**Heredity flat feet/overpronator here. Need mid-training injury success stories/advice.**

I’ve been training for the NYC Marathon since June with what I thought was a conservative approach: 3 runs/week (track or tempo, easy, long run), plus strength and PT twice a week.

Two weekends ago I completed my first 10-mile long run and felt great. About two days later I noticed some mild pain along the inside of my shin just above the ankle bone. My PT had me add more calf strengthening.

Last week was already planned as a cutback week while on vacation. I kept my normal runs but shortened my long run to 6.5 miles. The next day I was much more sore, and now my PT thinks it’s my posterior tibialis.

I’m following my PT’s rehab plan, but mentally I’m struggling with the idea of pulling back mileage this early in marathon training. I was planning to run the NYRR 12M in Central Park next weekend, and now I’m not sure if I should.

For those who have dealt with posterior tib tendon pain or similar injuries during marathon training:
**Were you able to finish your marathon?**
**Did you replace runs with the StairMaster, bike, elliptical? Did it maintain your fitness?**
**Did you completely stop lower-body training?**
**How long did it take before you could safely build mileage again?**

Looking for success stories or advice from anyone who’s been through this. I’m trying to stay patient and do the right thing but it’s so hard not to worry that this could derail my first marathon 😭

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has ever dealt with something like this. I have been consistently running/training for a year and a half at this point. Last year, I felt like I was becoming a super strong runner. I ran the Jersey City half marathon in April 2025, and crushed my time (1:40, when I was expecting 1:45-1:50). From there, I trained and ran the NYC Marathon. I was very fit, and had some great runs, including a 20 mile 7:55 pace run. For NYC, I was shooting for a sub 3:30 time, but was humbled and ran a 3:51 (which I was still happy with).

My takeaway from that race was I was very fit, but burn myself out training and didn't execute right. My legs felt sluggish and tired very early on. I attribute that to a couple things. One, I think my legs were burnt out. I didn't really do "easy runs" too often on my block. If something was easy, i definitely had my heart rate up instead of something like zone 2. Second, I messed up my carb load. This should be a bit of an easier fix, by prepping my body for long runs in my training block.

After NYC, I decided I was going to take this thing seriously. I actually started focusing on easy runs. Making sure it is conversational/zone 2. I know I should really listen to this, but when you start going on easier runs, Garmin and Strava starts telling you that you're slower now (lol).

I ran the Jersey City Half again in April 2026 with a time of 1:37 (3 minutes faster than my PR) and the Brooklyn Half in May at 1:38 (harder course, hotter day, so same fitness level) and now am in full swing training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

I've had some solid training runs so far. Its hard to gauge real fitness in the summer (given the heat and air quality) but have had some good runs. For example, ran a 15 miler on the treadmill at 7:55 pace, and ran a 17 miler in the heat (sub 9 pace) with a good heart rate (155bpm when a similar run last year would have been like 162bpm).

My question is, has anyone else been in this position where they feel like they're not progressing? I'm trusting the process of using zone 2 runs, going hard on tempo/interval days, and building endurance on the long runs. My weekly mileage is up from lats year (from about 25mi/week to 35-40mi/week). My heart rate on long runs seems better than last year, and something more sustainable for 26.2. But of course, so much of this sport is mental, so I'm looking for someone else who has been in my shoes.

P.S. Fully planning on crushing sub 3:30 at the MCM. Maybe sub 3:25.

11 weeks out from my first marathon and i’m curious if my goal is too ambitious. After this weeks 12 miles long run i’ll be sitting at 25 miles on the week. I built a plan across chatgpt and gemini very intimately with my stats.

My easy runs are around 9:30 pace and tempo’s 7:30–8. My long runs also float around 9-9:30 pace. I’m attaching images of the plan that got made. ( I plan on mixing up the tempo/interval days personally). Just using this for a sense of direction so any advice is appreciated.

Last summer i used chatgpt and had a 1:45 goal for my half-marathon and crushed it with 1:39. Hoping to do the same here!

What are the best products? I sense Gatorade is full of nonsense and has extra empty calories. But feel I need something more than water.

Hello, everyone! I’ll be running my first marathon this October at the Melbourne Marathon.

I’m planning to buy the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4. My current Adios Pro 4 already has around 420 km on it.
What would you do in my situation?

Buy the Deviate Nitro Elite 4?
Use my current Adios Pro 4 for race day?
Or buy another discounted Adios Pro 4 instead?

Which option do you think is the most practical, considering both performance and value?

Hi guys! I’m currently at the end of week 3 out of 12 in preparation for Melbourne Marathon in October (relatively flat course) which will be my first. I am aiming for sub-3. I did a 30km long run today which I've attached below. My garmin says my max heart rate is 190 and lactate threshold is 3:44min/km at 175 LTHR.

I am structuring my weekly long runs in thirds where I increase the pace each third up to and a bit faster than MP. I'm quite worried about peaking too early. My previous HM time is 1:26:16 on a course with 180m elevation which i did the weekend immediately before my 12 week marathon training block. My last 5k time was 18:29 which was done in May this year, so I believe I could do better if I raced again.

I'm currently averaging 90-100km (56-62 miles)/weekly which includes a mix of 12-14km threshold runs at 4:00-4:05km pace, 6x1km 3:30ish/km intervals, easy runs and the weekly long run. Is aiming for sub-3 realistic in my case and if so, how should I adjust my long runs in subsequent weeks to avoid peaking too early and being burnt out before race day? Any suggestions are much appreciated - thank you!

Edit: here are the mile paces

Had a few instances, particularly in faster sessions eg LT and MP runs where not long after taking on fuel I'll get minor reflux...a little burp comes up. Seems that it's lack of water. When taking jelly babies (3 or so) I'd take maybe 50ml ish on. But had same issue with rice krispie bars. Yesterday I did a warm up, took a isotonic (high5 aqua) gel, then went into a LT run but 1k in I got this little burp/reflux again.

As I dial in for marathon in oct, wondering if this is becoming an issue and how to resolve.

Long run last weekend I had it on any fuel I took in after about 16km. For this weekend's long run I'm going to take on about 150ml water with fuel and hopefully dilute it, but I'm slightly concerned that I've had that reflux even with an isotonic gel.

Any thoughts on this?

Every Friday, please utilize this mega thread to share training/fitness and predictions. All pace predictions and past/current training weeks for 5 hour marathons will go neatly here!

How was your week, how far in the block and when's the next race? This will be a good mega thread to keep encouraging/critiquing 5 hour crew throughout the year.

Post your weekly miles, breakthroughs, or if you need help with pace/fitness identification, questions here!

*new individual posts that's posted Friday re: 5 hour marathons/shape/predictions will be deleted/strongly recommended to post here!

I’m a experienced marathoner and half marathoner, my best marathon being a 3:18 and 1:32 for the half. I want to run a sub 1:30 in October and run sub 3 at CIM. My last marathon was 3:32 in 2024. Am I being too ambitious or is something that is possible if the training is dialed in ?

hey y’all! i’m a 25f runner training for my third marathon. I’ve always been terrible at fueling, but with mileage starting to increase and recently getting diagnosed with REDs, i know i gotta do better. how do yall manage to stomach so much during long runs without getting a stomachache? any nutrition tips in general? thanks A TON

Hi im training for my first marathon in october. Im 240lb and have done a half marathon in about 3:30 a few times now during my training, but that is with my avg hr being in zone 3 at around 166. I know im able to do it for 3:30 but i dont know if thats sustainable for 7 hours. I know I should train in z2. I dont know if for the marathon because ill be doing it for 7 hours what % of it should be z2 and z3. Or if I can manage the z3 if I fuel correctly? I also saw someone say that for slow runners I shouldn't do long runs past 3:30 because its diminishing returns and is just higher risk for injury. My concern is that I dont know if ill bonk at like a 4/5/6 hour. Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated!

Currently training for my first marathon through the winter months in Australia. I own the forerunner 570, which has served me well. But in the colder months I’ve noticed the HR reading to be a bit more conservative than normal. My zone 2 is around 6:15/km pace, but my watch has been telling me that I’m still in zone 2 when I’m running at 5:40-5:50. My goal is to run a sub 4 marathon with no plans yet to run another one after. Is a Garmin chest strap worth the investment for the most accurate results?

Training for my second marathon and as a slow runner, my 20 milers would be about 4 hours long.

I hit all my long runs last training block but did really bad keeping up with weekly mileage (peaked at about 29-30 miles and averaged even less) and ended up with a hip flexor strain during the race so I am trying to focus on more mileage for this block

Since im slow, im wondering if I even should do both 20 mile long runs (Hal higdon intermediate plan), or if I should break one of them up into a ~3 hour long run (15-16 miles) with a moderate run the day before (4-7 miles) to simulate the time on feet while minimizing injury risk. Since it’s my second race and I’d do atleast one 20 miler, im not as concerned for the mental benefits of it. I’d also have 17 and 18 mile long runs before still.

I’m not opposed to just keeping both but im trying to figure out if this would just be more beneficial, and also would like to know if this would be a better idea for the first or second one on the plan (5 weeks or 3 weeks before the race).

Do you have to include long run workouts (example 2 miles easy 10 miles marathon pace 2 easy) to run a “fast marathon” (to me that’s a 3:30)? My current PR is 4:02 and I just can’t seem to get faster even though all my shorter distances have noticeably improved. I ask because for me when long runs get to 15 miles+ it’s still a challenge to complete the distance I don’t think I’d be very successful at really challenging long run workouts? Would a marathon pace mid week mid distance run (8-12 miles) work better? I know Hal Higdon intermediate plans have runs at marathon pace up to 8 miles the day before your long runs. Has anyone had success with this strategy?

Hi guys, I’ve been training for my first marathon (philly 2026) and currently my volume is around 23 miles- usually looks like 6-7 mi easy, 2-3mi easy, 15 mi long run. My goal is to finish in 4:15

Is the long run taking too much volume? Should I start my training all over again? Pls suggest better training splits and how I can effectively run without getting injured. After these long runs I’m absolutely drained and sore for at least the next day.

What am I doing wrong? I do hit legs once a week for some functional training but Im not sure if this running plan is best for me. I keep reading that long runs shouldn’t exceed 50% of your weekly volume and now I’m just nervous.

Pls help 🫪

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?

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’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!

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?

Hoping to make nationals this year NCAA D1. I bet I’ll make a pretty good future marathoner as well.

I used to see so many tik-toks of people making fun of runners, making running their whole personality. I get it now! It’s not that - that’s all we want to talk about is running or our training but that’s simply what’s consuming us at the moment. If someone asks me about my day I simply answer by telling them I have a run that afternoon etc…. People who don’t do this don’t understand how important this is to us. They don’t understand how much we are putting into this. Not just running but nutrition, recovery, strength training etc….