On March 24, I decided to start training for the Chicago Marathon, which was exactly 29 weeks away — plenty of time to build a real base.
This was my fifth attempt to start a marathon training cycle. I had failed to stay consistent for Boston 2023, Chicago 2023, Boston 2024, and Chicago 2024.
The last few years have been full of ups and downs honestly, more downs than ups. I hadn’t been able to stay consistent for more than 8 weeks straight. So this time, I told my coach:
“I just want to run easy for a while — no pressure, no paces, no stress. Just by feeling.”
I was coming back from an injury I picked up in February, and my only goal was simple: get to the marathon healthy. No PR chase. No ego. Just run strong and finish proud.
I stopped worrying about gym sessions, yoga, or doing extra stuff to stay fit. If I had time to go, great — if not, no big deal. I realized that between work and the daily commute, my time was limited, and trying to do it all was only burning me out.
I also made a promise to myself to lose some weight. I was around 171 lbs and had tried many times before, but staying consistent was always the hardest part. This time, I kept it simple —> run consistently, stay patient, and let the process take care of the rest. My goal was to drop at least 10 pounds and feel lighter on the road.
At that point, I just wanted to make it to the marathon healthy and with solid, consistent training,the time didn’t matter. I started from scratch, the plan was to run easy miles for several weeks, let my body adapt again, and remind it that I’m a marathon runner.
Building the Foundation
Week 1: 24 miles.
I felt good. So I slowly increased.
By week 5, I started doing longer midweek runs — not for fitness, but to train my mind to handle distance again. Back then, even 10 miles felt long. Around that time, I also started getting sports massages every two weeks with Milena — an amazing therapist who really helped me recover and stay consistent. 💆♂️ Highly recommended — contact me if you want her info.
That week I ran:
- Monday: 5 miles
- Tuesday: 11 miles
- Wednesday 5.5 Miles
- Thursday: 8 miles
- Saturday: 13 miles
43 miles total — my first solid week in a long time.
I kept that same rhythm for three more weeks.
The First Test
Week 8 came with a race I had signed up for — the Lululemon 10K.
I didn’t train specifically for it because the goal was Chicago, not this race.
Still, I decided to run it hard.
I ran 38:48 (6:11 pace) — progressive splits:
6:21, 6:16, 6:18, 6:01, 6:02, 6:15.
It was hot, and the last mile had the Miami bridge — brutal.
But I finished strong and proud, because for the first time in a while, I felt like myself again.
And that’s exactly why racing is so important — it builds confidence and shows you where you really stand.
I say this because a lot of runners avoid giving 100% in races just because they know it won’t be a PR, or because they feel far from their best shape.
Man, that mindset needs to change.
Your best version is in the past — you’re building a new runner right now.
Every race, every effort, every finish line helps shape that new version of you.
Confidence Starts to Build
After that race, around week 9, I told my coach I felt ready to start workouts again.
He said:
“Not yet. Keep doing what you’re doing. Run easy, build mileage, and when the time comes, we’ll add speed.”
So I listened. The goal was to hit 60+ miles per week and feel comfortable.
Most of my runs were “by feel,” and my weekend runs were harder — averaging around 7:15–7:30 per mile.
Then, on June 14, everything changed.
I ran 12 miles at 6:40 pace with my friend Spencer, a guy who had completely transformed himself. That day flipped a switch in me.
I also realized how powerful it is to run with people who are better than you or share the same goals — they push you, they challenge you, and they bring out your best. I was lucky to have a solid group to run with every weekend, and those long runs became something I really looked forward to.
From then on, my long runs naturally fell between 6:50–6:30 pace, and I started to believe again.
By June 28, I hit 66 miles in a week — no workouts yet, just long runs twice a week with effort, the rest easy.
My coach still said “no workouts yet,” and I trusted him. Without pressure or pace obsession, I was building serious endurance.
For the next four weeks, I stayed between 60–75 miles per week.
Some weeks perfect, others short — but I adjusted based on work, sleep, and recovery.
For once, I listened to my body.
Speed Returns
12 weeks before Chicago, I finally did my first workout:
10 x 2:30 on / 1:30 jog recovery.
It felt great.
That weekend, I ran 17 miles, with 13.1 miles at effort (6:33 pace) — with a few water stops, Miami heat style.
The next few weeks looked like this:
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5 x 1000m + 19-mile long run → 65 miles
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5 x 1200m + 18-mile long run → 76 miles (perfect week)
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12 x 1:30 on / 1:30 off + 10K in 37:09 → strong and confident
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10 x 800m (2:00 jog) + 20 miles → 81 miles total, my best week yet.
And then… I got COVID.
Not surprising — heavy mileage, low sleep, and stress lower your immune system. I was down for three weeks but still ran easy just to keep the rhythm.
The Breakthrough
On Wednesday, September 10, I had the best workout of the cycle:
12 miles at 6:08 average, progressive, nonstop.
Splits: 6:25 → 6:21 → 6:15 → 6:05 → 6:04 → 6:04 → 6:05 → 6:05 → 6:05 → 6:07 → 6:02 → 6:04.
That day I knew it — I could run a marathon around 6:20 pace (≈2:46).
After that, I just did two more light fartlek sessions and kept my long runs strong.
I also did a 15-mile time trial @6:18 pace, no stops — and I finished completely drained, but mentally locked in.
That day I set my race plan:
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Goal A: 6:15–6:20 pace
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Goal B: if I felt incredible, 6:10–6:15
A Quick Note About Training in the Heat
People love to say “running in Florida is tough.”
Yeah, it is. But here’s my take:
If you can’t run 10–14 miles at marathon effort in bad weather,
what makes you think you’ll survive 26.2 miles in perfect weather?
Heat sucks, but it builds armor.
Marathon pace shouldn’t feel forced. It’s not about magic numbers — it’s about rhythm and control for 26 miles.
The Whole Cycle in Numbers
From March 24 to race day: 29 weeks.
I only did 8 total speed workouts.
Most of my running was easy pace (9:30–8:30),
and my long runs were at effort, usually around 6:30–7:00 pace.
I knew I didn’t have the raw speed I had three years ago (back when I could drop a 16:20 5K easily),
but I had something more important this time: patience, maturity, and strength.
The Result & The Mindset Moving Forward
When I started this cycle, my only goal was to make it to Chicago healthy.
I ended up running the marathon in 2:44 (just six minutes slower than my PR) , feeling strong the entire race.
Honestly, I think I could’ve finished at least two minutes faster, but I decided to stay conservative when I felt those little signs of cramping in the last miles. Still, it was one of the smartest races I’ve ever run — full of lessons and experience.
It wasn’t just about the time; it was about finally running a marathon where my mind and body were in sync.
I’ll probably write another blog just about the race itself — there’s a lot to tell from that day.
Now I’m back in the game.
The plan: focus on half marathons, get faster, and build for the next big one.
Goal 1: Sub 1:15 half.
Goal 2: Sub 1:12.
I know I can get there — I just need to stay consistent and patient.
I’m 40 now. But age isn’t stopping me.
My mission is clear:
Beat the 37-year-old version of me.
Crush him.
And do it with wisdom, patience, and heart.
Final Thought
When I started this block, I just wanted to make it to the start line healthy.
Now I’m standing here hungry again — not desperate, just grateful.
Because the comeback isn’t about one race.
It’s about building the version of yourself who refuses to quit, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
And this time, I’m not stopping.
To my athletes — thank you.
You kept me connected to this sport when I needed it the most. Watching you show up, stay consistent, and trust the process reminded me why I love running in the first place. You believed in me even when I was still figuring things out, and that kept my fire alive.
Beast Mode. Always. 🦍
