Week of February 17–23, 2026
This week wasn’t about perfect training conditions or ideal scheduling.
It was about consistency — fitting running into real life while continuing to move forward toward the half marathon.
Friday — Treadmill Miles at State
Friday’s run happened on a treadmill, not by choice, but by circumstance.
I was out of town attending the Texas 6A High School State Swim Championships, where my daughter qualified and competed in prelims — an experience that honestly takes priority over any training plan.
Between travel, long day at the pool, the treadmill was the only realistic option considering the location I could potentially run outside was not ideal in the least.
3.5 miles
13:42 average pace
Average HR: 154 bpm
Nothing glamorous. Just getting the work done.
Hotel treadmill runs require a different kind of discipline. No scenery, no fresh air, no momentum from the road — just commitment. The goal wasn’t performance; it was maintaining continuity and keeping the training rhythm alive during a busy and meaningful family weekend. Forgot about that strange sensation of feeling like I’m walking on a people mover after running for an hour on a treadmill going nowhere. First run on a treadmill in almost a decade.
Sometimes consistency looks like adapting instead of optimizing.
Midweek Run — Keeping Momentum
Earlier in the week, a shorter run helped maintain frequency and prevent the stop-start cycle that can derail endurance training. These runs don’t stand out statistically, but they quietly reinforce durability.
Showing up matters.
Long Run — 8 Miles Outside
Tonight was the true checkpoint.
I hadn’t run beyond roughly 4–4.5 miles in several weeks, so the question wasn’t whether I would run — that part was settled — but how far the legs would cooperate.
Preparation stayed simple:
- Normal meals throughout the day
- Hydration and electrolytes
- Toast with honey pre-run
- Gel before starting and another at mile four
The strategy was patience.
The first five miles settled around a 14-minute pace using structured run/walk intervals to manage effort. Heart rate remained controlled, and the focus stayed firmly aerobic.
Around mile six, fatigue arrived right on schedule. Legs heavy. Stability briefly questionable during neighborhood turns — the reminder that connective tissue and neuromuscular endurance lag behind cardiovascular fitness during a rebuild.
Instead of forcing pace, the goal became incremental:
7 miles → 7.25 → 7.5.
One street at a time.
By mile eight, confidence returned. The finish naturally accelerated — not from chasing speed, but from realizing there was still strength left late in the run.
Final result:
8.01 miles
1:49:59 total time
13:44 average pace
Average HR: 140 bpm
I did finish super strong surprisingly, last .25 I was running from 11:30 to 10:45 at the finish to prove I had something left and to finish strong, just how I’d want to at the end of a race.
Exactly the type of aerobic long run needed at this stage.
What This Week Represented
This week blended family milestones with training reality.
Travel. Fatigue. Poor sleep. Schedule disruptions. Long day supporting my daughter at the state level — and still finding ways to keep moving forward.
Key takeaways:
- The aerobic base remains intact (thank goodness, I was very worried)
- Endurance is rebuilding steadily.
- Adaptability keeps training sustainable.
- Consistency wins over perfection.
Looking Ahead
Recovery now becomes the focus.
Next progression:
- Long run: 9 miles
- Following week: 10 miles
- Then race day approaches.
No panic training.
No shortcuts.
Just steady progress while balancing the things that matter most.
Brick by brick.