Back to About

Off the clock

Marathon Training Progress

A season-by-season view of my running, built around three benchmark races and reset each April. Live from Strava.

Current goal Sub-4:00 Marathon Austin Marathon · Feb 14, 2027 ·

The season cycle

Each training block runs about a year and peaks with three benchmark races in the spring, then resets right after the Capital 10K and starts again.

May – Aug
Base build
Easy aerobic miles, heat training
Sep – Nov
Volume & strength
Long runs climb, speed work
Dec – Jan
Sharpen
Peak mileage, marathon pace
Feb – Apr
Race season
Austin Marathon, McKinney Half, Capital 10K
Reset
& repeat

Season benchmarks

The three races are the yardstick. Season over season, the goal is to run them faster.

2026 SeasonComplete
1,285 km
Distance run
128
Runs
130 h
Time running
68 km
Peak week
42.7 km
Longest run
10.0k m
Elevation
Benchmark races
Austin Marathon
4:33:36
6:25/km · Feb 15, 2026
McKinney Half
1:52:58
5:20/km · Mar 28, 2026
Capital 10K
53:20
5:17/km · Apr 12, 2026
2027 SeasonIn progress
Reset after the 2026 Capital 10K, then paused for an IT-band issue. Now in a strength-first comeback: rehab and return-to-run, with the base rebuilding as the knee clears.
Weeks to Austin
5:41 /km
Goal pace
33 min
To cut vs 2026
Benchmark races
Austin Marathon
sub-4:00
Goal · 5:41/km · Feb 14, 2027
McKinney Half
Mar 2027 · to come
Capital 10K
Apr 2027 · to come

All-time weekly volume

Every training week since mid-2025, colored by season, with the April reset and the benchmark races marked.

2026 season 2027 season benchmark race
020406080km / weekWeek of 2025-07-21: 10.8 kmWeek of 2025-07-28: 30.6 kmWeek of 2025-08-04: 23.2 kmWeek of 2025-08-11: 26.5 kmWeek of 2025-08-18: 28.5 kmWeek of 2025-08-25: 23.3 kmWeek of 2025-09-01: 38.1 kmWeek of 2025-09-08: 22.0 kmWeek of 2025-09-15: 42.5 kmWeek of 2025-09-22: 50.2 kmWeek of 2025-09-29: 29.7 kmWeek of 2025-10-06: 40.6 kmWeek of 2025-10-13: 52.4 kmWeek of 2025-10-20: 51.4 kmWeek of 2025-10-27: 24.2 kmWeek of 2025-11-03: 56.6 kmWeek of 2025-11-10: 21.9 kmWeek of 2025-11-17: 43.0 kmWeek of 2025-11-24: 35.0 kmWeek of 2025-12-01: 38.2 kmWeek of 2025-12-08: 24.4 kmWeek of 2025-12-15: 39.3 kmWeek of 2025-12-22: 57.3 kmWeek of 2025-12-29: 63.3 kmWeek of 2026-01-05: 23.8 kmWeek of 2026-01-12: 68.2 kmWeek of 2026-01-19: 10.1 kmWeek of 2026-01-26: 42.8 kmWeek of 2026-02-02: 5.0 kmWeek of 2026-02-09: 47.7 kmWeek of 2026-02-16: 8.0 kmWeek of 2026-02-23: 24.8 kmWeek of 2026-03-02: 34.4 kmWeek of 2026-03-09: 47.9 kmWeek of 2026-03-16: 34.7 kmWeek of 2026-03-23: 33.9 kmWeek of 2026-03-30: 20.7 kmWeek of 2026-04-06: 10.1 kmWeek of 2026-05-04: 11.6 kmJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunreset after Cap 10K2026 SEASON2027 SEASONDam Half 2:14Dam Half 2:14Austin Mar 4:33Austin Mar 4:33McKinney 1:52McKinney 1:52Cap 10K 53:20Cap 10K 53:20building towardsub-4 Austin, Feb 2027

Running only, walks excluded. Hover a bar for the weekly total.

This week

Phase: IT-band rehab and return-to-run. Three strength days, mobility daily. Running unlocks once the green-light checks pass (pain-free single-leg squat and hops). Outer-knee pain stays at 2/10 or less.
Mon
Strength A
Squat + lateral hip
Tue
Mobility + walk
Run once green-lit
Wed
Strength B
Hinge + eccentric
Thu
Easy walk / run
Flat, easy, mind the knee
Fri
Strength C
Single-leg + power
Sat
Long walk / run
Build time on feet
Sun
Rest + check-in
Weekly review, 6 pm