As runners, we're usually working towards something — a race on the calendar that keeps us accountable and motivated. But packing in back-to-back races, especially at longer distances from half marathon to ultra, can actually work against you. You can't peak twice in quick succession and expect to get the best out of yourself each time.

The smarter approach is to structure your year around one main target (your A Race), with a handful of lower-key races (B Races) in the build-up to test your fitness and sharpen your race-day skills. But what should training look like in the stretches between goals? Here are six tips for training with no race on the horizon.

During a race training block, you're likely running one or two hard sessions and a long run each week. Between races, the goal isn't peak fitness — it's building your aerobic base without accumulating too much stress. Drop one of your harder sessions and reduce your long run to give your body, and your mind, a proper break. When your next training block begins, you'll be far more motivated to push in those harder sessions again.

Intense training blocks have a way of exposing niggles — and encouraging you to skip strength work in favour of more running. Between races is the ideal time to swap some of your running sessions for gym work. Building strength now means your body will be better equipped to handle the increased demands of your next training block.

Consistency is one of the most important factors in staying injury-free and running faster over time. During a training block, your weekly mileage builds steadily towards peak weeks before tapering. Between races, the priority is maintaining a solid base so your next block doesn't start from scratch.

Be realistic about what base mileage looks like for you — it should sit comfortably below your peak training weeks. If your last block started at 25 miles per week, that's a sensible target to maintain between races.

With a reduced running load, you'll likely have extra time to fill. Alongside gym work, low-impact cross-training — elliptical, cycling, rowing, swimming — is a great way to maintain cardiovascular fitness while giving your joints and connective tissue a break from the repetitive impact of running.

The bulk of your between-race running will be easy to steady effort, which makes it perfect for group runs, new routes, and a change of scenery. Leave the track and the park loop behind for a while. Running for enjoyment, rather than hitting splits, is a reminder of why you started in the first place.

A structured maintenance plan takes the guesswork out of the between-race period. Runna maps out every session for you so you can protect your hard-earned fitness without overthinking it. You can also add personalised strength sessions to complement your running. The plan works for beginners and experienced runners alike.

The between-race period isn't dead time — it's when the foundations for your next performance are laid. Enjoy it, use it well and feel stronger heading into your next race plan.