What's the oldest I could run a sub 3 marathon

You ran 1:21 at 47 and can't break 3 in a marathon? 0/10 fake news.

Ed Whitlock went 2:54 at age 74.

Your mileage may vary.

Seriously.

A 1:21 half indicates 2:50 easily.

Find a serious plan and put in more miles.

Dexter St. John wrote:

I'm 48. I've had success with half marathon but never put together at sub 3. I ran a 1:21 half last year put felt myself slowing.

So could an old dude run a sub 3. I'm looking for late 40s early 50s guys who have. What were you running around that time

52.

you are wlecome

sadly I'm real. My best is a 3:02 but can't crack it. Looking for old guys who maybe first broke 3 later in life. Whitlock doesn't count because he was a genetic freak.

Seriously mate? wrote:

You ran 1:21 at 47 and can't break 3 in a marathon? 0/10 fake news.

I wouldn't necessarily say that. I ran my first half in 1995 in 1:19 flat and ran my first marathon two months later on a flat Columbus course in 3:03. Hit the half mark in 1:22:30 and blew up the second half. Terrible pacing.

I'm chasing the sub-3:00 again like you. Used to consistently run 2:50-2:56 when 30 and younger but now in my mid-40s. Recently ran 3:07. Hoping to do it again in Phoenix in February.

Good luck to you.

I think the record for most decades in a row with at least one sub three marathon is five. Of course, that can be harder or easier depending when you start (20s,,30s, 40s ...)

Dexter St. John wrote:

sadly I'm real. My best is a 3:02 but can't crack it. Looking for old guys who maybe first broke 3 later in life. Whitlock doesn't count because he was a genetic freak.

I did it at 54 following the Daniels’ plan.

67.

What was your peak mileage? I’m 50, did Daniels this cycle and peaked at 90 (in 5 different weeks). I think it was too much, as I never really felt fresh this cycle and will pull back to a peak of maybe 70 or 75 next cycle and see if I’m feeling fresher for my key workouts.

another old dude chasing 3:00 wrote:

I'm chasing the sub-3:00 again like you. Used to consistently run 2:50-2:56 when 30 and younger but now in my mid-40s. Recently ran 3:07.

I'm another geezer chasing sub-3. Did it five times at age 22-23, but not again until age 43, despite running a marathon almost every year between. (Not enough training miles).

Last year was 3:07. Going for 2:59 a year from now when I'm 60. Long shot at best, but maybe possible with higher mileage (40-45 mpw last year).

OP - I agree with the guy who suggested getting a plan and running the miles. With your HM time there's no reason you can't be under 3:00 well into your 50s. Just gotta get/keep the mileage up.

Best wishes.

TO slowpoke wrote:

What was your peak mileage? I’m 50, did Daniels this cycle and peaked at 90 (in 5 different weeks). I think it was too much, as I never really felt fresh this cycle and will pull back to a peak of maybe 70 or 75 next cycle and see if I’m feeling fresher for my key workouts.

I was probably close to 90. If I recall correctly I averaged 50 plus over the 24 weeks I religously followed the plan. I was running doubles probably 3-5 days a week. Concentrated a bunch on the T, LT and TLT workouts.

You should be able to go under 3 hours if your body can handle the extra mileage it sounds as if you need. I was running under three hours up until I was about 54. I didn't run super high miles but I was consistent starting in my mid 40's up to 54. Never under about 2700 any year in that span. I think that was way more important than any one 'cycle of high mileage. BTW, though I ran 2:54 in my 50's I never ran as fast as 1:21 half, and I tried!

Look up Smoove on here. He ran a 2:30 at Chicago in his 40s. He posted his plan.

He ran in college at D1, I think, so he’s probably a bit more naturally talented. But it will give you some ideas.

But he’s also an attorney. So there is that

You could try the vapor fly 4%.

I did it last week in my first marathon (2:53). I'm right around your age, with a similar recent HM PR. I ran 75 mpw average, but only for about 6 weeks before I started a slow taper. If you're running 1:21, you can definitely break 3 if you figure out what training works for you.

My friend who is 50 ran 2:36 this year.

Ive run 2:49 off 1:19 half earlier in year. I'm 46

Your training is probably badly wrong for marathon if you are running 1:21 and can't break 3.

stay away from the track and stop doing Vo2 max work. put in the easy miles and you will crack it easily

Dexter St. John wrote:

I'm 48. I've had success with half marathon but never put together at sub 3. I ran a 1:21 half last year put felt myself slowing.

So could an old dude run a sub 3. I'm looking for late 40s early 50s guys who have. What were you running around that time

You can do it.

I did it eight times, starting at 52 and ending at 56.

My half PR was only 1:23.

My 5k was only 18:33.

But I ran 2:52.

years ago, a 55 year old Ethiopian Israeli competed in the Olympics, having run 2:15 a couple years prior. I think someone in their 60s could run sub 3 if they trained hard enough

Negativesplitter wrote:

Dexter St. John wrote:

I'm 48. I've had success with half marathon but never put together at sub 3. I ran a 1:21 half last year put felt myself slowing.

So could an old dude run a sub 3. I'm looking for late 40s early 50s guys who have. What were you running around that time

You can do it.

I did it eight times, starting at 52 and ending at 56.

My half PR was only 1:23.

My 5k was only 18:33.

But I ran 2:52.

I know the answer probably lies in cumulative aerobic fitness, and I am only 31 so a bit off from the "old guy" theme here, but I run with a lot of Masters so I am genuinely intrigued in their approach. My 5k is 19:12 and I blew up badly at mile 17 in my first marathon last month. I ran a 1:34 HM this past May, so as you can see, it's likely aerobic fitness and miles for me, huh? Happy Running.

You can definitely go sub-3 in your late-40s. Dave Walters consistently runs in the 2:45-2:55 range, and that dude’s in his early-60s.

I haven’t run a marathon in 2 years, but I ran a 2:58 at 45 and feel confident that I can run 2:50 or better, because I’ve since run 2 half’s in 1:21 and 1:20 flat.

I think you have 2:50 ability and age won’t be a limiting factor for a long time. Just get your training together and you’ll do it.