Before I even started the Blue Ridge Half Marathon last month I was thinking about coming up with a year-long plan to get back to the 2027 race in better shape, and with a goal of getting to under 2:30.
Over the past almost 6 weeks, I’ve typed out several ideas of what that plan looks like. I’ve read various training stories, read other comments from other runners about their ideas, and looked back at my own training. I feel confident about moving forward and putting this out there.
Yes, I’ve polished up my ideas below through AI and tweaked things until I’m satisfied with where it stands now. Nothing is set in stone by any means, but I’m ready to march forward. This is only a sampling of the full goals that I’m keeping to myself.
✅ Phase 1 — Recovery & Reset
Dates: Late April – Early May 2026
Focus: Step back from running and structured training. Slowly reintroduce gym visits — nothing heavy, just getting back in the door.
Phase 2 — Cross-Training Focus
Dates: Mid-May – June 2026
Focus: Shift the emphasis to cycling and weight training. Experiment with heavier lifting — finding what my body responds to. Sign up for a fall 10-miler or half marathon to put a goal on the calendar.
Phase 3 — Run Return & Base Build
Dates: July – August 2026
Focus: Running returns as the primary focus, but ramp slowly. Long run target: ~5–6 miles by end of July, ~8 miles by end of August. Keep 2–3 weight sessions and a couple of bike rides per week to maintain cross-training.
Phase 4 — Fall Race
Dates: September – October 2026
Focus: Peak for a fall race. Shift toward cycling for a mini mental break from running afterward. Continue weight training.
Phase 5 — Consistency Block
Dates: November – December 2026
Focus: No big jumps — just consistency. Hold your running base (TBD exact mileage), keep regular gym sessions, and stay on the bike. The goal is arriving in January with good fitness and no injuries.
Phase 6 — Race Build (Early)
Dates: January – February 2027
Focus: Long run back to ~6 miles in January, ~8 miles in February. Start introducing hills consistently.
Phase 7 — Race Build (Peak)
Dates: March – Early April 2027
Focus: Get to 10 miles for my long run and ideally repeat it 3–4 times. Lean heavily on hill training. Begin tapering in the final 2 weeks before the race.
Phase 8 — Goal Race
Dates: April 2027
Focus: Race day. Execute the plan, finish strong. Sub-2:30.
Real David H. 
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