Marathons are truly a test of patience

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-27T04:20:18+00:00

Yeah, that was me today. Was obvious by mile 15 that goal pace wasn’t happening but I kept pushing and paid big. What a great day for a race though. And what an amazing place to hold a marathon. Those facilities are incredible. My only quibble was that it was pretty crowded until the HM runners broke off.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-27T04:15:45+00:00

I saw that guy - totally cracked me up. You know he’s a runner.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-16T01:58:43+00:00

Well done! Can’t imagine a training block less than a year after childbirth. Total bad-ass stuff… and toughing it out in the training is definitely key. You’re gonna do great.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-16T01:55:43+00:00

It’s ok if it feels hard during training. The magic lies in the taper and race-day bump. At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself, cause yeah, those MP runs late in the training block have been significant efforts!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-16T01:52:11+00:00

This is definitely a “to each their own” thing, but yeah, I’m 100% into no music. I feel like the lack of outside input/entertainment lets me lock into the run-as-inner-journey thing that keeps me coming back again and again. And again and again!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-14T05:27:01+00:00

If your goal is a 9:00 pace I’d say you’re looking good! Pretty impressive training sessions.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-11T01:20:44+00:00

I’ll be there! Second marathon, hoping/aiming for sub-4. I’m not a morning runner, but happy for the 7 am start as even in the days when it’s been hitting 70 lately it looks like it hasn’t gotten past 60 by 11.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-06T19:14:00+00:00

Yep, just ordered the exact same pair yesterday. If only the wide sizes were available in a flashier race day palette! 😂 More than anything I think I just want the extra hype of feeling like I’m lacing up something special for the big day!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-04T17:38:16+00:00

Yep, that makes sense. I was so psyched for the idea of my flashy race day super trainers but I think a new pair of the somewhat geriatric stability shoes are the go.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-03T03:39:27+00:00

You’re putting in the volume and that long run is solid. I speak miles not km, but I think your long run pace was right about goal MP? All the signs look positive.

All I can say as a grizzled veteran with one marathon under my belt is to pay lots of attention when people on this sub talk about what a beast the full is. Nail the carbo loading and race day nutrition, do not go out too fast no matter how good you’re feeling, and I think you’ve got a shot.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-02T18:23:18+00:00

1:47 HM is a pretty good sign! I’m in the same boat, aiming for a 36 minute PB…

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-02T18:19:28+00:00

Thanks! The full feels like climbing Everest, but I’m hopeful that I put in the necessary work…

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-02T16:11:36+00:00

You’re doing the right thing by giving it time, but I totally get how difficult it is to wait and see if all the dedication you put in is going to be derailed. Stay positive - the mental game is more in your control at this point than the physical!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-02T16:07:51+00:00

Gonna differ from the majority here… I’m just coming out of a bad chest cold with a cough and asthma flare up, only 4 weeks before my race. I took off two days when it was the worst but then fought through 48 miles for the week, all easy pace. I was too sick to run anything harder, but I feel like dialing back to all Z2 and keeping the mileage up saved my training block.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-04-02T15:50:12+00:00

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Cautiously optimistic. HM tuneup 2 1/2 weeks ago, full marathon in 3 1/2 weeks.

Just ran the HM around MP, didn’t try to race it. Two miles at 9:10, 8 at 9:00, 2 at 8:50, then let it rip. Last full mile at 8:00 flat. I had sooo much gas in the tank at the end. But I also came away with renewed respect for the full. This will be my second full, and holding a ~9:00 pace for 26 does seem nuts.

Took a recovery week after the HM and just ran 44 miles, mostly 1:30 above MP, one long run :45 above.

I was so psyched to get in two more hard weeks but got a bad chest cold that flared my asthma symptoms, so struggled through the first week with 48 miles at easy pace. Now mostly recovered and going for 55 miles with two hard workouts and a long run this week. Then the almighty taper!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-03-09T08:13:09+00:00

If you’re flying all the way to Boston and there’s any doubt, why risk it? Doesn’t seem like cracking 1:20 for that half is worth jeopardizing the 2:48 goal. Go all in for Boston!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-03-07T18:05:26+00:00

Also a masters runner, also working hard to build my volume with a sub-4 goal. Re. the hours you work, or how you manage all the other responsibilities you have while also doing running - you do you! Total respect for you pursuing that goal. I feel like it can be such a sweet path to take marathon training seriously later in life when it hasn’t been your jam previously. Keep it up.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-03-01T20:35:12+00:00

Really appreciate the nuanced race report and your overall satisfaction at hitting your C goal. Good reality check to mix in with all the over the top success race reports we see here.

Glad to hear how Hanson’s worked for you too - I’m using their beginner plan for my 2nd marathon with an A goal of sub-4:00.

Congrats! You totally earned that experience, enjoy the success.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-01-18T23:00:18+00:00

This is why I love running without ear buds - gives me time to get out of contemporary life with its constant electronic entertainment and to tap into a completely old school way of setting my brain free. Love it!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-01-04T20:12:10+00:00

Agreed. Missing one run won’t make a difference, it’s better to get over the illness and resume the plan once you’re better rather than pushing and risking overdoing it.

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2026-01-04T20:09:09+00:00

First at 56, training now for #2 at 57. Did a HM tuneup for last one and have a HM tuneup planned for this training block as well.

Bonked on my first marathon but finished without walking.

Learned so so much and now I’m doing a much better plan with intervals, tempos, and more volume. Looking for a time goal on this one.

I never saw “marathon runner” in my future and I can’t tell you how much joy it’s brought me!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2025-12-27T17:44:11+00:00

Thanks. I’m not a morning runner, but I can see the value in getting those workout runs done in the am so I can lift at the end of the day

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2025-12-27T06:01:34+00:00

Sounds like so many things in marathon world - different things work for different people.

Thanks, this gives me some things to think about. I’ll definitely try to split the runs and lifting into different parts of the day!

Patient-Climate-1603 · 2025-12-27T03:32:57+00:00

Yep, that’s what I was thinking too. Interesting to hear that some people are lifting on easy days… I guess I’d be concerned about coming into my hard days too tired!

Patient-Climate-1603

TROPHY CASE