If you want to run slower, train less. If you want to run faster, train more.
all experts and research suggest more mileage is the key to faster times in the marathon- no short cuts- look at past and present champions- 100 plus miles per week - no let up- constant hard work and committment required.
What it amounts to is that these people are pretend Marathoners.
It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to do a Marathon.
It does take a lot of effort to reach your potential.
The difference in training is worlds apart.
The problem is that this mentality influences a large part of the running community: from the very slow to the fairly fast, and we can see that in the results! 20 years ago, there used to be legions of 2,20 to 2,30 runners, but not anymore.