TRACER is the official training partner of Elevation Everest races!

4 Pillars of Success

The following pillars of training will help you meet your potential on race day at Elevation Everest, provided by world-champ trail runner Max King!

Train Easy and Long

The foundation of a successful vertical race isn't built on sprints; it’s built on the size of your aerobic engine. Most of your training should be done at a conversational pace—an intensity where you could comfortably chat with a friend. These low-intensity, high-duration efforts trigger vital aerobic adaptations, increasing mitochondrial density and your body's ability to utilize oxygen efficiently.

Uphill Specificity

Specificity is king, so prioritize vertical gain over flat mileage. If you don't have local mountain access, the uphill treadmill and stairmaster are your most effective tools. Setting the treadmill to a steep grade (12-15%) or grinding out sessions on the stairs builds the specific lower-body strength and calf resilience required for repetitive climbing. The goal is to make a 1,600-foot gain feel like just another day at the office.

Water, Sugar, Salt

Water, sugar, and salt are the holy trinity of fueling that keeps your systems from seizing up. You must treat your gut like a muscle; practice your fueling strategy during training to ensure you can stomach 60–90 grams of carbohydrates per hour.

Without adequate sodium to regulate fluid balance and sugar to keep your glycogen stores topped off, even the fittest athlete will eventually "bonk." Execute your plan early and often on race day.

Smart Pacing

In a race measured by total laps over several hours, the person who slows down the least is usually the one who wins. It is incredibly tempting to "bury yourself" on the first few laps when the adrenaline is high, but over-pursuing an early lap is a debt you’ll pay back with interest later. Maintain a consistent, sustainable effort—aim for a pace that feels "boringly easy" at the start. By staying disciplined and avoiding the red zone, youʼll have the energy to keep grinding while others are crumbling.

Get TRACER Coaching for Your Race

TRACER's innovative AI allows you to get coaching for a fraction of the cost of one-on-one coaching for just $25 per month.

• Dynamic training program that adapts to your schedule, feelings, data

• Specifically dialed for Elevation Everest participants

• Monthly group calls to answer questions and review your training

• Answers to questions about nutrition and access to TRACER's extensive library of content