Is it possible for me to qualify for the Olympic Trials for the Marathon?

You Are COMPLETE MORAN, EB wrote:

Ezekiel bread wrote:

"Through Christ who gives me strength all things are possible."- 2:06 marathoner who claims his pr is 2:04

So, this never happened?

https://www.flotrack.org/video/5278820-ryan-hall-runs-american-record-time-20458-at-2011-boston-marathon

Man, I could have sworn he actually ran 2:04.58.

I guess you are right, and he didn't.

Idiot.

Ok, so when a sprinter or long jumper breaks a world record mark but the wind isn't legal, do they call that non-legal run/jump their PB? If you think "yes", then there's no point continuing this conversation.....

Course layout and environmental conditions in Boston 2011 weren't legal. Do you understand this concept?

I'm a mileage guy: at least I think so. I haven't yet gotten in the triple digit per week territory, but I ran my mile PR the week after my first ever 90 mile week. Tapers never really seemed to help me either: if anything, I feel like I run best in the midst of more intense bouts of training. That's part of the reason I'm optimistic about this: I haven't had real marathon training yet.

I know the HM is an option, but am I wrong that 1:04 seems much harder than 2:19? I'm sure that there's probably more guys sub 1:04 than sub 2:19. 4:53 per mile is quick! Although I guess a 10K at that pace doesn't seem too crazy, so I could start there and then assess the situation. I had ruled that out as an option, but I should keep an open mind on that.

Here's what my training is looking like right now. I'll use this week as an example:

Monday: (AM) 9.5 miles easy (PM) 4 miles easy

Tuesday: (AM) Fartlek workout 2on-1of x 10 for 8 miles total (PM) 4 miles easy

Wednesday: (PM) 7.5 miles easy

Thursday: (PM) 11 miles moderate

Friday: (AM) 8 miles easy (PM) 7 miles easy

Saturday: 10 miles easy (Planned)

Sunday: 16 mile progression run (Planned)

That would be 85 this week. Nothing crazy yet, just getting readjusted to the higher mileage.

logiceagle wrote:

Here's what my training is looking like right now. I'll use this week as an example:

Monday: (AM) 9.5 miles easy (PM) 4 miles easy

Tuesday: (AM) Fartlek workout 2on-1of x 10 for 8 miles total (PM) 4 miles easy

Wednesday: (PM) 7.5 miles easy

Thursday: (PM) 11 miles moderate

Friday: (AM) 8 miles easy (PM) 7 miles easy

Saturday: 10 miles easy (Planned)

Sunday: 16 mile progression run (Planned)

That would be 85 this week. Nothing crazy yet, just getting readjusted to the higher mileage.

If you're running CIM this year, your volume and intensity seem to be lacking for a race that's like 7 weeks away with the goal of running low 2:20s. At a minimum you want 100 MPW including two quality sessions AND a long run. 2:23 at CIM is my goal race this year, here's last week's log;

Monday: (AM) 10 miles easy

Tuesday: (AM) 6xMile w/2:00 jog @ 4:45 pace, 11 miles total (PM) 6 miles easy

Wednesday: (AM) 12 miles easy

Thursday: (AM) 10 miles easy (PM) 5 miles easy

Friday: (AM) 10 mile tempo run at 5:18 pace, 14 miles total (PM) 6 miles easy

Saturday: 10 miles easy

Sunday: 20 mile long run

104 total

If you have money you could try to move to Kenya and train

Impossible absolutely not. But highly, highly unlikely. You need to get some halfs in first. 2:27 seems reachable but those extra 8 minutes are a mountain.

Why are you under the impression that I'm running CIM?

My next marathon is in 2019

Yes and no.

If you do everything you can for 3 years you have a shot. If you do less than everything I am saying no.

I think the people who have done it that don’t have massive talent have sacrificed to make it happen.

Tokyo or Bust,

You have some speed.

I’m curious if the miles at 4:45 or the 10 miler at 5:18 which is harder?

If you can do the 10 miler at 5:18 it sounds like 2:23 at CIM is very doable.

The only or rare exception are those rare and exceptional people who run a 5k PR in the last 5k of a 10k. In college, we had a guy on our team who had zero natural speed but was an aerobic monster. I watched him set 3 PRs in one race 5k, 8k and 10k ... the 5k was from the last 5k of his 10k and ran an 8k PR en route to his 10k PR (while also running mid 29). It was an incredible thing to watch. *By no speed, I mean that his 3k, 5k and 10k pace were all basically the same - always got out kicked and would get trounced in the 1500.

pollarBear wrote:

Maybe, kind of a long shot. 15 min 5 K people I’ve known usually peak out in the mid 2:20s. If you undertrained or trained poorly in college, you may take it to the next level with high mileage in a well designed program. If 15 min for the 5k was your “true” max (you trained to your absolute potential in miles and quality) then 2:19 probably unrealistic.

DW wrote:

I run an 11 flat 100m. Is 9.49 possible? See how dumb you sound

This post is stupid. Maybe he won't do it off his current times but don't be an AH.

Of course, off a 2:41 it's unlikely from here but once you get that time down into the mid-high 2:20's then you can begin thinking about it. Even from there, it's a huge drop to 2:19. There is not a ton of time left for OT 2020. I'd work that 10K time down to 30:50 first, which will give you the most reasonable start.

Back in the day, I ran a 2:23:3X with Track/Road PR's of 4:20/14:50/30:50/(30:45 & 30:56 in X-C).

You have to run smart and even.

mrb8 wrote:

Your college PRs are all faster than mine (I ran 4:28 for the mile and 15:07 for 5k), and I have run 2:18:54 for the marathon. Yes, you can do it. But understand that it will take many years of dedicated, disciplined training. For guys like us, developing the ability to race a fast marathon requires tens of thousands of miles and a very mature mental approach. If you pursue this goal, do not get greedy. Take small, consistent steps year-over-year. Eventually, with enough work and a little luck, this is something that you can absolutely do. Best of luck to you.

+1

One more thought is that you'd benefit greatly from a coach. It sounds like you've got a long way to go in terms of understanding what this endeavor will require. A coach will help you gain experience and knowledge faster than you could on your own. I've been working with a coach for about 4 years now and have seen all my PRs drop and my confidence grow.

Your goals are possible, but your training leading up to it won't make it possible. 100-110 won't cut it. I think to hit those times you probably need to hit be hitting 130 or 130+ miles a week. Those are very fast times and to accomplish that you're going to have to train hard. Mo Farah hit 135, Galen Rupp hits about 140, other professional marathoners hit about the same. I know you're not going for times like 2:00:25 or 2:05:00, but if you want to run that time badly and want to hit it in such a short time, I'd suggest training like them (It wouldn't hurt to train harder [unless you get injured]). But that's just my advice.

Who do you use for a coach?

I’ve never run 130 miles per week and I’ve never run 2:18 so honestly I have no clue.

I do know that running that fast is going to take some serious discipline and a few years if your coming from a 2:41 PR. The more discipline you have the better your chances. If you slack I would probably say it’s impossible. I’d start working out about 10-14 hours per week until running for 2 hours at 6 minute pace feels easy.