My Road to Sydney - Week 2 recap

By Coach Nic Baxter | NBx Running Coach

Week 2 of my Sydney Marathon training is done, and it was a week that tested everything. Extreme heat, a holiday, a double session on the 4th of July and some of the sweatiest miles I have logged in a while.

THE PLAN

Week 2 stepped things up. The target mileage increased and this was the week marathon pace work entered the picture for real. With temperatures reaching 100 degrees and a real feel even higher, smart adaptation was just as important as hitting the sessions.

Total target for the week: approximately 42 miles. Actual mileage 44.85 miles.

MONDAY JUNE 29 — CLIENT SESSIONS AND STRENGTH

Monday opened with a dog walk followed by client sessions, a strength session then more client sessions later in the day. Average HR nicely controlled across the day. This felt like a solid, steady start to the week with some strength work ticked off early.

TUESDAY JUNE 30 — EASY MILES AND TREADMILL

Tuesday brought an outdoor easy run in the morning plus a treadmill session in the afternoon. I felt this was a smart choice given the climbing temperatures. Average HR 120 on the outdoor run and 119 on the treadmill, both well controlled in Zone 2. Exactly the kind of day that quietly builds my aerobic base, and preparing my body and legs for tomorrow's effort.

Adapting and getting out early can mean more shade. (Seen on my Tuesday easy run).

WEDNESDAY JULY 1 — THE BIG SESSION AND STRENGTH

This was the session of the week. 9 miles total with 6 miles at marathon pace — starting at 5:30am to beat the heat. Average HR was higher today, given the heat. However I was please that my cadence stayed around 181 spm. RPE 7/10 and feeling 5/5.

Getting up at 4:30am when it is already warm outside is not easy. But this is what marathon training looks like when the mercury rises. We adapt. We get out early. We do the work before the sun makes it impossible, and then we hold up nine fingers for the photo. 🙌 LOL

After my recovery, the afternoon bought a 30 minute strength session, which consisted of single leg work and core.

THURSDAY JULY 2 — ACTIVE RECOVERY

Thursday was a deliberate recovery day. A nice walk and an easier strength session, including some stability and mobility work. After Wednesday's effort in the heat the body needed time to absorb the work. HR very low throughout. This is not a wasted day. This is where the fitness is actually built.

FRIDAY JULY 3 — TREADMILL, ROWING AND STRENGTH

Friday brought yet another treadmill run, an indoor rowing session and a strength session. All sensibly moved inside given the extreme heat. Average HR 110 on the treadmill. This felt genuinely easy, and what easy days should feel like. A great way to keep the legs moving without adding unnecessary heat stress before the weekend's sessions.

Happy 4th on the trails-trying to beat the heat.

SATURDAY JULY 4 — HAPPY 4TH OF JULY — DOUBLE SESSION

Happy Independence Day, and I celebrated the only way I knew how. A trail run followed by a treadmill long run. This was tough. Due to the storm on Friday night, my regular trail was not passable, so I adapted and pivoted to another local, but flatter, trail.

The trail run felt like a beautiful morning effort. Average HR 134, moving through the trails while most people were still sleeping. Then the long treadmill run when I got home, at easy effort, average HR 126, cadence 170, keeping it controlled and steady.

Yes, running a long run on a treadmill on Independence Day is a specific kind of dedication, but the training doesn't stop for holidays when Sydney is 8 weeks away.

SUNDAY JULY 5 — EASY RUN

Sunday brought a 6 mile easy run with a running buddy to close out the week. My average HR 128, cadence 177. I felt strong despite everything the week had thrown at it. A great run to end on.

WEEK 2 BY THE NUMBERS

Total running miles: approximately 44.85 miles. All sessions completed, including multiple runs, trail session, treadmill sessions, strength work and indoor rowing. Key sessions: 9 miles with 6 at marathon pace and my 4th of July session: Trail run + treadmill long run; double session on a holiday. Heat management; I took multiple sessions indoors, which I feel is a smart adaptation at this point. My feeling at the end of week 2 : Tired but strong.

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK

Heat is a training variable, not an excuse. This week forced me to adapt constantly, earlier starts, treadmill sessions, extra hydration, modified pacing. Every one of those adaptations was the right call. Training through a heat wave is not about being tough enough to ignore conditions. It is about being smart enough to work with them.

Extra hydration this week came in the form of LMNT's sparkling electrolyte drinks

Recovery days are not optional. Thursday's active recovery day felt almost too easy. But after Wednesday's effort in that heat, my body needed it. The temptation to always do more is real, but the athletes who make it to the start line healthy are the ones who respect recovery as much as they respect the hard sessions.

Treadmill running is a legitimate training tool. I'll be honest, I don't love the treadmill (who does?), but this week it kept my training on track safely. When conditions outside are dangerous, moving inside is not weakness. It is wisdom.

WHAT'S COMING IN WEEK 3

Week 3 brings another increase in mileage and more marathon pace work. The long run steps up again. The 4:30am alarm stays set, and we do what we do. 7 weeks to Sydney. The work continues. Sydney — Week 2 done. Week 3 — let's go

If you are training for a fall marathon and want expert guidance to get you to the start line — I'd love to help.

Book your free 30-minute intro call at nbx-runningcoach.com

Coach Nic Baxter is an RRCA Level 2 Run Coach and ACE-Certified Personal Trainer based in Morristown, NJ. She is currently training for the Sydney Marathon on 30th August 2026.