September 12th Training Update:
Where has the summer gone?! We're now 4 weeks away from race day. I've had a little bit of an up and down summer training wise... I knew summer long runs were going to be tough, but the humidity really beat me up a few weeks in a row. Still though, I have had some quality weeks in the 65-70 mile range, and 7 Long Runs that were over 20 miles, so definitely putting the work in! Another big week ahead and then it's time to wind down and taper and get fresh for the race! Also time to lock-in and try to get to that fundraising goal! I truly appreciate everyone who has contributed so far!
SEAN CURRAN IS RUNNING THE 2026 CHICAGO MARATHON
Sean Curran
Sean Curran
Wow! Our own Sean Curran (That's me!) is running the 2026 Chicago Marathon.
Here's what it might look like:
You might be saying "Wait Sean, that can't be right. In one of those pictures you are taller than the Sears Tower, and I'm like 99% sure they don't run the marathon through Cubs games or through the back of fictional restaurants."
Ok, those pictures might be exaggerations, but the important point is not. On Sunday October 11th 2026, I will be running 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago, Illinois.
By choice! Nobody is forcing me to do such a thing!
"Ugh," you might say, "I don't even like driving 26 miles" (yes, I've heard that one before.) "Why though?"
Sure, part of it is for the usual reasons people run marathons; The physical challenge. The sense of accomplishment that comes with doing something difficult. Having something to bring up in just about every conversation I have for the six months before and after the event.
But for this one I've got an extra reason. This year I am also fundraising for a great organization called Chicago Run.
Chicago Run empowers thousands of young people from Pre-K through high school with equitable access to inclusive running and physical activity programs. Through the power of sport, Chicago Run helps those young people build resilience to stress and trauma and develop social and emotional skills.
Since 2023 I've been a volunteer for the Westminster Track and Field Club, where I coach distance in the spring and cross country in the fall. I love seeing the young athletes get faster and improve their times throughout the season, but the really fulfilling part is watching the kids gain confidence in themselves and come out of their shells.
I have seen firsthand how much young people can gain from a running program. For some of them, it's pursuing a specific time or distance goal. For others, it's being able to lose themselves for an hour on the track or trails and putting difficult times at school or home out of their mind for a bit.
Chicago Run's mission aligns with that perfectly!
SO HERE'S WHERE I HIT YOU UP FOR A DONATION
Hopefully that wasn't a surprise. I mean, the big "DONATE" buttons should have probably clued you in.
By making a contribution here, you're doing two things. One, you're benefiting the kids that participate in Chicago Run's programs, and Two, you're getting me closer to the start line of the marathon!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here's what it might look like:
You might be saying "Wait Sean, that can't be right. In one of those pictures you are taller than the Sears Tower, and I'm like 99% sure they don't run the marathon through Cubs games or through the back of fictional restaurants."
Ok, those pictures might be exaggerations, but the important point is not. On Sunday October 11th 2026, I will be running 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago, Illinois.
By choice! Nobody is forcing me to do such a thing!
"Ugh," you might say, "I don't even like driving 26 miles" (yes, I've heard that one before.) "Why though?"
Sure, part of it is for the usual reasons people run marathons; The physical challenge. The sense of accomplishment that comes with doing something difficult. Having something to bring up in just about every conversation I have for the six months before and after the event.
But for this one I've got an extra reason. This year I am also fundraising for a great organization called Chicago Run.
Chicago Run empowers thousands of young people from Pre-K through high school with equitable access to inclusive running and physical activity programs. Through the power of sport, Chicago Run helps those young people build resilience to stress and trauma and develop social and emotional skills.
Since 2023 I've been a volunteer for the Westminster Track and Field Club, where I coach distance in the spring and cross country in the fall. I love seeing the young athletes get faster and improve their times throughout the season, but the really fulfilling part is watching the kids gain confidence in themselves and come out of their shells.
I have seen firsthand how much young people can gain from a running program. For some of them, it's pursuing a specific time or distance goal. For others, it's being able to lose themselves for an hour on the track or trails and putting difficult times at school or home out of their mind for a bit.
Chicago Run's mission aligns with that perfectly!
SO HERE'S WHERE I HIT YOU UP FOR A DONATION
Hopefully that wasn't a surprise. I mean, the big "DONATE" buttons should have probably clued you in.
By making a contribution here, you're doing two things. One, you're benefiting the kids that participate in Chicago Run's programs, and Two, you're getting me closer to the start line of the marathon!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Helping the kids is good and all, but what's in it for me?
- Besides that warm glowy feeling you get when helping those said kids, your contribution to Chicago Run (a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation) is tax deductible, so you're also sticking it to the IRS and the federal government!
- My company offers matching charitable donations. Is this eligible for that?
- Your company is great then! This might be eligible (and if it's not then I take back what I said about them being great!) Send it along to them! Just note, matching donations do show up a bit slower than personal donations, so don't fret if you don't see it on the list right away.
- You sure you're up for this Sean? I mean, a marathon is a long race. I don't want to throw my money away supporting some bum.
- That's fair, but I'm not a bum! I'm a lifelong distance runner. I recently raced the B&A Trail Marathon in Annapolis Maryland on March 29th 2026 and finished 5th overall in a time of 2:43:14 . For Chicago I'll be shooting to go faster, with a goal of sub 2:40
- Wow, 5th overall at that race. Do you think you might win the Chicago Marathon.
- I mean, anything's possible......except that. No, I won't be winning it.
- Anything else you need out of me?
- If you've made it this far, then what else could I ask? But if you're really itching to help, then feel free to share this page around...even if just to say to your friends "Get a load of this guy, right?"
SEP
12
12
JUN
22
22
June 22nd Training Update - The Marathon is now 16 weeks away so the training block has officially kicked off. That doesn't mean I've been slacking off since I raced in March though! The first couple weeks after my March race were definitely lower volume while I recovered (which took a LOT longer than I expected to be honest.) The weeks after that I focused on maintaining my aerobic base with a bunch of weeks with weekly totals around 60 miles per week. There were a couple where I didn't hit that mark....I took a couple days off when I was sick with a cold two weeks ago for instance, but for the most part it's been some nice solid weeks of base miles.
16 weeks away might seem like a long time, but we all know how fast the summer can go by! It's time to start building up those long runs and getting some marathon specific workouts added to the mix. Last week I ended the week with a 16.5 mile run and still felt like I had plenty left in the tank at the end, so that's a great start! I also increased my mileage to 69 miles for the week, which is about where I should be landing for this part of the training block.
All that to say, things are starting off well! But still a long way to go!
APR
29
29
WATCH THIS SPACE - UPDATES TO COME
The Marathon is in October, so currently about 25 weeks away. My marathon specific training will start happening in June, and I'll be posting here throughout the process to let you all know how it's going!
APR
28
28
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