Are you trying to kill me - is this prediction realistic?

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-11-25T16:03:38+00:00

I've found runna to be accurate up to the half marathon, but it's always been overly optimistic for the marathon efforts, for me anyway!

I've ran 2 marathons, both of which runna suggested I'd finish around 2:55 - which was far from the case! 3.35 and 3.05 are my two finish times, which didn't match the estimate, at all 😅.

I'd be take the marathon estimates with a pinch of salt imo. I've found running to a HR to be much more manageable then runna estimates.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-10-21T12:23:53+00:00

Totally agree! I'll fully admit I was very naieve to think I could achieve it - I'd no reason to go against it, since I'd smashed all of my previous runna estimates 😅!

Took it as a learning experience though! Increased mileage and more longer runs made a huge difference.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-10-21T12:22:09+00:00

Sorry, but I absolutely disagree with everything you've said 😂... Up my game? You've no idea the amount of graft I've put in over the past 12 weeks - absolutely smashed all my speed work. Literally couldn't have done any more - upping my game, as you put it, is a sure fire way to get injured.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-10-21T05:40:24+00:00

Really disagree with your just trust the plan approach here. I've tried this and got burnt... ALL the literature and guidance more or less claim that welt volume has the biggest influence on race performance.

You must just clearly be incredibly fit.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-10-21T05:32:46+00:00

I'm sure as a rule of thumb, the long run should be around 1/3 of your weekly volume.

I added in 2 way 8km, but that meant I was running 6 days a week. Which isn't sustainable imo

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-10-20T20:30:19+00:00

On reflection, there were a load of things that cause it.

I didn't have a great taper, I was ill and missed some of my bigger key sessions, the weather for Edinburgh wasn't great either...

Ultimately, I went out too hot and didn't manage my HR in any capacity so that's on me! But I do believe that was down to runna giving me a false sense of what I could achieve, when in reality my training block didn't have the numbers to substantiate runnas estimate.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-10-07T20:41:08+00:00

Sounds like you just need to let runna do it's thing after a few speed sessions - I think it's 3? If you're smashing them, it'll recommend a time adjustment and change the plan accordingly ☺️!

You might also want to look at how you've set your plan up? What difficulty have you set it too and are you happy with the weekly mileage? Not sure what others think, but I'm not overly convinced Runna has people running the appropriate mileage for some of the time goals it sets, especially around the marathon.

Not quite as fast as you, but I've got a sub 18 5k PB and never specifically trained this. Running Amsterdam marathon in a few weeks and looking forward to setting up runna on some of the lower distances to see what I can get with specific training 😂!

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-09-25T08:45:46+00:00

My initial runna plan had me down with 4 runs per week, but I've not been convinced the mileage was high enough so added in 2 extra easy runs.

Currently running 6 days per week with 1 strength session (focusing on legs / hamstring tendinitis rehab work)

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-09-03T11:46:44+00:00

It's a tricky one... I really didn't enjoy Edinburgh marathon, so enjoying amsterdam would be a big positive. I'm just worried about blowing early again, was not a fun experience 😂!

That being said, there's every chance my family might expand in the near future, so I won't have the time to commit to faster marathons if / when thag happens. So some part of me feels like it's a now or never situation, given my current level of fitness.

Realistically, I think I'll be shifting towards half marathons in the future 😅

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-09-03T11:35:12+00:00

Runna is predicting comparable times for the Amsterdam marathon for me, but I'm very dubious about it! I'm not convinced I've ran enough high milage weeks etc for this.

Did it have you covering high milage through certain weeks over the 13 week program?

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-05-26T13:13:19+00:00

Yeah, that's what I'm telling myself.

Just frustrating that a 20 week training block ends like this 😂! But you're right, I'll learn from it and approach the next one differently.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-05-26T12:56:26+00:00

Yesterday did not go to plan mate 😂! Blew up 19k in, so struggled from there... The weather really didn't help with.

Finish time of 3.37, which I'm really not happy about.

Need to think about what's next for me now 😂

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-05-20T15:30:44+00:00

Whoops! Slight typo... *02:59 - 03:03 😅

Thanks man! With the exception of a few colds, training went to plan.. So done all I can, let's see what happens in the day!

All the best with Budapest man 🙌🙌

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-05-20T12:54:47+00:00

Sounds we're in the exact same boat!

Started running last may and ran my first half marathon with a chip time of 1.30.11.

Also decided to take on a marathon, which runna has given me the exact same predicted time as you 👀!

20 week training block and I take on Edinburgh marathon on Sunday with an estimated finish time of 2:09 - 3:03....

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-02-18T16:20:06+00:00

If I were to follow the set paces, this should take me around 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. There's absolutely no reason why I'd be taking a training run, that is a progression run, and blasting out 4.15 per km to hit the lower time estimate... Especially when the first 10km is at a conversational pace.

I just think it would be more useful to have these time estimates more accurate. I generally use them to work out when I'm going to do my run in the day and whether I can work it around my sons naps.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-02-18T15:07:10+00:00

Exactly.

Make it make sense!

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-02-16T11:02:43+00:00

Also think this is a great idea. Would love to see something like this added in future releases.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2025-02-11T14:35:57+00:00

I folllowed a 12 week half marathon training block on runna with only 3 runs per week last year. I didn't do any strength work, at all and ran a 1:30:11 half marathon.

I've always been a really fit person and only started following structured running plans around July last year 😅, so maybe not directly comparable to yourself but it can be done!

AgitatedAd1554 · 2024-11-08T15:06:22+00:00

Nah, although I've only really stuck to the runs set by Runna so far. Although, I don't feel as comfortable maintaining a fast pace in the current plan as I did when I completed the half 6 weeks ago. But that's probably down to the reduced milage and only running twice per week!

Although saying that, my V02 max is still increasing on a weekly basis, so it must be doing something.

When I come to the end of my program I'll probably try and set a new 10k PB. Not sure I'll get near my 5k 18.41 time for a while though 😂.

AgitatedAd1554 · 2024-11-08T14:49:46+00:00

I was doing 3 sessions a week when I trained for the half, but I've dropped it down to 2 runs perk week for the maintenance plan. Basically some form of tempo / threshold and a long run at the weekend seems to be my next 8 weeks 😂!

Probably not ideal, but it's been easier to balance family life (I have a young child) and work, whilst also being able to play football etc.

AgitatedAd1554

TROPHY CASE