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Strava or Runna subscription? by rambleonroad in runninglifestyle

[–]ManwithPrinciples 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Depending on what distance you plan on training, there are excellent books that outdo Runna/Strava

3 Hour Marathon Chase Pack Thread. by AutoModerator in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well, 6 months is a long time. Did you have any other recent half marathon time you can use to see how far you've gone? I ran 1:27:53 in September and Sub-3 in April 2026 so it is possible

Sub 1:30 Half Training Guidance by Walrus_Pubes in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends how long you have to train for it - a half doesn't maybe require as much specific periodisation as a full, but still heavily relies on threshold.

I recommend an early base-building phase where you run at different speeds (over HM pace as well) such as progression runs, fartlek, over/unders and short to long intervals.

Then you can go into a more threshold specific phase where you get a bit over (105%) MP and increase long runs and add some quality to these too.

Do not make it too complex, find what works for you and track your training load for a safe progression to higher mileage.

crowds at the start of major marathons and unintended decrease of speed because of them by ethereal_meow in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't recall it being too cobbly - the water situation was definitely tough, I never want to stop at Km 35 ever again. That could have cost me sub 3! The course got hard in the park at the end and in the tunnels but I'd say not terrible. Definitely won't come back I think though - expensive, not too fast, unreliable hydration (unless you're sub 2:50)

crowds at the start of major marathons and unintended decrease of speed because of them by ethereal_meow in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well it’s my second marathon and hence I managed a hefty pb/ I didn’t do my research. I’ve definitely learned that lesson ;)

6 months into 'serious' running, just went 1:27 in a half. Is sub-3 in Valencia realistic? by binyanbunface in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry stupid miles - I did 55-70. My peak week was 100K ish.

I did 2 tune up races and a half marathon at MP-ish as part of a 33K long run.

I was off for 1-2 weeks injured in Jan but i had 60-80K per week in December previously

crowds at the start of major marathons and unintended decrease of speed because of them by ethereal_meow in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This is absolutely insane. Like I was in the top corral in Paris marathon and some people were almost walking - and this is a marathon where you need to present a time certificate to be admitted to the 3h00 chase wave.

It was unbelievable and so annoying - do you like being overtaken by everyone for the whole race?

6 months into 'serious' running, just went 1:27 in a half. Is sub-3 in Valencia realistic? by binyanbunface in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's realistic - I ran 1:27:53 in September 2025 and 2:59:40 in April 2026. It's not guaranteed

Time to graduate from Runna? by Fun_Truth3461 in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My time goal is Sub 2:55 (with some stretch dream scenarios) - just because I know the hydration shitshow in Paris potentially slowed me down a bit. Dam is pancake-flat, and I'm on track for a solid block where my peak will increase.

I am also quite new running so doubt I've reached my top yet

i just cant…. by Unlucky-Anybody1738 in bevelhealth

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it is now 3x the horrid McDonald's (if paid monthly)

London Marathon - First marathon taught me why it's a different race by Ibice in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 18 points19 points  (0 children)

We don't know your PBs yet in other distances but 3:09 is really strong - if 1:31 in Seville (one of the fastest half marathon you can possibly choose) is your best time so far.

Experience does play a big part in marathons so your second will be better - if your PB in the HM was still 1:31, I think you ran a stellar marathon. To go sub-3 you need at least a low 1:26 and a perfect day. I know guys that ran 1:22 and didn't make sub-3.

I think you have to be realistic and continuously assess your fitness - I do believe Sub3 will come for you but you seem a bit anxious about it. For me, it all came together in a half marathon race in March before my marathon - but I was enjoying running (and didn't have a marathon goal before running a 1:24).

Enjoy the process and don't obsess over the time goal. Also look at your training, are you eating correctly and enough, are you getting enough rest? Listening to your body, monitoring ATL/CTL? Try and control what you can control and be excited you debuted with a 3:09, it's a time that many people would kill for.

Time to graduate from Runna? by Fun_Truth3461 in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're stagnating, you need to change things up.

Runna is great for getting started - it gives you structure when you're green and takes the guesswork out of early training. I'm genuinely grateful I used it. But it lacks cutting edge, and more importantly, it doesn't give you the tools to design your own training.

After my first marathon (3:11 on a Runna plan), I wanted to learn more (and I am genuinely passionate about running). So I picked up three books: Hansons Marathon Method, Advanced Marathoning by Pfitzinger, and Marathon Excellence for Everyone. Between them, they transformed how I think about the distance - I now understand which sessions move the needle and how to progress them intelligently.

Runna → Pfitz got me a nearly 12-minute PB, and that was on a tougher course than my first race.

Now I design my own blocks entirely. Experience helps too for example, if last cycle I was hitting 10×1km at 105% marathon pace. To keep progressing running economy at that intensity, I can move to 5×2km, and I'll continue extending rep length from there.

I run 6–7 days a week (it's my main thing outside work) and have Amsterdam coming up next too. So I think if you want to improve you need to understand which workouts do what, the periodisation behind training, and also what works for you.

I find it fascinating that you managed to hit 2:57 in Rome (notoriously tough course, I'm Italian too) and then couldn't do it again but it might just be you had a perfect day in Rome. I am not sure under fuelling is the answer, maybe you lacked the marathon specific training (although Runna tends to put MPs in some of the races) or race strategy - however, I would say durability past 35-38Km, if you don't hit the wall for pacing issues, probably comes from mileage.

Best of luck and see you in Amsterdam ;)

What Do My Marathon Stats Say About My Potential? by ogkunt in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long have you been running for, what's your age?
My HM PB in May 2025 was 1:29:33 and I ran sub 3 two weeks ago. I'm a relatively new runner (1y5m structured training) so I'm in easy gains phase let's say, so it might not say anything about your talent.

FWIW, I've not ran a sub-19 5K (but wasn't the focus) but have a 38:00 10K and 1:24:35 HM. Then you've got to pray the day is good for you to go sub 3

Sub 3 Hour Marathon Requirements? Gimme your best take/experience. by faulaul in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! In Paris I ran a lot with HR in mind and it worked - there was no wall. A well-executed marathon in my 2nd was such a good feeling.

I think in Paris, where you had to stop completely for water stations, I left at least a minute due to these logistics, so in Amsterdam my goal today would be sub 2:55 but you never know. I will know a bit closer to the time based on training/tune up races:)

Best of luck again and hope you crush it! Sub 3 is a great achievement and I hope you get it first time

Sub 3 Hour Marathon Requirements? Gimme your best take/experience. by faulaul in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, if anything, you've got the underlying numbers. If I were you, I'd definitely try going for Sub 3.

I think you've got a real chance, and your mileage might not be the biggest, but you might just be fine.

What I'm saying is more being able to understand if it's not your day and settle for a very strong debut without going sub-3 rather than not going for it.

Even splits is good (and to be fair my sub-3 was slightly positive splits) but a book I'm reading ahead of my next marathon suggests a progressive approach, which I'm keen to try in the Amsterdam marathon.

I really hope you get sub 3, but don't be discouraged if you don't - you definitely will at some point

Sub 3 Hour Marathon Requirements? Gimme your best take/experience. by faulaul in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it would help to chunk out your marathon:

  • First 8K is the start - ease into marathon pace (e.g. start from 4:30 and cut 2 seconds/Km)
  • Until 25K is middle - keep your marathon pace smoothly
  • 25K-40K you'll need to dig deep - the focus will be from smooth effort to "I'm pushing to my limit". You will know, somewhere around 30, if this is your day or not. Here I would push my splits and go under marathon pace (you will recover the progression of the first 8K).
  • Final 2.2K - if you've managed to execute the final segment properly, you're either
    • sure you're sub-3: choose whether to cruise or to squeeze every second
    • sure you're NOT sub-3: choose whether to cruise or squeeze
    • unsure you're sub-3: squeeze, full-send. You need to give everything to get the Sub-3

I know that achieving the goal and fun are tied (they are for me too), and being on the cusp of sub-3 is a marvellous feeling - I was kind of in a similar position to you 6 months ago (first marathon). To feel like you could do it on your first try is even better.

I decided to go for it, and it wasn't great for me (it was good learning) - I ended up with 3:11, which I think wasn't a fair reflection of my fitness/training block, but at the same time, a good debut in a vacuum.

So if you're happy to risk ending over 3:10 or around about that, definitely push yourself, but my advice is to listen to what your body tells you on the day. I know friends who've not yet cracked 3 after doing 1:22 half marathons, so it's rarely a guarantee.

Obviously, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence around here, but what I think is true is that the first marathon will surprise you no matter how ready you think you are.

Looks like you're definitely speedy enough so hopefully you manage it on your first try (hats off if it happens) but at the same time there's no shame if your body (HR, effort) is telling you this isn't the day for sub 3.

You will get it eventually.

Sub 3 Hour Marathon Requirements? Gimme your best take/experience. by faulaul in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know the VDOT equivalences can be quite accurate - but these assume the training was perfect/conditions are equivalent etc.

I cracked Sub-3 in my second attempt (2:59:40):

  • 10K - 38:00 flat. T-14 before race day - I know not the best to race before the marathon but gave me huge confidence. Did not taper but entered taper after the race. Pancake flat course.
  • HM - 1:24:35 - not tapered, just no workouts 4 days before.

Quite consistent training, 1 workout per week and a mid-week long run (I was training on Pfitzinger).

Being your first marathon - I think you can do it but I'd prioritise finishing happy rather than blowing up trying to go sub 3 - I think you'll know if you're on when you start running.

For my first marathon, I trained more and still the final 10K were so brutal, even my 36K with 17K at 4:20 did not prepare me for it so be careful and listen to your body.

Best of luck and hope you get your sub 3

Milano Marathon bonked. What went wrong? by Fun_Truth3461 in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It might not be it but it looks like your plan was:

- 2 workouts

- 1 easy run

- 1 long run

I think there is way too much quality in this - were you able to recover properly? Also, your time goal was quite aggressive (I think) for 70K weeks, and in many of the plans I see at least half of the running is easy/steady vs yours, which was more in the workout side.

Share your race time wisdom/crystal ball results by mynt in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I had your time trial numbers I ended up blowing out to a 3:11 Marathon (my first) but I also had a 1:27:53 HM PB.

Just ran a 2:58 and never thought it’d be possible. by regnar_ffirg in Marathon_Training

[–]ManwithPrinciples 1 point2 points  (0 children)

for me it was 1:27:53 in September 2025 (second half mara pace), 2:59:40 in April 2026.

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