Three Days on the Mt. Tam 50K Course
This fall’s A-race for Kelly is the Mt. Tam 50K, so we recently spent three days in Marin for a small training camp: two days on the race course, followed by an easier recovery run on Monday. By the end, we had covered 42.6 miles and 8,130 feet of climbing.
It was a big weekend, and the value went beyond the mileage.
Why a training camp helps #
The biggest advantage was simple: time on the course. We could learn how the climbs feel, see which descents deserve extra attention, and start connecting the course map to real landmarks. On race day, those details should make the route feel more familiar and less intimidating.
A camp also creates space for a longer block of training than an ordinary weekend. Instead of fitting a run around everything else, running becomes the plan. The hours between efforts matter too: eat, hydrate, put your feet up, sleep, and get ready to go again.
That focus on both training and recovery made the weekend feel like a useful rehearsal—not just for the course, but for pacing, fueling, and moving on tired legs.
The three routes #
Saturday: Training camp day 1
16.8 miles / 3,220 ft of climbing
Starting at Muir Beach, about the midpoint of the race, we climbed to the Cardiac Hill aid station via the Cardiac Climb. From there, the route followed the race course into Muir Woods before returning to Muir Beach over Diaz Ridge.
Sunday: Training camp day 2
13.7 miles / 3,220 ft of climbing
Starting at Stinson Beach, just like the race, we climbed Dipsea and Steep Ravine to the Cardiac Hill aid station. We then ran the other Muir Woods loop from the race course and descended Dipsea Trail back to the finish.
Monday: Lakes recovery loop
12.1 miles / 1,690 ft of climbing
This recovery loop around Lake Lagunitas and the Mt. Tam watershed still packed in plenty of vert, but much of it came in rolling, runnable hills that felt manageable on tired legs.
Try your own mini camp #
A training camp does not need to be elaborate. Pick an important route, reserve a weekend, and remove as many distractions as possible. Run, recover, and repeat—even two focused days close to home can teach you a lot.
If you are preparing for a trail race, spending time on the actual course is hard to beat. With better course knowledge, you’ll know when and where you can run harder—and where you’ll have to pace yourself.
