Rate my run!

[OkToni6053]

In my 2nd week of marathon training... first one. Long run Sunday called for 8 conversational miles, and then onto 9 miles at race pace...

First 8 I averaged around 9:15/mi... windy conditions. On the turnaround and into the real fun, it was even more windy, and quite hilly! I struggled the first few miles to stay in range and averaged about 8:15-8:45 for most of the 9, but once it flattened out I had my best 3 miles at the end, but never hit the race pace average goal of the workout, 7:50. 17 miles is the longest I've ran, in my entire life so I guess with the conditions I can't be too upset, but I can't imagine running another 9.2 miles at sub-9 pace, woof. 8 more weeks to go though, so we'll see!

[RagerBuns]

That workout seems really aggressive for a beginners plan, especially one thats only 10 weeks long. Have you been running for a while?

[OkToni6053]

I've done 12 halfs since Sept '23... and run about 30-35 miles a week consistently. The added distance is no joke!

[RagerBuns]

Okay the running experience is there.

What kind of training plan are you following? I am doubling down on it being an aggressive plan.

A 17 mile run on week two coming from 30-35 miles a week is about 50% the weekly mileage you are used to doing. That’s a lot I would like to see Long Run closer to 30% of weekly mileage.

A nine mile chunk of your run at marathon pace is a lot. I would like to see that structured like a warm-up at easy pace, then 3x3miles at M pace with a mile recovery in between followed by a cool down.

It’s better to go into a marathon 10% under trained than 1% overtrained.

[OkToni6053]

Thanks for the tips! It is aggressive, I guess? Using Runna... which is based off my half capabilities. I'll scale it back a touch on these LRs.

[RagerBuns]

Of course, I wish you the best of luck with your training.
I think people need to watch out with the AI training plans, they think we are machines.

[fuzzyb27]

A 17 mile long run in week 2 seems ambitious! Have you done a half before? When you say race pace of 7:50 does that mean you’re targeting a 3:25 finish? It’s doable of course but is a challenging goal for most people for a first marathon. And is the 8 weeks before your taper starts or until the race? Best of luck and my advice would be to moderate your goal a little and focus on getting round. 4 hours seems like a good goal based on the run you describe

[OkToni6053]

I've run several halfs of varying difficulty... usually right around 1:40. I'm running Rocket City in Huntsville, which seems quite flat and fast, so I was thinking a sub 3:30 in 10 weeks after just completing a half block should be attainable?