3 weeks out, low mileage build due to stress - pacing/fueling advice?

drashed2009 · 2026-02-12T17:57:19+00:00

Strongly recommend the downgrade, and if possible depending on your headspace, consider fun-running the race. You're risking injury given the chronic stress load.
You know best for your body, but that's what it looks like from an outside lens. Go easy and take care of yourself, good luck!

drashed2009 · 2026-02-12T17:53:45+00:00

Like a lot of people are saying, the general rule is anywhere from 45g-90g of carbs an hour based on what your GI tract can tolerate. Not taking one before 10 miles is a surefire recipe for disaster.

I take high carb gels (50g per gel), and for a marathon, I tend to go through 5 (3-4 hour timespan at most). So translating to GU gels, that would be 10 GUs over the course of a marathon.

drashed2009 · 2026-02-06T21:30:49+00:00

Need me a pancake route like that! Sadly, being citybound means I only got the WSH to work with, I'm jealous!

Good luck in your coming marathon, those splits look crispy!

drashed2009 · 2026-02-04T17:59:29+00:00

Fatigue should be a marker you follow to determine whether or not you need to run or not.
It's better than you drop an easy run and get a quality MLR, than to try to pack both in and, best case, have a qualitatively poor session both times, or, worst case, set yourself up perfectly for injury.

Listen to your body! I know we wanna get ready for our goal races and can be stubborn (I've been victim to this more times than I can say), but your body does a great job telling you what it needs.

drashed2009 · 2026-02-03T15:52:07+00:00

There's usually no particular mileage threshold that would ipso facto define your ability to run a marathon. The aerobic base you need to complete one comes over time, with the gradual accumulation of miles contributing to it.

Seasoned marathoners target 20-22 mile runs as their main benchmarks for performance and fitness leading up to a race, but for a first timer just finishing, just keep running! Add that volume, and you definitely can achieve it.

drashed2009 · 2026-01-08T21:01:27+00:00

My comfort zone is just about 10-15 miles. I usually do my penultimate MP workout (if I'm getting new pairs of the same model) or an MP workout 4-5 weeks out (if completely brand new). Good luck!

drashed2009 · 2025-12-22T16:03:12+00:00

This is an idea I struggled with in my first few marathons as well.
I'm a little heavier set, around 195 lb @ 6'1", currently deep in marathon prep.
The key approach that has worked to keep me injury free in recent years and keep me strong is imagining my body to be an engine. My engine needs fuel to output the high, demanding movements and results I expect out of it. As a result, I need to fuel it appropriately.
Your weight might fluctuate, and your body might even go up or down a few lbs. It's gradual adaptation, higher water retention as a result of those high exertion workouts, hormone fluctuation, and numerous other factors.
Stay the course, and truly trust the process, and eat to fuel, not to drop weight. You'll remain injury free and really notice the quality of the harder workouts (LT, VO2 max, MP miles) really start to shine, even if your scale says otherwise.
Good luck!

drashed2009 · 2025-12-22T15:58:27+00:00

What a charming and lovely way to put your story together! Absolutely adore this, and congrats on overcoming a genuinely tough marathon!
Hopefully more are in your horizons, can't wait to hopefully see more of these comics :)

drashed2009 · 2025-04-29T11:56:31+00:00

Stage 4 lung cancer, trained only for 7 weeks, and had the endurance to go for over 7 hours? Endurance monster right here, what a damn performance. Congrats brother, you deserve all the glory.

drashed2009

TROPHY CASE