This half marathon training recap covers Week 2 of my Chicago Spring Half Marathon training — 16 miles, 3 runs, and a Friday that completely humbled me. Every half marathon training recap I write is an honest look at what’s actually happening in training, not just the highlights. From speed sessions to heat runs to long run redemption, this half marathon training recap documents the full journey. If you’re in the middle of half marathon training yourself, follow along every week.
Week of March 2, 2026 · 16 miles · 3 runs
Taken right before I realized I was wildly overdressed for a 70-degree March day. 😅
Week two of Chicago Spring Half Marathon training is done, and I have feelings about it. Some of this week was genuinely fun and some of it had me questioning every decision I’ve ever made as a runner. That’s the thing about training: it’s rarely all good or all bad. This week was solidly both, and I’m going into week three better for it.
Chicago Spring Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 2 Runs
| Day | Miles | Type | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Mar 3 | ~4 miles | Speed — 6×3 min intervals | Outside 🌤️ |
| Friday, Mar 6 | 5 miles | Easy + strides | Trail 🥵 |
| Sunday, Mar 8 | 7 miles | Easy + 2 mi at HMP | Outside 🌬️ |
Tuesday: Speed Session
Tuesday’s workout was 10 minutes easy, 6 sets of 3 minutes at interval pace with a 2-minute walk between each set, and 10 minutes easy to finish. And honestly? It went really well! I’m coming off a 10-week speed plan focused on 5K pacing, so stepping into half marathon interval paces felt noticeably more manageable by comparison. My legs knew what to do so the workout wasn’t as hard as what I’d been used to.
I also got to do it outside, which made a huge difference. I have genuinely come to love speed sessions over the past few months, and I think a big part of it is the built-in walk breaks between sets. You earn those two minutes of walking. They are sacred. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Friday: The Run That Humbled Me
I need to talk about Friday, because Friday was a whole experience. Thursday’s run got moved to Friday, and I walked outside in my light jacket feeling completely confident and immediately knew I had made a mistake. It was 70 degrees in March. Seventy. The humidity was crazy high from all the rain we’d had, and I stepped out right in the window between two storms.
They say you should dress as if it’s 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature when you run. I can tell you from personal experience that they are absolutely correct. A few minutes in, I ripped my jacket off and carried it for the rest of the run. My easy pace had my heart rate skyrocketing. I started to genuinely wonder why I run at all. For five full miles I felt like I might just quietly pass out on the side of the trail and let the birds have me.
I made it, obviously. But it was not pretty, and it was not fun, and it was a very good reminder that heat and humidity are their own training variables — ones that don’t care about your plan or your pace goals. Your body works so much harder in those conditions, and fighting it only makes it worse. The best move is to slow down, stay hydrated, and survive.
When I got home I immediately grabbed some electrolytes, and I decided to finally try the Huma electrolyte mix after loving their gels for so long. I’m a big fan! They’re genuinely tasty which is not something I can say about every electrolyte product out there. They’re lighter and less salty than something like LMNT (which I reach for after long summer runs when I really need to replenish), but they absolutely get the job done and they go down easy after a rough one. If you want to try them, I’ll link them below — they’re worth having in your rotation.
→ Check out Huma Electrolytes on Amazon
Post-run recovery done right. Huma electrolytes are officially in the rotation. 💧
Sunday: 7 Miles and a Breeze
Sunday was a 7-mile run with 2 miles in the middle at half marathon pace, and it was the complete opposite of Friday in the best possible way. The temperature had dropped back to something reasonable, there was an actual breeze, and I felt like a human being again. After the Friday disaster, I was so grateful for cooler air I could have cried.
The half marathon pace miles felt solid. It’s still early in the training block, so I’m not pushing anything, just starting to get familiar with what that effort feels like and building confidence that I can hold it. Sunday was a good reminder that not every run is going to be a suffer-fest. Sometimes the conditions are just right, and your body shows up for it.
Honest Check-In
Strength work didn’t happen this week. I’m not going to pretend otherwise or make excuses for it, it just didn’t fit, and I’m moving on. It’s on the list for next week, and I’ll treat it like any other workout on the schedule rather than something optional that gets bumped when life gets busy. That’s the goal.
Overall, 16 miles across 3 runs feels like a solid week. Tuesday reminded me that I actually enjoy training. Friday reminded me that weather is humbling and I am not above it. Sunday reminded me why I keep doing this. That’s a pretty complete picture of what running is, honestly. You can follow along with my full training journey on my Training & Progress page.
- Tuesday speed session
- Thursday: 4 easy miles
- Saturday: 3 miles
- Sunday long run: 8 miles (with 3 at half marathon pace)
- Strength work — I need to fit this in
