I stared at the email in disbelief. My heart raced seemingly as fast as it had just a few hours ago when I did my threshold interval session. The message was simple, but its impact was profound: “We are thrilled to announce that you have been selected for the CCC.”
I had secured a coveted spot in one of ultrarunning’s most prestigious events. This 101km mountain race traverses the breathtaking Alps terrain through Italy, Switzerland, and France.
And this was totally unexpected.
When I pre-registered for the race, I didn’t have much hope. After all, I had only completed 1 qualifying race that earned me a spot in the lottery.
As the initial excitement gave way to practical considerations, reality set in. I had just over 7 months to prepare for a race demanding skills my daily training environment couldn’t easily provide.
I lived in Berlin—one of Europe’s flattest capital cities. The highest “peak” near my home was a man-made hill formed from World War II rubble, standing at a modest 120 meters. The technical alpine trails I would face at CCC feature more vertical gain in a single kilometer than I could find in an entire week of running in my local parks.
Relocating to the Alps was not an option, so I needed a solution to bridge the gap between my daily training environment and the demands of a mountain ultramarathon.
I needed a DIY training camp.
So I booked a hotel for 6 nights in a small village in the Zittau Mountains and tried to compress as much specific training as possible into 5 days. The terrain wasn’t identical to what I’d face at CCC, but it offered what Berlin couldn’t: sustained climbs, technical descents, and the opportunity to practice with poles on actual trails rather than city sidewalks.
My primary goals were accumulating vertical gain, improving my downhill technique on technical terrain, testing race-day nutrition, practicing pole technique, and building confidence for the challenges ahead.
After spending 5 days in the mountains running and hiking as much as I could, I returned to Berlin with new skills, greater confidence, and specific feedback on what needed improvement in the remaining training weeks.
But more importantly, I returned with a template that any runner, regardless of their target race or home environment, can use to create their own high-impact training blocks.
In this article, I’ll share exactly how you can design your own DIY training camp, even if you’re a weekend warrior with limited time and resources.
You don’t need a professional coach, an exotic location, or weeks away from responsibilities. You just need a strategic approach to compression training, a willingness to get creative with your resources, and the mindset that you can bridge the gap between your daily environment and your race-day dreams.
The Purpose Of a DIY Training Camp - Defining Clear Objectives
Before diving into the logistics and planning details, it’s essential to understand what a DIY training camp is designed to accomplish. While regular training builds your foundation, a focused training camp serves specific purposes that weekly training often can’t address effectively.
The most effective DIY training camps start with precise objectives tailored to your race demands and personal limitations. For my CCC preparation, I identified several key goals that would be difficult to achieve in Berlin:
1. Vertical Training
Accumulating significant elevation gain to prepare my legs and cardiovascular system for the 6,100 meters of climbing in the CCC. The Zittau Mountains offered repeatable climbs that allowed me to stack 1,000+ meters of daily vertical gain.
And while I do incorporate treadmill uphill workouts in my training, I can’t replicate the technical climbs and long downhills of mountainous terrain.
2. Technical Terrain Practice
Developing the proprioception, balance, and confidence needed for navigating the rocky, rooted alpine trails. Technical descending, in particular, requires specific neuromuscular patterns that can only be developed through practice on similar terrain.
3. Gear and Nutrition Testing
Creating a controlled environment to test various equipment options, hydration systems, and nutrition strategies under conditions similar to race day. I wanted to test a new pair of shoes for technical terrain, the pack I plan to use, and various new nutrition products. I also planned to spend some time hiking uphill using my poles.
4. Mental Preparation
Building confidence through successfully navigating challenging terrain and accumulating time on legs in an environment that simulates race conditions. Until today, I had finished three races with significant elevation gain—a 24-hour ultra around a motocross track and two shorter ultras in the mountains (Sachsentrail—75K and Südthüringentrail—47K). However, I hoped that spending a few long days in the mountains alone navigating challenging terrain would build my self-confidence to tackle the challenging CCC course.
Your own objectives might differ based on your target race and training limitations. A runner preparing for a desert ultra might focus on heat adaptation and sand running technique. Someone training for a technical mountain race might prioritize scrambling skills and steep descents.
The key is identifying the elements you cannot adequately address in your regular training environment.
Planning Your DIY Training Camp
When it comes to successfully executing your DIY training camp, careful planning is crucial. A well-structured approach not only maximizes the training benefits but also ensures you can maintain focus and momentum leading up to your key race.
1. Timing: How To Choose the Right Window in Your Training Cycle
When scheduling your DIY training camp, the sweet spot is 4-6 weeks from your target race. This gives you enough time to thoroughly integrate what you learn without being so far out that the benefits start to fade.
However, there are exceptions.
In my case, I actually timed my first training camp a few months before CCC. That’s because it fit my overall schedule. I wanted to have time to scout potential locations for regular mountain training leading up to the race.
Block out the days to focus only on running and get the buy-in from your family and friends. You should also take these days off from work.
The key is to go all in.
This is your chance to laser-focus on your ultrarunning dreams, and you should set yourself up to get the most out of your training camp.
2. Duration: Weekend-Warrior or Multi Day-Mastery?
The length of your training camp is up to you and your schedule. Most people will do a 3-day training camp, and a power-packed weekend (say Friday to Sunday) can be incredibly effective, allowing you to compress a ton of high-quality training into a short window.
But if you can organize it, a 4-6 day camp takes things to the next level. You’ll have more time to truly accumulate training load, refine new skills, and build mental toughness from consecutive days of higher mileage running. It also allows you to work on several aspects of your running.
For example, I went on a 5-day camp in the Zittau Mountains because I wanted to practice both running in the mountains and hiking steep technical uphills with poles during the camp. Plus, I could afford to be away from home for 5 days.
However, I only did the main training camp from Friday to Sunday, as I did work again on Monday and Tuesday. Still, these two days, I got a good training stimulus through morning long runs in the mountains and an evening hiking practice session.
3. Location Scouting: Finding Your Perfect Playground
Regarding the camp location, the name of the game is specificity. If you can get to your target race venue, that’s ideal. But if you are in a similar situation to me, and logistics and finances make that tough, find the next best thing. And finding the next best thing means getting on terrain that mirrors the demands of your race as closely as possible.
In my case, I wanted to find a location where I wouldn’t need to travel for one or more days and where accommodation was affordable.
The Zittau Mountains ended up being a great match. I encountered long uphills and downhills and steep technical terrain, and the accommodation fit my budget. After exploring the area for the first 2 days, I created a more structured plan for the following days.
And after the training camp, I decided that this area would be the top choice for future mountain trail running camps 😎.
4. Give The Camp a Purpose
Before you go on a training camp, make sure you clearly define the purpose of the camp and what you want to get out of it. Having clear goals will ensure you make the most of your days and remember this training camp as a success.
Maybe your goal is to recce the course you’ll be racing on. Or maybe you want to work on specific skills, like your downhill running technique or the use of poles. I had three primary goals for my first mountain training camp: to practice running over technical mountain trails, hiking steep uphills using poles, and running at least one route with a similar elevation profile to that of CCC UTMB.
But I also gave every day a purpose. The first two days were purely for exploration and getting to know the area. On the second and third days, I also wanted to spend as much time on my feet as possible by taking hikes after I had finished my runs. Day 4 was purely focused on uphill hiking training. Day 5 was a morning run, during which I focused on long uphills and a hike-practice session in the evening.
Having clear goals for each day kept me focused and confident I was improving the skills I wanted to improve.
Training Camp Design Principles
After choosing your location and setting clear objectives, the next step is structuring your camp days to maximize the training benefit. During my Zittau Mountains camp, I used several key principles that made the experience more effective.
1. Progressive Loading Across Camp Days
I deliberately structured my days to build systematically through the camp.
My progression looked like this:
Day 1: 30km exploration run with moderate climbing (971m).
I initially planned to run around 20 km but ended up going longer because the weather wasn’t as bad as forecasted, and I enjoyed being outside. I didn’t plan any elevation gain targets and used this run purely as a fun way to get to know the area.
Day 2: 30km (742m) morning run and hike in the afternoon.
As I didn’t have a fridge in the hotel and the small village where I was staying didn’t have a shop, I had to go food shopping for the next few days on Saturday. I planned a 30km morning run without setting any elevation targets and ran to the next small town with shops.
After I did my grocery shopping, I hiked back to the hotel.
I knew that I would be running a challenging route the following day and adding more hiking to be on my feet for the whole day. So I took the afternoon easy after returning to the hotel around 3pm.
Day 3: 28km run (1169m) with climbing over challenging technical terrain.
On Sunday, I ran one of the race courses of the O-See Ultratrail races. I chose the 25K route, but because I took a wrong turn a few times, I ended up with 28 kms. It was a very challenging route that included very steep uphills and a lot of technical terrain.
Once I was back at the hotel, which was 5 walking minutes from the start and finish of the route, I refilled my water bottles and went on a 16km hike. I was tired but not exhausted and could have extended the run, but one of my legs started aching in the Achilles area, so I decided to play it safe and keep the run short.
Day 4: 18 km hike (1170m) dedicated pole practice on steep terrain.
On Monday morning, I went out for a hiking practice session. I repeatedly hiked up and down the same steep, technical ascent to simulate CCC climbing conditions and to practice using my poles.
I did work on Monday and had the first meeting at 09:00 am, so I planned a focused hiking session for my morning workout before the workday started. I managed 8kms and 606m of vertical gain on that morning hike – which matches the elevation profile of CCC.
After work, I did a second hiking practice session in the evening, covering 6km and 457m of elevation gain. Besides these two focused hiking workouts, I also went for a walk during my lunch break, where I covered 3.5km and 107m of elevation gain.
Day 5: 22km (755m) run focusing specifically on long up-and-downhill running.
On the day before my leave, I focused specifically on training my ability to run long sustained climbs and purposefully run long downhill stretches. By now, I was already familiar with the region, so I picked a route where I could run a long section downhill, turn around, and run the hill back up. I did this three times and covered a total of 22 kilometers. On this day, I did an evening hiking practice session again and covered 10.77 km with 550m of elevation gain.
Day 6: 16km (517m)
This was the last morning run before my trip back home. I didn’t set any specific goals for that run and only wanted to soak in the beautiful views and lovely spring atmosphere in the mountains one last time.
I climbed up some mountains again to enjoy the scenery and took a few moments to soak it all in.
I reflected on the week and was satisfied with what I had accomplished.
This gradual build allowed my body and mind to adapt to the new surroundings while reducing injury risk. It also built confidence as each day’s success prepared me mentally for the next challenge.
2. Balancing Intensity and Volume
One of the most critical aspects of a DIY training camp is managing the training load to maximize benefits while minimizing injury risk. During my camp in the Zittau Mountain, I deliberately focused on accumulating volume rather than intensity.
I kept my pace consistently conservative throughout the camp, prioritizing time on feet over mileage—a significant mental shift from my usual approach in flat Berlin, where distance metrics typically drive my training.
This adjustment proved crucial, as mountain kilometers are not comparable to city kilometers regarding physical demand and time required.
Two days before the camp began, I completed a threshold workout, which satisfied my weekly intensity needs and allowed me to focus purely on endurance and skills during the camp itself. This timing worked perfectly—I got the physiological benefits of high-intensity work without compromising my ability to handle the significant volume during the camp days.
By the end of five days, I had accumulated over 6,200 meters of vertical gain while still feeling strong enough to complete a challenging final run where I could push myself on the flats and non-technical uphills.
Simulating Race Conditions
A successful DIY training camp should recreate race-day challenges as closely as possible. For my CCC preparation, this meant addressing several specific elements:
I ran with a heavier pack than usual, carrying extra clothing layers to accommodate the temperature fluctuations from near-freezing mornings (around 0°C) to warm afternoons (up to 21°C).
This prepared me for the weight I’d carry during CCC and forced me to practice efficient layering strategies for alpine conditions.
During some of the runs and hiking practice sessions, I deliberately sought out the steepest climbs and most technical sections available in the Zittau Mountains. While not quite as challenging as what I’ll face in the Alps, these sections demanded similar movement patterns and decision-making processes that will be crucial during the race.
I practiced with poles on the steepest sections to refine my technique, especially on efficiency during technical ascents. I wore the shoes and gear I planned to use on race day, identifying potential issues before they could become race-day problems.
Nutrition testing was another key focus. I used these long mountain hours to practice with the exact products I plan to rely on during CCC and tested some new options I was considering. During some sessions, I also worked on increasing my overall carbohydrate intake to train my gut for the demands of race-day fueling.
Perhaps most importantly, I spent two full days continuously on my feet—hiking after completing my planned runs—to simulate the all-day effort that CCC will demand. This extended time on feet builds both physical readiness and mental fortitude that cannot be replicated in shorter training sessions.
These race-specific elements transformed what could have been just a week of mountain running into focused preparation for the precise challenges I’ll face at CCC.
The confidence gained from successfully navigating similar conditions in training cannot be overstated—there’s a profound psychological benefit to knowing you’ve already conquered similar terrain and challenges before toeing the start line.
Recovery and Assessment
The work doesn’t end when your DIY training camp concludes. Proper recovery and thoughtful assessment are essential components that maximize the training benefits while preventing injury or overtraining.
Strategic Recovery
After accumulating significantly more volume and technical difficulty than your normal training, your body will need time to recover and adapt. I planned a few days of reduced running immediately following the camp—something I recommend building into your schedule before you even begin the camp.
You may not end up needing this recovery time, but it’s far better to anticipate it and adjust if necessary than to force yourself back into regular training too soon.
The recovery period isn’t just physical—it’s also crucial for mental processing.
The unique challenges you’ve faced during your camp provide valuable lessons that need time to fully integrate into your ultrarunning toolkit.
Thoughtful Assessment
I made a point to evaluate my training camp experience during my journey home while the details were still fresh. This assessment focused on several key questions:
- Did I achieve my stated objectives for the camp?
- What went particularly well, and should I replicate it in future training blocks?
- What challenges did I encounter that I could better prepare for next time?
- How did my gear, nutrition, and hydration strategies perform?
- What new insights did I gain about my strengths and limitations?
Looking back, I was tremendously satisfied with the overall camp experience. The weather cooperated perfectly, allowing me to accumulate substantial vertical gain, practice running over technically challenging terrain, refine my pole technique on steep uphills, and thoroughly test my nutrition strategy.
I successfully spent two full days outside on my feet, which built significant confidence for the demands of CCC.
However, there were also clear areas for improvement:
My approach to nutrition outside of training sessions needed refinement. While I managed well with dried fruit and shelf-stable tofu, next time I would bring oats for hearty post-training dinners and pack more complete meal options to avoid shopping trips during the camp, especially in remote locations with limited access to stores.
Before arriving, I would create pre-planned routes with specific distance and elevation targets rather than spending multiple days on exploration runs. One day for area familiarization would be sufficient, with the remaining days devoted to more structured training on predetermined routes.
Finally, I identified that a hydration bladder would be a valuable addition to my pack, allowing me to remain in nature for entire days in areas with limited water refill options.
This kind of honest assessment ensures that each DIY training camp becomes progressively more effective, with lessons learned being implemented as improvements in future training blocks.
Bringing It All Together: Your DIY Training Camp Blueprint
As my experience in the Zittau Mountains demonstrates, a well-designed DIY training camp can bridge the gap between your daily training environment and the specific demands of your target race. You don’t need professional coaching or exotic locations—just strategic planning and a clear understanding of your objectives.
To create your own effective training camp:
- Define clear, specific objectives that address gaps in your regular training environment
- Choose a location that offers terrain and conditions similar to your target race
- Time your camp strategically within your broader training cycle (typically 4-6 weeks out from race day)
- Structure progressive training days that build confidence while managing fatigue
- Balance volume and intensity appropriately, usually emphasizing volume and race-specific skills
- Simulate race conditions as closely as possible with gear, nutrition, and terrain choices
- Plan for recovery after the camp to maximize adaptation
- Assess thoroughly what worked and what could be improved
Remember that the most effective training camp is tailored to your needs and constraints.
While my mountain ultra preparation required vertical gain and technical terrain practice, your needs may differ completely. A runner preparing for a desert ultra might focus on heat adaptation and sand running technique. Someone training for a flat and fast road ultra would emphasize sustained pace efforts and nutrition strategies for high-intensity fueling.
The beauty of the DIY approach is its flexibility—you can design the training stimulus you need most within the constraints of your available time and resources.
From Preparation to Performance
The email that started this journey—my unexpected acceptance into CCC—initially filled me with excitement and apprehension. How could I, training in one of Europe’s flattest capitals, prepare adequately for the technical alpine challenges that awaited?
My DIY training camp in the Zittau Mountains provided the answer. In just five focused days, I accumulated over 6,200 meters of vertical gain, refined my technical running and hiking skills, tested crucial gear and nutrition strategies, and—perhaps most importantly—built the confidence that comes from successfully navigating challenging terrain day after day.
While I still have a few months of training before toeing the CCC start line, this concentrated block of mountain-specific work has transformed my approach to preparation.
I now have tangible experience to draw upon, specific weaknesses to address, and proven strategies to implement in the remaining training weeks.
Whether your ultrarunning dreams take you to mountain summits, desert expanses, or 24-hour tracks, the DIY training camp concept offers a powerful tool for bridging the gap between your daily training environment and your race-day demands.
With strategic planning and clear objectives, you can create a high-impact training block that addresses your specific needs—no matter your location, budget, or time constraints.