When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

Ive always defended doing things the old-fashioned way and using a bit of imagination.

But I have to eat my words.

a photo of someone using an AI chat service next to a photo of Tom�s Guide writer Jessica Downey at the London Landmarks Half Marathon

I turned to ChatGPT to build a race day strategy for theLondon Landmarks Half Marathon.

So, what led me to climb down from my high horse?

Im currently training for a full marathon usingCoopah, one of thebest running appsfor personalized race plans.

Writer Jessica Downey’s chip time in a text message

That meant I had no guidance on how to pace it.

So, I opened up ChatGPT and asked it to build a race day strategy for me.

My full marathon was three weeks away.

Tom’s Guide writer Jessica Downey crossing the finish line of the London Landmarks Half Marathon

I figured: why not let the robots decide how fast I should run?

It was surprisingly reassuring.

I was weirdly into it.

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris…

Can you structure it so I can aim for negative splits?

How do I program this race plan into myGarmin?The more detailed and dialled-in the responses became.

Even though I felt good, I stayed a little skeptical.

New Balance Men’s FuelCell…

Surely an AI-generated pacing plan wasntthattrustworthy?

But somehow, it was on this occasion.

I crossed the line in 1:37, shaving 14 minutes off my previous PB.

Nike Men’s Alphafly 2 Road…

The flat course, friendly crowds, and well-organised race also helped.

Still, having that structured plan in place made a notable difference.

The Verdict

Would I recommend letting ChatGPT pace your race?

nike

Cautiously, yes, but with a big asterisk.

Its not a coach, and its definitely not a guaranteed route to a PR.

Be specific and honest about your training, health, and goals.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4…

Cross-reference the plan with trusted sources or your training app.

Kicks Crew

Athletic woman on yoga mat during home stretching routine in pigeon pose with left leg forward and bent and right leg stretched behind

ChatGPT on iPhone

Ublives black compression boots with control pad

Man using exercise bike

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses on top of running shoes

ChatGPT app on iPhone

Justin Thomas playing golf

a photo of a woman holding a water bottle

Man doing kettlebell exercise

a woman bending into a forward fold on an exercise mat

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

woman doing resistance band workout

iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor test drive review.

Samsung S95F OLED TV

ChatGPT generated image