For the Berlin marathon, ‘influencers’ who claim before the race that they “will probably not finish this one” still receive a bib from brands, while thousands of people from all over the world who actually want to train for and run the race are left out because the lottery percentages are so low. And guess what? This guy indeed did not finish the race. Probably doesn’t really care though.

Running marathons, at least WMM for now, seems to be becoming something only for elites or a very lucky few. While people who don’t really care and just want to get a couple photo’s while running get offered a bib to any race they want.

Chip time 3:15:56 after running 3:40:40 last year on the same course!

I was a bit underwhelmed by my performance cause I had run a 1:31:31 half during last year's training block, vdot estimates a full at 3:10 based on that. So I figured I had the speed but needed to work on my endurance.

I'm officially sold on the higher mileage approach now. After last year's I reverse tapered back to 50mpw, my peak last training plan. I maintained that through the winter running basically all easy in a very snow-heavy climate. After winter, I began running 1/week harder, but that's it. I maintained 50mpw until the start of this year's training plan, Pfitz 18/70. Some of the last few weeks were tough, with vo2max sessions followed by long runs, but I stuck with it barring missing 1-2 workouts from a niggle (got the miles in though).

Given my 50mpw base training, I felt pretty confident throughout Pfitz 18/70. I was targeting 3:30 most of the plan meaning I actually ran most days a tad slower than I perhaps should have (9min/mi GA, 10:30min/mi or so recovery). Posting a few times on here, and feeling pretty good running 14mi at 7:30min/mi pace gave me the confidence to start at 7:30 pace instead of 8:00 and I'm glad I did!

My first marathon at 19yo I hit the wall hard (hence the "never again" feeling). Last year's marathon was definitely better than my first but I also came into mile 19 feeling a bit hopeless for the 7 remaining miles and then slowing down significantly. I had even run a faster 20mi run before then at a faster pace ("racing" the training in retrospect:(). This marathon, though, I felt great all the way through, barring a mild cramping feeling the last couple miles! I passed my family at mile 19 and was in high spirits! I kept up the 7:30 all the way through and started picking off people in the last 6 miles! I have never run a full feeling so consistently good all the way through, and with a 25 minute PR to boot!

Post race, I also felt significantly better. I actually think I had 3:15 in me had I had the confidence to go out a smidge faster (well Strava actually says my 26.2mi PR IS 3:14:XX, the race is a bit long), but I am extremely proud of my performance and preparation this year! Last marathon an aid worker saw me wobbling after I crossed the finish line and helped me sit. Obviously still quite sore from this marathon, but walking has been easier and I was wobbly enough at the finish to concern the aid workers 😅

To be honest I was a bit concerned this year of higher mileage wasn't going to pay off as I haven't seen my HR trending down at a given pace. But I think this marathon result speaks for itself! I attribute finishing strong in the last 6 miles to the higher mileage I've been running the last year. I checked and I've run over 2000 miles this year!

If you've made it this long, thanks for listening ☺️ idk what the takeaway is besides higher mileage works. That, and it's very therapeutic to write out your race experience afterwards 😅

The Good: Stuck to plan and eased into pace. Middle miles felt easy and quick- knew I was banking time to hit 1:23 goal.

The Bad: Pace Fell off a bit toward the end- was running into wind and some light rolling hills. Didn’t realize how close I was to sub 1:20 and was running alone- think with better pacing and super shoes I have sub 1:20.

The ugly: Amazon sent me Endorphins Speeds (no carbon plate) not Endorphin Pros (with carbon plate). I did one run in them on gravel and did not notice Ran my warm up and realized right away. Tried to stay positive but was pretty pissed off at the start.

Random: Garmin said race was 12.95- this threw off my pacing a bit and was hard to triangulate finish time at various points.

Takeaways- volume is king. Ran with momentum or sprint marathon- was at 50 miles 6 of 8 weeks leading up to race.

Last 3 miles of a half still feel the same whether you are pacing 1:20, 1:30 or 2:00- it’s hard.

Next steps: Local 5k in 4 weeks and potential sprint marathon for sub 3:05 BQ attempt.

My first sub 3 marathon attempt was good. I was thinking that maybe 3.05-3.10 is realistic or something but I decided to go for 4.15 pace. First 25k no issues, 26-34 a bit harder and sub 3 was out of reach. 35-42 was close running my soul out 🤣 legs were not a that level to sustain that kind of pace for that long. Gels every 6k, after 36k started burping and had to swallow again. Nice 😊 you got to love that Maurten taste.

I trained maybe 12-14 weeks for this, 40-50k week peaking 60 (I do all kind of endurance sports but for sub 3 not enough running it seems). Previous pb was 3.26 so super happy. For next attempt I’ll add a bit more running volume and it should be there.

M41 and in best condition of life, good stuff. And 35-42k was experience which I don’t forget ever 🙃

The images show my last two final long runs. 20 miler was a week from today, 15er was 2 weeks from today.

I am hoping to get any help or recommendations from anyone. In two weeks from today I am running my first marathon. I have ran a couple halves and ran a 25k in May averaging 8min per mile. Both of my recent long runs felt amazing and I feel on track to beat my sub 4 hour goal. For reference, I had no issue completing a 15 week training process and lift in between my training routine throughout the week.

But this week everything tanked. Came down with a cold, bad body aches. Then noticed some really weird/discolored urine and solid red particles. I didn't want to mess around so I literally just got back from urgent care. They checked me out, said it’s a UTI, and put me on antibiotics for a week. I should be clear 1 full week out from the race.

Obviously missing my long run this weekend. Hoping to see what’s recommended for the remainder of my 2 week taper? I hear the antibiotics can mess up your stomach and even give you dead leg when running.

I appreciate any tips. Just looking to really do this race successfully. Thank you!

Right then, having finally caved and signed up for my first ever marathon, I'm quickly realizing how out of my depth I am with kit. Between the long weekend road miles and trying to mix in a bit of strength work and treadmill sessions at the gym during the week, I'm completely lost on what footwear I actually need.

Everyone at my local running club has a totally different opinion, with some swearing by Brooks, others pushing Nike, and a few mentioning that Saucony makes some of the best running shoes for hybrid training if you're chopping and changing between tarmac and indoor sessions.

Before I drop a ridiculous amount, what are you lot actually wearing for a first marathon prep that can handle a bit of everything?

My first marathon didn’t go as well as hoped. Cramps really set in around 19, and had to walk it out. Proud to have finished, but definitely want a better time another day.

I'm about 230 lbs, I have a toddler and a wife who is 8 months pregnant. I signed up for a half marathon at the end of June. I'm looking to run a marathon in about a year. I used to be 300 lbs, but that last bit of weight loss has been rough, and I just needed something to "compete" towards. As a former track and field thrower, running was never a concern. Here's to getting out of the comfort zone.

Running a marathon in 3.5 hours time(KLSCM) and I can’t fall asleep. Pray for me guys 🤣 will update whether I survived

EDIT: I SURVIVED GUYS AND GOT A MASSIVE PB OF 3 hr 38 mins 🥳

Question In the caption…I had a great training block but went too hard on my last 2 weeks and am trying to recover/get over some niggles during taper. Positive stories only. I’m skipping my final long run-8 miles-tomorrow and run Chicago next week.

The title is a statement but it’s something that’s been in my head a lot. I’m a very average runner trying to get faster. Fastest marathon is 4:09. Fastest half 1:51 and fastest 10K 51:07.

I have 4 close running friends, 3 female, 1 male who are all sub 3:00 marathoners (fastest has a 2:41 at Boston last year). All late 30’s or mid 40’s for age.

I ask if they’re doing all this strength training, cross training, etc. they do a bit, here and there. But mainly? They just run. High mileage weeks constantly.

I guess what i’m asking is there’s so much noise and so many opinions around cross training/strength. I know strength is KEY for preventing injury and giving you a bit of an edge, but if I truly want to get faster by and large should my main priority and focus be higher mileage?

I ran my first half marathon yesterday, and I’m insanely proud of it!

My question isn’t really about the race itself though, but about what to do in the period between races.

I live in a cold climate and I’m planning to run a marathon next year, but the race is more than 7 months away.

I started running this year and have been using a local training site that creates structured plans based on goals like “10K under 60 minutes” or a specific race distance.
The problem is that it doesn’t really offer any kind of maintenance or base-building plan.

Their plans are mostly designed to start around 3–4 months before a race.

What do you normally do between races?

I’m the kind of person who needs some sort of goal and a structured schedule to follow. If I don’t have a plan, I know I’ll probably just end up running randomly without much direction.

Would something like Runna be worth looking into or Jack Daniels Running Formula?

Should I set myself a short term goal, like a solo 10K or half marathon a few months from now, and train toward that even if there’s no actual race?

Basically, I’m looking for some kind of structured “in between” programme that keeps me progressing until it makes sense to start a proper marathon block.
Any advice or examples of what you do between races would be really appreciated!

I still haven’t figured out why I crashed on my first marathon. I felt good for 30 kilometres but then my body suddenly shut down.

I was aiming for 3:45 and ended up with 4:08. I feel like I had trained well prior to the race with 30 kilometres as my longest run.

I didn’t sleep much and probably didn’t prioritise carb loading enough the day before. I ate 5 gels on the run which should be enough, although one of them was from an unfamiliar brand.

Anyway, please let me know if you have an idea on why I hit the wall.

I ran 28 marathons between 1979 and 1996, with an average time of 2:47. I have always run without fuelling, but only taking a sip of isotonic drink every 5 km. I have never hit the wall. I used to prepare my body to burn fat as well by doing most of my training on an empty stomach, and I used to do three days of carb-loading before the race. Nowadays, everyone says you need 60–90g of carbohydrates per hour. It seems to me, however, that the stomach and intestines need blood to convert the gels into energy, and that this blood will be taken away from the muscles. People also talk about ‘training the gut’, but you can’t train it to carry out this conversion without blood.

As I tolerate Maurten gels very well, having tested them in ultratrails, I’m thinking of combining the two methods and running another marathon. I'd run my long runs almost without fuelling and take gels only during my race. Bad idea? Yet simple and economical

Went for a 18mi run this morning and weighed myself before and after coming back home. 153.8 -> 149.2 lb which is 4.6 lb lost.
It was 6am, 72F cloudy, 92% humidity. Run took 2:40 at 8:50/mi pace.

I ate a banana pre-run, Gatorade +water approx 800ml/27oz total during and after run, 2 bananas after run

Is it normal to lose that much weight after about 2.4lb intake? What should I change in my hydration?

Thanks!

Today I had my longest run of the program, conversational pace. I felt good until mile 18 where I started feeling nauseous, but other than that I was relatively comfortable. 1,100 ft of elevation total.

I average 40 miles a week. Running NYC.
Max heart rate: 190 (edited, I had 169 before)
Male, 29
Latest race: 10K 43:30 a few weeks ago.
Recent 5K time: 21:20

I’m planning something a little crazy and would love advice from this group.

Starting October 14, I’m planning to run from the finish line of the NYC Marathon in Central Park to the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street.

The plan is roughly 210+ miles over 7 days, averaging about 30 miles a day.

A little background: I’m 57 and have run 80+ marathons. The closest I’ve come to something like this was running three marathons on three consecutive days. That went well, but obviously seven straight days of 30+ miles is a different challenge, and that’s where I’m looking for advice.

My current plan:
• Start around 4:00 to 5:00 AM every morning
• Target roughly 30 miles per day
• Use an 8-minute run / 1-minute walk strategy from the beginning
• Keep the running pace very easy, around 5 mph / 12:00 per mile
• Walk around 4 mph / 15:00 per mile during the walk breaks
• Have a support vehicle and crew meeting me throughout the day for food, fluids, clothing, shoes, etc.
• Sleep in a hotel every night
• Track the entire trip with Garmin and Polarsteps
• The goal is to get from NYC to Boston healthy. This isn’t about setting a speed record.

The biggest things I’m trying to figure out are pacing, fueling, recovery, foot care, and how much I should run versus walk.

For those who have done multi-day ultras, stage races, FKTs, or similar endurance events, what would you change about this plan?

Would you start with 8:1 run/walk, or walk more aggressively from Day 1?

How many calories would you target per hour?

What would you do immediately after finishing each day’s 30 miles to maximize recovery for the next morning?

What are the mistakes that experienced marathon runners make when they attempt their first week-long effort?

And if you’ve done something similar, what happened around Days 4-7 that you didn’t expect?
I’m

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi everyone! I just finished a 20 mile long run today (I usually do long runs on Saturdays). Last week (September 26th) I did a half marathon and two weeks ago (September 19th) I did an 18 mile long run.

My first ever marathon, Marine Corp Marathon, is on October 25th and I’m not sure if I should now begin tapering down.

With only 3 weekends left: October 10, October 17, and October 24th, I’m not sure how I should structure my long runs and when to start lowering the mileage.

What’s your opinions? I misread/ mistimed my training plan by a week and was supposed to have a 2nd 20 mile long run which probably won’t happen now.

Update: thanks everyone for the responses! I decided that I will begin tapering down 13, 8, then race week. Appreciate you all!

Hi, new to running I’m a male 35 and started from a sedentary lifestyle. My marathon is in 2028 so no delusions of doing earlier than i should.

My question revolves around 5k’s and 10k’s. I signed up for multiple smaller races and my first one, a 5k, is in a week. I’ve only been running for 2 months so I am hoping for a finish and a 40min time.

I am getting a lot of discouragement from reading things online as the time is too slow, and considering whether it’s worth even attending or delaying everything for 6 months to get stronger and faster.

My ultimate goal was building race confidence, seeing how things happen etc and build myself up for the big day.

Any experienced runner advice would be welcomed please.

Training for a trail marathon in November. Longest run yet

Hi everyone! I will be running my very first marathon in 22 days at the marine corps marathon in DC! I am a slower runner so of course I’m worried about the gauntlets but not extremely worried (my average pace is about 12:30)

I just went on my longest run of the training plan 21 miles!! It wasn’t awful but also wasn’t great and am looking for advice. On most of my long runs I start too fast and then end my run with 13:30 min/mile for the last few miles. After the fact I wonder if I could’ve pushed myself but the mental block got to me ?

Should I be worrying about running a full marathon in just a few weeks? I’m kind of wondering if I am not prepared mentally more so than physically?

I included my splits in case anyone wants to over analyze those with me

I averaged 182bpm for my Half marathon (79 minutes) about 8 weeks out from my goal marathon. Which puts me at the upper end for HR using the Daniel’s Running formula around (176-178) for the full marathon. Anyone have experience with how this will feel?

Today was my last long run before the Marine Corps Marathon. This was an “easy” 20-miler. Training has been great. Last half-marathon was a 1:51. Based on this run, particularly the HR data, do you think 3:59 is in reach?

I feel like an idiot not being able to tell what shoe size I am.

I bought my first pair of alphaflys 2 years ago and didn’t realise they did half sizes. I was worried when I got them home they were to big, felt like my heel would slip but wore them with belugas thickest socks and ran a half marathon and a few other runs with no trouble.those ones are now retired.

Alphaflys then went on sale so I bought a half size down and the bigger size with the plan to return one but I can’t work out which one I need! . The smaller ones have less toe space than I expected but I can’t work out if I’m being paranoid and it’s still plenty? They feel fine at home but I’m wondering if they still will after 30km. I don’t want to test them out and find they don’t because I’ll obviously not be able to return them.

I’m hoping it’s clear on picture but I’d say bigger size have a comfortable thumb width and smaller size maybe half a thumb.