How the selector makes the recommendation
The selector starts with the work you want to repeat, then checks whether your stated training base, available runway, and ordinary weekly schedule fit one of the six goals 26weeks currently supports. It prefers the more contained eligible route unless you choose a longer-course challenge and already report the base and time it requires.
This is a decision aid, not a readiness test. It cannot see your health, injury history, swimming ability, bike handling, terrain experience, recovery capacity, facilities, or real calendar. Use the result to open a goal hub and ask better questions—not to override professional advice or obvious constraints.
The six supported finish lines
| Goal | Typical structured runway | Useful starting condition |
|---|---|---|
| Half marathon | 12–20 weeks | A contained road-running goal with at least three training days |
| Marathon | 16–26 weeks | Consistent running plus enough time for long-run and fueling progression |
| HYROX | 12–16 weeks | Interest in both running and strength stations |
| Ironman 70.3 | 20–26 weeks | Existing swim, bike, and run competence with at least five training days |
| Ironman | 26–32 weeks | An established multi-sport base and room for six training days |
| 100K trail | 24–30 weeks | Endurance-running experience plus trail, time-on-feet, and fueling preparation |
These ranges are planning anchors, not promises of readiness or performance.
Turn the answer into a pursuit
Once a goal fits, use the training start date calculator with a real event date. Open the recommended plan, inspect the weekly rhythm, and ask whether it still fits an ordinary work, family, travel, and recovery week.
If it does not fit, change the goal or the date. The purpose is not to select the most impressive event. It is to choose a finish line that can keep the work meaningful long enough for repeated action to change something real.