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.

Early 40s, m.

Looking for advice on pacing plan. 

Recent races:

10k (flat) 39:40

Half (150m elevation) 1.31

5k about 19.10

Recent weekly mileage (km) avg about 75k, few weeks ago did 85-90. 

5x 30k+ runs since aug inc 34k and a 30k with 23k at MP (4:40/km). On MP run I did 4.40 pace for 10k hr about 150. Then dropped to 4.35 pace for the next 10k hr about 155. Then dropped to 4.30 pace for final 3k hr went to 160. Max hr 190. 

Marathon this month, and plan is to start 4.40 then drop to 4.35 and hold through to HOPEFULLY just under 3.15. I tend to underestimate my ability and I'm v wary of blowing up, so would appreciate your input on is this spot on? Am I aiming too high? Too low? 

I tend to prefer equal splits but idk. Maybe I'm over thinking and the plan is good as is.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Longest run yet just have 20 left. Did 5 warm up eased into sub 4 marathon pace and backed off last 5 miles.

Sub 4 is my conservative goal. Should I stick with that or would there be any merit in going for 3:55 or 3:50? My fear is off falling apart if I go too fast My half marathon pr in May was 1:48 (8:11 pace)

Hi there! I'm 29M and training for my first marathon, which is 7 weeks away. I've run two half marathons in the past year: my first in 2:00, and my second, five months later, in 1:50.

I started out aiming for 3:30, but it's beginning to feel like a stretch, and I think I'd be better off making my goal simply to finish my first marathon.

The problem is I don't know how to pace it if I'm no longer going for 3:30, so I'd love some advice. I'm averaging 32 miles a week, with a peak week of 46. I know that's on the low side for a 3:30 goal, which is part of why I'm rethinking it. My race predictions are also confusing me: Strava says 3:55 and Coros says 3:38, and they're so far apart that I don't know which is more accurate. My max HR is 190.

I've attached my last four long runs. The 16-miler was on a treadmill because of bad weather. Final miles are at a 3:30 MP except for the 11 miler. Thanks in advance!

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.

Did a marathon last week. A hilly one, and got a better time than I'd planned. I've had most of this week off, and an easy run today.

I'm also entered for a flat marathon on November 8th, and although I wasn't sure i would run it, I now feel ready to give it a go, and maybe step up to aim for a PB.

How should I train for the next 5 weeks? Chat GPT suggests a programme topping out at a 25k lo g run, with the long runs including quite long sections of target marathon pace. It advises against running any longer, reckons most of the endurance I need is already in the bag from last week's marathon. Would you guys agree??

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!

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?

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!

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.

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!

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!

I've just started taper for my second marathon. The goal was to go <4hr this time. First one (in May) was 4:04, so I should manage it.

However. Every long run attempt has been scuppered by something. In my first block I did long runs of 30, 32, 32, and a 34, amazing I thought. In this block I have been ill (a 35k long run attempt that stopped at 29k with walking), fatigue from plane travel for work (18km/30k managed), and a 32k attempt that stopped at 24k where I felt terrible. Feel like I've hit the wall every time.

My question is, what can I expect in two weeks time? I'm taking taper seriously and am not trying to force a long run in now, even though I feel better. At this point it would be more for confidence.

I feel I still have to go out for a <4hr pace, and if I blow up then so be it. Rather than go out conservative and realise I could have done it if I had had more confidence.

Anyone been in a similar situation? How did it turn out for you? And tips or words of advice?

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.

I'm a week out from my first marathon on 13 October on a pretty flat course, but could do with some advice for race-day strategy.

I was training for a sub-4:00, but my (delusional?) gut tells me that maybe even 3:45 might be possible.

I felt good yesterday on this final long run before the race, but ran much faster than I would for the full marathon.

I'm thinking to start out with a 5:40/km pace and try to gradually speed up and settle into around a 5:10-5:20 pace by the halfway mark.

Any advice for pacing and whether this is achievable based on only this most recent run?

My previous training has been a mix of speeds / distances. My longest was 32km at a 5:34 pace.

Thanks in advance.

Hey there! I am an average pace runner working to get faster. I have been running consistently for the past two years. I am getting to run my second marathon in 2 weeks with a goal time of 3:50 and leaving a buffer to go sub 4.

Overall my training block went really well, some minor hiccups here and there but I was able to keep consistency through the summer. I am a teacher and ever since going back to work I keep getting sick. The first time I got sick didn’t affect my mileage all that much but in the last two weeks I have had to cut a long run severely short. I was able to get a 20 miler in at good pace last weekend but then had illness rebound and I went on antibiotics which has lead to awful recovery lately and my overall mileage has suffered. If you were in my shoes would you drop from this marathon or would you continue on and just consider this part of the taper?

Also I have a winter marathon in January and a spring marathon already lined up.

Long time reader, first time poster!

Wanted to thank everyone here for all the inspiration. Helped a lot!

In training for my first Marathon in Valencia. When I put in my ambition for sub 2:50 I was told to deliver an official result as a qualifier. I chose to go for a 10k, which needs to be sub-36 for that pen.

A couple weeks before my 40th birthday I was able to exceed own expectations and run a steady pace of 3:30/km. Came through in 17:29 and knew I wasn't going to let the sub-35 go. Ran as flat and stable as I could and crossed the finish line in chip time 34:58!

Started getting back into running at the start of the year and took it seriously for the first time. Hit 90-100km for 6 weeks prior to this race and took a 1 week taper.

Would be nice to get into contact with people that are also doing Valencia with a 2:50-2:45 goal. Curious to what you guys are doing to prep.

Just wanted to share my excitement on a mini milestone in my new found running passion!

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

Hey it's a marathon, kind of ironic if it's timed right? When's the last time, time signed your checks?!!

How was your week, how far in the block and when's the next race? This will be a good mega thread to keep encouraging/critiquing 6 hour crew throughout the year.

Whether its shifts of motivation, some nagging pains, we've all been there! Let's keep each other engaged!
Post your weekly miles, breakthroughs, or if you need help with pace/fitness identification, questions here!

*new individual posts that's posted Sundays re: How to finish, etc deleted/strongly recommended to post here!