The Cycle-Synched Marathon Experiment: Why I’m Training This Way

I decided to run a full marathon at the end of 2026. Not to chase a personal record, but to test a hypothesis I’ve had for the past couple of years.

What happens when women train for endurance with their hormones instead of against them?

Most training plans assume energy, motivation, and recovery should look the same every day of the month. If they don’t, we’re told to push harder, be more disciplined, or “just stay consistent.”

But women aren’t inconsistent...we’re cyclical.

So this year, I’m running an experiment.

What This Experiment Is (and Isn’t)

The Cycle-Synched Marathon Experiment is a year-long case study in training smarter, not harder. Using cycle syncing as the foundation of marathon training.

This is not:

• A challenge
• A perfect training plan
• A “watch me grind” situation

And it’s definitely not about proving toughness.

This is about:

• Honoring female physiology
• Building consistency without burnout
• Seeing what happens when rest is strategic instead of reactive

How I’m Training (High Level)

Rather than following the same intensity every week, my training will rotate with my menstrual cycle:

• Menstrual phase:
  Lower impact movement, walking, mobility, gentle runs, extra rest, and nutrition that supports recovery and estrogen balance.
• Follicular + ovulatory phases:
  This is where I’ll naturally have more energy. So, I’ll increase mileage, add speed work or HIIT-style cardio, and ease into lifting heavier. Nutrition will support higher output and recovery.
• Luteal phase:
  Intensity comes back down. Moderate runs, steady-state cardio, lighter strength work, and nutrition focused on blood sugar stability and stress support as my body prepares for rest.

Nothing extreme. Nothing heroic. Just intentional.

What I’m Tracking

I’m keeping simple logs. Not to obsess, but to observe.

I’m tracking:

• Energy and motivation
• Recovery and soreness
• Consistency (not perfection)
• Hunger, cravings, and sleep
• How my body responds over time

The goal isn’t to dominate training.
It’s to finish strong without feeling wrecked in the process. I also have an App I'm testing out for the adventure called Lively. No affiliation, but I'm curious how well it will keep up with me. I've tested a few, and I like the simplicity and guidance of this one.

Why This Matters (Even If You’ll Never Run a Marathon)

You don’t need to run 26.2 miles for this to apply to you.

Most women abandon fitness routines not because they’re lazy, but because the plans don’t match their physiology or their lives.

If this experiment shows that:

• Adjusting intensity improves consistency
• Honoring your cycle builds resilience
• Rest can be proactive instead of “earned”

Then this approach works for:

• Busy moms
• Women in perimenopause
• Anyone who’s tired of starting over

How I’ll Share This

I’ll be posting bi-weekly updates on Instagram and sharing deeper reflections, patterns, and lessons here for the remainder of the year.

This won’t be polished or performative. It’ll be real, practical, and honest.

If you want to follow along, learn, or simply feel less broken for needing flexibility, you’re in the right place.

Hard things don’t require hard training every single day.

Hard things. Softer training.

If this resonates, feel free to reply and tell me what you’re curious about—training, cycle syncing, motivation, or where fitness has felt hardest to stick with.

You’re not behind.
You’re just built differently.