The miles are in!
2026 vs. 2025: The Final Numbers
This training block looked very different from last year. I ran 385.10 miles across the 16 weeks, compared with 247.14 miles in 2025. That is 137.96 more miles, or about 56 percent. My weekly average went from 15.4 to 24.1 miles, my biggest week rose from 25.33 to 30.31 miles, and I had 10 weeks at 25 or more miles instead of one. More than anything, the consistency is the part I notice. The miles are in. Now I get to race.
[Week 1]
Tuesday, June 16
Easy • 3.11 miles • 28:21 • (9:06/mile)
Thursday, June 16
Speed Work • 4.01 • 40:08 • (10:01/mile)
8 x 1:00 w/ 1:00 recovery
7:44, 8:21, 8:14, 7:46, 8:03, 7:45, 7:34, 7:36
Saturday, June 20
Long run • 13.18 miles • 1:50:52 • (8:25/mile)
Grandma’s Half Marathon
Total weekly miles (running): 20.3
[Week 2]
Monday, June 22
Easy Run • 3.01 miles • 30:35 • (10:10/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Tuesday, June 23
Easy run • 3.01 miles • 30:27 • (10:07/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Wednesday, June 24
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Thursday, June 25
Easy run • 3.01 miles • 29:01 • (9:39/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Friday, June 26
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Saturday, June 27
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Sunday, June 28
Long run • 8.01 miles • 1:16:12 • (9:31/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 17.04
[Week 3]
Monday, June 29
Easy Run • 3.01 miles • 29:18 • (9:45/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Tuesday, June 30
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Wednesday, July 1
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Thursday, July 2
Easy run • 4.01 miles • 36:53 • (9:12/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Friday, July 3
Failed Speed Work • 5.11 miles • 49:05 • (9:37/mile)
4 x 1:00,1:00,1:00 (Was supposed to be 6)
[7:58, 7:36, 7:22], [7:54, 7:40, 7:16], [7:33, 7:55, 7:19], [7:53, 7:41, 7:32],
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Saturday, July 4
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Sunday, July 5
Long Run • 9.02 miles • 1:22:39 • (9:10/mile)
4 x 1 mile w/ 1:00 recovery
8:28, 8:29, 8:26, 8:23
Total weekly miles (running): 21.14
[Week 4]
Monday, July 6
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 47:51 • (9:33/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Tuesday, July 7
Easy Run • 4.02 miles • 40:52 • (10:10/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Wednesday, July 8
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Thursday, July 9
Speed Work • 6.01 miles • 54:30 • (9:04/mile)
4 x 1200m w/ 2:00 recovery
7:58, 7:56, 7:56, 7:51
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Friday, July 10
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Saturday, July 11
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 1
Sunday, July 12
Long Run • 10.02 miles • 1:28:23 • (8:49/mile)
6 miles @ Marathon Pace
8:23, 8:20, 8:10, 8:09, 8:06, 8:17
Walk • 2.45 miles
Total weekly miles (running): 25.06
[Week 5]
Monday, July 13
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 48:37 • (9:43/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Tuesday, July 14
Rest
Wednesday, July 15
Easy Run • 3.01 miles • 29:42 • (9:52/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2 x 2
Thursday, July 16
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Friday, July 17
Speed Work • 6.01 miles • 56:13 • (9:21/mile)
5 x 2:00 w/ 1:00 recovery, 4 x 1:00 w/ 0:45 recovery
7:28, 7:13, 6:58, 7:08, 7:01; 6:46, 7:13, 6:59, 7:09
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Saturday, July 18
Rest
Sunday, July 19
Long Run • 12.02 miles • 1:50:48 • (9:13/mile)
2 x 2 mile w/ 4:00 recovery @ 0:50 slower
[8:13, 8:14, 8:55], [8:17, 8:50, 8:53]
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Total weekly miles (running): 26.05
[Week 6]
Monday, July 20
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 51:31 • (10:17/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Tuesday, July 21
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 51:25 • (10:16/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Wednesday, July 22
Speed Work • 6.01 miles • 53:54 • (8:58/mile)
8 x 300m w 200m recovery
7:05, 7:06, 7:06, 7:02, 7:03, 6:54, 7:06, 6:45
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Thursday, July 23
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Friday, July 24
Long Run • 14.01 miles • 2:12:08 • (9:26/mile)
3 x 2 mile w/ 4:00 recovery
[8:03, 8:10], [8:22, 8:22], [8:29, 8:39]
Second set was up the hills in Bunker, had to take a couple second break after the first mile. Last set had to stop multiple times… dry heaved quite a bit…
Saturday, July 25
Rest
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Sunday, July 26
Rest
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Total weekly miles (running): 30.04
[Week 7]
Monday, July 27
Easy Run • 6.02 miles • 1:01:30 • (10:13/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Tuesday, July 28
Easy Run • 6.56 miles • 1:07:46 • (10:20/mile)
Ran with Andrea and Matt
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Wednesday, July 29
Rest
Thursday, July 30
Speed Work • 6.21 miles • 58:34 • (9:26/mile)
4 x 0:15 w/ 0:45 recovery, 4 x 0:30 w/ 1:00 recovery, 4 x 0:15 w/ 0:45 recovery
[8:01, 7:23, 7:30, 7:26], [6:52, 6:59, 7:02, 7:05], [9:59, 7:07, 7:25, 7:25] – oops, didn’t realize I had a 3rd set 🙂
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2 x 2
Friday, July 31
Rest
Saturday, August 1
Long Run • 8.05 miles • 1:11:46 • (8:55/mile)
Ran alone while the kids were at Kids Academy. There were some big hills, so I did a few out and backs to make sure I wasn’t too far from Life Time in case something happened. I used my new hydration pack and new Beats headphones, and this run felt so darn good!
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2 x 2
Sunday, August 2
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2 (ish), plus some other things
Total weekly miles (running): 26.84
[Week 8]
Monday, August 3
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 48:24 • (9:40/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Tuesday, August 4
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 50:53 • (10:10/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Wednesday, August 5
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Thursday, August 6
Moderate Run • 6.22 miles • 53:57 • (8:40/mile)
4 miles moderate: 8:18, 8:30, 8:14, 8:19
Friday, August 7
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2 x 2
Saturday, August 8
Strength • MAPS 15 minute Phase 2
Sunday, August 9
Long Run • 10.03 miles • 1:26:55 • (8:40/mile)
2 x 3 miles moderate with 5:00 recovery
[8:10, 8:06, 7:59], [7:55, 7:56, 7:47]
Total weekly miles (running): 26.27
[Week 9]
Monday, August 10
Easy Run • 6.01 miles • 1:01:17 • (10:12/mile)
Strength • MAPS workouts
Tuesday, August 11
Easy Run • 6.01 miles • 58:33 • (9:45/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Phase 3 + MAPS 15 Minutes Advanced Phase 1
Wednesday, August 12
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Phase 3 + MAPS 15 Minutes Advanced Phase 1
Thursday, August 13
Speed Work • 6.21 miles • 56:17 • (9:03/mile)
0:30, 1:00, 1:30, 1:00, 1:30, 1:00, 0:30 with equal-time recoveries
[7:13, 6:56, 7:04, 7:13, 6:44, 6:49, 6:48]
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Phase 3 + MAPS 15 Minutes Advanced Phase 1
Friday, August 14
Rest
Pickleball with coworkers
Saturday, August 15
Long Run • 10.02 miles • 1:24:14 • (8:25/mile)
8 miles at marathon pace
[8:06, 8:06, 8:05, 8:07, 8:10, 8:12, 7:56, 8:05]
Sunday, August 16
Rest
Total weekly miles (running): 28.25
[Week 10]
Monday, August 17
Recovery Run • 6.01 miles • 57:54 • (9:38/mile)
fell on the boardwalk, but thankfully I was able to finish the run.
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute workout
Tuesday, August 18
Easy Run • 6.01 miles • 58:08 • (9:40/mile)
Wednesday, August 19
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute workout
Thursday, August 20
Speed Work • 6.21 miles • 56:21 • (9:05/mile)
6 x (1:30 faster than tempo + 0:45 at marathon pace)
1:30 reps: [7:41, 7:28, 7:17, 7:32, 7:17, 7:32]
Friday, August 21
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute workout
Saturday, August 22
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Phase 3 x2
Sunday, August 23
Long Run • 12.01 miles • 1:42:31 • (8:32/mile)
8 miles at marathon pace + 0:30: [8:18, 8:09, 8:11, 8:33, 8:29, 8:17, 8:20, 8:34]
2 miles at marathon pace: [8:05, 8:02]
This was tougher than I expected, especially those final two miles, which was a little disappointing because I had hoped it would feel easier.
Total weekly miles (running): 30.24
[Week 11]
Monday, August 24
Rest
I skipped my recovery run while we were at Valleyfair.
Tuesday, August 25
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 50:34 • (10:05/mile)
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Advanced Phase 1
Wednesday, August 26
Easy Run • 5.01 miles • 47:25 • (9:28/mile)
Ran with coworkers, which was so much fun
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Advanced Phase 1
Thursday, August 27
Speed Work • 6.22 miles • 56:41 • (9:07/mile)
5:00, 4:00, 3:00, 2:00, and 1:00 faster than tempo with 2:00 recoveries
[7:40, 7:29, 7:12, 6:53]
The workout went well, although the programmed version accidentally skipped the 2:00 interval, so I finished one interval short.
Friday, August 28
Strength • Three MAPS 15 Minute Advanced Phase 1 workouts
Saturday, August 29
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Advanced
Sunday, August 30
Long Run • 14.01 miles • 2:05:04 • (8:56/mile)
4 miles at marathon pace + 0:30, followed by 4 miles at marathon pace
[8:18, 8:22, 8:22, 8:22; 7:49, 7:58, 8:00, 8:07]
The humidity was absolutely insane, and I finished completely drenched. I got it done, but it definitely did not feel easy.
Total weekly miles (running): 30.25
[Week 12]
Monday, August 31
Recovery Run • 6.08 miles • 1:02:47 • (10:20/mile)
Ran with Kristin.
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Advanced
Tuesday, September 1
Easy Run • 6.02 miles • 1:02:26 • (10:22/mile)
The cooler weather felt so good, and this run felt good too.
Wednesday, September 2
Rest
Thursday, September 3
Speed Work • 6.21 miles • 57:48 • (9:18/mile)
2 x 4:00 at tempo, 2 x 3:00 faster than tempo, and 2 x 1:00 fast with 2:00 recoveries
Fast reps: [7:46, 7:44], [7:21, 7:16], [6:55, 6:53]
I was tired and really did not want to get started, but I got it done.
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Phase 1 workouts x 3
Friday, September 4
Long Run • 12.01 miles • 1:51:17 • (9:16/mile)
With Joel out of town, I fit this in during the day while both kids were at childcare.
Saturday, September 5
Yoga • 1 hour
Strength • MAPS 15 Minute Advanced Phase 1 workouts x 3
Sunday, September 6
Indoor Cycling • 56:11
Total weekly miles (running): 30.31
[Week 13]
Monday, September 7
Easy Run • 6.01 miles • 58:27 • (9:44/mile)
Bike • 2.48 miles • 20:03
Strength • 47:07
Tuesday, September 8
Strength • 14:46
Wednesday, September 9
Recovery Run • 6.01 miles • 59:31 • (9:54/mile)
Thursday, September 10
Speed Work • 5.11 miles • 44:40 • (8:44/mile)
10 x 2:00 with 1:00 recoveries
7:20, 7:06, 7:02, 7:07, 7:15, 7:14, 7:13, 7:13, 7:20, 7:02
Strength • 27:37
Friday, September 11
Rest
Saturday, September 12
Attempted Long Run • 2.20 miles • 23:59 • (10:54/mile)
I had planned to run a solo half-marathon time trial, but the universe apparently remained committed to keeping this half marathon from happening. I stopped the run after 2.2 miles and walked back.
Walk • 1.60 miles • 32:58
Strength • 21:11
Sunday, September 13
Rest
Total weekly miles (running): 19.33
[Week 14]
Monday, September 14
Easy Run • 6.21 miles • 55:14 • (8:54/mile)
Strength • 22:42
Tuesday, September 15
Recovery Run • 6.01 miles • 59:50 • (9:58/mile)
Wednesday, September 16
Race • 3.07 miles • 22:39 • (7:23/mile)
Medtronic Move It 5K
Strength • 15:46
Thursday, September 17
Rest
Friday, September 18
Long Run • 8.02 miles • 1:07:47 • (8:27/mile)
6 miles at marathon pace
8:04, 8:08, 8:02, 8:00, 8:09, 7:59
Strength • 25:00
Saturday, September 19
Easy Run • 3.03 miles • 28:45 • (9:30/mile)
Ran with Colleen.
Strength • 25:00
Sunday, September 20
Walk • 4.25 miles • 1:19:01
Strength • 14:50
Total weekly miles (running): 26.33
[Week 15]
Monday, September 21
Easy Run • 4.02 miles • 38:48 • (9:40/mile)
This felt great, although the colder weather arrived fast enough that my hands were cold.
Tuesday, September 22
Easy Run • 4.01 miles • 38:41 • (9:39/mile)
Another run that felt great, with cold hands again.
Strength • 18:00
Wednesday, September 23
Rest
Thursday, September 24
Speed Work • 4.56 miles • 40:50 • (8:57/mile)
4 x 800m with 2:00 recoveries
7:38, 7:37, 7:36, 7:30
Ran with Josh after our meetings. The repeats felt good, and we talked about work the entire time.
Strength • 17:59
Friday, September 25
Rest
Saturday, September 26
Long Run • 6.01 miles • 56:07 • (9:20/mile)
This run felt so wonderful, and my legs felt fine after Thursday’s repeats.
Sunday, September 27
Hot Yoga • 1 hour
I did not realize it was hot yoga until we got there.
Strength • 20:00
Total weekly miles (running): 18.60
[Week 16] Race week!
Monday, September 28
Recovery Run • 3.01 miles • 28:44 • (9:32/mile)
Average HR 122
Super foggy, and this felt really good.
Tuesday, September 29
Easy Run • 3.02 miles • 28:49 • (9:33/mile)
Average HR 128
Wednesday, September 30
Rest
Thursday, October 1
Speed Work • 3.02 miles • 26:16 • (8:42/mile)
8 x 1:00 with 1:00 recoveries
7:35, 7:16, 7:06, 7:05, 7:07, 7:04, 7:08, 7:05
Average HR 143
Total weekly miles (running): 9.05
Total training miles: 385.10
And that is it. The miles are in. I will run a little during the Family Day events, but I probably will not even track it, so this is the final training total.
Last Year’s Training (2025)
[Week 1]
Saturday, June 21
Long run • 13.25 miles • 2:44:41 • (12:25/mile)
Grandma’s Half Marathon
Total weekly miles (running): 13.25
[Week 2]
Tuesday, June 24
Benchmark run • 0.94 miles • 9:02 • (9:35/mile)
5 minutes @ 8:28
Saturday, June 28
Easy run • 3.09 miles • 42:57 • (13:53/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 4.03
[Week 3]
Monday, June 30
Easy run • 2.28 miles • 28:31 • (12:32/mile)
Wednesday, July 1
Easy run • 2.28 miles • 26:26 • (11:37/mile)
Thursday, July 3
Track run • 3.22 miles • 38:26 • (11:57/mile)
Sunday, July 5
Long run • 6.22 miles • 1:17:12 • (12:25/mile)
Sioux Falls run! So humid!
Total weekly miles (running): 14
[Week 4]
Monday, July 7
Easy run • 3.21 miles • 36:23 • (11:20/mile)
Tuesday, July 8
Time trial run • 2.01 miles •21:05 • (10:28/mile)
1 mile @ 9:02
Friday, July 11
Easy run • 4.28 miles • 49:16 • (11:31/mile)
Saturday, July 12
Long walk • 2.78 miles
Sunday, July 13
Long run • 6.04 miles • 1:11:57 • (11:55/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 15.54
[Week 5] Moving week!
Thursday, July 17
Track workout • 3.01 miles • 37:06 • (12:20/mile)
Friday, July 18
Long run • 10.01 miles • 1:50:58 • (11:05/mile)
Sunday, July 20
Easy run • 4.00 miles • 47:03 • (11:45/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 17.02
[Week 6]
Thursday, July 24
Easy run • 2.91 miles • 32:33 • (11:10/mile)
Sunday, July 27
Easy run • 3.05 miles • 35:46 • (11:43/mile)
So humid!!
Total weekly miles (running): 5.96
[Week 7] First week of actually following the plan
Monday, July 28
Easy run • 4.11 miles • 45:26 • (11:03/mile)
Tuesday, July 29
Lift • 1 hour
Friday, August 1
Speed workout • 4.11 miles • 49:12• (11:58/mile)
8 x 45 seconds; 7:30-8:20 pace
Sunday, August 3
Long run • 7.01 miles • 1:24:46 • (12:06/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 15.23
[Week 8]
Tuesday, August 5
Easy run • 4.52 miles • 50:47 • (11:14/mile)
Wednesday, August 6
Lift • 1 hour
Walk • 0.48 miles
Walk • 1.30 miles
Thursday, August 7
Track workout • 4.01 miles • 44:11• (11:01/mile)
3 x 600m (400/200) with 200, recovery
8:11/7:37, 8:26/7:21, 8:30/7:09
Sunday, August 10
Long run with workout • 7.04 miles • 1:14:49 • (10:38/mile)
10 minutes @ 9:37, 2 minutes recovery, 5 minutes @ 8:47
Total weekly miles (running): 15.57
[Week 9]
Monday, August 11
Easy run • 4.02 miles • 43:06 • (10:43/mile)
Walk • 0.8 miles
Walk • 0.5 miles
Wednesday, August 13
Lift • 1 hour
Thursday, August 14
Speed workout • 4.21 miles • 44:57• (10:40/mile)
3 x 5:00 @ tempo, 2:00 recovery
9:20, 9:17, 9:05
Sunday, August 17
Long run • 9.03 miles • 1:39:21 • (10:59/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 17.26
[Week 10]
Tuesday, August 19
Easy run • 4.02 miles • 43:35 • (10:51/mile)
Wednesday, August 20
Lift • 1 hour
Thursday, August 21
Speed workout • 4.01 miles • 42:58 • (10:42/mile)
2 x 1 mile @ tempo, 1:00 recovery
9:17, 8:41
Saturday, August 23
Long run • 6.22 miles • 1:04:13 • (10:19/mile)
Sunday, August 24
Easy run • 2.09 miles • 23:19 • (11:10/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 16.34
[Week 11]
Tuesday, August 26
Easy run • 4.20 miles • 47:21 • (11:16/mile)
Wednesday, August 27
Lift • 1 hour
Thursday, August 28
Speed workout • 6.01 miles • 1:04:12 • (10:41/mile)
2 x 10 minutes @ tempo, 2:00 recovery
9:30, 9:34
Friday, August 29
Long run • 10.10 miles • 1:49:45 • (10:52/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 20.31
[Week 12]
Monday, September 1
Easy run • 4.08 miles • 44:22 • (10:53/mile)
Tuesday, September 2
Easy run • 4.07 miles • 44:21 • (10:54/mile)
Wednesday, September 3
Lift • 1 hour
Thursday, September 4
Speed workout • 5.02 miles • 51:53 • (10:20/mile)
1 mile w 2:00 recovery, 4 x 60 seconds on/60 seconds off
1 mile – 8:56; 4×60/60 – 7:40, 7:46, 8:04, 7:47
Friday, September 5
Long run • 11.04 miles • 1:57:16 • (10:37/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 24.21
[Week 13]
Monday, September 8
Easy run • 3.16 miles • 32:50 • (10:24/mile)
Tuesday, September 9
Easy run • 5.01 miles • 54:47 • (10:56/mile)
Wednesday, September 10
Lift • 1 hour
Thursday, September 11
Easy run • 4.01 miles • 43:59 • (10:58/mile)
Saturday, September 5
Race! Elm Creek Half Marathon • 13.15 miles • 2:20:29 • (10:41/mile)
Felt great for all but 2 miles of this!! So many HILLS!
Total weekly miles (running): 25.33
[Week 14]
Monday, September 15
Lift • 1 hour
Tuesday, September 16
Easy run • 5.02 miles • 54:47 • (10:54/mile)
Wednesday, September 17
Lift • 1 hour
Thursday, September 18
Speed workout • 6.66 miles • 1:08:22 • (10:16/mile)
2 x 1.5 miles with 2:00 recovery
9:24, 9:13
Saturday, September 20
Walk • 2.55 miles
Sunday, September 21
Long run w/ workout • 8.08 miles • 1:23:45 • (10:22/mile)
3:00 tempo/2:00 slower than tempo
9:01/10:06, 8:53/10:08, 8:36/9:43
Total weekly miles (running): 19.76 miles
[Week 15]
Tuesday, September 23
Easy run • 5.02 miles • 52:45 • (10:30/mile)
Wednesday, September 24
Lift • 1 hour
Friday, September 26
Speed workout • 6.26 miles • 1:05:55 • (10:31/mile)
5×4:00 at tempo with 2:00 recovery
8:59, 8:56, 8:40, 8:27, 8:31
Saturday, September 27
Long run • 5.02 miles • 55:27 • (11:03/mile)
This felt horrible
Total weekly miles (running): 16.3 miles
[Week 16] Race week!
Tuesday, September 30
Easy run • 4.03 miles • 42:52 • (10:38/mile)
Thursday, October 2
Easy run • 3.00 miles • 31:55 • (10:38/mile)
Total weekly miles (running): 7.03
Total training miles: 247.14