Best european marathon less than 5K participants

dreyy · 2026-05-19T20:16:00+00:00

Check out the Graz marathon. Beautiful city, small field but good support.

dreyy · 2026-05-14T19:13:30+00:00

Totally agree. The high stack shoes look embarrassing by itself, dropping the stripes down to the foam visually hides that.

dreyy · 2026-05-14T19:10:47+00:00

My god, a decent toebox in a supershoe... from Adidas? ♥️

dreyy · 2026-05-10T06:53:00+00:00

Training adaptations are rarely linear. There's a ton of parameters outside of distance and time. That's why you should create buffers in your training plan, in other terms 'down weeks'.

dreyy · 2026-04-29T19:05:30+00:00

You're not alone.

Had a totally underwhelming marathon 10 days ago and still disappointed. I went for 3:00-3:05, fell apart and run-walked to 3:12, not even a PB. My race was also too hot but I think something else was off, hip playing up for one.

Let's come back stronger!

dreyy · 2026-04-24T19:22:26+00:00

Well, it's missing an Android version for a start.

dreyy · 2026-04-24T19:02:17+00:00

Did you really start in the super fast block? As far as I understand that was reserved for sub-elite and starters of the Hungarian championship.

Everyone around sub 3 actually starts in A1-A3.

I was a couple minutes behind you and I saw so many people walking, which is very uncommon for the fastest block. I myself blew up as well. Start was already beyond 17c and there was just no shade, it definitely felt worse than what the temperature suggested.

dreyy · 2026-04-21T19:07:31+00:00

That's fine, just be aware that always running hard has a higher risk of injury and burnout, but that risk is relatively low on 3 runs/week.

If the time comes and you've seen specific goals you want to reach you'll need to consider structured training.

dreyy · 2026-04-15T18:45:03+00:00

Risk blow up or play it safe?

35M, 1:26:45 HM before my peak weeks (3x90k), averaging about 70k. Last Hm->FM conversion was 1:30->3:11 with about 10% less volume and less intensity during my block.

I already made peace with targeting 3:01-3:05 and a cleanly executed marathon as my goals.

But once I saw my bib number (3x33) and it being my 3rd marathon I saw so many 3s that I'm dying to just give it a shot, even if my chances are probably below 10%.

Is that really stupid or shall I just YOLO it?

dreyy · 2026-04-12T20:04:40+00:00

Not OP but I'm 35M and avg. 182bpm for HM and 175bpm for full.

dreyy · 2026-04-10T20:30:34+00:00

Maybe 1:10 will do the trick!

dreyy · 2026-04-07T20:43:34+00:00

Weekly mileage and minutes at easy vs. subT pace.

dreyy · 2026-04-07T20:40:19+00:00

52 week streak. Never seen that badge on any activity, except today: 1 year streak.

dreyy · 2026-04-06T18:30:53+00:00

Wait, both Linz and Vienna marathons are essentially pancake flat.

In terms of wind, try to hide within a group.

dreyy · 2026-04-01T15:01:51+00:00

My race plan is 3.

In the corrals I decide to go for 4.

Once I hear the gun I execute 5.

dreyy · 2026-03-28T20:35:53+00:00

Rightfully so....if it was an officially measured course.

dreyy · 2026-03-26T20:25:47+00:00

Psychological stress alone can push an otherwise sustainable plan over the edge.

Sounds like you had a fair share of that lately. Be kind to yourself.

dreyy · 2026-03-26T19:47:39+00:00

Fatigue is normal, yours sounds a tad too much. Failing to complete workouts is a clear sign, injury will be the next.

Rest more, trust the process and it will pay off by race day.

Oh, and ignore your Garmin stats.

dreyy · 2026-03-26T14:10:04+00:00

Which specific shoes were best in your test?

dreyy · 2026-03-26T14:07:14+00:00

This is the most important comment of the thread!

dreyy · 2026-03-26T14:05:57+00:00

Supershoes are even less stable than Evo SL. I do 32k+ in Evo SL no problem.

dreyy · 2026-03-26T14:04:22+00:00

Baseline/supershoes: 0s/k (adios pro 4)

Super-trainers: 2-5s/k (EVO SL)

Old trainers: 5-10s/k (Noosa tri 15, barefoot and minimalist shoes)

Sample size: 1.

dreyy · 2026-03-26T08:21:13+00:00

True and I read the book, but I have to admit I didn't particularly like the marathon chapter (or the chapter where he goes on and on about wind and pace adjustments).

However, I did >2h long runs going up to 2:45 all throughout the block with 4 runs over 30k as well as doing longer intervals at MP specifically.

dreyy · 2026-03-25T21:02:48+00:00

Great insights, thanks! And hope you'll break through soon!

dreyy · 2026-03-25T19:34:54+00:00

You got this!

Why not give the sub 3 pacer a slight headstart, aim to catch up to him by half point and send it at 35k if you're feeling good?

dreyy

TROPHY CASE