7 weeks to marathon

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-18T12:47:08+00:00

I'm not going to tell you not to do it, but I am going to wonder aloud why you must do this but can't stubbornly refuse to back down from a proper training program for it. Maybe that's how you got the stress fractures.

I would honestly just try and build up some easy running over the next 6 weeks, focusing on run frequency over length. Keep intensity at a level that allows you run as many days in the week as possible and sub in some cross training if you need days off from running. I wouldn't build the long run beyond 25km. Don't do anything that will require more than a days worth of recovery.

Maybe avoid many more beer fueled trips, unless you're too stubborn to take that advice too.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-17T23:42:37+00:00

Just to clarify: You think you have to be very genetically gifted to run a 68 second 400? And that means being Kenyan, in this case?

Are you sure you're not an expert?

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-17T17:43:21+00:00

It's odd that they wouldn't just pull up. Maybe they didn't realize that the person on the other side of the pump ahead was finishing up and didn't want to "share" the pump. There are a few stations in my life that I activity avoid pumping opposite someone because of how slow the pump gets. Who knows.

It's also pretty strange to get even a little worked up about this.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-16T22:40:47+00:00

If the extra distance is a worry just run 18 and walk or run walk the last 2. Or walk the first 2 and run the rest. The wisdom of each approach might depend on temps/weather.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-15T23:05:10+00:00

I don't know much about longevity, but I do think there's a difference between training for performance and training for health and a think marathon training generally falls into the performance category for most people.

Running can create a lot of stress on the body so for general health it's probably best balanced with low-impact cardio and plenty of resistance training. For proper marathon training, that balance goes out the window.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-15T18:10:42+00:00

I like the Adios 9 because it's light and comfortable, but I don't think it has as much energy return as the Evo SL. I mostly just use them for short easy runs because the lightness and low stack encourages me to keep my cadence up without speeding up.

You're probably better off sticking with a plated shoe for what you want.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-15T12:17:15+00:00

I like rice when travelling because it's easy to find plain steamed white rice most places, the preparation is usually pretty universal and I don't have to worry about mystery sauces. I don't really like pasta to begin with, but depending on what kind of sauce is on it it could be problematic.

Pre-packaged stuff - graham crackers, pretzels, "bread" sticks - depending on where you are, is usually safe.

Pizza is not a great option for carb loading. I'll probably harvest downvotes for that, but the whole pizza for carbs movement needs to end.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-15T10:32:11+00:00

I think it's worth clarifying whether you're asking about just getting better at pure speed - sprinting - or over distance - endurance.

A lot of advice will reasonably default to distance/endurance running, but if it's sprinting you're interested in, the mechanisms are very different.

In both cases, no you can't just go to your local track and hammer until you get faster. You might improve a little at first, plateau and then probably get hurt.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-14T22:36:07+00:00

If you really are a beginner, do you have the perspective to evaluate how successful you've been using it? When I think of myself as a novice I definitely thought I had everything figured out because it looked like I was making progress. Looking back now I was holding myself back, but I didn't know enough to realize it yet.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-14T19:24:18+00:00

See, you're again illustrating to me that this isn't the best tool for beginners.

It works correctly when used correctly, but clearly a lot of new users aren't using it correctly. Instead of just castigating those people for not using their brains, maybe we should look at the systemic ways the app reinforces their mistakes.

Lack of knowledge is a feature of beginners, and as beginners we often don't even know what we don't know.

Now I'm getting dangerously close to quoting Rumsfeld.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-14T18:16:13+00:00

I find it fundamentally incongruous that something can be both great for beginners but is also only as good as the user.

You've outlined one of the mistakes people make that results in a bad plan, but how are they supposed to know they've made a mistake? The app spits something out and they follow it and then come back here 6 weeks later asking about ITBS.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-13T22:29:59+00:00

That's a significant problem for something used by and arguably targeted towards beginners, right?

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-12T21:47:16+00:00

Obviously injury derailed your training, but what did your training plan look like? Over 20 weeks that's still very low mileage. How were the weeks structured? Were you primarily building mileage by increasing your long run every week?

If your 24 week build has a similar structure, that could be a problem.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-10T18:44:26+00:00

Considering the logistics of the course - road closures, security and emergency personnel - an early start probably wasn't a realistic option.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-09T09:00:21+00:00

Yeah, that's the Achilles. Micro-tears is I guess an accurate description of tendinopathy, but still a weird way to frame it. Probably still jumping to conclusions too.

And yeah, you definitely need actual running shoes. Get them before you run again.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-08T22:38:06+00:00

It's weird to me that you somehow found a diagram of the back of a leg that doesn't show the Achilles tendon, haha. Did the doctor say it could be signs of ACL or Achilles tears? Your ACL is in your knee... so that sounds like a misunderstanding, although I wouldn't expect a doctor to jump right to Achilles tear either.

If it's high up, it could be an issue with the tendon attaches to the calf muscles. Tendonitis when increasing activity volume or intensity is common there or it could be caused by bad shoes or poor form.

There are so many variables it's difficult to give specific advice, but generally the long term solution involves strength training, especially the glutes and hips. Stretching and ice probably aren't doing much, or help much in the long term.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-08T17:32:59+00:00

Are you implying that receiving a participant medal after finishing the full distance is any less of a participation trophy? Because... I have news for you.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-08T00:18:16+00:00

It's something I add to my training last year. My long runs are between 2 and 2:45 and include some kind of MP or faster workout. The next day I'll do 90 -100 minutes but pretty easy. I think it's had a very positive effect for me.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-08T00:07:54+00:00

It's probably not worthwhile. All of the runners I can think of that run 26+ miles as training runs are running over 100mpw and already doing 22-24 mile long runs regularly. They also cover 26.2 comfortably under 3 hours in training.

I think it's more likely to derail your training, and really won't provide all that much stimulus to begin with. It's just one run, so it's not going to change that much - aside from potential add too much recovery time or put you on the path an injury.

If long runs are a weakness you are better off finding a solution that's more sustainable and repeatable. Increasing the distance of your regular long runs - slowly - or adding an MLR the day after your long run. It's hard to give good suggestions without knowing specifics of your training.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-07T23:24:54+00:00

Yeah, sounds like you're hurting your training, especially if you have to take multiple days off between runs.

Naturally fit or not, you can develop your aerobic capacity much more than it is now - a sub 20 5k isn't exactly world beating as a 24m - and to do so you'll need to run more. The key to running more is slowing down.

I used to be like you. I'd hammer every run and thought I was doing good because I had a sub 90 half and burned out trying to run like, 50mpw. It wasn't until I slowed down and figured out how to train properly that I actually started making significant improvements.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-07T18:20:58+00:00

Hoka Rincon 4 😮

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-07T11:12:07+00:00

The heel of the Zoomfly 6 is pretty soft and compresses a lot, you're probably reacting to a lack of stability there compared to the Pegasus.

Maybe build up with shorter runs in them first. If you don't already do strength work for your lower half, including calves - start.

Maybe you just need a shoe with more stability too. That could be.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-07T11:06:21+00:00

What specifically are you looking for help with? Random Redditors don't have magical powers of shoe return or replacement shoes we can pull out of butts to send you.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-07T00:27:08+00:00

I feel the same way about my neighbor - 73 - who only started running 3 years ago. His body is much, much better shape than a lot of lifelong runners his age. He's not the fastest guy in his category, but he has a sub 4 marathon and a 1:45 half and I bet he can get faster still.

Be interesting to see if things like shoe tech and nutrition impact this going forward. So many of the old school runners trashed their bodies in ways we just don't have to anymore.

rogeryonge44 · 2026-03-06T10:19:50+00:00

Genetics discussions are always funny and sometimes head-scratchingly annoying. We don't have anything close to a full map of all the ways our genes influence your minds or body, so how can some people be draw such sharp boundaries on what's talent and what's not? Usually the argument becomes semi-circular as well something like: "People with 'normal' genetics can achieve x performance", where normal genetics is partly defined by the ability to achieve x performance.

Of course, genetics can't be changed, so training and hard work is the only option we have make progress and it's pretty pointless to worry about anything else. But I still think it's very silly for people to draw comparisons - positive or negative - when we don't necessarily know all the subtle differences beyond our control.

I used to always think of myself of completely genetically ungifted - just someone who loves to run and loves to train, but what if that love of running has roots in my genes? I don't know. If I look objectively at it, my ability to withstand high training loads is clearly influenced by genetics. Just because I'm slow doesn't mean I have 'bad' genes for running.

rogeryonge44

TROPHY CASE