Marathon target?

Training Advice/Discussion

3 years ago 01/27/2021 9:47am EST

M46, started running casually 3 years ago.

Was signed up for a marathon last spring and followed a sub-4 training plan. Race was cancelled, but ran a 1:44 half as part of training. 5k time of 21:55 without any real prep. Nothing impressive, but it's been fun.

Stopped running for a while amid all the lockdowns, but getting back into the swing of things. I'm signed up for a fall marathon (fingers crossed that it will actually happen) and wanted to ask what time you think I should target. Stick with 4h as a nice round number? Or aim for something a bit more ambitious?

Thanks!

3 years ago 01/27/2021 9:52am EST

re: Floyd

Floyd wrote:
M46, started running casually 3 years ago.
Was signed up for a marathon last spring and followed a sub-4 training plan. Race was cancelled, but ran a 1:44 half as part of training. 5k time of 21:55 without any real prep. Nothing impressive, but it's been fun.
Stopped running for a while amid all the lockdowns, but getting back into the swing of things. I'm signed up for a fall marathon (fingers crossed that it will actually happen) and wanted to ask what time you think I should target. Stick with 4h as a nice round number? Or aim for something a bit more ambitious?
Thanks!

If that 1:44 half was just a training run, then aim for 3:30. If that was an all out effort, aim for 3:45. 4 is chump change for someone that can run a 1:44 half.

3 years ago 01/27/2021 9:55am EST

re: what the F

I agree with what the F, but if you make 3:30 your goal you have to understand that shaving last few minutes will be a lot of hard work and pain in workouts and even more pain on race day.

3 years ago 01/27/2021 10:01am EST

re: what the F

what the F wrote:
If that 1:44 half was just a training run, then aim for 3:30. If that was an all out effort, aim for 3:45. 4 is chump change for someone that can run a 1:44 half.

Thank you!

The half was a race and felt pretty tough.

(In the 5k, I had no idea what I was doing, went out much too fast, and completely died in the last 2k. Live and learn ...)

3 years ago 01/27/2021 10:36am EST

re: Floyd

If I were you I’d probably aim for 3:40-3:45.

You didn’t list any running history but you could have a faster target depending on how you historically respond to training.

3 years ago 01/27/2021 10:53am EST

re: Floyd

I would pace it for 3:40 and if you feel good during the last 10K then pick up the pace.

3 years ago 01/27/2021 4:52pm EST

re: Floyd

I'd be tempted to say a Boston Qualifier time which is 3:20 to be a sure thing but that is setting you up for being disappointment. On the one hand you only have 3 years of casual training to date so you might have a lot of upside. On the other hand you've not yet covered the full marathon distance at race pace so you don't yet have experience fueling/hydration/pacing after 20 miles. Shooting for 3:45 is probably appropriate as to be honest for your first marathon simply completing it should give you a sense of accomplishment. Roughly, roughly 4 hours is a 9 minute/mile pace, 3:30 is an 8 minute/mile pace and 3 hours is a 7 minute/mile pace. If you run faster than 9 minutes/mile for longer runs and you still have something left it would indicate that 4:00 as a goal is sand-bagging

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Marathon target?

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Marathon target?

Follow spinozza

Block spinozza

Follow Runner1018

Block Runner1018

Follow Naperville Runner

Block Naperville Runner

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.