Compiled marathon training thread for sub 2:20

I think at sub 2:20, you need a coach. I also think sub 2:20 is where talent comes to play. You won't know until you try. The 5k is a poor indicator compared to the 10k. You will need at least a sub 67 half marathon, something rarely seen in even the best club runners.

We're talking guys that win every race in a major city. They'll go 1:09 in the marathon and mop the floors locally with 31 minute 10ks. But they are only good for 2:29 in the marathon. They can make the trials but can't contend. sub 2:20 is very special.

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1:09 in the half-marathon...

perspective wrote:

I think at sub 2:20, you need a coach. I also think sub 2:20 is where talent comes to play. You won't know until you try. The 5k is a poor indicator compared to the 10k. You will need at least a sub 67 half marathon, something rarely seen in even the best club runners.

We're talking guys that win every race in a major city. They'll go 1:09 in the marathon and mop the floors locally with 31 minute 10ks. But they are only good for 2:29 in the marathon. They can make the trials but can't contend. sub 2:20 is very special.

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Yes I have been thinking about this also. I've looked around and realized that 1:06-1:07 seems to be about where a 2:20 guy is depending on who they are. You're right, I have no idea how I will respond, but I hope to give it a whirl. You just never know.

Getting into the Olympic Trials in 2020 is a big goal of mine and I would hope to get there by then. My coach is low 2:50s marathoner, but we are both gathering information to make a schedule. I've read many threads, but they're either off topic or very general. Maybe I'm missing some?

My thoughts right now include ~100 miles/week with a long run every week with a long portion of it at 5:45-5:55 ish. I'm also looking to take more of a Canova approach.

America had the most sub 2:20 marathoners back during the 70s and early 80s. So look there honestly. The mindset then was 2 runs a day Mon-Sat and a long run Sunday and 2 workouts a week. Fill in the details based off individuality (what you respond well to), and you're set.

Also, they raced a lot back then and used races as speed work. Sometimes Bill Rodgers would try to squeeze in 5-6 races over the last 8 weeks or so before a big marathon for speed work and to sharpen up.

Check out this guy named Nate Jenkins and his blog. His marathon training philosophy is very Canova based. He was also a 14:30's guy in college and turned himself into a 2:14 guy through hard work and canova type marathon training.

http://nateruns.blogspot.com/2015/01/planning-full-training-cycle-for.html

http://nateruns.blogspot.com/

Canova Marathoner wrote:

Check out this guy named Nate Jenkins and his blog. His marathon training philosophy is very Canova based. He was also a 14:30's guy in college and turned himself into a 2:14 guy through hard work and canova type marathon training.

http://nateruns.blogspot.com/2015/01/planning-full-training-cycle-for.htmlhttp://nateruns.blogspot.com/

Very helpful. Thank you.

As of now, my coach and I are leaning towards the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, OH. It seems to be the most competitive and fast in the time frame we want to run it.

Boston Marathon is fast...good competition. Find a way to get there cheaply, and sleep on someone's couch.