets your heart rate recover before the next effort.
Workout Structure
Do a steady effort uphill, jog if comfortable. Then walk down for recovery. Repeat 6 times.
Pace
Walking, jog if comfortable
No Hills? Alternative:
Treadmill at 5-8% incline if no hills available
"You have increased to 6 repeats this week. You should be mixing in some jogging on the uphills by now. If you can jog the whole way up, do it. If not, walk the steep sections and jog the moderate parts."
Friday
Ruck
Use this time to enjoy being outside, clear your mind, and let your legs recover from the more intense training sessions this week.
Workout Structure
Easy walk at conversational pace
Maintain good upright posture with pack. Distribute weight evenly.
"Increased duration from 40 minutes. Continue with 10 lbs."
Saturday
Run (Long)
You will begin with an easy 5 minutes walk to get your muscles warm and your heart rate elevated. Then, you will complete 6 rounds of intervals, alternating between 3 minutes of running at a Easy jog and 2 minutes of walking to allow for active recovery.
Finish strong with a 5 minutes cooldown walk to gradually bring your heart rate down, followed by focused stretching for your lower body to prevent tightness and support recovery.
Workout Structure
Easy walk
Easy walk
"More running than walking! This is a big mental shift. Celebrate this milestone."
Sunday
Rest/Recovery
This is when the real magic happens. While you rest, your body repairs the micro-tears in your muscle fibers, strengthens connective tissues, replenishes energy stores, and adapts to the training stimulus you have been giving it. Without adequate rest, you risk overtraining, injury, and burnout.
Rest days are not a sign of weakness or laziness. They are a critical component of any successful training program. Consider taking an Epsom salt bath to soothe sore muscles, spending time in a sauna to promote circulation and relaxation, getting a massage to work out any knots or tension, or simply putting your feet up and reading a good book.
Embrace this day, trust the process, and come back tomorrow ready to work hard again.
Workout Structure
Reflect on Week 7. Running dominance is a huge mindset shift.
Optional Activities:
- • Full rest
- • Gentle stretching
- • Epsom salt bath
"Full recovery. You crossed the threshold - you now run more than you walk!"
Training Tips for Success
Essential guidance to optimize your training this week
Nutrition
Fuel longer efforts properly. Eat a balanced meal 2-3 hours before long runs.
Hydration
Consider carrying water on longer runs. Practice drinking while moving.
Recovery
Foam rolling and stretching are non-negotiable now. Make them daily habits.
Progression
You now run more than you walk. This is a massive psychological and physical milestone.
Looking Ahead to Week 8
Week 8 is a recovery week. Reduce volume and intensity to allow adaptation at the halfway point.