Focused Running Workouts for My 8-Day Anchor Cycle Training Method

Currently training on 4 of 8 run days cycle with Saturday serving as my anchor day for longest/fastest workout in preparation for the San Diego Marathon in June 2027.
For my two most recent races, I followed a 3 of 8 run days training cycle which yielded exceptional results, including a first overall place in a 14-mile hybrid road/trail race and a half marathon time under 90 minutes.
I developed the 8-Day Anchor Cycle Training Method as a minimalist approach designed to yield MAX results (Performance, Longevity, No Junk Miles, Time-Efficient).

Long Hill Runs for Strength and Endurance

Example: 16-Mile Run | 2:46:54 | 1,901 ft Elevation Gain
Goal is to build endurance along with core and lower body strength from hill repeats within a long-run
Also creates mental edge for racing since courses will be much flatter

Lead-in with long tempo run of 7-8 miles combined with 1-mile and 2-mile intervals with walk breaks between tempo/intervals
Goal is to run at or near my half marathon pace around 7 min/mile with typical average pace within range of 7:00-7:20 (check out run-log)
Combined warm-up and cool-down run of 1-2 miles for this workout with light stretching after (same for all runs)

Will add summary stats from MapMyRun app after next long run
Goal is to run for 3-3:30 hours to replicate my goal pace of 8 min/mile in upcoming San Diego Marathon
Less emphasis on hills and will run on track combined with road and trails to achieve goal pace and build endurance

GOAL-TIME is under 90 minutes (< 7 min/mile pace)

GOAL-TIME is under 3:30 (< 8 min/mile pace)

Most recent race was Johnstown Path of the Flood 14-Miler on May 23, 2026 | Placed first overall with time of 1:40:11 (RESULTS)

Second most recent race was Key West Half Marathon on January 18, 2026 | Placed 17 out of 1,981 runners with time of 1:29:48 (RESULTS)

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse