How I Used AI to Create a Plan for My First 30-Mile Run

As someone who thrives on pushing limits—both mentally and physically—taking on a 30-mile ultramarathon was the next big challenge in my fitness journey. I’d already completed the 75HARD program, shedding 45 pounds, and hit a personal running best of 18 miles. Now, with my sights set on a 50K race (31 miles), I needed a solid plan, but not just any plan. I wanted a strategy that could fit seamlessly into my current training routine, especially since I’m still focused on building muscle.

Enter AI.

Why I Turned to AI

With a full plate—running my business, balancing family life with 8 kids, and staying committed to my fitness goals—I needed efficiency. Planning for a 30-mile race while still maintaining muscle gains required an approach that considered every detail of my life: when to start training, how to integrate running without losing muscle, and how to sustain momentum until race day. I turned to AI to help me create a tailored plan, one that accounted for all my priorities and allowed me to hit the ground running—literally—when the time was right.

Step 1: Setting the Baseline

When I consulted the AI, I was transparent about where I stood. I hadn’t run since September 1st, 2024, and it was now early October. My last long run had been 18 miles, so while I had a solid endurance base, I had temporarily shifted focus to muscle building. I didn’t want to go hard on running until 75 days before my race on May 18th, 2025, but I also didn’t want to start from zero when it was time to ramp up training.

The AI’s suggestion? Maintain my cardio with minimal interference to my muscle gains. It recommended short weekly runs, low-impact cross-training, and interval sprints that would keep my cardiovascular system engaged without compromising my strength gains. This would allow me to maintain my cardio levels so I wouldn’t be playing catch-up when I officially started my race prep.

Step 2: The 75-Day Countdown

The AI mapped out my timeline—starting 75 days before race day (March 4th, 2025) as the perfect point to shift gears into full-on ultramarathon training. It suggested building up my mileage gradually and using back-to-back long runs to simulate race conditions, teaching my body to handle fatigue while keeping the risk of injury low. One long run on Saturday followed by a slightly shorter long run on Sunday would help me prepare both mentally and physically for race day.

During this phase, I’d still keep my strength training in place but reduce the volume slightly to allow for recovery. The AI reminded me that dialing in nutrition and recovery would be just as critical as logging the miles.

Step 3: Tailoring the Plan to My Life

Running a business and raising a big family doesn’t allow for much wiggle room. The AI factored in my busy schedule, ensuring the plan would maximize efficiency without burning me out. It created flexibility, incorporating active rest days, where I could spend time with my family while still getting some light cardio in, like hiking or walking.

The AI even took my experience with injury into account. I’d healed a knee imbalance by getting active again, and I wasn’t about to risk another injury. The plan included a mix of stretching and mobility work to keep me limber and avoid overuse injuries.

Step 4: Race-Day Prep

The AI provided insights on race-day strategy, reminding me that preparation isn’t just about mileage. It guided me on fueling strategies for longer runs, something I could experiment with during my training. I learned to test different nutrition options during long runs, finding out what worked best for my body to keep energy levels high without stomach issues.

I also received guidance on tapering—the critical phase where you dial back training just before the race to ensure you’re fresh and ready to go. The AI suggested a gradual reduction in both running volume and intensity in the final three weeks leading up to race day.

The Takeaway: An Efficient, Personalized Plan

What AI did for me was take the guesswork out of planning. It synthesized my personal goals, my current fitness state, and the demands of my life into a streamlined, realistic roadmap to completing my first 30-mile race. With a clear vision of when to start running hard, how to maintain my cardio, and how to transition into full training mode when the time comes, I’m confident I’ll be ready to conquer this next challenge.

The beauty of using AI for something like this is the customization. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to endurance races—especially when you’re also trying to juggle life’s other priorities. With AI, I got a plan that’s specific to me, ensuring I’ll be prepared to crush that 50K race when it’s time.

Now, it’s just about execution. Time to stay disciplined, follow the plan, and get ready for that finish line!