Sub 2h30 Spring Marathon - The Quest for Amateur Glory is back!

Thanks for the feedback, Reed. What might you suggest to do instead of marathon pace stuff this far out?

Amateur wrote:

Thanks for the feedback, Reed. What might you suggest to do instead of marathon pace stuff this far out?

work on your weaknesses, whatever those may be. maybe some 5k stuff, or some progression runs getting down to tempo pace to get used to working hard. could also be a good time to work on hills, even if your race is flat.

Good call. Needed to hear that. Planning on some progression to tempo tomorrow and some K’s on Thursday, leaving some MP work for long run day. Next week will hit some hills. Thanks

I second reed here. I'm a little more than 16 weeks out, so I have been working on mile-5k speed since I'm terrible at those distances. The increased speed and change of stimulus has been a nice break from the drudgery of long miles at MP, and it should make MP more manageable when the race gets closer and the specific training really starts.

I also find that working on my weaknesses in the "off season" helps me to stay fresh mentally as well.

Thanks immunorunner. I had 6-8 at MP planned for today by am going to do some mile repeats instead to see how the legs feel going faster than 5:45. I know my mentality is currently that I need to get really good at running 5:40ish for race pace, but some faster stuff will only make it feel easier later. May hurt a bit though!

I feel ok mentally but with 16 weeks to go agree it is wise to keep it interesting.

What marathon are you racing in 16 weeks?

Sounds good, speaking of hurting I'll be doing a 1 mile TT this afternoon...it burns just thinking about it.

I'm running Grandma's this coming June.

Nice! Let us know how it goes.

I train with a guy going for sub 2:30 at Grandma’s. Should be a lot of people to run with around that time range.

immunorunner wrote:

Sounds good, speaking of hurting I'll be doing a 1 mile TT this afternoon...it burns just thinking about it.

I'm running Grandma's this coming June.

Grandma's is such a great race with an amazing course.

I ran my first marathon there last year and would really like to go back to take another crack at it.

bets on immunorunner's TT?

he opened the season with a 9:23 3000 then ran a 9:15 (going out in 4:48) a couple weeks later.

something tells me that he will be easily under 4:40, but not below 4:30. he has done some 200s around 32-33, so he probably doesn't have the quickness to rely on. 4:36 would be my bet if in a race, but because it's a time trial, 4:39.

4:37 is my bet.

Very close reed! 4:40. Ran even splits from the "gun". I probably felt better than I should have at 1200, but just didn't have the wheels to close it out. I do think that 4:36 is possible for me in a race but any case, it was a 2 second PR so I'm pretty happy with it.

That's good to hear! Mid-June seems like a tricky time for a marathon, I hope the weather cooperates.

seems like my groin is well enough to go for that 4mi race. have managed to hit 45 miles this week by Thursday so I'm back on track for 80+ miles, probably closer to 90.

yesterday I did 6x3min on, 2min off and only ran around 5:15 pace, but it didn't feel terrible and I could've probably done 8-10 at that pace. 2min off sections were just jogging 8min pace though. managed to do 11 very hilly miles today with some tricky trail sections and it didn't bother my groin, so I'll probably do a very easy 8 miles tomorrow or maybe a double and then race on Saturday. seems like I will be likely winning the race, so I might try going out a little slow to entice others to come with me.

What shoes do y'all rotate in your training?

Here is what I rotate between...

Long runs - Asics Gel Cumulus 20 or Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit (If I have more than 5 miles of pace work in there)

Midweek long runs - Hoka One One Napali

Tempo runs - New Balance Beacon (It has treated me well)

Debating on getting another pair to mix in since I'm ramping up mileage for Boston.

You have a specific shoe for midweek long runs?

Saucony Ride ISO for training

Adidas Adios for racing

buffalo street harrier wrote:

You have a specific shoe for midweek long runs?

Saucony Ride ISO for training

Adidas Adios for racing

I like the different feel for midweeks compared to Sunday efforts.

Tyler_Runs_Lifts wrote:

What shoes do y'all rotate in your training?

Here is what I rotate between...

Long runs - Asics Gel Cumulus 20 or Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit (If I have more than 5 miles of pace work in there)

Midweek long runs - Hoka One One Napali

Tempo runs - New Balance Beacon (It has treated me well)

Debating on getting another pair to mix in since I'm ramping up mileage for Boston.

I have a room full of running shoes, but I have a handful that get 85% of my use.

Hoka Arahi (2 pairs, model 1 and 2). stability shoe for easy runs or easy long runs

Brooks Glycerin 17 (for easy runs)

Nike Terra Kiger (for trail runs of any length)

Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit (for hard long runs or tempos, with insole for added stability)

Nike Streak LT 3 (for interval work and shorter races)

Nike VaporFly (for races 10k+)

wish list:

New Balance Beacon (for whatever...dunno yet)

New Balance Summit Unknown (fast trail shoe)

Adidas Boston (for moderate runs or easy runs)

if anybody has anything size 10/10.5 they are trying to trade/sell/dump, let me know. I'm a bit of a shoe geek

Hey everyone. I am hoping to take a crack at sub 2:30 in May. Right now, I have a 12 mile marathon paced tempo as my longest workout at that pace as I will be running a half marathon four weeks out from my marathon. Do you think 12-14 miles at maratho pace is a good stopping point, I think 16 miles might be a bit of a stretch as that would be aroun 90 minutes+ at marathon pace. What do you guys think? What's the longest single tempo (aside from a half marathon) in your programs? Thanks guys!

I’m not too picky on shoes - currently my favorite are a pair of Zoom fly sp that I got on clearance for around $60... I also have a pair of ASICS that suck Road Hawks or something and some Hoka Clifton’s (don’t know what year) that I bought when I had PF that will never die but are terrible so I just use them for easy runs. For racing though I have the Vaporfly Flyknit which are literally the best shoe I’ve ever run in and frankly I don’t care what the haters say.