John Hill

@Adam Lester Congratulations on the half marathon and that’s a great time as well. Chicago is an incredible marathon to have on the calendar. Going from 20-mile weeks to 40-mile weeks can sound like a big jump, but you’ve got 20 weeks to build into it gradually. If the increase is sensible and you’re recovering well, your body will usually adapt far better than most runners expect. What’s your main goal for Chicago? Just to finish, or do you have a target time in mind?

John Hill

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@Adam Lester really like that approach. Having “finish and enjoy it” as the main goal takes a lot of pressure off, while still giving yourself something to aim at with the sub-4:20 or even sub-4 stretch goal. With a recent 1:57 half marathon and 20 weeks to prepare, you’ve given yourself plenty of time to build gradually and get used to the higher mileage. What part of marathon training are you most looking forward to, and what part are you most nervous about?

John Hill

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Mid Week Accountability

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John Hill

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Monday Check In

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John Hill

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🖊️General discussion🖊️

Running Round Up

If you're planning to run an autumn marathon this year, one question matters more than any other: Have you started training yet? Most runners need around 16 weeks of structured training to prepare properly for a marathon. Some need longer, especially if they're returning from injury, building consistency, or tackling their first marathon. Here are some of the biggest autumn marathons and the date a 16-week training plan would begin: • Berlin Marathon – 27 September 2026Training starts: 7 June 2026 • Chester Marathon – 4 October 2026Training starts: 14 June 2026 • Chicago Marathon – 11 October 2026Training starts: 21 June 2026 • Amsterdam Marathon – 18 October 2026Training starts: 28 June 2026 • Dublin Marathon – 25 October 2026Training starts: 5 July 2026 • New York City Marathon – 1 November 2026Training starts: 12 July 2026 As you can see, if you're targeting Berlin, Chester, or Chicago, your training cycle is either already underway or about to begin. The mistake many runners make is assuming marathon training starts when the race feels close In reality, the best marathon experiences are built months before race day through consistent training, sensible progression, and proper recovery. This becomes even more important if you're over 35. You can't simply cram fitness into the final few weeks and expect your body to respond well. The runners who arrive on the start line feeling confident this autumn won't necessarily be the most talented runners. They'll be the ones who started early, followed a plan, and stayed consistent. If you're targeting an autumn marathon and want help building a structured plan around your lifestyle, reply to this email and let me know which race you're training for. The sooner you start, the more options you have. Drop me a reply and let's chat. Until next time. John