This is my half marathon training week 8 recap covering every run from April 13–20, 2026. Half marathon training week 8 was a recovery week with reduced mileage — just three runs and a little over 20 miles total. Despite being one of the most exhausting weeks of my life with 4.5 hours of sleep debt by Thursday, I hit every run and finished strong with a smooth 10-mile easy long run on Sunday. If you are training for a spring half marathon, half marathon training week 8 might be your recovery week too, and here is how I made the most of it even when I was running on empty.
Week of April 13, 2026 · 3 runs · A recovery week that showed up right when I needed it most
Thursday’s progression run turned into something out of a movie. That fog rolled in fast. 🌫️
Week 8 of Chicago half marathon training is done and honestly? I am relieved. This was one of the most draining weeks I have had in a long time. Not because of the running, but because of everything surrounding it. Life was busy, work was stressful, sleep was nearly nonexistent, and I was running on fumes by midweek. The fact that this happened to be a recovery week felt like genuinely good timing. The universe looked out for me on the schedule front.
Three runs, a little over 20 miles, and no strength training. I am not proud of skipping the strength work and I will do better next week, but sometimes survival mode is the only mode available and you have to give yourself grace for that.
Chicago Half Marathon Training Week 8: The Runs
| Day | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Apr 15 | 6 Miles Easy | Warm day, ran after work — felt surprisingly good 🌤️ |
| Thursday, Apr 17 | Progression Run | Quiet trail, heavy fog rolled in halfway through — unexpected and amazing 🌫️ |
| Sunday, Apr 20 | 10 Miles Easy | Ran in the vest, fueled early, felt great the whole way 🏃♀️ |
The Week Before the Runs Even Started
I have to be honest about what this week actually looked like off the trail because it matters for context. I was not sleeping. By Thursday I had accumulated 4.5 hours of sleep debt and I was absolutely miserable. Work stress, personal stress, the kind of week where everything feels like it is happening at once. I was just trying to get through each day. Skipping strength training was not a choice I am proud of, but it was the honest reality of where I was at. Running was hard enough. That is what recovery weeks are for, I suppose.
Tuesday: 6 Miles Easy
After Sunday’s rough 9.6-mile DNF in the heat, I was genuinely nervous going into Tuesday. Heat was the thing that wrecked me last week and it was warm again. But we headed out after work and by the time we got to the trail, it had cooled off enough to feel really good. That was a relief I did not know I needed.
I also got to debut my new Divergent Tank from Expntl Athletics on this run, and I am obsessed with it. Not sponsored at all — I just love it. It is incredibly thin and comfortable, exactly the kind of top you reach for when temperatures start climbing. Perfect for summer miles.
Heading to the trail on Tuesday. New tank, warm air, and a much-needed good run. 🌿
This run was exactly what I needed mentally after last Sunday. It felt easy, it felt controlled, and it reminded me that one bad run does not mean everything has fallen apart. I was happy.
Thursday: Progression Run
We went back to the quiet trail where I spotted the deer a few weeks ago, and Thursday delivered something completely different in the best way. The run started normally, just easing into the progression structure and finding my rhythm. But about halfway through, the fog rolled in. Thick, fast, and honestly a little surreal. The trail turned into something out of a movie and I loved every second of it.
Something I have noticed about time-based runs is that they always feel faster to me than distance-based ones. There is something psychological about running by the clock instead of watching the miles tick by. Thursday confirmed that again. The progression felt strong, the fog made it feel like an adventure, and I came home in a much better headspace than I started with. A win.
Chicago Half Marathon Training Week 8: The Long Run
Sunday was 10 miles, all easy, and after last week’s brutal long run attempt I was so relieved that this one had no pace structure attached to it. Just cruise.
10 easy miles on Sunday with the vest — fueled early and felt strong all the way through. 💪
I ran in my vest this week and loved it. Having hydration and fuel right there with me meant I could actually fuel early into the run without having to wait or plan around anything. After what happened with heat and running out of water last Sunday, I was not going to make that mistake again. I loaded up, fueled early, and felt genuinely great the entire 10 miles. Slow, easy, controlled. It was exactly what a recovery week long run should feel like.
Normal recovery routine after this one: electrolytes, a magnesium bath, and the rest of the day off. My body needed it and I gave it that without guilt.
Recovery: Electrolytes + Magnesium Bath
Same recovery routine that has been carrying me through this training block. Huma electrolytes the moment I finished to start replenishing, and then a Dead Sea Salt bath for the magnesium absorption and the full-body reset. After a week this exhausting, that combination was not optional. it is essential.
Huma Chia Energy Electrolytes
My go-to post-run electrolyte drink, especially important after long runs when you have been out for a while and your body needs to rehydrate fast. Easy on the stomach and always the first thing I reach for when I get home.
Shop on Amazon → Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and trust. 🤍Dead Sea Salt Recovery Bath
Higher magnesium absorption than regular Epsom salt, which means more actually reaching the muscles that need it. This is a staple in my recovery routine and it earned its spot again this week.
Shop on Amazon → Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and trust. 🤍Honest Check-In
This week was hard in ways that had nothing to do with running. Emotionally drained, sleep deprived, and just trying to keep it together, that was the backdrop for every single run this week. And still, I hit all three. I moved my body even when I really did not want to. I skipped strength training and I own that, but the running showed up.
I am genuinely grateful this was a recovery week. The reduced mileage, the time-based runs, the easier long run. All of it gave me just enough room to breathe without falling behind. I cannot imagine facing a big build week on this much sleep debt and this much stress. The schedule was kind to me this week even if life was not.
Next week picks back up and I will be ready. That is what recovery weeks are for.
You can follow along with the full journey on my Training & Progress page.
- Monday: 6 miles easy
- Tuesday: Speed work — 3×6 min HM pace, 2 min interval pace, 2 min walk recovery, 10 min easy
- Friday: 6 miles easy
- Sunday: 12 miles easy
