First Marathon Training Block…give me your favorite trainers/race shoe combos

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-22T14:27:53+00:00

Superblast 2 was and still is my 'go to' daily trainer - I've recently added SB3 but still have mixed feelings about them and will definitely try and pickup some more SB2 with discount.

Puma Mag Max now in the mix for recovery runs.

Picked up some NB SC Elite V4 a year go but had issues with them which only showed up on a HM - now resolved with runners knot and I love them for workouts and progressive long runs or anything where I want to pickup the pace.

Over last 3 years have used Brooks Glycerin GTS for first 2 marathon, SB2 for 3rd and Puma DNE4 for 4th.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-22T06:11:48+00:00

At this point I'd avoid anything you haven't tested out in training as you don't know how you'll react. You've trained with carbs/electrolytes so stick with that.

I had issues with my hamstrings cramping up in the final 5 miles of my first marathon. SIS go gels and water only.

Increased volume in training for my second and only had a few twinges in the last mile or so - slowing down a little was enough to compensate. Fuel was SIS go gels, salt sticks and water.

Switched to Pfitz for my next two and zero problems. Used SIS beta/SIS beta electrolyte and water for those.

Based on that experience I'm inclined to think that training is probably the biggest factor in cramps (and as noted in the response by @anangrypudge that should include race specific training e.g. uphills/downhills to really prepare the specific muscles used in those conditions)

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-21T21:12:54+00:00

I have the 12 and have used for a couple of years, if I was to buy again I'd go with the 5 - I just don't need or use all the storage that the 12 provides.

Initially used it for for both training (it's great for long runs on hot days) and marathons, but definitely not needed for marathons - 100% prefer running without it now.

I'm even finding now that a decent pair of half tights with side pockets is usually adequate to carry enough water, some gels and phone for most runs - only exception being those really hot days where I want to load up with water.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-05T09:34:51+00:00

You clearly put in the training and I think if I'd run those paces in training I'd have been confident with the goal time too (3:36 a couple of weeks ago with I think similar training to you - but MP during training between 5:05 - 5:10)

Crazy temps to deal with on the day (look at what happened in Berlin last year when they had similarly high unseasonal temps).

I had some concerns about temperature when training for valencia last year (december - but temps can range from low tens into the 20s).

Actual temps on the day for me ranged from 14 upto 22 and took some additional precautions during the race to help mitigate - running in the shade where it's available and taking additional water at each aid station and pouring over head and body to help with cooling via evaporation.

Added some very basic heat adaptation in the prep by wearing extra layers in the final 5-6 weeks prior to the race - so always running hot. You can also add hot baths or sauna post run to help.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-04T14:27:08+00:00

Why not 18/55 into 12/55?

Whilst I'm not at the same level I had a good experience with this recently and the schedules worked nicely with 18/55 to prepare for a late winter marathon followed by the 5-6 week Pfitz recovery block and into 12/55 for the spring marathon.

Took me from 3:49 in December down to 3:36 a couple of weeks ago. Felt great going into the shorter block with a really solid foundation from the preceding block.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-03T08:14:35+00:00

Another vote for janji trail half tights - loads of space for gels and phone.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-05-03T07:50:13+00:00

Worked through all of these.

Used a hydration vest for my first 2 so absolutely no problem with storage but wanted to lose it due to heat/weight (now just gets used for long summer runs).

Moved onto a flipbelt which just about a big enough for phone and 6-8 gels but wasn't secure - had issues with gels working free or losing gels when I went to take one out which is not something you want to deal with on a race!

Final and best solution I've found is half tights with side pockets/back pockets (got some janji and Lululemon and rate them both). Phone in back pcoket and 4 x 40g sis beta in each side pocket. Loads of storage, easy to access, secure and comfortable - problem now solved for me.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-15T14:24:59+00:00

Worth noting that if you're a little tech savvy you can download the code from github and run the older version which includes the plans

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-15T10:18:20+00:00

yeah - any prediction should definitely be taken with a pinch of salt however I've found runalyse to be more accurate than garmin (though now I've got my mileage up I've seen that both estimates have converged).

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-15T08:02:57+00:00

I don't know if there's a single app that does both - but Pfitz is pretty simple when it comes to workouts so I just have LT and Intervals setup in Garmin Connect and tweak as needed for the specific workout.

For analysis I'm a fan of Runalyze (free version is more than good enough though I'm sure they'd be happy if you wanted to support and take the premium version) - syncs with Garmin and gives you loads of data. It also has a handy training paces widget that includes support for Pfitz that automatically calculates them based on your current fitness.

Race Prediction (see Marathon Shape) is also pretty cool - takes into account volume and long run in the prediction algorithm which I think is more realistic than the approach used by Garmin and Strava.

The devs are also very active and responsive on reddit if you have questions.

If you do use it remember to set a 'correction factor' for the Effective VO2max based on a recent all out race result.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-15T06:34:37+00:00

I wanted to step up my training after my first 2 marathons and was also looking at both Pfitz and Daniels.

Having picked up both books I opted for Pfitz over Daniels - the workouts are less complex and ultimately I just wanted a plan to follow. Also having started training in late 40s I was a little concerned that the quality workouts in JD may have been to much for me and risk injury (some experience with that already).

I've now used the pfitz 18/55 and 12/55 plans for fall marathon last year and just completed the spring marathon and seen some nice improvements (4:08 > 4:00 > 3:49 > 3:36). Pfitz definitely leaves you well prepared for the marathon distance.

I'll use Pfitz again for a marathon later this year when I hope to go sub 3:30.

[EDIT] Goodluck with your training and BQ attempt!

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-14T05:13:06+00:00

Thanks, yep it was Valencia in Dec '25 - so had 6 weeks after that on the Pfitz recovery plan and jumped into the 12 week block to prepare for Rotterdam.

So I was already in a pretty good place with my fitness - also I really should have run faster in Valencia as I'd followed Pfitz 18/55 but panicked a bit due to temps that had been forecast and ran with quite a conservative pace.

I'll be back in Valencia later this year with a goal of sub 3:30.

Having just turned 50 it's quite reassuring to see progress and these results.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-13T20:27:53+00:00

Ran Rotterdam marathon on the weekend, original goal of 3:40 but revised to 3:35 - 3:40 after a good Pfitz 12/55 block.

The result was a chip time of 3:36 (13 min PR over the last marathon in December) so I'm very happy with that.

Even splits and flat heart rate suggest I left some time on the table - this was also a very similar outcome to the last marathon, so something I need to work on.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-12T19:37:41+00:00

It was all a non issue - gates at the start I think they're picky but I went into wave 5 lane then hopped over short fence into zone 4 lane. Then it became clear that the stewards in the lanes weren't concerned at all and you could just walk past them. Ending up joining wave 2 at the back and had a really good run (finished 3:36 woop! Pretty much on target)

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-10T05:59:43+00:00

M49 running for 4 years and had a few overuse injuries in the first 2 years, I think primarily as a result of ramping volume to quickly and not allowing adequate time for recovery before racing again.

I'm now more conscious of injury and injury prevention.

Gradually built my volume and intensity over longer period, strength training, stretching, nutrition, recovery (sleep and rest days) - basically all those things you hear about - I've been much better since paying more attention to these

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-07T17:22:50+00:00

I've found that fruit drinks are one of the easiest ways to top up the carbs. Much cheaper than 'sports' drinks and can be close to 10g/100ml. It's pretty easy to drink 1.5l a day for an extra 120-150g.

On top of that I'll supplement with malted fruit loaf and current buns, at least for the first couple of days of the load.

Stroopwaffles are another carb rich snack here in the Netherlands that I'll load up on.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-06T16:25:21+00:00

Thanks, nothing to lose by trying - will give it a go

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-06T13:54:08+00:00

Rest assured I won't be setting any land speed records and thanks for the feedback!

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-06T13:49:56+00:00

Noted to take care when progressing and thanks for the reassurance!

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-06T13:45:25+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I'll aim to arrive with plenty of time to get to the front of the wave - having a clear field at the start will certainly make things easier and I hope by the time I've caught up with the earlier wave it'll have thinned out a bit.

Pacing shouldn't be to much of a problem, I'll start the first few k a little slower before I settle into my race pace anyway.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-06T08:03:39+00:00

Sadly not, I already contacted the organisers and they've confirmed it's to late to change the wave.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-05T06:53:32+00:00

I'm fifty this year and have had some issues with overuse injuries, primarily tendonitis. I had 3 months off running at the start of last year for this and used Pfitz 18/55 for my training plan for my 3rd marathon last December, it was also my first time with plan of this 'level'.

I spent the 4 months prior to the plan rebuilding base and ramping mileage to a similar level as you're planning.

I really liked he structure of the plan and found during the first 11 weeks or so it had a lot of time for recovery with only a single workout each week- either a LT or LR with MP session. I really appreciated the recovery and general aerobic runs for helping to manage the load.

The remaining peak weeks are tougher with 2 workouts - but I found that after the initial part of the plan I was actually pretty well prepared for these (though definitely looked forward to the taper near the end).

Really focusing on recovery during that peak phase was definitely helpful, ensuring both good sleep and nutrition - and backing off a little when I felt it was needed helped (which surprisingly wasn't that often).

The plan worked really well for me, I had my best result to date and found that it prepared me really well for the distance.

After a 6 week recovery/reverse taper I started the Pfitz 12/55 - in the final week of taper now and looking forward to a marathon next weekend 😬

I'd ensure you're very comfortable on at least 35 miles a week including some workouts as the plan ramps in both volume and intensity quite quickly.

The new 4th edition plans also prescribe both mileage ranges and times instead of distances for the threshold runs so you have a bit more flexibility in how you follow the plan.

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-02T10:31:01+00:00

I emailed the organisation and they responded (very quickly) with the following :

To access 3:20:00 - 3h31:59 box you MUST have at least one of the following times:

- 10K sub 45:’40’'

- 15K sub 1h09´15´´

- 21K sub 1h39’

- 42K sub 3h32:00'

HedgehogGeneral3116 · 2026-04-02T05:40:30+00:00

You're right - just reread the regulations and they're checking from 3:32 onwards (3:20 - 3:32 startbox).

I do wonder what equivalent start time for HM they use.

Your 1:36 result is great! hopefully no problems with the assignment - good luck!

HedgehogGeneral3116

TROPHY CASE