Project 2:30: The 2025 Recap/Analysis

Reflecting on 2025, it wasn’t just about the finish lines; it was about the 4,000+ miles of quiet mornings and late night doubles that got me there. This year I went for my lifetime best in the marathon which is a sub 2:30 marathon. My previous record in the marathon is 2:38:10 from 2019, so I aimed to make a breakthrough in 2025. From the flat roads of Texas to the iconic hills of Massachusetts. this year was a masterclass in patience and pace.

Here is how the season unfolded across four key races/efforts and how I will bring this into 2026.

Pre-year build up: I had ran the 2024 Chicago Marathon in October and set an initial training block from mid October through to January (2.5 months)

The Kickoff: Houston Marathon (January)

Starting the year in Houston is always a gamble with the humidity, but the energy of that city is unmatched. This year, it was the complete opposite. A winter front came in and set the race temps to a low 30°F so I had to change my race tactics knowing this would set a baseline and not a PR. I went in looking to find a rhythm early and hold it through those long, straight stretches…