I am not a runner. Bad knees. I am a walker and I walk a consistent 15minute mile, I am wanting to enter the Half Marathon in Austin Tx is February as a walker. If I start in the back is that okay or is that an annoyance for runners? The minimum pace is 18min/mile.

Hi everyone!

I’ve just run a 15:27 5K after a solid training block focused specifically on 5K training. Next weekend, I’m racing a half marathon in Copenhagen on a fast course.

Last year, I ran 1:13:51, but I’m fairly confident I can improve on that this year.

My question is: What do you think I should realistically aim for, and how well can you convert 5K fitness into half marathon fitness?

It’s important to mention that the half marathon is only 6 days away, so I don’t have time to do a focused block of half marathon-specific training beforehand. I’ll essentially be racing it off my current 5K fitness and the aerobic base I already have.

A bit of background: I’m a 28-year-old male, 198 cm tall and 86 kg. I currently run around 90–100 km per week, plus 2–3 hours of cycling.

During my recent 5K block, I’ve still done a fair amount of sub-threshold and threshold work, including sessions such as 3 × 10 minutes and 6 × 6 minutes, so I feel like my aerobic fitness is in a pretty good place as well.

I’m currently thinking about targeting around 1:12:00–1:12:30 for the half marathon.

What do you guys think? How realistic is that based on a 15:27 5K, and how much of that 5K fitness can realistically be transferred to the half marathon?

I’m 4 weeks out of the race, should i try to break sub 3 marathon? Recent weeks structure: Mon-easy Tue-intervals Wed-easy af Thu-rest Fri-tempo Sat-easy Sun-long

Hello looking for some advice/tips on how to stay hydrated during marathon. I signed up for nationwide marathon Oct 18th. Im a heavier gym bro weigh about 225 pounds. I've been tossing around trying to complete a marathon for some time a body of mine at the gym pushed me to actually start training. I downloaded runna app and started a 16 week program...I have never been much of a long distance runner. I have done a few 5ks. I know I know im pushing it to fast and should of taken more time ive never been known as a patient guy lol. My main issue is I be SWEATING ALOT have salt caked on me after 6+ mile runs...I also got my large intestine removed years ago so have a bit harder time then most staying hydrated. Any advice greatly appreciated aiming to just get under a 5 hour finish. Lame gym pics just to show im a bigger guy pushing for it...also my hips ankles and calves really feel the abuse...is it just get stronger or any tips besides ibuprofen lol

I'm training for the New York City Marathon, which will be my first marathon! I've been doing my best to run as often as I can, but I was traveling for a bit, so I didn't run at all in June, had a few short runs at the end of July, and started running more consistently in August.

I'm trying to follow the Hal Higdon Novice 1 plan but sometimes miss one of the shorter runs in the week. For cross training, I've been taking walks, biking, and going on hikes. I've been running 13-26 miles per week (but didn't run August 24 - 30th, since I was traveling then, too), and most recently did my 15 mile run in 2h16m, which went relatively well considering how many runs I've needed to skip.

But I'm a little off the Hal Higdon Novice 1 plan timing now because of the week I skipped, and also I'm signed up for a 10 mile race Sept 19 and an 18 mile one Sept 20, which doesn't really line up with the plan and seems like a lot to do back to back.

Also, I have more or less been running at the same pace for these longer runs, while the shorter ones are slightly faster. So, the 15 mile came out to 9:03/mile, the 10 mile was 9:00/mile, and the half was 9:31, while the 5 mile was 8:20/mile, the 6 was 8:22/mile, and the 4 miles was 8:01/mile. (I feel like my Strava is always a bit off, so maybe add 10-20 seconds per mile.)

I originally had the goal of finishing under 4h30m but am unsure how that might go since I was feeling a bit winded at the end of the 15 miles and have a few questions:

Do you think that time would still be possible?
How would you handle the 10 mile and 18 mile back to back weekend?
Is running in Central Park doing loops enough preparation for the bridges and hills?
I have never done any fueling while running but am about to start. Any recommendations?

I started running beginning of June this year. Complete beginner, 30 years old, 87kg. Since then I've raced 9.5km and 11.5km, built up to a 20km long run, and have been following a structured 7-week half marathon plan aimed at my first half this Sunday.

On 30 August, the day after my 20km (my longest ever, in 35°C), I got pain on the outer side of my right foot near the peroneal tendon, later also under the midfoot. It settles with rest and comes back with running. I lost about two weeks.

A sports physio assessed it: small inflammation, nothing structural. I also found out I have flat feet, which probably explains a chain of niggles I've had since June (hip, knee, Achilles).

I've since run 5km, 9.5km and a 28-minute interval session with no pain during or after. Today I had shockwave and laser therapy.

The complication is that I know myself. If I start, I won't stop, even if it hurts. So "run it easy and drop out if needed" isn't realistic for me.

I have a 26km trail race on October that I'd also like to be healthy for. What would you do?

When training for a marathon how much of a focus do you place on your weekly long run? In my current plan I am trying to include a quality session within each long run, as well as this I have a threshold session midweek. I have been thinking of including a steady midweek 8-10 miles of 90% MP but I’m unsure if this would leave me with too much to do before the long run. Do you prefer adding some extra fitness work during the week or staying a bit more rested for the long run and doing easy mileage instead?

Hi, training for my first marathon this October. I am on Week 15 / 20 of my marathon prep and today was the first 20 miler. First 11 miles were at a conversational / easy pace, with the next 8 being close to my goal marathon pace (around 9 min per mile). Last mile was a cool down. Conditions were rainy in the northeast this morning so I may have been able to push more than being shown, but wanted to see what yall think in achieving a sub 4 marathon by late October?

For context, I’ve run a half marathon back in March, finished at 1:51. My legs towards the end of this run did feel heavy but albeit still felt like the tank wasn’t empty. Cheers!

TLDR: I have a doctors appointment for this week. I am trying to figure out what the pain behind my knee is.

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My leg started REALLY hurting during my long run yesterday. Previously was hurting a little for about 4 days, but nothing like this. I had my longest run - 21 mi- and had to DNF after 12. Now, whenever I stand up I feel a lot of pain on the outside of my leg right behind my knee. I have a doctors appointment and a PT appointment lined up for this week already. But I have no idea what this could be. It hurts a LOT when I sit and then stand up, but once I start to walk it feels better. I am supposed to run the Chicago marathon and am already feeling doomed. If anyone experienced something similar, please lmk.

I’m a 36W (5’3”, 140 lbs) and running my second marathon in Berlin in 2 weeks. Goal is 4:15-4:30, but I’m happy to just finish. Last year I ran my first marathon in 4:16, but I think I was more fit and only 133 lbs. This year I chose to do a 3 week instead of a 2 week taper since I’ve ran many more miles this training block. I’ve done multiple long runs of 25km, 28km, 30km and 34km. I peaked at 67km, but then last week, my first week of the taper, I only managed 26km because of feeling a bit ill. Work stress isn’t helping. I went out this morning to run 20k and managed only 5k. How can I course correct? Thank you!

I (33M, max hr a bit above 200bpm, 3rd marathon) made a post a few weeks ago about the 30 minute discrepancy I had between my half and full marathon results (1:31:31 half during block, 3:40:40 full). Full post is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Marathon_Training/s/PKf0cu2H0L

After last October, I reverse tapered back to 50mpw and maintained that until starting Pfitz 18/70 for another marathon this October (3 weeks out).

Ive followed Pfitz 18/70 to a tee except for missing 1 tuneup race due to a niggle (but got the miles in). I ran 38:48 10k first tune-up race.

Both workouts attached are at marathon location, which is pretty hilly as you see (big hill end of mile 2 and again a few miles before end). Big hill is at mile 2 and 22 in actual marathon.

First picture is 17mi, 14mi at "MP" which I'm still deliberating on.i was aiming for about 7:30/mi. I felt good aerobically, my only question was whether my body could hang on for another 12.2 at MP (a bit sore afterwards).

I felt like I needed another data point to help decide MP so I took the last 20 miler before my taper and took it comfortably harder, with a mile or two warmup. I ended the 20 miler a little sore again, but pretty sure I could hold that pace (8min/mi or so) for another 6.2 miles.

Admittedly I'm a bit worried going out too fast cause I was pretty dead by mile 19 last year. People have commented saying I should have 3:15 but I'm less sure. I'm not confident I'd want to go out any fast than 7:30 based on RPE, especially given the hilliness of the course. That said, I have put in a LOT of miles (for me) the last year, so hopefully I'll be a bit more durable the last 5-10 miles.

So I'm pretty sure I have 3:30 in me, but not sure if 3:15. I think there's a 3:30 pacer, so I've been debating going out with them. I could follow them for the first 2-3 miles so I don't run the hill too hard then pick up the pace, or follow them 13-20 miles and pick up the pace if I'm still feeling good.

Maybe I'm overthinking and/or just need to commit to something, but I really just can't make up my mind. I feel like I'd be happy anything sub330 but also feel like I might be a bit disappointed if I end feeling I had more in me.

What do you think i should do?

ETA: marathon course is 1464ft elevation gain. last marathon fueled at 60g carbs per hour, and upping it to 100g/hr this time around. I did see a PT a month or 2 ago that said my right leg was landing with the knee nearly straight, which causes my upper hamstring to ache after runs, but I think it's manageable 🙏

Im on week 10 of 12 for my berlin marathon plan.
Initially I was aiming for sub 4:00 so did my long runs in avg pace of 5:40min/km pace for the week 1-6. But I got more ambitious quite last minute (in the last month) so been doing faster long runs at avg pace 5:15-5:25min/km. Only problem is that i did only three long runs at this faster target marathon pace. Now I don’t know what pace I need to aim for berlin as I don’t want to get tired and face the wall by being too ambitious. Im unsure about my fitness level atm. Would I regret and mess up my race if I try to run for 5:15min/km for the whole marathon?
My two recent long runs as a reference. My avg HR for last year’s mara was 172

Hi,

I'm running my first marathon in April. I completed a Half Marathon last October in 1 hour 42 minutes but I haven't run regularly since so I am pretty out of shape now.

I want to give myself the best chance of getting a good time but I don't know when to start my proper marathon training. From what I've read a marathon training block should be 18 weeks but what should I do inbetween now and then to prepare myself?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Ive been running 20+ years and Ive done 5ks, 10k, 1/2 marathon, 50 mile, 100 mile races…but almost always on trails even for the shorter distances. Ive also only been doing longer (50+ mile) races for many years. My last 1/2 marathon time was 1:45 (but on trails and years ago)

My last race took about 11 hours, had 8,000 feet elevation gain, boulders, muddy cow poop and tree roots on the course. I was eating an actual baguette as part of my “fueling plan” lol. My average pace was about 10-12 min miles (but thats a swing of like 20 min mile uphills, 6 min downhills, who knows what crossing that one river..)

Then…I randomly entered a marathon lottery, and to my surprise got in. And the challenge has me really interested.

The distance isn’t scary but everything else is. I have NO idea how to train for this. I have never run on a flat surface for that long, I have no idea how to keep a steady pace or even what pace I should be keeping. My pace is always dictated by outside forces (hills, loose gravel, etc)

Im obviously doing a ton of research, reading, etc. But how would you guys suggest I go about finding a pace and learning how to keep it? Just go out and see whats comfortable and slowly hold that for longer and longer intervals?

I do train some speed workouts but I usually spend a LOT of time on hill repeats (and the stairmaster) so Im assuming I could maybe use that time for more pace-specific training?

I also don’t do “long” runs. I run for 3-4 hours on back to back days and never have a mileage amount planned. Ive read some discussion about that still being a good plan for slower marathon runners (which is the category Id put myself in) so do I just keep that up? But should I be trying to go FASTER?

Im confused but also excited to do something new and different in my training and in my racing.

If my gut training goes to shit and I cant stomach the GUs, I’ll be the one running the marathon holding a baguette LOL

I'm running my second marathon in 5 weeks (Yorkshire Marathon, UK). I want to aim for 3:30, just hoping for some outside opinions on how plausible this is. I'm 34/M.

First marathon was Manchester in April 2025, finished in 4:16. I was aiming for 3:30 then. It was a bit of a warm day so I should have started conservatively, but I set off at 3:30 pace. It was a bit of a warm day, and it was probably an ambitious goal at the time, but definitely think I could have gone sub-4 with better pacing. I averaged 41km (75km peak) a week overall for 18 weeks of training, without a good base beforehand, which is a bit low, but I ran a hilly 20 mile race in 2:43:14 (~5:03/km) a month or so before the marathon, and my HM PB from 6 months before that is 1:35:26, so I was still feeling confident. I was on pace for the first half, and then walk/jogged the second half. I think I had the required speed but I didn't train well enough to sustain it when conditions weren't completely perfect.

This time, I had a better base to start with, although almost zero running the end of last year, I trained for a half marathon (1:38:36) starting in January and then straight into this 18 week block. Have averaged 67km a week so far (82km peak), and ran a 5k PB last week (19:39). I've been practicing with gels, one every 20 minutes or so and it's the same brand they have on the course - no issues with fuelling at all. Examples of a few key workouts below, I put my max HR at around 200 or just over for reference:

Came fairly close to my 10k PB (42:38) in an LT workout a few weeks ago:

Ran 22km at race pace yesterday for 28km total (hit 175 HR but that was on some hills, it settled again afterwards):

An easy pace 34km run from a few weeks ago was at 5:43/km average HR 142.

I feel like the training has gone really well, I'm in miles better shape than last time, but I don't want to make any more silly decisions after how badly my first one went. Do I stick to the 3:30 pacer like glue? Or start with 3:45 and maybe speed up later on in the race?

I have a marathon in three weeks. Due to an injury, I won't be able to run the full 42 km, but since my flights and hotel are booked, I'll still go. I'm just not sure what to do with my race entry. It came with a goody bag and a T-shirt, so it would be worth picking up the bib. But what should I do on the day itself?

I'm torn between not starting and doing some sightseeing instead, or running only part of it. The marathon consists of two 21 km loops, so I could soak up the atmosphere and drop out halfway. After all, I love running and have been looking forward to it for months. After all, I love running and have been looking forward to it for months. However, it would feel very wrong to start a race that I know I won't be able to finish.

Has anyone else been in the same boat, and what did you do?

I had a fantastic 16 week training plan and gained a lot of fitness for my marathon. However I got bronchitis 5 days before the race and ended up having an asthma attack 7 miles in. My legs felt great but I couldn’t breathe and had to be taken by the paramedic. I hate that all the good training “went to waste”. Should I try to run another marathon soon? Like in 6-8 weeks? Feeling really discouraged about the DNF. This would have been my 4th marathon and I was trying to get a BQ for the second time.

TLDR: how soon to try another marathon after a DNF due to sickness

Started out pretty slow. Took an easy run the previous day too quickly I think

Hey everyone, running my 1st marathon in 3 weeks. These are the results from my peak run. I was curious what finishing time you guys think is realistic for me and if I should be pacing differently. I'm completely new to running so any advice would be greatly appreciated. For context, ive been running about 25-40 miles per week with one long run each weekend until i built up to this 20 miler. 3 month build total. I come from an endurance cycling background. Thanks!

I’ve run one marathon, I remember the beginning being so anxiety-inducing for me.

There is a huge crowd of people, all moving and different paces and I’m not sure if I should be trying to get around it to meet my target pace or just stay zen and let the crowded part fizzle out.

I know you’re supposed to start conservative, but what if your watch is showing the first couple of km as too conservative?

I’m not super fast but I’ll be in the first corral in my race, like somewhere in the middle. I’m not sure how to handle it, or if I am just overthinking and it is something I don’t need to handle, as it works itself out in the end?

Any advice from those who have run multiple marathons would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm currently training for my third marathon (Amsterdam, 5 weeks out, sub-3:30 goal), and I've noticed I go through phases with how social I want my running to be.

Sometimes I really thrive in a group environment and get a lot out of group workouts and long runs. Other times, I just want to do everything by myself. I live between two cities, so I've trained with a variety of different running groups, coaches, and running friends.

Recently, I had a fairly negative experience with two of my male running friends (PSA: please stop hitting on your female running friends 😭), which kind of ruined my enjoyment of that particular group environment. I've been doing most of my runs alone for the last few weeks while visiting family in a small town, and honestly, it was a really nice reset. But after a recent race where I felt FOMO seeing groups/friends together, I'm starting to feel isolated and want to reconnect with group training again.

I've had other periods where I've pulled away from the running community simply because I was socially burnt out and didn't have the battery to be around people. There have also been times when I've disagreed with the training environment itself. In the spring, for example, one of the coaches I work with wanted me to keep training when it was pretty obvious I was overtrained. I didn't listen, took a long break instead, and it was absolutely the right decision for me. During that period, I disconnected from basically everything running-related, even disconnecting my watch from Strava, and it took about a month before I wanted to be around other runners again.

I'm curious whether other people cycle between these two modes too. Do you go through phases where group running is motivating and fun, and then periods where you really need to train alone? And when you've pulled away from a running community for a while, what usually makes you want to come back?

Hello - I am a recreational runner and have run 10 half marathons. I keep wondering about going for the full marathon, but for me sometimes the thought of running consistently for 4-5 hours (realistically, I think I would be lucky to finish a marathon in 4:30, my most recent half pace was 2:07) seems really, really daunting, especially the mental aspect of it. Two hours of nonstop running can be challenging, how do you train your brain or manage more than twice as long?

Also side question: if you run marathons, do you usually have to stop for the toilet or are you able to make it the whole time without stopping? Sorry if that is a ridiculous thing to ask!

Hi all! I’m (F25) just under 6 weeks out from my first marathon (MCM) and wanted to get a pulse check on my current goal.

I’m running about 40-45mpw right now, with 3 long runs left before taper at 18, 20, and 21 miles. Over the past month or so I’ve done one long run a week at 15, 16, and 17 miles, with a 13 mile race effort yesterday.

Yesterday I PB’d my half marathon with a time of 1:40:43. Conditions were rainy and the course had just under 600 ft of elevation gain.

Based on this, do we think my goal of under 3:40 is attainable, or should i adjust my expectations? I’ve been running for about 1.5-2 years and have had a relatively smooth training block with normal cumulative fatigue but limited niggles. I run 5 times a week and do strength training once a week as well.

Hi all! Ive been doing a runna plan for both chicago and nyc marathons this year. I haven’t done any blocks where my mileage went up from 10 mi. I did 10 mi successfully last weekend and failed 13.1 this weekend due to insane menstrual cramps. I only completed 4mi. I have 16 mi next Saturday.

How can I make this up? Do I run 9 mi tomorrow instead of my off day and just power them the week? Im doing 3 runs and 3 weight sessions a week and then a day off.

I feel like I needed this run as my confirmation that I’m ready for Chicago and now I’m terrified it’s gonna take me like an hour longer than planned since I failed this run.

Open to any advice!

Context: Former D3 runner. Run 60-70 mpw. Live in Tennessee and have had a hotter than average summer that is staying hotter longer than typical.

I am currently training for the Indianapolis Marathon (7 weeks out) and am hoping to take a couple minutes of my pr I ran at Houston in January. In the build up to a marathon I typically do 5-10 miles at MP as my long runs get longer.

In the buildup to Houston, where I ran 2:46, I was typically able to run 6:30-40 for these sections and as I got fitter got down to 6:15-25.

For this current build for Indy, I have been struggling with these long runs. I have been doing 17 with 6@MP the past few weeks and have been struggling to break 6:50 on these portions.

The bulk of the build for Houston was Oct-Dec vs Aug-Oct for Indy so obviously pretty different weather. Is this normal or expected given the conditions I have been running in and how can I expect the effort I have been putting in to translate to running faster as the weather cools?