50-Mile Training Week in Dénia: 9,500 Feet of Climbing
Today is one of those days that reminds me why I love running, travel, and the simple things in life.
Yesterday, my sister arrived here in Dénia, Spain. She showed up in a rental car, and it wasn’t long before we were all sitting around the table, drinking local red wine and organic wine, eating Spanish and French cheese, and catching up.
Eventually, we headed down to the brewery. I had a couple of American IPAs, while my sister and my girlfriend, Thao, enjoyed some tasty beverages of their own. We laughed, hung out, and enjoyed a relaxed evening before heading back to the apartment for a great dinner.
And then came Sunday.
A Sunday Mountain Run in Dénia
Today, we’re all up on the mountain. I’m getting my Sunday run in while the girls are enjoying the mountain in their own way—hiking, exploring, and taking in the scenery.
My run consisted of four repeats of one of my mountain running sections. Each repeat gives me about 500 feet of elevation gain, so by the time I finished, I’d climbed approximately 2,000 feet.
That’s a solid Sunday mountain run.
50 Miles and 9,500 Feet of Elevation Gain
That run capped off a 50-mile training week with approximately 9,500 feet of total elevation gain—all of it running, with no hiking counted toward that total.
For me, the numbers are useful, but they aren't the whole story.
The best part?
I feel fresh.
And that's something I pay close attention to, both in my own training and when I’m coaching other runners.
Getting the miles and elevation in is one thing. Being able to absorb the training, recover, and come back feeling strong is another.
Why Feeling Fresh Matters More Than Training More
Training isn’t simply about doing more.
It’s about doing the right amount at the right time, understanding how your body is responding, and knowing when to push and when to back off.
You can have the perfect training plan on paper, but if you continually push beyond what you can recover from, the extra miles and harder workouts can eventually work against you.
That’s why I believe training should be built around the individual runner—not simply around a predetermined number of miles.
Your goals, current fitness, schedule, recovery, experience, and life outside of running all matter.
Recovering After a Mountain Run in the Mediterranean
After the run, I drank a liter of water with electrolytes, and now I’m off to do something that might be the perfect recovery activity after a mountain run:
Swim with the fishes in the Mediterranean.
Not a bad way to finish a 50-mile week.
Running doesn't have to consume every part of your life. Sometimes the best thing you can do after a hard week of training is enjoy where you are, spend time with people you care about, and let your body recover.
For more information about the area, Dénia, Spain is a great place to explore the mountains and Mediterranean coastline.
What Does Your Training Week Look Like?
Whether you’re training for your first 5K, chasing a new marathon PR, preparing for an ultra, or simply trying to become a stronger and more consistent runner, having a plan can make a huge difference.
If you're preparing for an ultra marathon , the right balance of mileage, elevation, intensity, and recovery becomes especially important.
That’s where coaching comes in.
I work with runners who want more than a generic training plan. We look at your goals, your current fitness, your schedule, your recovery, and your life outside of running to build training that actually fits you.
Because great coaching isn’t about making every workout harder.
It’s about helping you arrive at the start line healthy, confident, and ready to perform.
You can also learn more about running recovery and how recovery fits into a successful training program.
If you’re training for a marathon, ultra, trail race, or simply want to become a stronger and more consistent runner, let's talk about your goals.
I’ll help you build a training approach around your fitness, schedule, recovery, and life—not a generic plan designed for someone else.
For another useful resource, trail running in the Dénia and Costa Blanca area can give you more ideas for exploring the region.
Me running today
