There’s nothing more rewarding as a coach than seeing a training plan come together on race day.
A huge congratulations to Jenna Bowell on completing the Chilterns Ultra 50km in an outstanding 6 hours and 37 minutes, tackling an impressive 1,031 metres of elevation gain along the way. This was a fantastic achievement and a testament to the consistency, dedication, and hard work Jenna put into her training over the last few months.
Building on a Strong Endurance Base
When Jenna came to me, she already had a solid endurance background. Rather than focusing on simply increasing mileage, we identified opportunities to improve her overall performance through targeted strength and conditioning work.
The first phase of training focused on developing speed and power. We incorporated sprint sessions into her running programme alongside gym-based power training. These sessions were designed to improve running efficiency, increase leg turnover, and help Jenna maintain a stronger pace throughout longer efforts.
Preparing for the Demands of Downhill Running
One of the unique challenges of trail and ultra-running is managing the physical demands of elevation changes, particularly downhill sections.
While many runners focus on climbing strength, downhill running places significant stress on the muscles and joints. To prepare for this, we shifted our focus towards strength exercises that would improve resilience and reduce the discomfort often experienced during long descents.
Building strength through the legs and core helped Jenna better absorb impact forces and maintain control on technical and downhill terrain.
Improving Lactate Clearance and Muscular Endurance
As race day approached, training became increasingly specific to the demands of a 50km ultra-marathon.
We introduced threshold training and lactate clearance sessions to help Jenna sustain higher intensities for longer periods while improving recovery during changing race efforts.
In the gym, we transitioned towards higher repetitions with lighter loads to develop muscular endurance. The goal was simple: help Jenna keep moving efficiently and strongly over the full 50 kilometres.
The Result
The combination of speed work, strength training, downhill resilience, threshold development, and muscular endurance training paid off brilliantly.
Crossing the finish line in 6:37 with over 1,000 metres of elevation gain is an exceptional achievement, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.
Most importantly, Jenna trusted the process, stayed consistent, and put in the work week after week. That’s what ultimately drives success.
Do You Have a Running or Cycling Goal?
Whether you’re training for your first 10k, a marathon, an ultra-running event, a sportive, or simply want to become a stronger and more resilient athlete, having a structured plan can make a huge difference.
I currently have two one-to-one coaching spaces available from November for runners and cyclists looking to work towards a specific goal.
Book a Free Consultation
If you’d like to discuss your training, goals, and how coaching could help you reach your potential, get in touch:
📧 hannah@movewilder.co.uk
I’d love to hear about your next challenge.
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