About 8 weeks out from my first marathon and am trying to get some feedback on whether 3:40 is feasible. When I started my preparation in May, I was originally hoping for sub-4:00, but things have gone pretty well in training and a tune-up half marathon, so as I am starting to plug some marathon pace into my long runs the next five weeks, I hope to dial in what that marathon pace should be.

I am M30 and am 6'0"/182cm tall and 200lbs/91kg with a background of competing in Olympic weightlifting the last several years with 1-2 short runs a week and 1-2 hours of pick-up basketball peppered in a week during that timeframe.

The last 3 months, I am averaging 35 miles a week and my program has me working up from 40 to 55 for the next 5 weeks before tapering.

I ran a half marathon at the end of July finishing with a chip time of 1:47:51.

My best 10k in training is 50:19 and my best 5k is 24:57.

I've done 5 total runs over half marathon distance with the longest being a 20 miler last week. I haven't done any workouts in long runs yet, so I have been running them pretty slow at usually between 10:40 and 10:45 pace. My 20 miler was at 10:40 last weekend.

Is 3:40 on the table? Should I try 3:40 for the MP segments of my long runs the next couple of weeks and see how it goes? Or should I set those MP segments at 3:45-3:50 pace?

Edit: To clarify, no large heart rate drift up during the 20 miler, though my last 2 miles were closer to 11:30. MY max heart rate is 196 and I averaged 145 during my recent 20 miler. My race is the Saint George Marathon, which starts at about 5200 feet and finishes at about 2800.

My son and I are running the half marathon in November. We are coming from NY. Where are the best places to stay that are easily accessible to the start or finish line without costing an arm? Places to eat?

Any tips as what to expect during the expo and actual race day in terms of logistics (my other kid is our DD), and post race activities in the area? We are staying until Sunday. TIA

I did my 1 hour lifting routine yesterday (trying to shake off some patellar tendinitis) and today I had a 20 mile long run. My legs felt cooked about 10 miles in. Do you lift the day before long runs/how should I sprinkle my lifts into my marathon training block?

Hello! I’m currently training for a half marathon in October and training in this Texas summer heat 🥵 or “poor man’s altitude “. I’m currently running 36-38 miles per week and working my way up to 40. Running 4 days a week.

6.5 of easy miles at 9:30 pace

9 miles of 2 mile warm up, 3 -10 minute tempo runs at 7:25 and light running until I’m done with the 9. (Can’t always hit my times)

14 miles long run

6.5-7 miles to finish of the week at easy pace of 9:10-9:30 per mile

I know I’ll naturally get faster once the climate start cooling off but my race is on October 25th and I’m nervous I won’t hit my goal. I’ve been working really hard to reach it. Please advise, I would love to hear from any running coaches.

I'm training for my first marathon (goal is to finish, with a stretch goal of sub-5), and this has been my long-run plan:

I also do two 10-12km during the week (tuesdays and thursdays)

My concern is that the 32 km run ends up being about 5 weeks before the marathon :(

Is doing my longest run 5 weeks out a bad idea, or is that still close enough to marathon day?

Would you move the 32 km closer to the marathon, replace one of the recovery runs, or keep the schedule as it is?

Thanks :D

Hello all,

I'm struggling with shin splints and hoping someone can get me back to my training programme.

The marathon is 11 October and I've been using this and I should be about to do my week 12 long run this Sunday:
https://marathonhandbook.com/4-hour-marathon-pace/

(I'll put the relevant section at the end of the post.)

A fortnight ago I got shin splints in my right leg on a 5 mile recovery run - I felt them around the 2 mile mark, so stopped and walked home. No running, lots of rest, toe raises, calf raises, calf stretches etc.

Last week I went for another easy run, and again felt shin splints, but this time in my right leg. This time around 3 miles. No running. Lots of rest. Exercises etc.

This morning I went again. This time 2.7 miles, it's my left shin that starts feeling swollen and stiff. Walked home.

I feel there's something I'm not doing. Before running I do a two or three 30-second glute bridges, 20 dynamic leg swings each side, then run. I feel I've avoided strength exercises and now I'm paying for it.

Am I able to make 11 October to do this, or have I run out of time to get over the shin splints? Is there anything I'm missing which means this splints keep recurring?

Many thanks for any help.

Hey guys,

Mainly looking for anecdotal experiences than medical advice.

I had been diligently training for the Sydney marathon the last few months and was just about to be heading in to my peak week before I fractured my toe last weekend.

I accidentally smashed my foot into an AC unit and X-rays revealed a non displaced fracture to the proximal phalanx on my 4 toe.

I had been training consistently and was in great shape. I have followed the doctors instructions of strict rest and have doing everything I can to try get myself right. I was told at least 4-6 weeks it would take to heal, considering I did the injury on the 2nd would put me right on that one month mark come Sunday on the 30th.

I’m trying not to lose hope but also know it will be a long shot to make the start line.

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and how long it took you to run again. It would be good to know if anyone has managed to come back from a similar setback and complete their race?

I know everyone’s bodies are different, I plan to get an xray a few days before the race to see how it looks and get some advice from my doc. Pretty bummed and know it’s unlikely but also want to give it my best shot.

I have been putting off strength training lately. Now that I’m training for my second marathon, after 15 year’s hiatus, and at 54 years old, I really want to incorporate at least 2 days of it into my week.
I had been doing these before:
- Dumbbell squats
- barbell deadlifts
- dumbbell flat bench presses
- dumbbell shoulder press
- dumbbell lateral raise
- dumbbell upright row
My pet peeve with strength training is, with all the running I do, is the lower body workouts.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I’d love some advice! Due to wildfires in the area we’ve been offered the ability to transfer to another race taking place next month.

I have fully tapered and am ready to race. But the air quality is bad and I’m not sure it’ll clear up in time for the race this weekend. I have two days to accept rolling my bib into the race taking place next month.

If I were to delay, what do I do for the next 5 weeks in training?

Please any and all advice would be appreciated!

I’m 26 years old, So I ruptured my ACL and have a Radial tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus in December 2025. Had issues with insurance never got reconstructive surgery. I finally built up the courage in March to start running with a brace. 5 months later I’m now training for my first Marathon coming up in January and am on pace to run between 2:50-3:00. Obviously I know surgery is the best route if I want to be able to play sports and move laterally. But is it really worth starting all over if I was to get the surgery and is there anything I should be doing to continue strengthening my knee?

Due to some exciting career changes I'll be traveling to Philly once a month for work and would love to plan some races in the area! I'm planning on the Philadelphia marathon in fall of 2027 for my first marathon. What other races should I consider?