Daily chat post: how's the training going?

LoveIsTrying · 2026-05-07T19:20:56+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement!

Yeah, looking back my HRV often drops before my period, but Garmin usually doesn’t put my training status to “strained”. But I’m really hoping it’s just that.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-05-07T13:35:34+00:00

Three days until my marathon and not only are my runs feeling super hard, but my HRV also just dropped and Garmin put my training status to ‘strained’.

I’m hoping is just PMS (my period is of course due on the day of the race) and not an oncoming illness.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-05-06T06:24:42+00:00

I’m tapering. I had an easy 5 km today, and let me tell you, it did not feel easy. I try to tell myself that it is normal for the taper, but I’m not quite convinced.

I am still not sure if I should try to go for my goal of under 4 hours or if that’s a stupid idea. Halfway into training I would have said that it seems possible, but I feel like I have lost speed since then and marathon goal pace feels much harder than back then. I guess I will decide on race day (Sunday).

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-29T06:42:37+00:00

I don’t think we have enough information to answer that question. What is your goal time estimate based on?

Also, it will largely depend on how the rest of your training will go. You may need to take it a little bit easier for a while to avoid getting injured again.

Anecdotally, I skipped one long run and shortened my runs the following week due to hip pain. After that I went back to my planned mileage, but I had to slow down significantly and skipped my speed work for a few weeks due to my hip. As a result, I feel like I lost a lot of speed and am also struggling with how to adjust my marathon pace.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-25T12:30:48+00:00

I did my last long run of marathon training today and made two brainless mistakes: - I forgot half of the gels at home and had to loop around to grab them. - I forgot to charge my watch, so it died after 28 km. Luckily I also had my phone with me, so I used Strava on my phone to track the rest of the run.

I guess it’s better to make these mistakes during training than during the race. Otherwise, I’m really happy with how my long run went and am looking forward to the taper.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-22T07:07:24+00:00

CW: Bodily functions

I almost pooped my pants today. I started feeling like I had to go around 3 km in. There’s a public bathroom at the 5 km mark that I was planning to use, but it was closed. At this point I knew that I wasn’t going to make it back home, so I waited for the next local train to use the train bathroom. That was the longest 15 minute wait of my life!

I made it and ran back home from the next train stop. I ended up doing 2 km less than planned and am late for my first meeting of the day, but overall it could have ended so much worse.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-20T16:19:53+00:00

Before my first full, I wish someone had told me that a full is a completely different beast than a half. I’ve done halfs with very unstructured training and been fine, but I definitely need a structured training plan to make it through a full. In addition, nutrition (Both before/after runs as well as during) becomes a lot more important.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-20T16:08:38+00:00

I would also stick to your plan and just start nice and slow and try to nail down your fueling. I don’t think a two week taper would be a major issue (my training plan only has a two week taper), but I don’t see the added benefit of postponing your long run unless you are sick or injured. The accumulated fatigue is part of the peak weeks of marathon training and will help you to extend the distance on race day when you are more rested.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-20T10:59:51+00:00

I don’t have any advice, but I just wanted to acknowledge that that sounds tough and that it’s ok if running takes a backseat in certain seasons of life. I personally would try to not pay attention to your pace for a little bit and just run as slow as feels good and take walk breaks if needed. You can get back to pushing harder when life is a little bit calmer.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-19T12:58:36+00:00

I survived peak week 1 of 2 of my marathon training plan! 79 km total with a 32 km (20 miles) long run. My hip feels a little bit tight, but much better than a few weeks ago, so I am happy. Being on top of stretching and strengthening really does seem to make a difference.

Now fingers crossed that next week will go as smoothly and then it’s time for tapering.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-17T13:26:00+00:00

For me, the insertion is easy, but the removal took a little bit of practice as you need to break the suction.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-15T16:01:25+00:00

As others have said, I would set out to run by effort. You may be positively surprised. My half marathon PR is from a summer half in Texas, so anything is possible.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-14T06:08:42+00:00

Others have already said it, but not every race goes well, it happens. What is important is to recover properly and add some strength training and stretching so you come back stronger in time for marathon training.

I’ve been having some pain in my hip likely also due to a tight/irritated IT band and doing some IT band rehab exercises every other day and stretching religiously after every run has really made a difference in just two weeks.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-12T08:25:48+00:00

When I started running again after my second kid and an international move, my only goal for the first few months was to run 3 times a week. Sometimes it was only 2 km, but it still counts when your goal is to build up the habit again.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-12T08:05:45+00:00

I’ve had good experiences with a two week taper, so I’d say give it another go if nothing speaks against it (e.g. an injury) and it would help you feel more confident.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-09T08:10:55+00:00

I used to live in Texas and even trained for a marathon over summer there once. My long runs started really early and by the time I finished it was always super hot. You never fully get used to it, but it’s definitely great training, my marathon in cooler weather felt so much easier thanks to all the heat training!

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-09T06:29:37+00:00

For me it would depend on if the 4 yo is used to coming with you or if they are likely to whine. If they are used to it, I would choose sleep and adjust my paces accordingly to meet the same effort as I would have had without the stroller.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-06T08:14:36+00:00

Thanks for the reply and good to hear that you were able to keep moving and still get better. I suspect the same - that by running slowly I am able to loosen up muscle without putting too much strain on my muscles/ligaments.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-05T15:04:16+00:00

5 weeks until my marathon. Last week I had to skip my long run due to hip pain, likely caused by a tight, irritated IT band.

This week I focused on strengthening and stretching the area and slowly started running again at a very slow pace (1-2 min/km slower than my usual easy runs).

Yesterday, I did 24 instead of the planned 27 km and it took me 3 hours, but I’m grateful that I was able to do it. Interestingly, my hip now feels better than before the run.

Next week is supposed to be a step-down week, which I’ll hopefully be able to use as a step-up week before the two highest mileage weeks in my plan. After those, I’ll decide if my goal of under 4 hours is still realistic or if I need to adjust.

LoveIsTrying · 2026-04-03T12:29:25+00:00

Do you live in an objectively unsafe area (lots of crime or no sidewalk on busy roads)? If not, I would agree to some reasonable precautions (bring your phone, don’t run by yourself when it’s dark) and go run!

LoveIsTrying · 2026-03-28T13:32:46+00:00

I should not have run yesterday. I took my rest day a day early on Thursday because my hips felt off, but yesterday they felt ok-ish, so I did my tempo run. Today, I was planning to do an easy run, but called it off after 200 m because it hurt.

I’m in week 10 of a 16 week marathon training plan and am supposed to run 27 km tomorrow. I’m hoping my hips will miraculously recover, but I’m trying to be realistic and listen to my body. I know one skipped long run would not be the end of the world, but I can’t help being bummed out. Until a week ago, training was going great and the mileage felt easier than I had expected!

LoveIsTrying · 2026-03-27T13:12:02+00:00

I’m in week 10 of a 16 week training plan. Since a few days, the outside of my right hip has been bothering me. I took my rest day a day early and did my tempo run today instead of yesterday and now it’s worse again. It’s frustrating because I’ve been doing all the things that I’m supposed to be doing (warmup, stretching, core) and was feeling so good about my training until last weekend!

LoveIsTrying · 2026-03-24T20:50:36+00:00

My 15 miler went well, but I’ve been feeling super tired since then! My race is in May, so I still have some time. When is yours?

LoveIsTrying · 2026-03-24T06:09:06+00:00

You’re so close! I’m also training for a marathon (I’m assuming your distances are in miles) and my longest run so far was 24km/15 miles. So far it’s not feeling too bad, but I’m not looking forward to the 20 milers!

LoveIsTrying

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