Relative Newbie wanting to take it to the next level...

To be super concise, the biggest factor in improving my times at least, was speed work (in one form or another). Look for info on the message board of how to incorporate speed, there's a ton of options.

Mileage is a must if you really want to have a respectable half or full marathon times, but even then you need to also do some speed stuff. But for everything else speed and reasonable mileage is all you need.

Thanks for the reply and yeah for sure I need to do some speed stuff. I've read on here thats maybe not ideal to add when building mileage though, especially for a new runner.

I did read strides could be a good place to start though so maybe tagging them on to a couple of runs a week?

You are doing fine. Gradually getting to about 50M/week is a reasonable goal, especially if you would like to run some ultra. it is also good that you are adding some strength routine.
If you want to improve your running, the most effective change you can introduce is to stop smoking. Training-wise, to get faster and stronger, try introducing one weekly session of hills: something like 5-10x15-20-seconds steep/fast with full recovery followed by 4-8 60-90 seconds jogging down; start with 5 short + 3-4 long and then gradually increase up to 10 + 8. Be gradual and do not overdo these, especially the first few times, as they you may injure your Achilles if you are not used to running fast uphill.
Once you get comfortable with the hills, let's say after a few months, you can move to the track to do interval training.

If you have not yet been a fast runner in life, do not skip to a marathon. 99% of people should not become part of the marathon cult. This is probably an unpopular opinion here but it's true nonetheless.

You could spend a fraction of the training time compared to a marathoner, run, lift, and become a much faster runner. Or you could train significantly more hours just to run slower for a longer distance.

To me, running a much faster mile or 5k is a better sign of athletic prowess and can be done without making you weak, frail, overtrained, and chronically injured like what happens to many new or even experienced runners training for a marathon.

You are making progress and are not a bad runner. Gradually add in speed work. Sprint days, faster 200m-400m interval days with long rest, threshold days. Create a more functional, explosive, athletic, and efficient body. And keep doing lots of slow easy runs in between.

It's commonly said how undertrained most runners are aerobically which is true. But most posters here don't realize how slow new runners are either. A lot of new runners struggle to sprint a 20-second 100m. Maybe worse.

If we can't run a 6:00 mile, why are so many people thinking about the marathon? If we can't run a 30-second 200m, why are we thinking about the marathon? These are much easier to achieve and will actually make you a good runner. I see so many people that can't break a 30:00 5k talking about marathons. It's insanity. Become proficient at shorter distances before skipping to the holy grail.

Welcome to the sport! Looks like you’ve put in a couple good first years and can build on the consistency. Well done!

I tend to agree with the idea that you shouldn’t be jumping to a marathon. It’s a long ol’ way, and the body doesn’t know anything about distance, just relative exertion x time. That kind of strain is not particularly healthy, particularly if you’re less than two years out from a sedentary lifestyle that went on for the better part of 20 years. I would also focus on getting significantly faster first.

I think gradually building up your mileage while adding in strides is the best way to start. You can build to 8 x 100m strides after easy runs, so 3-4x a week. I‘d avoid jumping into serious speed work too soon — here be injuries, especially since you haven’t done much before.

Another thing: without knowing your body composition and diet, it’s tough to say, but you’re probably around 175lbs, which is on the heavier side if you’re looking to improve your times significantly. The general thinking for weight is to work on that from the diet end, as “just” more exercise tends to make the body more efficient but not actually drop much weight. You shouldn’t focus too much on the numbers, at least not in an unhealthy way, but keep in mind that less weight = less strain on the joints, tendons, etc. That‘s a tough thing to combine with quitting smoking, but there’s less rush on the weight than there is with smoking… which you should quit as soon as you!

Best of luck to you! And remember to enjoy it all.

Welcome to running and this infamous message board.
You are doing fine. I would recommend not to focus too much on numbers, like the 50 miles per week thing. Just run 4-6 times a week and see where that takes you. Do a couple of races if you like from 5k to Half Marathon at one point.

I agree with the previous posters that there is a unnecessary rush to get to the Marathon distance.

Keep on running!

Thanks all, appreciate the replies and the welcome!

Interesting point RE the marathon, a lot of people I know have done one but in a bucket-list type of way. Not many of them actually run regularly at all anymore. I think for me I would like to do the distance, but not bothered about 'racing' it just yet.

I'll add some strides in and build up to intervals longer term whilst maintaining the S&C.

RE the build do you think building by 5km every 4 weeks (startingg at 55km) is a good route to 80km? Would probably add in the occasional down week. That would take 20 weeks, too much or too conservative?

Sorry - I meant to tag those who had replied to say thanks and I can't seem to edit the post, apologies!