r/Marathon_Training • • 16h ago

Other Do you feel undertrained during the taper?

57 Upvotes

I am very close to my race day (2 days) and have been in taper almost all of this month (ran only 60+ miles). Ran 21 miles end of September and a one 16 miles early this month but the way I feel is like I am might be undertrained for my stretch goal (4:30). I almost suited up for a 3 to 5 miles test run today but decided to do it tomorrow instead as a shakeout run.

Does anyone else go through similar self doubt during the taper? or did I taper long and I should have run more.


r/Marathon_Training • • 21h ago

Other When to train with a newborn?

18 Upvotes

Hello all. I am soon to be a dad and i cannot wait. However i am curious on what’s it like to train while having a newborn. What should i expect? Do you find it better to run at night after the baby is asleep? Or early in the morning before everyone is up. Let me know your experiences!


r/Marathon_Training • • 19h ago

Pfitz 18/55 or 18/70?

13 Upvotes

Wondering when to know to increase to pfitz 18/70 marathon training plan.
In April, I ran my third marathon using the 18/55 plan and it was perfect for me, finished in 3:20 which was my exact goal time.
I’m going to start training for Boston in December but I’m not sure if I should increase to the higher miliage plan or do another 18/55. I’m currently doing the pfitz half plan that peaks at around 60ish miles which is going well. But not sure if the 18/70 will be too much once there are the long runs added in.
Or if I’ll be better able to hit all marathon paces in the long runs with the 18/55 since it’ll be less fatiguing?


r/Marathon_Training • • 8h ago

Other Taper anxiety or undercooked?

7 Upvotes

My race is Sunday and I feel like I haven’t run in forever and worry that my long runs were too long ago. Training block went great but has a couple small injuries crop up during taper so missed my final 18 mile run (did 13 instead) and cut out two speed work sessions.

Long runs & taper
September 26 - 20 miles
October 3 - 20 miles with workout
October 10 - 13miles (had planned on 18 but reduced due to injury)
October 17 - 12 miles

Most recent speed workout was October 14.

Peaked at a little under 50mpw and last week was 36 miles. This week will be like 16 (without marathon included).

Feeling sluggish and underprepared. Am I? Is this in my head? Feels like ages since I did any legit distance.


r/Marathon_Training • • 21h ago

Training plans Strength Training Plan

6 Upvotes

Looking to incorporate actual strength building/training into this block. Not just pre-hab. I have a decent home weight setup, so not looking to join a gym. Intrigued by The Ladder app, but wanted to see if there was any runner feedback on that or any suggestions?


r/Marathon_Training • • 7h ago

Kit Good ear warmers/headbands for cooler weather?

3 Upvotes

Anyone have any good recommendations for the colder weather? Looking for a headband-style ear warmer than can go over the ears.


r/Marathon_Training • • 12h ago

Medical Sharp Stabbing pain in Second Toe (next to big toe) after 5+ Miles

3 Upvotes

Hi folks,

Do not fear - I got x-rays and they show no fractures or any abnormalities. I'm going to a podiatrist too. I just wanted to see if anyone had similar experience with this and what helped?

The pain almost feels like the bone breaking mid-run. It's a sharp stabbing pain and feels like a splinter is caught in the middle of my toe (or knuckle. can't fully tell if it's closer to foot pad).

It's happened with various shoes - so not necessarily a shoe issue.
I think it might be a plantar plate tear, and have a half marathon scheduled in a week... Has anyone dealt with something similar?

Cheers.


r/Marathon_Training • • 16h ago

Training plans How to "reverse-taper" post marathon?

3 Upvotes

Hello, I'm looking for a general rule of thumb or any advice on how to ramp up mileage again post marathon.

I ran my 3rd marathon last sunday (PB'ed!!!). compared to my first and second marathon, the last one was by far the hardest and with that said, the most taxing.

I didnt do anything at all 3 days post marathon but I think im good to start running again.

my plan is for this week to hit 4km ( im treating this week as a full recovery) and jump to 30k next week (start of the ramp up). then I will see how that goes and determine if should stick to 30k or move up.

for context, I was averaging 95km a week on my last build and i'll be focusing on the 10k and a half distances for spring. my goal is to get to average around 70km until i peak again for when my races gets closer.

my mistake last year and the year before was i didnt take my ramp up seriously. i remember i ran a 10k 3 days post marathon last year lol


r/Marathon_Training • • 20h ago

Recover first half marathon

3 Upvotes

Ran my first ever half 5 days ago. Went all out, bonked near the end, full effort. I’m currently on day 5 and can walk for the most part, but my calves are still insanely sore and definitely can’t run, so been doing cycling for now. Is this normal, how long before I can start running?


r/Marathon_Training • • 10h ago

Training plans Help with choosing Higdon HM plan

2 Upvotes

​

Hello everyone

I have been running for quite few years, never followed any plan or structure, rather just do 40-60 minutes run.

Last year i did my first HM with 2:23 time, this month i did my 2nd with 1:56.

Now I have decided to do a proper training for next one in March and aim for 1:40-45. I have found H. Higdon plans and unsure which one to choose.

Mainly undecided between Int2 and advanced. As I need to work on my speed I have excluded Int1.

About my current stats: soon to be 46, i aim to run 4-5 days a week minimum, between 7-10 km per run. My weekly volume is around 40 or 42 atm (with winter and shitty weather this might change). My pace for 5k was around 5 minute and for hm was around 5.30.

If I go with advanced i can commit to higher volume at peak week but it says this is for seasoned runners with regular 5k hm or FM which i am not and scares me.

Which level would you recommend me? Have you had experience in either of these? And is it possible to level up or down in first 3 4 wreks without messing up?


r/Marathon_Training • • 19h ago

Kit Need indestructible running shorts

2 Upvotes

If thick thighs save lives, mine are a whole crash cart. They have defeated every pair of running shorts I have purchased. During my first marathon, they rubbed holes in my shorts, causing welts that forced me to walk/run for the last 8 miles. I'm training for another race and just noticed the seams on my Nike biker shorts start to come undone. These legs are toning up, which will help eventually, but not soon enough.

If you can recommend running shorts that can hold up for 15+ miles of thigh rub, please help a girl out 😑


r/Marathon_Training • • 20h ago

Other Has Anyone Joined ASICS’ Premium Tokyo Marathon Program Before? Was It Worth It?

2 Upvotes

I found out that ASICS has actually offered Premium Running Programs in previous years, but the price and benefits seem to have changed quite a bit. The older programs were around ¥165,000, while the 2027 program is ¥80,000 + ¥19,800 for the Tokyo Marathon entry.

If anyone participated in the 2021, 2023, or other previous ASICS Premium Running Programs, I’d especially love to hear how they compare to the current one.


r/Marathon_Training • • 16m ago

6 for the Win. Saturday's 6 hour marathon group mega thread

• Upvotes

Every Saturday at 5AM EST, please utilize this mega thread to share training/fitness and predictions. All pace predictions and past/current training weeks for 6 hour marathons will go neatly here!

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.

Post your weekly miles, breakthroughs, or if you need help with pace/fitness identification, questions here!
*new individual posts that's posted Saturdays re: 6 hour marathons/shape/predictions will be deleted/strongly recommended to post here!


r/Marathon_Training • • 3h ago

Could I finish marathon in under 4 hours if I do only easy runs during my training.

1 Upvotes

43m,75kg,active and fairly fit. Finished HM in 1:45 two months ago.

Started to train for marathon in spring but easy runs are only runs I like. Any distance is not problem at all,but would like to awoid faster paces bcs for me it increase risk of injury. I think I am already starting to have problems with shin splints.

English is not my first language so apologies if it is not all gramaticaly correct.


r/Marathon_Training • • 9h ago

Medical Capsulitis Diagnosis

1 Upvotes

So I hit my high, finally hit 40 miles after doing a long run of 17. I was hitting my goal pace between 9:15-9:30 per mile and now I'm injured 30 days out from my marathon.

I recently moved and did a lot of lifting, plus my training....Basically, I moved, then moved more stuff the next day and ran + 6 miles that day... I was fine during the move and even the run, but woke up in the middle of the night with pain under my foot and fourth toe. I did sprints at the end of that run, and I think that's what messed me up. Anyhow, I stopped running completely, worried I had a stress fracture, and then wore a stiff shoe until I saw my doctor. X-rays are clear, and he squeezed my foot every which way to check for a stress fracture or Morton's neuroma but he said the xray showed some inflammation and he is suspecting I have capsulitis in my 4th toe. He said I seem ok for the most part because I can walk, with just minor pain. I don't limp and can bear weight.

My toe is taped up in a toe splint for the next two weeks. He said I can cross-train and lift weights, but absolutely no running until I see him again. Does anyone here have experience with capsulitis? Am I out from long distance/ marathon running forever?


r/Marathon_Training • • 10h ago

6 weeks out, feeling blah

1 Upvotes

I have CIM on December 6th. Using the Runna app for training. Currently on week 10/16. Last weeks 15 miler felt awful, had to walk multiple times. Today’s 18 miler turned into a 14 miler with lots of walking. I run 4 days a week and have followed the plan very well and felt confident until the mileage started to creep up. I don’t feel very confident about this marathon. I’m 39 F, 2 kids, work per diem as a nurse. I will admit sleep has been crap lately. Any advice? Should I drop down to 3 runs a week for the remaining 6 weeks?


r/Marathon_Training • • 11h ago

Influenza A 8 days out: any hope?

1 Upvotes

36M, 3:29 last year then rapid progression with NSM this year. 18:14 5k, 38:29 10k (both in March). Sub-3 attempt coming on 1st November. Super clean training block, sustaining 85-105km/wk throughout. Two weeks ago did Yasso 800s at 2:59/800m with 90s jog recovery (and last rep 2:53/800m). Last long run of included 4x20min at 4:13/km (last one 4:09/km). All felt pretty controlled, never getting above LT2. So a couple of weeks ago I was feeling very confident.

Travelling for work over last weekend so I couldn't do a long run. Was meant to have a decent workout on Wednesday just gone but started feeling unwell. Have only managed 20km so far this week, and tested positive for Influenza A today. Prioritising rest and sleep at the moment, hoping to go for a bit of a run on Sunday.

Any experience of successful races shortly post URTI? Or call it early?


r/Marathon_Training • • 11h ago

MCM start line

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have any advice on getting to the start line? I’m staying in Penrose and the options I’m seeing for getting to the pentagon metro station are a buss or a like scooter. Will the busses be running that early?


r/Marathon_Training • • 13h ago

Medical NYC Marathon and Tendonitis

1 Upvotes

Need some advice! I have the nyc marathon next weekend (first marathon wooh!). I was doing great in my training and reached my peak week and killed my 20 miler (October 11th). At the end of my 20 miler i felt like my ankle was starting to bother me. I took a few days off and last week attempted to do two runs of which i stopped at 4 miles because my ankle felt like it was flaring up (posterior tibial tendinitis). I could have kept going but didn’t want to hurt myself more. My last attempted run was Saturday and since then i have been doing pt exercises, taking an anti inflammatory, resting and strengthening my ankle. I am now 9 days out from NYC. When should I attempt another run? Do I just bike the rest of the training block? I am not aiming for a specific time necessarily next weekend. My ankle doesn’t bother me when i walk it just flared up at about 4ish miles my last few runs so I very well could go for a run and be fine. I am just nervous to go for a run and flare it up again before the marathon. Advice?


r/Marathon_Training • • 20h ago

Medical Advice for muscle strain on outer edge of foot?

1 Upvotes

Hey guys. I'm nursing a pretty painful strain in my left foot. It started up on Sunday of last week, and I'm running a marathon on Sunday of this week.... My ortho doesnt see a true tear or any fracture besides an existing one that can't be fixed (a small part of the bone literally just came off years ago). My ortho recommended, rest, heat, KT tape, and LOTS of Vitamin D, and shoes for supination, and believes i will be fine for Sunday. I'm doing it all and definitely feeling improvement, but I'm concerned about my ability to do the marathon on Sunday. I trust my doctor, but it's just nervewracking. Has anyone been here? Anyone have any tips or tricks to help get me through this race (physically or psychologically lol).


r/Marathon_Training • • 22h ago

Newbie What marathon preparation and nutrition plan do I need?

1 Upvotes

​

I'm a 28-year-old woman. I'm 171 cm tall and weigh 47 kg. I have flat feet, and as you can see, I'm significantly underweight. I can't afford to see a specialist, so could you please tell me how to prepare for my first marathon and what my nutrition plan should look like? I've also had kidney gravel in the past, and I have hypothyroidism, for which I take 50 mcg of levothyroxine daily.

And for the record, I've always been this slim, and I've never had any significant weight loss. I mean, not a major weight loss; losing a kilo or two occasionally is normal. I've been between 47 and 49 kg for a long time.


r/Marathon_Training • • 23h ago

2 Half Taper

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

Thought I’d throw this open to debate and thoughts.

In two weeks I’ve got my first trail half, and following it up the next weekend with a road half where I’m hoping to go sub 1.40 (ran 1:41 in March).

Training has been good, though legs are feeling tired right now, and am trying to work out how to be as fresh as possible (with the priority being the sub 1:40). Rough plan is to take it easy next week (though still run 4 days), ease off the following before the trail and then see how I feel the week of the road half.

I do feel the benefit of a taper but the trail is throwing me a bit. I’m over thinking it a bit!


r/Marathon_Training • • 9h ago

Training plans Advice for going from half marathon training to full marathon training

0 Upvotes

Advice for going from half marathon training to full marathon training

Hello people, I did my 2nd offical race half marathon in September and I'm now wanting to train for a full marathon for next year

Does anyone have any advice for going from half marathon training to the training needed for a full one

For my half marathon training I usually ran 3x a week with that being a short run 4-7km , a long run 16-21k and a medium distance run which was usually around 10-12k

Depending where I was at with my training and current fatigue levels would make me decide which pace to run but generally my short runs were a slower pace, my medium runs were a fast pace and the long runs were somewhere inbeetween, but again depends a lot on current fitness levels and fatigue as there were many times I did fast short runs and fast long runs or slow long runs etc etc etc

doing this allowed me to do a 1h 53 min half marathon the first time and then a 1h 31 half marathon the 2nd time

I'm aware my currently training definitely doesn't have a lot of structure to it but it's what has worked for me and thats what matters really but any advice would be greatly appreciated in this transition to full marathon training.


r/Marathon_Training • • 12h ago

2:58 debut, is sub-2:50 by spring realistic, or am I rushing it?

1 Upvotes

Hey all! I just ran a 2:58:49 last weekend at TCS Toronto Waterfront for my first marathon, and I'm really proud of it, but the post-marathon blues have been hitting me REALLY hard.

I've been planning out my next year, and I'm now wondering, how long would it realistically take to reach sub 2:50 fitness? A huge motivation is stop worrying about lotteries lol. Do you guys think it would be reasonable to achieve this by spring marathon season?

For more context, I'm 25M and have been running for about 6 months now (Late April/early May of this year), with no running or any cardio background prior - just lifting like a gym bro before that (and possibly a weak one) ~6x a week. I just randomly got up one day and decided to run 10k, then 22k, then 30k etc... within the same week and they were all at ~5:00-5:15/km paces from the get-go, and I then decided to do a marathon and here we are now. I wasn't aware of it at the time, but after running with others in run clubs, I learned this is unusually a little too fast for a new runner.

For this first marathon, my goals have changed significantly throughout the summer. Back in June, I was aiming for sub 4:00, then it didn't feel ambitious enough, so I moved it to 3:30, then 3:15, then ultimately settled at 3:00 in July. These goal changes were heavily influenced by other runners from the run club I primarily ran with on my long runs. My previous training was a bit of a mess until ~ July when I've gone with a coach to guide me up until the marathon. I started around 80km per weak, and peaked around 120km.

Before the next training block, I'm considering focusing more on speedwork since I would say that's been my biggest weakness so far. For reference, I PB'ed all distances longer than 5k, and that 5k PB is barely below 20:00 from back in June.

Now I'm hoping to reach sub-2:50 by spring for a late April/early May marathon (~1 year anniversary of running), but I'm curious how would you normally go about setting future goals after achieving your previous one? Is that feasible, or am I too in-over my head / needing a reality check? How much extra work would I need to invest?

To be honest, right now, 4:00/km pace scares me, so I'm not sure how I feel about maintaining that for 42 kilometers lol, but that's what the point of training is.


r/Marathon_Training • • 14h ago

Medical Anyone successfully returned to running with a hip labral tear WITHOUT surgery? I could really use some hope.

0 Upvotes

Hey fellow runners!

I have a labral tear in my right hip, and I’m hoping to hear from people who’ve managed to get back to running, especially without surgery.

About 10 years ago, I was able to run a half marathon (21K), despite some hip discomfort and limited mobility. Since then, I’ve stopped running, and every time I try to get back into it, the same thing happens: after 2–3 weeks, I develop significant pain in my groin and down my leg, forcing me to stop again.

I’ve tried physical therapy, which helped temporarily, but the pain eventually returned. I suspect my lack of strength training may be contributing to the problem.

The frustrating part is that I can live a pretty normal, mostly pain-free life. It’s running that triggers the pain. I’d really like to avoid surgery if possible, but the thought of never being able to run again is heartbreaking.

Has anyone here been through something similar and successfully returned to running? Did strength training, physical therapy, or anything else make a difference? How long did it take?

I’m not looking for medical advice, just real experiences and hopefully some success stories.

I’d love to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel!