All these people “running” marathons and being encouraged by the community despite the fact that they walked on the course is ridiculous.

You sign up for a Marathon to run it. Period.

If you walk on the course for any significant period, you finished, 100%. And you’ll get your medal. But that isn’t okay and should not be lauded.

Opinions of people who actually run Marathons only, please. The rest of you walkers need not comment. Just downvote and waddle on.

I did it! After a lot of ups and downs, missed weeks thanks to knee pain, and so much self-doubt.

Last December a significant change happened in my life, and suddenly I had a lot of free time. I decided to use it to train for a marathon, which had been a long-awaited dream of mine.

When I started in January, the first milestone I set for myself was a half marathon at the end of March. I finished the half just a few minutes within the cutoff time, and I was thrilled. After that, I knew the next step was the marathon. I had almost 7 months to prepare, and I was dedicated.

I trained and trained: running 4 times a week, lifting 3 times, and cycling 1–3 times. I imagined my finish at least a hundred times.

Then came the long-awaited day, full of nerves and adrenaline, not knowing if I could even finish. Funny thing: the sweeper bus scared me in March, and last week too, even though my only goal was to finish within the cutoff time. I had a pace plan that I followed strictly., which worked out quite well, and so did my fueling.

After hours of running almost without stopping, I reached the last stretch, where my friends and family were waiting for me by the roadside. All the training, the missed parties, and the 4 am alarms in summer to avoid the heat flashed before my eyes, when I was crossing the finish line. It’s an incredible feeling to know you’re capable of something like that. I’ve been so happy ever since.

Honestly, looking back, I don’t even know how I did it. My longest run was 35k, and I planned my pacing and fueling based on that run.

Some advice for those of you who are still preparing:

• Have a plan. For everything. And stick to it. You know you can run 30k at a 6:00 pace? Slow down a little, to around 6:15–6:20, and don’t speed up until the last 5-7k no matter how good you feel.
• Practice fueling. Your stomach won’t want your 4th gel, but your legs will. Practice taking gels and keeping your stomach in check. Set a reminder in your running app every X minutes so you don’t forget. Extra tip: Try gels that are not so sweet and contain sodium too. I took a Magnesium pill every 1 hour to avoid cramping as well. 
• Get people cheering for you. This is one of the things that matter most. I used an app I’m building so that elderly relatives and friends who couldn’t be there could still track me in real time, see my predicted finish, and send me voice cheers. Those cheers hype you up and keep you going, whether they come from someone on the roadside or from another country. They got me through the last and hardest 5k. Live location with an estimated arrival time was especially useful, because my supporters on the course knew exactly where to stand to catch me for a high five.
• Listen to music. I know most races don’t recommend it, and I see why, but your favourite album or a podcast can keep the boredom away for a while. It can help your cadence too.
• Enjoy the views, the vibes, and the people around you. High-five the spectators. If you’re enjoying yourself, time goes faster.

If you want to know anything or have questions for a mid hobby runner like me, I’m trying my best to help you!

I ran many a marathon in my younger days. Boston qualifying left and right, fairly competitive locally. Then I tore my ACL skiing, more intense job, cross country move, got married and had 3 kids. I still ran when I could indulging the odd 5 or 10k, but I pretty much stopped “training” and allowed myself to get slower for 10 years.

Last year after my youngest son weened, I started really running again to lose the last 10lbs of baby weight and because running is pretty much the easiest exercise to fit in before 3 kids need to be up for school. Fell in love with it again. Started training… Quickly built up from 5k to 10k to a half marathon in the spring (1:44 which is not bad off 6 months of running!)

The MCM next weekend was going to be my first marathon in 12 years. My last workout of the training block was a short interval session at the track Thursday. Upon jogging toward the track in the pre dawn darkness, I left the sidewalk and stepped right into a deep hidden divot in the ground rolling my ankle severely.

Now instead of a taper, it’s an ankle brace & staying off my feet for a few weeks. Dr confirmed no fracture and wants me to keep the ankle brace for 4-6 months during activity. So disappointing. And very frustrated with myself.

I’m looking for some advice on training block periods. I just raced my first official half marathon and got 1:36:46. My goal is to get a 2:50 marathon by September 2027. I went to make a plan with Garmin Coach but a 48 week training block doesn’t sound right. A 5-6 month build phase is crazy… should I do 4 separate 12 week training blocks? I’m new to running (at least running while training with intention) only been training for 4 months. So I’m not sure how to approach this.

Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks!

My max HR is about 195

Symptoms like extreme fatigue, whole-body pain, blood in urine, and nausea/vomiting normally mean you need to go to the hospital, but those are also normal symptoms of… running a marathon.

How do you know when it’s truly an emergency?

I'm training for a marathon myself and trying to figure out the best way to fuel my longer runs while maintaining my weight.

Two quick questions for fellow runners:

1. How do you figure out when to take gels during long runs? Do you go by time, mileage, or use an app?
2. How do you adjust your daily calorie intake based on mileage, especially on days you also lift or want to maintain your weight?

Thanks all

I ran my first half today and finished at 2:00:07. I will be running a full in May and will start training in January. My goal time is 4 hours or better. How should I make the best use of the next couple months of downtime between training blocks?

Thanks for looking

I started training in August when my mileage was around 30-35 mpw. In mid September, I took a break as my hips were hurting every time I ran. I feel better now but since I haven’t been running I’m thinking of just calling it and trying again for next year’s race. Not a pro at this, so I’m looking for opinions or advice.

I was aiming for sub 4 but I know that’s not likely at this point. I really want sub 4:30 at least but runna has me at 4:30-4:58. I don’t know if it is factoring in my previous training because I ending the previous plan.

Race is mid December

Hi all,

Last week I ran my third marathon (Hartford 2026) in 4:24. I used a hybrid of Higdon 1&2 as my plan. My first marathon was the 2025 Disney marathon which I used the Higdon novice plan for and finished in 4:44. In January 2026 I ran my second marathon with a time of 4:33 as part of the Dopey challenge (5k on Thursday, 10k Friday, half on Saturday and the full on Sunday) using a Dopey specific plan. I have attached splits from all three races.

Of the three I felt the best after my second in January 2026 and the worst after Hartford. However Hartford 2026 was warmer with more elevation especially near the end. During my dopey training for marathon #2 I ran a 1:53 half but during my third training block did not do any runs at this pace.

As I look at races for 2027 I’m hoping to score around a 4hour time. In the future I’d like to BQ (F 20-30 age). I know this won’t happen in a single training block and am committed to the long haul. I am looking for advice on starting to optimize my training/if anyone has had a similar time progression what you did to get faster. There are so many plans and races to choose from and I want to make my next race a smart one.

Completed my first half marathon. Did I leave any time on the table with my pacing strategy?

I followed the 2:15 pacer until 5k to go. At which point I knew I could go hard and make it to the finish. I did my hardest to catch the 2:10 pacer, but fell a bit short. Appreciate any advice.

First marathon completed this morning chip time just above 3:01. I was hanging in with the 3:00 pacer until 37k and my legs completely gave out. I don’t know if there is any specific thing I could’ve done better, or if it’s a combination of multiple little things. Looking for some insights from anyone has experienced this or tips to import that part specifically.

About me:
24M, 179 bpm threshold HR, around 195 bpm max HR, 3:55/km threshold pace. I usually run 8-10 months out of the year (~2000km in 2025 and same in 2026). HM PR was a 1:29:47 May 26, 10k PR 38:14 Sept 26. Heavier guy at 6’1’’ and 195lbs (87ish kg).

The Prep:
Started base building in may 40km/week with 1 workout per week. Prep started in July. Averaged 80km (50m)/week with 3 weeks above 100km (63m). 1 workout per week and 1 long run. Ended up doing upwards of 10 run >32k (20m) all with some marathon pace albeit I rarely was hitting actual marathon pace. Did strength lower body strength training for the first half but had to stop for the last 8 weeks as I couldn’t recover efficiently enough.

Race day:
Baystate Marathon, 32F at the start and 50F by then end. No wind, flat(ish) course (500ft gain). Basically perfect condition. Took in 50g carbs / 30 min (100g/hour) with 900mg of sodium and 600ml of water. I was holding pace really well, felt pretty damn good and HR was very controlled. Legs were heavy by 35k but that was expected. However, not long after, they completely gave out and I couldn’t push anymore. HR data clearly show it as it was feeling exponentially harder but HR didn’t raise. (I was using Coros arm HRM so I trust the data to be at least decent)

This has happened to me a few times during halfs before so I wonder if there is anything I am missing in my training or if just more mileage is the solution.

I was training for a marathon. Aiming for sub 3 and on course for it. Then had a suspected stress fracture 5 weeks out, on crutches, no running for 4 weeks. Turned out to be tendinopathy. Anyway physio said I could run it see how it felt. Felt fine for 15 miles, then very not fine for 11. Kind of torn between feeling gutted that my all the hard work ended without result I wanted and feeling happy that I at least finished. Will try again in march in Barcelona, we go again.

Running half marathon next week with goal of sub 1:30. I’ve trained hard but currently not so confident. Planning to run with a pacer for the first time for the race, so wanted to hear people’s experience. Does running with a pacer make the race easier? Any tips?

For runners with limited room, a home gym needs to justify the space it occupies.

I'm curious which strength equipment marathon runners actually keep using throughout a training cycle. Would you choose adjustable dumbbells, a bench, kettlebells, a compact rack, or a few simple accessories for single-leg work?

I'd also like to know what you deliberately leave out. A full setup might be nice, but if a smaller selection covers your needs, the extra space could be more useful for other things.

What would your practical, runner-focused home gym include?

Chip time was 1:39:28. Feeling good!

3:30 goal for the full marathon seems more than doable!

Race Information
Race Name: TCS Amsterdam Marathon
Date: 18-10-26
Distance: Marathon
Location: Amsterdam
Finish Time: 03:05:0X

Hi everyone, today I ran my second marathon. I found reading other race reports really helpful during my marathon training block, so I thought it was only fair to post one myself. I’ve kept it fairly straight to the point, but I’m happy to answer any questions if you’d like to know more or if I’ve left out any important details.

Goals
Goal Description Completed?
A Sub 3 No
B Sub 3:10 Yes
C Steady pace Yes

Splits
4:24 flat for the entire race!

Pre training block stats
25, male, 190cm, 80kg
17:15 for 5K, 37:14 for 10K, 1:01:12 for 10miles; 1:22 for the half marathon, 3:24 (first and only marathon, in 2024).
Average weekly mileage 35km (consistent for years)

Training
As you can see from the mileage progression in the screenshot, I was pretty naive and made a few mistakes in how I built up my mileage.

Since I PR’d on the 10k and 10miles, I wanted to give sub-3 a shot. I still had 8 weeks left so I increased my weekly mileage as quickly as possible. I therefore increased it aggressively in an attempt to reach the appropriate peak weeks. As you can probably guess, this resulted in injuries: shin splints and cuboid syndrome.

I then reduced my mileage again to recover, with my highest priority being to make it to the start line pain-free and still getting some 30k+ runs in. That worked, and my total marathon block average ended up being 47 km per week.

Training stats:
Peak: 85km; Average: 47km; Longest run 35km with last 5km sub-3 MP
+- 3x 30+ runs.

Crosstraining: Gym 2x (final 8 weeks no legs) ; cycling 2 hours/week

Pre-Race
+-3400 calories / day during the block (190cm, 80kg, male) went from 80kg to 78,5kg during training block.

I did a 2 week taper (35k and 15k) and carb-loaded for 3 days

The conditions were (course record) good: 14°C, minimal rain, and a flat fast course.

No injuries, legs felt fresh and sharp

Race plan
Figured the amount of mileage would not have been enough for sub-3, so my new goal was 3:07. (Still a big PR). The plan was to run at a steady 4.25/km pace.

Race
It was pretty rainy, and I forgot to bring a poncho (a tip for anyone running on a rainy day!). But my legs felt good, and we started in the beautiful Olympic Stadium. I started a couple of rows behind the sub-3 pacers.

The first 30K felt completely effortless. My average heart rate for the entire race was 160 bpm, and it stayed steady at 155 bpm until 30K. Over the final 12K, my legs started to hurt a bit, but I managed to maintain consistent splits, and I wasn’t even close to cramping. As the finish line approached, I couldn’t resist giving it everything I had over the final kilometer.

For nutrition, I took a 30g Decathlon gel every 5K (which I had also practiced during training) and grabbed a cup of water at every aid station. On top of that, family and friends were waiting for me at three different spots with electrolyte drinks.

The race went exactly according to plan. For roughly the first three-quarters of the race, I was mostly being overtaken by other runners. Luckily, I stayed patient, because I was able to make up a massive amount of ground in the final quarter. I was surprised by how many people slowed down towards the end.

Post-Race

I’m very happy with the result, and because my legs felt good, I think there may be even more in the tank (not today tho). If I run another marathon, I’ll obviously build up my mileage more gradually next time. I think I’d use an app such as Runna or Ren to follow a structured plan. But for now, I’m going to focus on getting stronger in the gym again and keep my running at maintenance during the winter.

After several Half Marathons and a 25k earlier this year, I was blessed to complete my first marathon under 4 hours.

I kept hearing about “the wall” and quotes like “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. I got rocked today, but boyyyyy did I punch back even harder. I’ve never ran this far before so the plan to stay under 4 hours felt challenging, yet easy because of the pace I can handle in smaller races. However, a marathon is a different beast.

The race was fairly flat and weather couldn’t have been better, but id like to know what I could do if I followed a proper training plan the way I’m supposed to next time. Does anyone have any recommendations on plans they’ve followed in the past to get under 3:30?

Congrats to all those that have completed their first marathon as well this fall! “Successfully” or not, you deserve a BIG pat on the back!

Master’s runner here running just over a year and I just completed my first marathon and major with a chip time of sub 3:24.

My original goal was sub 3:15, but due to a bone stress injury on my ankle during my 14 week build, I was not able to run for 21 days, so my fitness regressed.

During this build, I had a coach, which was also a first for me, and even leading up to the week of the race in Berlin, my ankle was bothering me, so to play it safe my coach wanted to me run a 5km/1km float and had told me realistically the best I could probably do was 3:45 with my injury. So I wanted to keep my expectations low and to just run sub 4, to not disappoint myself and to just enjoy my first marathon like everyone told me to do as well.

However, out of the gate I was feeling so good and no pain in my leg, I decided to go against my coach and everyone’s advice and went on to try running a steady pace race. I was able to hold a pace of around 4:52/km for the first 30km and at around the 30th km, my coach always told me that you have about an hour of glycogen at threshold, so knowing that, I decided to push the pace for the last 12k, I ended up with a negative split on the back half of the marathon. I was also taking a gel every 20 mins.

Do you think it is in the realm of possibility that I can do sub 3:15 and eventually sub 3?

I’ve already ticked off running a sub 20 5k, as well as a sub 128 HM and very close to doing a sub 40 10k (40:54 PB), so I want to focus on conquering a sub 40 10k and faster marathon time next.

Ran Detroit Free Press Marathon today, ran an almost 3 min PR with a chip time of 2:57. I was supposed to run this marathon last year, but got an injury during training that sidelined me for a couple months and I had to defer.

39M, this was my 3rd marathon (3:29 Oct 2024, 2:59:43 May 2026) and I feel like a learn a little bit more every time. I threw away the concept of a plan, upped my mileage to about 60-70 miles, and added a track workout midweek with some running buddies that all run similar paces. I added once a week hot yoga earlier this year and I think that’s been great too.

Ran a really “comfortable” race, think I had 1:28:30 or so at the half and ended at exactly 2:57. I already knew it, but hip strength and lower leg strength continue to be my weak areas.

All in all great day, very emotional race and everyone I knew ran a PR.

Up next is my first ever Boston next April 😍

24M

As the title states, I have lived with OCD all my life and 2 years ago I hit rock bottom and with my compulsions it would take me 3-4 hours if I ever wanted to leave the house. Everyday I contemplated ending my life to stop the loop in my head.

With support from my loved ones, I started to go to therapy and I decided to start caring for my physical and mental wellbeing. I started to train for a marathon 1.5 years ago. In January I set the goal of running a sub 3:15 and this past year I gathered everything I had in me to power through and give the training my all.

My garmin gave me a 3:25 prediction and I had so much doubt last night. The last 6 miles were brutal unlike anything I’ve ever endured but finishing this goal meant so much more to me than just the accomplishment itself.

When I crossed the finished line at 3:14 I don’t think I had an ounce of effort left inside of me, I left it all on that track. It felt so dramatic and I tried to hide it but I actually teared up after crossing the line.

I don’t have social media and I’m not the type of person to brag, but I needed to share this somewhere.

So after 22 weeks of training ran my first marathon, last 4 weeks was a struggle, got the flu and didn’t recover properly still felt some general faint fatigue and felt like shit during the taper.

Still i gave it all during the race, really proud of the results

The start was fine, smooth but at 24km and onwards it was purely a mental game, my hamstrings we’re super tight, my left feet swole and bled a bit, but pushed trough the pain after talking shit to my self, didn’t want to quit after training for so long

What really helped was running with the pacers, it gave me a person to chase and the atmosphere was just energetic.

Fuelling strategy was at every 8km 40g carbs with 80mg caffeine.

Carb loaded the week long

Hi All,

Looking to increase my pace, currently running 3 times a week with a mileage of ~40km.

Want to try and incorporate zone 2 running, however I gradually / subconsciously just increase my pace without realising it and I find it incredibly hard just to slow down and my HR just picks up gradually too.

Does anyone have any tips ? Or else I will just go to gym and do zone 2.

My last 2 marathons I hit the wall hard around mile 22, to the point where I was close to giving up and admitting the distance just isn't for me.

Well I just ran an 8min pb today, most importantly WITHOUT BONKING and im so grateful for the people that gave their advice and time on this sub.

There's nothing better than the feeling of finishing strong, and feeling like your run actually went to plan. This time I ran past the mile 24 sign with a big grin on my face feeling unstoppable, what a difference!!

A few things I did differently this time that worked:

- More weekly training mileage (reached 60 miles a week for a few)

- sticking with the 3.30 pacer till mile 20 and then set off at my own pace knowing I had more to give (takes all pressure off my pace up till the end, big stress reliever)

- proper 36hour carb load plan, rather than just a massive bowl of pasta the night before lol

- checking what gels are on course and practising with them A LOT in training,

Big thanks again to this community, I've gone from the brink of giving up to now having the quiet confidence of knowing I'm going to come back faster next year round.

If anyone feels like they were in my position and heartbroken from regular late-race bonking, you can do it, keep doing the research and pushing yourself 💪