Fall marathon season may still be months away, but for Houston runners, the real work is happening now. We caught up with five local runners who are slogging through the city’s hottest and most humid months as they prepare for races ranging from a first marathon to one of the world’s biggest majors. Along the way, they shared how they’re adapting to the heat, staying motivated when the alarm goes off before sunrise, and the recovery habits that keep them moving. If you’re logging summer miles too, maybe you’ll find a little inspiration for your next run.
For Vanessa Hollander, this summer is all about preparing for the New York City Marathon, her first time training through a Houston summer. After beginning her training cycle at the end of June, she’s keeping things simple with 10 to 15 miles a week while getting used to the conditions. Most of those miles happen before sunrise or indoors, with Memorial Park, Hermann Park, and the treadmill making regular appearances in her routine. When motivation is low, she doesn’t overcomplicate it. “You just have to show up,” she said. Recovery is equally important, with cold baths and a post-run jump in the pool helping her bounce back before the next workout.
Cinthya Perez is taking on two big challenges at once. Not only is she training for her first marathon at the Mexico City Marathon on Aug. 30, but she’s also chasing 300 miles during the Houston Hotties’ Summer Grit Challenge. She just started running a year ago, and is already chasing big goals. She says the biggest obstacle isn’t the mileage itself, but convincing herself to walk out the front door. “Every run feels hard, even when you’re running at an easy pace. It’s not just the sun burning but the never-ending humidity,” she said. On those difficult days, her Timeless Running Crew makes all the difference. “Having people around you who are also putting in work and showing up for themselves pushes you to keep going.” Between the Sabine route through Memorial Park and sunrise runs along the Galveston Seawall, she’s learned that hydration, good nutrition, and quality sleep are just as important as the miles.
For Ellie Pina, this training cycle carries extra meaning. She’s preparing for her first World Marathon Major at the Chicago Marathon after earning a lottery spot on her first attempt. Early in her 16-week training block, she’s building toward higher mileage while making Terry Hershey Park her go-to route. The Houston heat has forced plenty of early alarms, but her perspective keeps her moving. “This will be my first World Marathon Major, and I was fortunate enough to get in through the lottery on my first try,” she said. “There are people who have waited years for this opportunity, so I want to approach every training run with intention.” Along with staying hydrated, she’s prioritizing strength training, mobility, and one unique trick: freezing her running gels before long runs for a little relief in the summer heat.
At the other end of the experience spectrum is Jackson Keefer, who is once again building toward the Chicago Marathon with a crazy 75 to 80 miles each week. His training includes two speed sessions and often doubles, running both morning and evening to fit in the mileage. Even with that experience, Houston’s humidity remains the toughest part of training. His motivation is simple. “Knowing that all my hard work will pay off on race day,” he said. His advice for anyone grinding through the summer is equally straightforward: “Drink lots of electrolytes and slow down on runs. It’ll help runners survive summer.”
Veteran marathoner Mark Mendrek-Laske is taking the long approach as he prepares for the California International Marathon in December. He began training back in April and is already running 70 to 80 miles each week while focusing on threshold workouts, long runs, and heavy strength sessions. Instead of worrying about pace, he lets the weather dictate effort. “Houston’s summer makes it really easy to overdo things,” he said. “I try to keep all my runs effort based and stay very aware of how much high-intensity work I’m doing.” His advice to other runners is one many experienced marathoners live by. “Stay patient. Summer training is about building strength and consistency, and once that heat finally breaks, that’s when the real marathon work begins.”
