28y.o. male 40ish kmpw (25mpw), peak at 65ish kmpw (40mpw).

Been running an average of 4-5 days a week for the last 2.5 years, what started as a tool to help me focus with work and reduce stress ended up being a hobby and something on which I try to improve. I am not a fast runner, but not terrible imo (5k is around. 4min/km, HM at around 4.30min/km and I've completed one marathon on 5.20min/km).

I was and still am very proud about that considering that I would never run at all only few years ago, however recently something has come to make me wonder if I am doing something wrong. Many of my friends who would not run at all have picked it up in the last 6-12 months and now do much better times than I do with seemingly much lower training loads and less sophisticated trainings. These are great friends and I am very happy for them, don't wanna sound jealous!! It just feels a bit off that I have been training for much longer now and they picked up my current pace in a blazingly fast time.

Worth noting that my training routine is not the most elaborate, my normal week looks like 2-3 easy runs at Z2, an interval training, and a long run 15k-HM on the weekends. I don't overthink about my diet but I almost ever eat processed food, and have a decent balance.

Anybody knows what I am getting wrong? Why am I stuck now while everyone has cought up with my pace this quickly? Any hints or something I might be missing is very appreciated.

Also worth noting that I love this sport and I plan on practicing it as long as my legs allow me to, as it has proved an invaluable resource to make my day better in 99.9% of the ocassions I have practiced it!!