New runner here. Signed up for my first marathon last year on a whim, didn’t know what I was doing in training (averaging 20-ish mpw with no speed work, most runs about 10:30-11 min/mile) and somehow managed to run 4:17.
I joined a group and started training seriously after that.
I ran my first half this January at 1:49 (total surprise. Thought I was gonna go 2:05 cause it was 2 months after marathon) and two months later in March got it down to 1:42 on Avg 30 mpw and 1 speed session every 1-2 weeks.
Now, I’m up to 40-50 mpw, 2 speed sessions/week, and upping my long runs.
I recently ran my current PRs off one speed session per week:
5k — 21:30 (super hilly, difficult course)
10k — 44:10 (also very difficult course)
Marathon is in late November. Do we think it’s possible to go sub-3:30? I’m running a half in a few weeks where I’m most definitely sure I can break 1:40.