Is 3:15 doable with average mileage and limited talent? Or should I work up to 80 mpw and become an endurance monster? I have no speed lol.
I've been able to hit 46-55 miles a week with 1 workout a week, tons of EZ mileage and time-trialed a 13.1 in 1:39:35 at 65% effort in good weather in the last month. It was a solo effort. I started in Feb. at 26 mpw, gradually worked up to 55 miles without too much problem, and was even able to do 16 in 2:02 a few weeks ago. Slowing down my EZ runs to 9:00-9:20 helped me a ton, and I was able to go faster in my workouts.
I took a few down weeks to recover for the next 16-week cycle, which is with Marathoner in Training (Columbus training group). MIT has my plan starting at 48 and going to 60 before tapering, including two 20-mile runs (one 20 and one 22 actually).
Prior to joining this training group, I coached myself using LRC message board tips to a 3:24 in 2019 and 37 mpw, and a 1:39:00 half in 2018 on about 28 mpw, also using LRC and internet articles as my training.
I'd kill to run Boston but I know I am 5-10 years out. I'm 37 and men and women my age and older than me are much faster, so it gives me hope and is also humbling at the same time. I ran from '98 to '02, then quit for 15 years because my ROTC instructor scared me off ("Your knees will wear out!"), then I started back up in 2017.
A random woman here (I found her blog while googling Pfitzinger's 55-mile plan and results from others) who started off running 4-hour fulls and 2-hour halfs now can run faster than me--3:17/1:31--and she never ran in HS or had an XC background! However, she's been running for 18 years straight, whereas I ran for 4 years, then took a 15-year break, and started up 4 years ago.
https://www.afoodiestaysfit.com/about-me/
I feel fat and out of shape, but I know I have a long way to go to get to a BQ. It may not happen before 40, but as long as it happens regardless, I'll be happy.