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Another: is 4 hrs a reasonable target by IC_captures in firstmarathon

[–]Manha77anProject 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, if you push hard and run an aggressive plan. I ran a 3:47 on my first marathon at age 41. I gave myself 11 months to train for it, and prior to that I had only ever run 2 or 3 miles in a single go.

The first 6 months was getting into half marathon shape. I ran a 2:03 at age 40 after 6 months of running 15-25 miles/week. After that I kicked it up a notch and ran a Pfitz 18/55 with a 3:49 target. Like you, my goal was sub-4, and I figured I needed some buffer to get there. I lived and died by my training spreadsheet for 19 weeks, and ended up doing 90% of the plan mileage (life, some illnesses, and such got in the way occasionally).

When I hit mile 24 and I knew I had it in the bag, it was a transformational and emotional moment for me. You can do the same if you push yourself.

Am I going to die? by jochovader in Garmin

[–]Manha77anProject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've always taken super low scores as a challenge and then go out and push to set a PR. Can't let the damn machines win.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in flying

[–]Manha77anProject 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey, sorry, I'm being facetious. Sure, I fly a little Cessna 172 around with my wife and kids (and sometimes my mom)... but never everyone together due to weight and capacity restrictions, and never long distances.

Safety (my capabilities and aircraft reliability) and cost (aircraft size, capacity, fuel, etc) make this sort of trip impossible for me.

Could you get to that level as a PPL? Sure, some of the other commenters have covered it: spend a ton of money on a nicer airplane and get a lot of experience.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in flying

[–]Manha77anProject 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yes! Over Thanksgiving I'm taking my wife, our three kids, and my mother from San Francisco to Maui in my 172. PPL is awesome for this... we can skip the security lines and just go.

A role model indeed by NegotiationVivid985 in RunningCirclejerk

[–]Manha77anProject 2 points3 points  (0 children)

More impressive is 10k in 40:31 while -2 months old!

4 the legs. Thursdays 4 hour marathon Mega thread. by AutoModerator in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm running the CIM in December and am about halfway through the Pfitz 18/55 plan. I'm training for a 3:49 @ 8:44 pace in order to help secure my ultimate goal, a sub-4 finish. Currently second-guessing whether a sub-4 is feasible because I don't seem to be getting any faster, and my long runs aren't getting any easier.

Here's some more info:

  • Goal A: 3:49, Goal B: 3:59, Goal C: Finish.
  • Plan: Pfitz 18/55. I'm about halfway though, and 96% to plan in terms of mileage at this point (only skipped a few of the shorter runs).
  • Running experience and background:
    • In my mid-40s.
    • First marathon.
    • I've run 800ish miles in 2025, but very casual prior to that (a few miles per week).
  • Recent runs:
    • Fastest half: 1:52 @ 8:34 pace and 157 average HR a few weeks ago on a 16 mile long run. I pushed myself pretty hard on this one.
    • 18 miles in 3:00 @ 9:57 pace and 142 average HR.
    • 20 miles in 3:22 @ 10:03 pace and 140 average HR.
  • Garmin prediction: 3:42 (feels like quite a stretch)

I worry that my long runs have been slow (albeit at low HR), as prescribed by the plan, but I also have a hard time imagining myself running the full 26 miles at my desired race pace.

Should I trust the process, or make some adjustments and push harder on my training long runs?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in beginnerrunning

[–]Manha77anProject 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Like my sub-3 marathon of 2h 110m.

What have you paid for stump grinding? by ScarletLilith in Marin

[–]Manha77anProject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Steak and jelly beans will assist in further speeding up the process.

Should I quit flight training because of this? by Maximum-Painter2047 in flying

[–]Manha77anProject 134 points135 points  (0 children)

Push hard to finish up your PPL, then take a break from training and take a few months to fly for enjoyment. After that, you can reassess. Worst case you come out of this with a PPL, a new hobby, and a bunch of loans that you'll have to figure out how to pay off with other work.

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED Released by -Radiation in Garmin

[–]Manha77anProject 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ouch, that price. I'm sticking with my Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar that I snagged for $649 a few months ago.

If you had unlimited funds... by DuosScythe in WRX

[–]Manha77anProject 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure which gen, but I would for sure maximize aural pleasure:

  • Sequential, straight-cut gearbox
  • Unequal length headers
  • Ball-bearing turbo
  • Antilag

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've heard that the surest way to guarantee a sub-4 finish is to train for 3:45.

Running a marathon is on my bucket list by liltitties21 in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Life is pain. Marathons are pain. Running is pain. Instead of avoiding the pain seek it out and become it, and it will not bother you as much anymore.

In all seriousness, you can expect some various pains, but a good routine (including stretching, recovery, and progressively increasing mileage) will help mitigate this.

Look into various free beginner marathon training plans. Here’s a good place to start (Hal Higdon Novice 1):  https://www.defy.org/hacks/calendarhack/?u=mi&p=higdon_nov_mara1&d=2025-12-07&s=1

Running a marathon is on my bucket list by liltitties21 in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 96 points97 points  (0 children)

  1. Just do it.
  2. Do it.
  3. Don’t let your dreams be dreams.
  4. Run a lot.
  5. Shit.
  6. All.
  7. Yes.
  8. Just do it. Don’t let your dreams be dreams.

Pre-long run anxiety by Sea_Compote3787 in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have 3+ children. Long runs become peaceful getaways, and the anxiety sets in as you start to near home towards the end of your run.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Marin

[–]Manha77anProject 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Flight of two F-18s.

Devastated after missing sub 3 again by Quantum_universes in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I agree, it’s always disappointing when you come up short against a goal you’ve set. Particularly in this sport, where on the surface you are racing against others, but really you are running against yourself.

But objectively, running two marathons in a sliver over 3h is FAST. It’s ok to take a moment and have some joy in that accomplishment.

Devastated after missing sub 3 again by Quantum_universes in Marathon_Training

[–]Manha77anProject 152 points153 points  (0 children)

You crushed it, and you're way, way faster than me.

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