Marathon under 3:30

With one good training cycle you'd have it. But if that's your whole log, then no. Fitness is there, training is not. No long runs, no consistency, no mileage.

Try to get a 16-18 miler in.

Also:

12 miles, 1st 2 as warm up, 9 miles at 8 min pace and last mile as cool down

I ran my first marathon in 3:25 when my goal was sub 3:30 off of very similar training if not a little bit less. 10k was same, half was 1:35

Good luck and let us know how you do!

Easily. Just do some long runs of 15 to 17. 3:20 seems doable.

steve red wrote:

I ran my first marathon in 3:25 when my goal was sub 3:30 off of very similar training if not a little bit less. 10k was same, half was 1:35.

Two years ago I also had similar training, and ran 3:25. Like you, my goal was sub-3:30. I never ran two days in a row, and rarely more than two runs a week. I hadn't raced in more than a decade, but imagine I could have come close to your 10K and HM times.

I had only been training seriously for 11 months after a long layoff (if you can call 2-3 days a week "serious.")

The biggest difference between my training and the OP's was that I scheduled a few long runs. A couple 18's, a couple 20's, a 23-miler.

I was thinking on still doing 3 long runs (17 -> 19 -> 22 miles) in these following weeks and then "rest" for 2 weeks before the marathon.

Is this training plan good or it is overtraining so near the race?

Apprentice Marathoner wrote:

I was thinking on still doing 3 long runs (17 -> 19 -> 22 miles) in these following weeks and then "rest" for 2 weeks before the marathon.

That basic approach worked for me, but I included four runs of 18 or more miles Below are my weekly totals (starting 15 weeks from the marathon), and my long runs.

Three weeks out from the marathon, I ran 20 miles at 7:58/mi on Monday and 15 miles at 7:30/mile on Saturday. Then pretty much rested for two weeks like you have planned.

I was 57 at the time, so you have an age advantage; on the other hand, although it had been 13 years since I had run one, I did have prior marathon experience.

15-week training:

11.0 miles (2 runs); LR 10 @ 7:47/mi

14.6 miles (2 runs); LR 10 @ 8:14/mi

15.0 miles (2 runs); LR 10 @ 7:54/mi

21.6 miles (2 runs); LR 12 @ 7:51/mi

15.0 miles (1 run); LR 15 @ 8:29/mi

4.0 miles (2 runs)

7.0 miles (2 runs)

33.0 miles (3 runs); LR 18 @ 8:38/mi

31.4 miles (3 runs); LR 20 @ 8:25/mi

28.9 miles (3 runs); LR 15 @ 7:52/mi

26.0 miles (2 runs); LR 23 @ 8:48/mi

29.6 miles (4 runs); LR 9 @ 7:22/mi

46.4 miles (4 runs); LR 20 @ 7:58/mi

18.6 miles (3 runs); LR 9 @ 7:43/mi

4.0 miles (1 run)

Marathon: 3:25:27 (7:51 avg); gun-time splits 1:43:54 -1:41:56

Good luck! Hope this comparison adds to your confidence. You can do it!

Apprentice Marathoner wrote:

Hi all,

I will run my first marathon in a month (14/10/2018) and I want to know if it is possible for me to do it under 3:30?

I am 28 and I weight 67kg (147lbs). I only started running last year and my PBs are 10k - 42 Half 1:33 (although they were done in December 17).

You can check my training record here

en-gb.smashrun.com/tiago.salgueiro/overview

Do you think it is feasible? Can I still do something to achieve my goal?

Thanks in advance.

Well my friend, I am aiming for the same goal this Sunday, 1st Marathon too. I ran a 1:34 HM @ Pitt this past May, limited build up with a 6 week flare up of a foot/ankle issue in the late winter, early spring. Consistently got 2-2:30 hr long runs every weekend the last 12 weeks though. Didn't hit any 20 milers, but did a 30k race back in late March, and ran surprisingly well after nursing back an injury. I am banking on cumulative mileage and more importantly, I was able to log consistency, with 4 weeks of 40+ mpw in July, avg'd 38 mpw from June-August. Far cry from "big mileage," but it was consistent on top of another (ultra)marathon, parenthood. The humidity was outrageous this summer, so I am hoping all that specific training in tough conditions plays in my favor. The more I learn about distance running, the more I focus on weekly consistency instead of just "big workouts," while those can be indicative of a certain upcoming performance, it's not the full picture. Steady pacing and fueling, and we shall see what this 26.2 is all about. Best of luck to ya!!

Allen1959 wrote:

Good luck! Hope this comparison adds to your confidence. You can do it!

It certainly adds!

I will benchmark my runs with yours to see where I am at.

Thanks for the advice!

1.5 cents wrote:

Well my friend, I am aiming for the same goal this Sunday, 1st Marathon too.

Good luck to you! Let us know how it went!

Thanks for the insights!

Apprentice Marathoner wrote:

Hi all,

I will run my first marathon in a month (14/10/2018) and I want to know if it is possible for me to do it under 3:30?

I am 28 and I weight 67kg (147lbs). I only started running last year and my PBs are 10k - 42 Half 1:33 (although they were done in December 17).

You can check my training record here

en-gb.smashrun.com/tiago.salgueiro/overview

Do you think it is feasible? Can I still do something to achieve my goal?

Thanks in advance.

Of course it’s possible - with the right attitude & the help of a good coach!

For the best online coaching out there, search ‘Kevin English running’ on Facebook and send pm.

Tailored no nonsense coaching from an Irish multiple Marathon winner.

Dublin24

Some good advice here, but even have a look at

www.myrunningcoach247.com

Just log your training and even session the last 3-4 weeks. That logbook will talk back.

Good luck!

I ran a 1:32 half in the spring, followed by a 3:25 where I was chasing a sub-3:20. I was running about 40 mpw, I think it'd be hard if you're running once or twice a week as you are at the moment.

With three good weeks of training, I think you could get close, but I'd bet against it from what I see in your training log.