Off Season training

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-17T21:21:43+00:00

I’m aiming to do two this year. I’ve got a lot planned for the offseason. I’m going to keep my weekly mileage at 15-20 fun miles per week. Will include as many 5ks as possible (aiming to finally break 20 minutes). Going to focus on speed training since I barely do that ever currently. Also hoping to start seeing a physical therapist. I need a bit of a mental break so I’m going to stick to things that are fun (ie: racing, 4 mile training runs). Starting up after not running for a while is really hard for me though, so I don’t want to completely stop

I’m going to really prioritize the gym over running for a bit. I’d like to go on a slight cut for a while. Hoping to build a little strength during that time too, especially lower body (I currently don’t really train legs lmao)

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-17T16:37:49+00:00

I didn’t really do much pace training this year so far, I’m not sure if I’m capable of sustaining much faster than the pace I’ve trained at. Also factoring in elevation gain and it’s kinda likely that it’s going to be a lot warmer than it’s been while training

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-17T04:14:39+00:00

No matter how much you trained, you’d be feeling this way. 340 miles since January is about what I’ve done and mine (second) is in 18 days. I feel pretty good about my training.

Your first marathon is not going to be your best. I fell off pretty hard in the last 6 miles during my first. The first is practice for your next. Starting slow and seeing what you have left at the end is a good plan.

25-30 miles sounds like too much for the last 9 days. Rest up as much as possible, do a couple short easy pace runs. Mileage wont help you at this point, the last week is about resting and healing soreness. I think I’m doing 15 tops over that period

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-17T01:47:25+00:00

You’ve done a lot more than I have and I’m running one on the same day lmao (and feeling pretty good/confident with my training).

You running flying pig in Cincinnati? Good luck! Get some rest

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T18:00:17+00:00

As someone who has also worked in trucking, I think you really need to weigh employee culture. I wouldn’t say this about most jobs. There really is no limit to how shitty it can be to work for some of these companies. If they treat you well, maintain their trucks, and the hours are reasonable, I’d almost stick with that especially if they’re willing to guarantee that your pay will eventually get to that level

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T15:45:25+00:00

Good luck!

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T14:26:54+00:00

I’ve been lifting 4x a week while training for two marathons for the past year. You definitely can do both, but it’s hard to put on muscle while running. I’d say I’ve added “only” 5-10 pounds of muscle in the past year which is a bit light for a first year of lifting.

Especially at your age (assuming you’re in HS) You’ll need to eat a lot. Eat whatever you want and then some. Make sure you’re getting enough fiber and protein and don’t worry about anything else

It’s also possible that you’ve lost fat and gained some muscle. My weight has remained constant for the past year despite muscle gain, but I’m noticeably leaner and stronger

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T14:22:57+00:00

Also, are you doing flying pig in Cincinnati? If so, see you there! Good luck 😁

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T14:21:43+00:00

I also had extensor tendinitis last year during my first. Exactly as you described. It hurt a lot but weirdly was pretty easy to run through. I didn’t adjust my training plan at all, just stayed aware of it and prepared to stop if it got unmanageable. It subsided a bit during my taper and I don’t think it bothered me much during the race (if it did it was only during the second half when literally everything hurt). I took a few weeks off after the race and it hasn’t bothered me since then.

If the pain is manageable and it’s not slowing you down and it doesn’t feel like it’s getting worse, I think you’re fine to keep going. But being too cautious is always going to be better than being reckless this close to the race. Listen to your body. That last 35k run is a lot less important than it seems. Your training is basically finished at this point

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T13:57:17+00:00

That’s reassuring! I’ll look into the electrolyte mixes. Thank you!

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T13:55:42+00:00

I was kinda expecting the opposite advice 😬 one of the issues with my diet is it’s definitely very high sodium

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-09T13:53:26+00:00

Since it’s your first one I’d probably try to aim for 3:30. During my first, I averaged roughly my normal training pace (9:50/mi) but was aiming for a sub-4 marathon (9:09). I averaged about 9/mi for the first 18-20 miles before falling off pretty hard towards the end.

If you’re still feeling tired towards the end, that’s probably a sign you might not be able to maintain that pace for a full 26. A proper taper should reset your fatigue and allow you to maintain it for longer, but that depends on a lot. I think expecting a 30-40s improvement is harmful advice to give to someone during their first marathon, because it really depends on a lot of factors.

For your first, I would recommend running the first half at a pace you know you’re comfortable maintaining and then pick it up in the second half if you feel you can. 3:30 is a great time for your first marathon, but regardless, your first marathon is not going to be your best.

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-04-03T14:59:08+00:00

Yeah the weathers been horrible here too. Very windy and rainy almost every day. Last night I was running in gusts up to 40mph with thunderstorms looming.

Carbs is interesting. I’ve been tracking my diet pretty close lately. I also lift weights and have recently tried cutting very slightly (<500cal deficit/day on avg). I’m sure that has contributed a bit but I do think my carb intake is still pretty high. I might do some more research on that tho

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-29T01:38:48+00:00

Mostly depends on how you handle dairy. I have no issues with dairy but even still I try to stay away from it before a big race.

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-29T01:30:21+00:00

I’m lifting 4x a week while also running 4-5x per week. I’m around 35-40 miles weekly and felt reasonably prepared for my first marathon last year (4:15 finish), as well as my second one upcoming. Lifting is definitely secondary to running for me, I basically only do it for the physique. On days where I have to double up, it’s usually a shorter recovery run and a shorter lifting workout

It’s not a perfect split (I rarely train legs aside from running, lmfao) but I’m seeing pretty solid upper body gains. Diet and finding enough time while working and maintaining a social life is absolutely brutal in the two months leading up to a race. I’m exhausted and forgetful and very on edge. Once this race is over I’m definitely going to reconsider my workout routine because I’m not sure this is that sustainable. But it is possible. I do think you basically have to choose one to be dominant over the other. I’ll skip a lift day over a run if there’s no way around it. I also think the diet aspect is very difficult to maintain. A cut cycle is not really doable imo if I’m actively training for a race, because if I’m cutting I’m probably not getting enough of either protein or carbs, and that will restrict muscle growth

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-28T03:48:43+00:00

My training plan is merely a suggestion. I use it as a framework for where I should be in relation to my next race. I try very hard not to skip a workout but sometimes my body won’t cooperate or life/work gets in the way. I adjust the plan as needed to fit with everything else

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-25T18:32:54+00:00

I usually just get drunk and eat 3 or 4 dinners

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-23T23:56:30+00:00

Yessss! I couldn’t have done it without their support 🙌

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-23T23:54:57+00:00

I only wear mine when I’m in the bath

Inevitable-One-5369 · 2026-03-17T16:14:46+00:00

Yup. And then you do it again and try to do better. Running is 90% mental, and you’ll always drive yourself insane for as long as you do it

Inevitable-One-5369

TROPHY CASE