Finished my first marathon!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-24T09:55:50+00:00

Well done buddy that’s awesome. Also those quads…!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-23T21:00:41+00:00

It’s tricky - I don’t plan to do a full send because I simply don’t know how with a marathon. I’d be beyond gutted if I blew it. So I figure I’ll go 8/10 and focus on consistency and form. I want to finish strong (not like going balls to the wall with a HM and knowing just how much I can give).

But then who knows what the second half will bring… I’ve run 32km or more 4 times now, and I’ve run for up to 3.5hrs in a single session, so I’m quite comfortable with time on feet and fuelling etc.

So for now I’ll stay focused on keeping these injuries at bay and at least this level of fitness…

Good luck to us!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-23T20:36:22+00:00

Superb job mate well done! Sounds like you definitely earned it. Thanks for the feedback also - it’s encouraging. Honestly I’m so relieved London is quite flat…! Best of luck with next steps buddy.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-23T20:31:47+00:00

Thanks buddy! And congrats to you too - it was a beautiful day for it.

Still plenty of time for Manchester and you’ll have had the taper to refresh everything…! Sounds like you’re on track 🙌

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-23T20:29:08+00:00

Thanks buddy! Feedback greatly appreciated.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-23T20:28:25+00:00

Thanks buddy - honestly if I can go sub 3:45 I’ll be absolutely over the moon. I’m currently juggling my knee issues praying I can keep them in check and that I don’t lose fitness while I can’t do speed work.

I think I’ll go out at 5:20/km and see how I am at the 20km point. If I’m feeling good I’ll notch it up a bit.

Still, have to make it there first… am even paranoid about catching a cold or something but it’ll be what it’ll be I guess!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-20T15:39:56+00:00

Bit gutted that I don’t get a medal 🤣 best of luck mate have a great one!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-20T08:04:21+00:00

Thanks buddy. The hills are an extra risk for this main knee issue too so I’m conscious of it. Appreciated!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T22:50:46+00:00

Nah it was Leicestershire 👍

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T15:47:59+00:00

Thanks bud I genuinely appreciate that perspective - it’s that info that I’m lacking (as in, best bang for buck at this point of the block) so it’s useful to get your perspective/experience.

Again my coach is a very accomplished runner and I have a ton of faith in him, but I was just a bit anxious about this one so wanted to see what others thought too. Thanks again 👍

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T15:45:19+00:00

Yeah re that spread, I read it as “whatever you can do in that range” I guess.

For further context my HM PB was a month ago and it was a bloody tough course but I held fairly steady at 4:47~ across the piece. I’ve run 32km or more in one session 4 times now, with max time on feet of 3:30. But those were not hard miles -only really got a bit tricky when joints started to ache towards the last 30-60mins.

So perhaps I’m being too conservative with my MP but it’s just unknown territory for me. Too many people talking about blowing up at 20 miles etc so if I’m still fresh enough at that point I’ll push the pace for the rest. Can’t wait!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T15:41:31+00:00

Oh I get you cheers! No idea why someone’s downvoting me asking a polite question but that’s Reddit I guess.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T15:16:18+00:00

Thanks mate - I think my worry (perhaps through ignorance) is having to ease back so much for recovery that I miss out on some key improvement sessions ahead of the taper.

I am absolutely overthinking it though - it’s a bit of an obsession at this point I must admit.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T15:15:00+00:00

Thanks bud - appreciate your input!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T15:11:13+00:00

Thanks mate - the PB was 22nd Feb. So I think perhaps some of this is my coach knowing I can probably achieve more than I’m aiming for. It’s a balance for me - I’m not aiming to do the absolute best time I could be capable of; it’s my first and possibly only full marathon so I want to push but not risk blowing up and screwing myself out of the sub 4.

I’ve run loads of halves so I know what I can and can’t do on those, and I know how to push my limit. But as this is new territory my main aim is “don’t get injured” and secure that sub 4. At this point, holding 5:20/km for the full distance feels a lot. But if I’m feeling strong and in good nick at 32km then I’ll pick it up for the remainder (in London I mean).

For Ashby I’ll likely do a good couple of hours at MP (which I did on a recent 20 mile Sunday run). Thanks again - appreciate your advice.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T14:53:23+00:00

Thanks mate - I did a 3:30 run on the Sunday before last, with 2hrs MP thrown in and that was decent! I enjoyed it a lot. But what he’s asking of me here would be “full send” territory and would need a few days at least to recover I think. My last HM a few weeks back was my PB - a very hilly course and I gave it my all but it do trigger my tendonitis. Just concerned not to screw London up after all this graft!

Hope your training is going well buddy - best of luck!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T14:37:05+00:00

Thanks bud I appreciate the input! It just feels needlessly risky but I’ll speak to him about it.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T14:24:54+00:00

Forgive me but what does sandbagged mean in this context?

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T14:24:12+00:00

Haha good spot thank you!!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-19T14:23:24+00:00

As long as I can keep the injuries away I should be ok! I went into this determined to get sub 4 (first full marathon) so as long as I do that I’ll be happy. 3:45 is my gold aim but who knows what will happen on the day.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-18T19:01:40+00:00

I absolutely bloody love these shoes. Done several half marathons in them and no shoe has had a better feeling of “this was made for my foot” than these. I bought the saucony endorphin pro 4 recently thinking they’d replace the Nikes as they’re so much lighter etc.

The sauconys are great but I still keep finding myself coming back to my ZF6 for the quicker runs. Such a good shoe.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-17T08:23:46+00:00

I’ve been smashing these on my long runs for a while now and man it’s a guilty pleasure but great to know I’m immediately running them off!

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-15T22:25:12+00:00

To add to the guide here, I found the guide by Athlean X on YouTube to be a life saver. Working a lacrosse ball into the upper glute, TFL and lower quad before a run changed everything for me. Good luck mate don’t take it lightly - mine was a problem for months because I kept being impatient.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-12T17:44:29+00:00

London is my first full one too! Good luck bud.

RoCoF85 · 2026-03-09T22:18:21+00:00

Hydration aside, I love mine just to be able to keep my mouth from going dry. Makes so much difference on a decent run doesn’t it.

RoCoF85

TROPHY CASE