Macy McRowe: The 2:36 Marathon Built on Cross Training and Two Runs a Week

This week on Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka talks with Macy McRowe, whose marathon training looks very different from the typical elite approach.Instead of the standard 7-day training cycle, Macy structures her training around a 14-day schedule, often running long only once every two weeks and mixing in significant cross training alongside limited running volume. Despite the unconventional structure, the approach helped her finish 6th at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.Macy shares how this training style developed, why it works for her body, and what it takes to compete at a high level while doing things differently than most marathoners.They also talk about her background in Division III running, her progression through the half marathon to the full marathon, and how she thinks about pacing, training balance, and long-term development.Thank you to our sponsors:Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error. Use code "Trials26" for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.