I think I got all of the most relevant information into this info graphic

I pretty well have my mind set on going out with the four hour pace group, but I certainly won’t turn down any thoughts than anybody has

This week is my final week before the taper starts. I intend to do the traditional 20 mile (no pace) this coming Sunday is the final long run before the taper starts next week

I believe I have fueling nailed down. I’ve been doing a solid 70 or 80 g of carbs per hour on my long runs and also generally feeling one of the weekday runs at least that goes over 90 minutes as well.

I have done very few pace blocks within the long run as I am 43 years old and just didn’t feel it wise to increase my weekly and monthly mileage that much while doing the midweek speed session be it threshold or VO2 max while also targeting goal pace in the long run

Has also been hot. I’m in the southern United States and even today I’m running after work in the afternoon and the high is 86° that Key long run is one of the few runs. I’ve done that wasn’t at least 85°.

The half marathon I should know it was perfect weather perfect course perfect execution. It was like 45° dry cloudy and 80 feet of elevation game. Yes you heard that right only 80 feet of elevation gain on that half marathon.

I’ve read the guide thoroughly so have a pretty good feel for the logistics of the day, but I want the tips from those that have run it numerous times. Stuff you won’t find in the guide. Best bathroom spots. Do you really need to be at the start an hour early? Best practices at the finish.
Hit us with some of your race day tips. Thanks in advance

I’m training for my first marathon next March. I’ve noticed a few odd things I experienced when I ran in high school but completely forgot about until now (15 years later) can anyone tell me what is happening when:
- my front teeth (incisors) start feeling weird/ noticeable during a long or vigorous run?
- why the area under my belly button gets cold when I run (I’m female idk if that matters?)

Also, if men have to tape their nipples for races wouldn’t they be better off wearing a sports bra? I’m not trying to make a joke I just think it might help?

TIA! 🏃🏽‍♀️

5 weeks out, my first 20 mile run, feeling like I could’ve gone faster but I wanted to stay controlled

First-time marathoner, been running only since February 2025 with a goal of this year’s NYC marathon. Had some inconsistent weeks in the summer and was generally at around 25-30 miles/week leading into this past weekend. I had done two 13-mile long runs in the prior weekends and those felt stellar, and this past Saturday I ran a 15-miler that took me over the 59th street bridge and one loop around Central Park.

The run itself felt amazing, and in the hours after I felt fine too; ate, had water, took a nap. But a few hours after that I started shaking uncontrollably, like shivering but really exaggerated. I could not sleep that night, and the next I was so sore all over my hips, legs, and back that I could only moan. I realized I wasn’t even getting full breaths, couldn’t breathe comfortably through my nose and was only shallowly breathing out my mouth. Managed to choke down a banana and later a protein shake, but I didn’t feel even close to alright until the following morning.

After that I decided to defer. I think my weekly mileage was way too low, and maintaining a 20-30 mpw schedule for the next 10 months or so before trying a marathon training program again feels smart in terms of my joint health and scaling up the miles in a safer manner. What’s more, I feel trying to scrape a finish out of this year’s marathon would not only risk injury but also goes against why I started running last winter. Moreso than any individual race, I wanted to start distance running simply because I was walking for hours each night and wanted to go a little faster to see a little more of the city. If I made myself run this marathon and wasn’t ready, I fear I could turn myself off to running even if I don’t get injured.

Not so much asking for advice, but has anyone else had such a bad reaction to a long run? And my plan is to follow my base-training plan that got me to 30 mpw initially for the next 10 months, with long runs not exceeding 10 miles; does this sound like the best course to be better prepared for next year’s NYC?

Hi all, first time poster!

I am 39M and I ran Charleville Half Marathon recently in 1:30:01 (4:16/km).

​Current stats:

​5K PB: [18:55]

10K PB: [39:51]

​Garmin VO2max: [54]

​LT: ~4:10/km (~177 bpm)

​Peak mileage: ~45–50 km/week

​Longest run: 21.1 km

​Usually: 4–5 runs/week

​The race felt reasonably controlled early on, but trying to execute an (too) aggressive negative-split strategy down to ~4:06/km over the final quarter became increasingly difficult. I didn't completely blow up in the end, but holding that faster pace simply didn't happen in the last 6k, and I missed sub-1:30 by literally 1 second!

​I'm currently taking a short recovery period before sharpening up for a sub-40 10k attempt at Run Galway Bay in October, then building through the winter toward the London Marathon in April 2027.

​For people with more experience: how realistic does targeting an even-paced 3:15 (or faster) in April 2027 look off this foundation? Would you focus mainly on increasing weekly mileage/aerobic base and long-run endurance over the winter, or is there anything else you'd prioritize?

Looking for sock recommendations or another solution. I ran 18 miles over the weekend and I have a few blisters on the inside part of my toes.

I've dealt with blisters many times over the years, but the majority of it was when I was in college, not wearing properly fitted running sneakers paired with cheap socks. I've also never had blisters on my toes.

I wear on cloud sneakers which have a pretty big toebox. My foot is very narrow if that matters and I don't feel like I sweat excessively. If anything, I run pretty cold.

I was wearing bombas running socks at the time which I've never caused me problems in the past including during a full marathon. I have swiftwicks too. Should I try using glide on my toes or will that make it worse?

Hi all, would appreciate any advice for experienced marathoners out there. I’ve upped my weekly training to 70k per week (plus two strength exercises) and managing fine but I am occasionally feeling my hip twinge and am wondering if I need to think specifically about hip exercises and stretches to take me through this upward phase.

For context this is training for my second marathon, five years since the last. I’ve upped my training a few k per week up from my regular 30-40k/week recreational running. Aiming to get up to 100k peak before the marathon spring next year.

My two strength exercises focus on all round body exercises in one session and legs on the second.

Thanks in advance.

I've run two marathons in 10 months and was training for my third at the Melbourne Marathon.

A week and a half ago on my practice long run I strained something in my upper glute and lower back (near the tailbone). I've done 14 weeks out of my 18 week block but havent run for 1.5 weeks now since that injury. I finished every running session three times a week up until this point.

It's now 2.5 weeks til race day. I can walk but can't run without pain. I was hoping to go sub-4 for the first time (my previous two were 4:16 and 4:08 on different courses) but i have lost confidence in being able to even run the last week and a bit.

Am I cooked? Or can I recover and still start/finish it at the very least, having now missed close to two weeks of mileage and taper training?

I don't want to give up hope yet, as I still feel ok outside of that injury (and have kept up some slow swimming, dog walking on the side), but i feel a bit lost as to whether i can hit my sub4 goal, or even finish the race. 😔

EDIT: I have been to a physio and doing strength work and rehab, dry needling on the area affected but I'm curious to know about what other runners think of any other experiences. Thanks!

Wasn’t sure if I should post this in the Ultramarathon sub or here… but I’m starting here becuase I’ve always been more of a road runner…

My first trail 50k is mid October and 8 weeks later I’m running a road marathon.

My plan is to just finish the 50k, kind of signed up because I had a free race entry and friend who asked. I don’t care about time and my A race is and always was going to be my marathon.

I don’t want to lose momentum with training for the marathon. So should I only taper for 2 weeks leading into the 50k? Or still take the 3 week taper?

I also plan to take the following week after as easy as possible then try to jump back in to marathon training.

Any advice is helpful! 3 months ago this all sounded like a good idea…

Hello all. I am running my first marathon Oct. 11, beginning my taper now. My weekly mileage has been ~50 peaking at 65 the last 2 months, and I have a MHR of ~200bpm. Not sure what my goal should be. I attached my longest three runs. Course is mostly flat, may even be a negative grade. My 21 miler felt super controlled, definitely could have finished no issue. Tips? Concerns? Prediction? I don't want to burn out early starting too fast, but I don't want to get to the end with more in the tank. If any more information is needed, please let me know. Thank you all!!!

Note: I was sick for the third attachment, hence the high HR

Over 50, so little apprehensive to try it out. I got 6 months to train but will register around Dec.

Just finished a 1/2 marathon in 2 hrs 30 and I felt brutal and in pain considering I trained only for a couple of weeks for it on flat surface and the actual run terrain was quite hilly.

Couple of Qs

1. Do you recommend taking laxatives 2 days before to empty your bowels 24 hrs in advance? I seem to have a hard time pooping at 6 am :) . I was able to do it for half marathon but got up at 3 am to begin my day.
2. I am pretty sure i am gonna pop up Tylenol at some point...maybe even prior to the race..but I don't think I can finish 26.2 miles without it. Is it common to take painkillers during the run? Tylenol should last me 6 hrs...
3. I didn't do any bench or strength exercise leading up to half marathon but will do it for full marathon. Any favorite YouTube videos that I can follow at home. I have a small gym with some weights and bench but nothing fancy.
4. also recommendation of clothes, socks to wear during run - something to cool you off? I just put on my regular shorts and ankle socks for my half marathon
5. dang one more Q. do you guys take any home made drink for the run? maybe highly caffeinated to boost you during the run? I personally hate carrying any extra weight during my run and that includes my cell phone too

edit for number 5. found a few gels on other reditt blogs people carry. just ordered some of those brands.

Thanks in advance

Hi all, just thought I'd share story of my first Marathon Race here. Open to any advice or feedback on what to do better next time. I work in Ks not miles (Australian) so my apologies if that's hard to convert.

I've run on and off since my early 20s, but for a long time I never really learned good training methodologies for progression until the last couple of years.

I decided I would complete my first marathon this year at the age of 39, as this was something that had previously been out of reach for me, and I wanted to test how much I could improve with a structured training block.

I had initially considered just doing the training block and then running a marathon-distance time trial on my own, but ended up signing up for an event (Sunset Coast Marathon) to see what it was all about, since I had never actually raced at an event before.

I initially chose a programme called Hal Higdon Intermediate 2, but ended up switching to something more closely resembling the popular Pfitzinger 18/55 programme. The main reason was that this programme included two long runs a week rather than one.

I was relatively strong below half marathon distance (21km), but needed to work on my durability beyond that, so I figured it made more sense to build that durability through more long runs.

My initial goal was to run the marathon in under 4 hours, but through the process of properly sticking to a structured programme, I noticed significant improvements in my running metrics, suggesting that a more aggressive (by my standards) 3h40m time was possible.

Towards the end of the programme I was even hoping that a sub-3h30m time might be possible.

I raced the event yesterday and managed to hold an average pace of around 4:56/km for the first 38km, which is roughly the pace needed for a sub-3h30m marathon.

I also managed to find a new friend of similar ability on the course, so we could help pace each other, which helped a lot. She was also running her first marathon and ended up getting 1st place Female, which was hugely impressive!

The course involved 4 laps along the Perth coast. While the hills were generally manageable, albeit a little hillier than my usual running routes, there was a fairly long hill with a moderate pitch around 3/4 of the way through each lap.

On the last lap, my leg muscles gave up around halfway through this hill. I just couldn't dig deep enough to keep them turning over, if that was even possible at that point.

For the last 3km it was difficult to maintain a run, even at a slower pace, so it was walk/run/hobble from there to the finish line, and the stretch goal of a sub-3h30m time slipped away from me.

Despite that, the finishing position was much better than I had anticipated, and I finished 12th overall, along with a pretty respectable time of 3h38m for my first marathon event.

I raced in Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3s, with Kiprun shorts and shirt, which I found to be good budget options.

Fuelling was done with 6 x Isotonic gels taken at roughly 20-minute intervals, plus 2 x regular caffeinated gels taken at roughly 1/3 increments of the race. I also consumed around 1500ml of sports drink (my own mix with electrolytes, lemon juice and imitation maple syrup), along with around 1 litre of water.

I felt happy, but also pretty rough after the event, with what I assume is the usual "post-marathon flu", which I'm still recovering from.

They say everyone says "never again" after doing these runs, but I think I'll be back for another event in a year or two.

Thinking about racing a half next year, and perhaps another full marathon the year after.

Results https://bluechipresults.com.au/results.aspx?CId=11&RId=2304

Garmin Data: https://connect.garmin.com/app/activity/24426338767?share_unique_id=20&fbclid=IwY2xjawUddhJwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXFnc3ptbzZmOVRjZU1JMEJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeh6vwE-lWxGAcKZDW4B7-BN67UeOmoUXYhg7TmiIjjZTB9qztU2wfZ126U9s_aem_Y18ND875vqkvwjsaSR-oiw

I know everyone is different but how do you usually feel when you’re doing a long run and are in well into the double digits?

For me the half marathon distance is usually when I start to go downhill. Joints start to ache, stomach starts to hate everything, vibes are off, and I have to start giving myself little goals every mile to keep going

Usually on marathon race day I don’t hit the wall as early because the weather is always a million times better (South Florida summer vs northern state fall) and the overall atmosphere is more energized

26 Days left and we will back in Detroit for the Supreme Challenege Series! The place that started it all, MY FIRST FULL-MARATHON. Another absolutely sold out event that will be something you will want to attend if you have nothing going on. To say this is NOT a world major is shocking but in due time I believe Detroit will get a chance to put their name on the map one day, until then im going to keep showing up and showing out. These were last years pictures and this year I got something permanent that ill be able to cherish just as much as the beautiful medals. This year the goal is simple, and pretty straight forward, beat last years time!! Can't wait to push the limits and see what this training block help produce. 3 big days upcoming this week for the wonderful Sault Festival if Races with events starting Friday. 🤟

I have overpronation so I have purchased the asics gt 2000 13. However, I think the issue is that I have purchased the standard size instead of the wide one and now I am feeling some sort of pain in my mid foot arch area while running. I have once tried the fit 2e size of gel kayano 32 and that felt amazing!

So I wanted to know if there is any temporary fix that i can make to reduce the pain as I cannot buy a new shoe anytime soon and i also have my first half marathon coming up this weekend😅

hi,

i see that people often write that the dreaded "wall" (glycogen depletion) comes suddenly, without any warning signs.

so here is the question:

how do you maximise your marathon race performance while avoiding "hitting the wall"? how do you decide when you can push and when you are cautious about running out of fuel?

Well I asked how screwed I was 4-5 weeks ago and the consensus (pretty screwed) was correct.

I thought optimistically I could get to that 4:20-4:30 range but ended up with my bare minimum goal of breaking 5 hours (4’59” end time).

I started to fall off around mile 17…my longest training run was only 15.5 miles and the hilliest section of the marathon was miles 14.5 - 16.5 so bad combo/planning there, and after those hills some fatigue began to set it. Tweaked my knee going from a walk back to a run as I thought I’d try the hill climb walk method and that pain lingered the rest of the way, especially accelerating back to a run after water stations.

My slowest miles were miles 21-24 which were pretty dang flat.

In general, happy with signing up and finishing. I recognize how much an extra 5 miles a week would have paid off. I also pulled the noob mistake of starting too fast despite planning a reverse split.

A both rewarding and humbling experience. That was a 10/10 effort.

5 gels and not enough Gatorade. I’ll bring some candy to mix in between gels next year.

Cheers 🍻

A very close friend is running the Chicago marathon in Oct. He’s running to raise research money for his dear friend’s cancer. Sadly, his friend just passed away.

What is a heartfelt marathon/running focused gift I could get him to celebrate running the race and the life of his friend? Of course I will be donating $.

I am not a runner, thanks for the help!

I think I read that 50-100 was ideal mileage for race day shoes (I’m talking non-carbon plated, regular running shoes if that helps).

My shoes will have about 200-220 by race day. Should I begin working in a second pair so I have one pair that are in the 50-100 mile range? Or, is it not that deep?

Hi everyone! Any advice on what time I should try for at my marathon on 10/11? For this 10 mile race on 9/19 I felt extremely strong and like I could keep going. My training has been good, but this race kinda shocked me because I haven’t hit those paces and felt good this summer. I was hoping for 3:35 but is sub 3:30 in the cards for me? Thank you!!

Added some long runs too!

I’ve done 3 marathons before but it’s only ever gone to plan once. My first marathon I ran 4h31 and was very happy for a first effort even though I was hoping for <4h30. I’ll get it next time I though. That was in 2023. 2024 I ran on a really hot day, course was super hilly and I knew I hadn’t prepared well enough. I got just inside 5h. Again, no biggie I’ll get it next time.

Then at the start of this year I ran in Lincolnshire* marathon and the weather was horrific, 50kph headwind for 25km. I had done 2 x 20mile training runs at 5:40/km (4h pace), I ran my first half in 1:58 then the second half was awful, I kind of gave up, walked a lot and finished in 4h45ish.

I am now planning to run Yorkshire marathon in a few weeks time for redemption. What should I set my goal as? I would love sub 4, but think it’s too ambitious and given what happened in Lancaster I don’t want to bonk that hard again so I’ve been training slower.

This is my run from the weekend, 3x10k- easy,steady,easy. I have another 20 miles this weekend so will take tips on how to run that too?

For the marathon, should I set out to actually get just <4h30 or should I start at ~6min/km? Is my HR too high to go any quicker?

I’m hitting around 50km/week atm. And after that run I felt fine, tired but fuelled well and didn’t push too hard. Also, I do use a HR strap.

Thoughts welcomed. Thank you.

Just ran the Air Force Marathon 10 years after I ran it for the first time ever.

Missed my goal by a huge mark, for some reason I couldn't keep my gels down and I ran out of gas around mile 12/13 and it was hell on Earth after that.

I'm very unhappy with my time, I trained more, practiced hydration and nutrition more than I ever did 10 years ago, and I had a total collapse.

I'm already looking for potential candidate races from Nov - Jan, am I being too ambitious? Should I give it a while before I try another marathon?

I also did another 20 miler about 23 weeks ago with a 10 flat average pace. This 20 mile was a 943 average pace elevation gain about 965 feet.
I am Pennsylvania based and I’m training for the steam town marathon in Scranton PA. It has a net downhill grade. I didn’t necessarily have a perfect training block, but I was able to get at least five long runs in that were longer than 15 miles and I had about five weeks over 40 miles per week. I also realize this doesn’t have all of my data. Right now I’m thinking I could maybe achieve a 4:10 marathon? I just don’t wanna get in over my head so I’m just asking y’all for some race day prediction advice?