Hi everyone. New to LRC, and to running, sort of. Hoping to get some guidance as I set realistic goals and enter this world without injuring myself.
Basics - 36 year old male, 6'0 and 155 lbs. Have been a hobby triathlete for past ten years or so and did just enough slow run training to get through a few HIMs and 2 full IMs. Times were nothing remarkable and I was a mediocre cyclist and swimmer and runner, at best. My last race was November 2019 at a full ironman. Then I essentially sat on the couch through COVID for past 1.5 years.
Fast forward to May 2021. I decided to try and get back in shape. Started running 3-4 times a week at progressively faster paces. Was encouraged with the progress and decided to see what 14-18 miles per week would yield in some races the past 6 weeks. Managed a 5:08 one mile time. And then a 1:05 10-miler just a couple of weeks ago. Managed a negative split on the 10 miles and felt really good at the end, even though it was my longest run by at least 4 miles this year.
All of that said... I am hoping to get some guidance on what these times indicate (if anything) about what kind of goals are realistic for me in the marathon if I target more volume and better structure to my training next year? Anything specific I should be doing or not doing ? Value in a coach or should I just grab a marathon plan and start working against it? Thanks in advance!