The Four Ways I'm Structuring My Running Season In 2025

Planning a running season isn't just for the pros. Recreational runners can do it too.

Over coffee this weekend, I told my wife that it’s finally time to pick the races I’m running this year. I’ve doom-scrolled and had enough internal debates. Maybe it was crossing that bridge in Tampa, the barrage of running content that hit my feed on Spotify, or the fact that the Boston Marathon is coming up in a few weeks, kicking off the running season in earnest. Whatever the cause, I felt the urge to get back to things.

Call me crazy, but I find the planning process to be one of my favorite aspects of running. Setting goals, poring over training plans, and trying out new shoes is half the fun. In the past, I’ve done this with an intense focus on one goal race. Now that I have some experience under my belt, I’m beginning to think about what the rest of the running season looks like and how I can enjoy the sport more, increase my fitness, and have a more fulfilling running year.

When we think of the concept of a running season we think of the pros and the major races in which they participate. But I’ve learned over the years that even the best in the sport plan their years strategically. They schedule tune-up races to measure their fitness along the road to a goal race, chase records in different events, and have favorites they return to for their enjoyment. I see no reason we normal folk can’t take this approach. So this season I’m adding races to my schedule, spending time on different types of trails, and attempting different records.

I’m hitting the trails

Take the Burning River Endurance Run, for example, which is happening in July. This will be my first trail race and a new experience. I’m running the marathon distance, rather than the 50 or 100-mile event, so the distance isn’t too intimidating, but 26.2 on the trail is different than what the road offers

I’ll never turn down an opportunity to nerd out about gear and new running terminology, like trail shoes, or looking at the amount of vertical gain my runs climb. But what I’m most looking forward to is spending a few hours in nature while racing, and getting the opportunity to combine multiple interests into one event.

And even though I’ve run marathons before, committing to Burning River is a step outside my comfort zone. The race starts at 6:30 am, which will almost guarantee I’ll need to begin with a headlamp. There will be little crowd support outside of aid stations. And my paces are guaranteed to be different than the road races I’ve run. And I’ll need to spend more time training on trails than on the roads I’m used to.

I’m Going to Collect an FKT

Since I’ll be on the trail training, I might as well try to snag a few records. FKTs, or Fastest Known Times, have grown in popularity among the running community in recent years. There probably is an established FKT for trails near you.

I’m hoping to attempt an FKT as a way to break up the monotony of training, test my fitness on the trail, and (hopefully) set some records. As someone who’s never seen myself in a lead pack during a road race, an FKT allows me to compete in a different format - against the clock.

Run local

After Burning River, my season will switch back to the road. And before any training for my goal race begins, I’m going to do some shorter stuff for fun.

Look, sometimes training for marathons and the logistics of travel and lodging that come with destination races gets tiresome. Sometimes, you just want to show up at the start line, run for a few minutes, and grab a congratulatory beer. That’s the advantage of local races, which I’m planning to add to the calendar this year. My favorite is the Royal Docks Backyard Crusher 5K at my local brewery. The beer is good, it’s close to home, and the shirts are cool.

These types of races are the heart of recreational running, bringing the community together and allowing people to get out on the roads.

I’m Running A Fall Road Race

Ah yes, the goal race this year.

I’ve aimed for spring marathons in the past, but in 2025 I’m hoping to harness the power of the heat during a summer training block so I can run a PR at the Columbus Marathon in the fall. And with the miles I’ll have logged early in the year prepping for Burning River I’m hoping to be sharp for an attempt at a major marathon qualifier.

Is it Boston or Chicago we’re shooting for? Maybe both. The qualifying times for my age group have gotten much closer in recent years. It will be another attempt at 3:10 or faster.

How are you designing your running season? I’d love to hear more!