5 Key Steps to Develop Your Perfect 2026 Race Calendar
The winter months offer a natural break in focused training and racing for most runners. Spending less time running allows for more time to mull over goals and create a framework for the year ahead. The popularity of some races requires commitment 8-10 months before race day, but even if you didn’t enter a lottery for a hot ticket event, planning far ahead will offer the greatest chance of reaching each start line focused and ready to reach your potential. You can set yourself up for success by following some key principles as you map out your upcoming year of running.
Identify 1 or 2 “A Races”
An A race requires significant training, and occupies a lot of mental space because you’ve identified it as meaningful. Having A races is important because they are motivating, but more than 2 per year could leave you injured or burned out. An A race is typically, but not always, one of the longer efforts of the year. This is highly individual, and you get to decide how much value each race holds. Allowing ample time between A races is essential. In most cases separating the biggest events by at least 3 months is good practice, 4 to 6 months if both A races are marathon distance or longer. Choosing one big race for each half of the year will spread the physical and mental load enough to keep the stoke level high.
Choose at least 1 “B Race” for Every “A Race”
Some athletes make the mistake of racing too much, never prioritizing any one goal or distance over another. Likewise not racing enough can also be detrimental to performing when it means the most. Running a B race at least 3 weeks before each A race can serve as a dress rehearsal, allowing you to fine tune pre-race meals, as well as test shoes and other gear. A B race might require a taper, but not at the expense of training for your A race. In the half marathon example, the long runs at the end of your marathon build are very important if a marathon is your A race. Planning a 20 mile long run the weekend before a B race half marathon, but dropping subsequent weekly mileage and intensity by 30%, allows you to both preserve the long run and go into the half with slightly rested legs.
Register for Races that Excite You
A typical marathon build is 16 weeks. An ultra might require 6 to 12 months of training. The work is in the months of training, and the race is the reward. Visualizing yourself on the race course enjoying the scenery, weather, or the energy of the spectators should boost your motivation. Know yourself and what brings you the most satisfaction. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone, but there is a difference between facing a challenge that makes you nervous-excited vs doing something that feels like a chore. The caveat here is to weigh excitement level with the likelihood of achieving your race goal. If you’re a road marathoner and want to run a PR, registering for a hilly course at high altitude isn’t going to help your odds, no matter how excited you are for the race. Start with the races most suitable in service to your goal, then filter by excitement level.
Be a Realist, Not an Optimist
This sounds negative, but hear me out: Don’t build your race schedule based on pie-in-the-sky expectations and too many picture perfect build-ups. Give yourself time after big races to recover. Take into account the toll training and racing has on family dynamics and work-related stressors. It is tempting to fill an empty race calendar with events that will require linear progression, but it is rare that a runner doesn’t bump up against injury, burn out, or some unforeseen events in the course of training. You can’t rush physiology, and your body takes time to adapt to training stimulus, no matter if an event is on the schedule or not. Be conservative, not necessarily with goals, but with opportunities to accomplish them. Limit A and B races, then fill in your calendar in real time with low pressure, local C races if you’re feeling really good.
Work with a Coach
A good coach will help you determine the viability of your race calendar based on your individual goals. The bigger and more novel the goal, the more important it is to have the direct guidance of an expert. Following an individualized plan is like having insurance that you will train enough without going overboard, as many highly motivated athletes tend to do on their own. Schedule consults with a few different coaches to determine who fits best with your preferred distance, goals, and personality. First impressions and personal recommendations have value, as does initial responsiveness. Find someone who gets back to you quickly, shares your excitement, and has both knowledge and experience. You’ll be interacting with this person for months, so it’s important that you’re working with the right person!
Happy running, and Happy 2026!