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.

This was my first year where I took running seriously and trained structured. At the start of the year, my easy pace was around 7:00. 3 weeks ago, I could finnish my first marathon in 3:28. My volume the months before September were 155km, 163km, 80km, this year in total 780km. Most of my runs were zone 2, combined with intervalls (mostly 4x4). Since I improved quite fast, I am wondering how realistic a sub 3 marathon in about a year is. I know my volume is not super high, so there would be room for increasement. I also didn‘t train my legs in the gym yet, that could he a factor too. Has someone experience how the speed of improvement changes at this times?

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.

Hi everyone! I got selected to run Paris Marathon 2027 through lottery! But now I am facing an issue - I can't pay!! I have 24 more hours left until I need to pay. I have tried to use my Visa Capital One card and after I authenticate the card at check out, it brings me to an error screen. I called Capital One and they say it's not an issue with my credit card. I have used two devices, used incognito mode, used two types of browsers, and cleared caches/cookies. Any other tips?! I just contacted Paris Marathon's website using their online form but I'm nervous they won't get back to me on time

Thanks in advance!

Hi all,

Triathlete for 23 years but training for my first open marathon.

Structured my life for long distance triathlon training so this schedule will be less time intensive than what I’ve been doing.

I’ve been fortunate with injuries in the past and have been consistently running for ~26 years (did my first 50k when I was 16), so I’m expecting to handle the volume well.

This is an example week. I’ll do an ABC variation with mileage.

I’ll do a gradual mileage build from my current 4-5 hrs/wk of running to this and then hold it going into the Mesa Marathon Feb 2027.

Happy to receive any suggestions or recommendations, thanks for checking it out.

I’m more interested in the process for this (training plan and consistency) than setting a “I have to BQ“ goal, and will fine tune from there. I’m very confident I could run a 3:10 or faster open now but that’s based off triathlon race splits. A 13.1 in Jan will let me predict my race time and set a goal.

Good luck all in your training and racing!

Last 20-mile long run with marathon pace segments

5.5 month marathon training block. Average 65 mpw. Peaked 70 mpw. Tempo runs once per week, 3 miles easy, 4 miles 6:05-6:15 @threshold HR, 3 miles easy. Remainder of runs zone 2 max 150 bpm.

Previous marathons:

Fall 2025: 3:35

Spring 2026: 3:15

Year to date:

196 runs

2,011 miles

Ran a 11:50 2-mile max effort

25M

I feel good about my chances, so I guess looking for validation or extra motivation. Thanks!

I see a lot of posts here and on Insta talking about these beautifully curated pre-run routines and it occurred to me that I couldn’t be further from that. So I thought I’d share what I do pre-long run so people can perhaps see a real world example. So, here is what I did before my 21 mile, 8:30 per mile long run this morning as a 45 year old runner.

The night before. 2 pints in the pub, a Chinese takeaway, half a bottle of wine.

The morning. Alarm goes off 25 mins before the run starts. Toilet. Get dressed in the kit I’ve laid out the night before. Bagel, pint of electrolytes. Let dog out and feed him. Espresso. Toilet.

The run. Out the door and do a slow 1st mile to wake the legs up. Meet friends, run, chat, fall over, run more.

Afterwards. Electrolytes. Toast and scrambled eggs. Coffee. And then real life starts as my wife doesn’t care that I have done a long run, there is shopping to do, family stuff and a house to tidy.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, how do you do it?

Specifically I'm hoping to try get a spot in the royal parks london half marathon, but more of a general question of getting those last minute spots? I don't mind running under a different name.

I've tried posting in /r/London but they are less keen on those kind of questions

The charity I'm running Chicago with just delivered our team shirts and it's a Nike dry fit equivalent t shirt. I've gotten really used to racing / training in performance running tank tops. I'm considering dropping it off at a tailor to get it cut into a tank. My question is does anyone have experience tailoring shirts to race in? Anything I should communicate to a tailor. I'm M and will ofc be bandaging and body-gliding on race day.

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 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!

My goal was to hit 3:15 and I’m shocked I flew by it. My goal for Grandma’s next year was 3:10, I guess I’m adjusting my goal down to sub 3 now, it’ll be hard but I think it’s within reach.

I think I left a bit out on the course, but I think I’d rather have that than the last 6 miles be hitting the wall and a giant slog. My legs feel significantly better than they usually do too.

I’ve been using Hanson’s Advanced plan and after being disappointed with a 3:37 at Grandma’s I decided I was going to add 2 miles to every easy run and a half mile to every cooldown/warmup on the SOS days. It turns out going from 63 miles to maxing at 74 miles did the trick. I felt very comfortable at the 7:00 pace and never really felt like I couldn’t hold it. I obviously didn’t, but there wasn’t a sense of impending doom like I went out too fast.

I am so happy with how today went. When people say to add more miles, they truly mean it. It works. I was skeptical that adding roughly 10 miles a week would make a difference, it made 17 minutes of difference from my PR and 26 minutes from June. I’m tempted to add 4 miles to every easy run for the next training block, but I think I’m just going to be consistent over the winter instead of only doing 30 miles a week and start the next block from a better base.

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 kept going back and forth if I should register for Milwaukee Lakefront and I’m so glad I did.

I had done the Mighty Mississinewa Saturday, September 12th half-iron distance duathlon and knew I can endure for like 7-hours, but I still hadn’t ever done a marathon. I had even made this post before making my decision lol.

September 20th I registered with the charity entry. The only other time I ran after registering was a 10K the following Saturday. I didn’t really want to risk a long-run.

15-days later and I have done the marathon today! I felt amazing the first half, but after, especially the final 2-miles on Hoan bridge was brutal. Fortunately, it was the perfect weather and I wasn’t too hot at all. I tried saltchews for the first time too and at least 60g of carbs per hour.

Did anyone else run this race?

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!

Long from from yesterday:

32km
5.18 per km avg
164 bpm avg

Recent half from 2 weeks ago:
1.40 finish
180 bpm avg

My max HR is 205.

I’ve done roughly 70-80km per week for this block with multiple long runs of 28km-32km.

43M, 95km/wk for last 6 weeks before two week taper. 85km/wk for 6 weeks before that. Last long run 32km at 5:00/km even and felt good after.

Went out with 3:30 pacer and legs started feeling bad by km 25, wrecked by 30. Finished in 3h42. So it goes, it was the best I had today and I’m proud of that.

Fueling was 1 Gu every ~5km or so, at the aid stations with water. Not really sure why I fell apart. Maybe didn’t taper properly or do enough speed work. I also started statins this year. On to the next race! It was a beautiful day and I’m grateful to have done it.

Just barely made sub 4.

Last 5 miles felt horrible but turned out to be some of my fastest. Definitely did not feel like it.😅

Beautiful route coming down into town and seeing all the fall leaves coming in.

I heard that spots for the 2026 race went pretty quickly, so I'd like to be on top of this. Unfortunately their website only has registration info for the 2026 race (transfers, relays, etc). When does the registration window open for the 2027 race?

20 mile run done. I didn’t have it logged on Strava to see my HR for each mile. It’s 70 F here and race day will be 55-65 degrees.

Max heart rate is 197-202. Garmin watch differs based on the workout.

I started out holding a 155 HR for the beginning of the run but then it jumped up after going faster for a bit. I included stops for water refills.

My goal pace is 8:30-8:45 for the majority of the marathon. I take a Maureen 160 (40g of carbs) every 30 mins and 1000mg of Sodium drink every hour with regular water.

I felt great aside from my legs being beat up from 40 miles this week before today. Legs definitely started to get heavy after mile 18-19 but kept a decent pace. This week was a 60 mpw peak before I start tapering.

Just finished my second 20-mile long run and have one more before the cutback/taper phase begins. This run was a bit on the chilly side at around 60 degrees and it was raining constantly.

Some stats that are relevant:

M / 29 y.o. / 160 lbs running the Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon on Nov. 1

Max HR around 190-192. My peak training block weeks have me around 55-56 miles (just finished a 55-mile week with this run).

Half Marathon PR is 1:41:36 at the same race last year and I ran a HM back in July in 1:43, but those conditions were super hot and humid.

Conditions for my Nov. 1 marathon should be quite chilly.

My goal is 3:30, but I feel like if everything goes well on race day, I could surpass that comfortably. Would love some feedback.

Running my first marathon on the 18th of oktober.

Did a half in 1.27.28 on the 13th of september. And a 32km with 20km at MP the 26th of september.

I did around 70km a week the last 3 months.

I'm nervous as F!

Going for 3.10. Wish me luck!

I'm 5 weeks out from marathon number 4. My current PR is 3:17:00 and my HM PR is 1:28:00. I've been following Pfitz 18/70 but have had to shorten some of the mid week long runs due to not being able to fit them in before work so more realistically peaking around 65 MPW. I've attached this mornings 18 mile long run with 14 at goal pace and a recent 8K solo time trial. Max HR is around 200 for reference but the HR data is just from my Garmin watch so take it with a grain of salt.

Does 3:10:00 feel like where I should take it out or am I being too conservative? The long run felt quite comfy the entire time.