The Houston Marathon is just three months away, and runners are building mileage, working toward their goals and preparing for race day. In this month’s Runner Diaries check-in, we’re catching up with Sara Jackowski, Bryan Miller and Erica Trejo to see how their training is progressing, what challenges they’re facing and what they’ve learned. If you missed our introduction to the three runners, you can get to know them in our Meet the Runners article.
Sara Jackowski
Between work, school and getting sick, Sara’s training schedule took a hit, and her doctor ordered her to take two weeks off from running. Now that she’s feeling better, she’s working to get back into her routine. Her longest run so far has been nine miles.
Despite the setbacks, Sara is proud of a change in mindset. Rather than skipping runs because she’s tired or the weather isn’t ideal, she’s making her training a priority. “Now I am actually making the time for myself and for my training, no matter how I am feeling,” she said.
Having completed multiple half marathons, Sara has some experience with distance training and hopes the cooler weather will make the coming weeks easier. Still, she’s feeling a little nervous about taking on her first full marathon. Asked how confident she feels heading into race day, her answer was simple: “Terrified!” Even though we all know she’s got this! Her goal remains the same: cross the finish line. With support from her family, friends and Champions Run Association, she’s working toward making it happen.
Bryan Miller
Bryan Miller’s training is going strong as he works toward his goal of running a sub-2:50 marathon. He’s averaging 70 to 80 miles per week, incorporating speed workouts, tempo runs and long runs into his schedule. His longest run so far is 21 miles, and he recently completed his first 70-mile training week, followed by a 74-mile week. “Coming from a sprinting background, building this level of endurance has been a huge accomplishment,” he said.
The biggest challenge? He says balancing that mileage with work and everyday life, especially when many of his runs start at 3 or 4 a.m. Houston’s heat and humidity have added another obstacle, making recovery and consistency even more important. One of the biggest surprises has been just how much discipline marathon training requires. “It’s not just about running faster, but also about recovery, patience, and trusting the process,” Bryan said. Despite the demands, he’s encouraged by the progress he’s made and growing confidence in his abilities. His goal has evolved from simply improving his marathon time to breaking 2:50, and he’s focused on staying healthy and putting his training together on race day. “I’m confident in the work I’ve put in, but I also know there’s still room for improvement,” he said.
Erica Trejo
Erica Trejo’s training has been consistent and on track, with three 10-mile runs under her belt this month. The first was extremely difficult, the second was a little easier, and by her third, she finally felt comfortable enough to think, “I could keep going!” As her long runs get longer, she’s learning how to fuel and hydrate properly, experimenting with different gels and chews, and figuring out how to recover afterward. As a service member, she’s used to waking up and getting moving without breakfast or much water, so changing those habits has been a learning experience. She’s also discovering that recovery means staying active with a short walk or some stretching, even when her body feels tight and sore.
Now a little over a year into running, Erica is surprised by how far she’s come. Earlier this year, her long runs were five or six miles, and she remembers struggling to finish them. Now, five miles at a steady pace has become an easy run with her toddler. She also looks back on her time in the Army, when she barely passed her physical fitness test and struggled through the two-mile run, as a reminder of how much she has accomplished. “If you were to ask SGT Trejo 2 years ago if she would run a half marathon she would have looked at you crazy!” she said. That perspective helps her keep going when she falls short of her current training goals. With her confidence growing and 10-mile runs becoming more comfortable, Erica has her sights set on a new goal: “I’m coming for that half marathon sub 2!!”
