Jason Delaney recorded an incredible 2:19:45 debut marathon in last year's Austin Freescale Marathon. The time was strong enough to qualify the runner for this fall's Olympic Marathon Trials in his first attempt at the distance. It was an incredible accomplishment for the runner, who many people recognize from the infinity tattoo emblazoned on his right arm.

Delaney wears the tattoo in memory of his eight University of Wyoming cross country teammates killed in a car crash in 2001.

While Delaney was a walk on at Wyoming and his collegiate running career was plagued by injury, he seems to be finding his stride now.

Originally from Montana, Delaney currently lives with his wife in Golden near North Table Mountain. The 27-year-old athlete moved to Colorado a year ago after finishing graduate school in San Diego. When he's not training for the Olympic Marathon Trials, he's working as a structural engineer with KL&A.

Do you train with a coach, a group, or by yourself?
I train largely by myself, but often meet my Boulder Running Company/Adidas teammate, Art Seimers, whenever possible for workouts. I don't have a coach, but I owe Cody Hill at the Boulder Running Company in Colorado Springs a great deal of credit for helping to make the sport affordable by managing our Adidas sponsored team.

I know that you ran on the University of Wyoming team that was killed in a car accident. How did that impact you personally and your running career?
I don't really think of it as an accident. It was more of a deadly assault by a drunk driver in my mind. I'm sure that the wreck affected my running career, but I can't really tell you how. Losing many of my closest friends in the blink of an eye was really devastating personally, not only because of the harm it caused me, but because of the loss that other friends and family had to deal with and the meaningless loss to society of some very good people with incredible futures. There is never a day that passes when I don't think about September 16, 2001.

What are your current running goals?
I am currently taking a one week break from training before beginning my buildup for the Olympic Marathon Trials in New York this fall. I'd like to run a fast half marathon about six weeks or so before the trials. Maybe, the Philadelphia Distance Run or some other fast half marathon around that time.

What has been the highlight of your career?
Definitely qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials in my marathon debut.

Where is your favorite place to run?
The trails around Happyjack Recreation Area east of Laramie.

What running injuries have you had to overcome?
I had a nasty ankle sprain in college that lead to two Achilles tendon surgeries. Basically, for three years in college I was training in the pool during the week and racing on the weekends. It was a real drag and about the closest I've ever been to quitting the sport.

Train Like Delaney
He's known to put in more than 150 miles a week, so we asked Jason to give us a few examples of how he trains. Here's his response.

"Most people consider me a pretty high volume runner. Over the past three years I've averaged just over 90 miles per week. That includes downtime due to injury, sickness, and scheduled time off. I have run as much as 156 miles in a week during marathon training buildup.

"A typical week of training is around 100 to 115 miles consisting of a seven mile morning run five to six days a week, accompanied by nine to 12 mile afternoon runs and a weekly long run ranging from 18 to 26 miles.

"Here are two example training weeks. One is during my buildup phase four months before a marathon and one is six weeks before a marathon."

Four Months Out:
Monday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 12 miles medium
Tuesday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 16 miles medium
Wednesday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 10 miles medium effort, 6x60 meter hill sprints
Thursday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 12 miles with a fartlek of 14 x 2 minutes on, 90 seconds off
Friday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 10 miles medium, 8x100 meter strides
Saturday: 10 miles including a 4 mile tempo run in 21 minutes
Sunday: 20 mile easy run

Six weeks out:
Monday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 5 x 2 mile @ 10:10 with 90 seconds rest
Tuesday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 12 miles medium effort, 6x60 meter hill sprints
Wednesday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 20x400 meters in 68 seconds with 100 meter jog recovery in 40 seconds
Thursday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 10 miles easy Friday: AM: 7 miles easy, PM: 9 miles medium, 8x100 meter strides
Saturday: 10 miles including a 4 mile tempo run in 20:40
Sunday: 23 mile easy run

Personal Bests
Half Marathon - 1:07:05 (2006)
Marathon - 2:19:45 (2006)