I would never have imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I would call myself a runner, let alone a marathon runner.

I first found parkrun a couple of years ago. I would show up on Saturday mornings and see people running these amazing times. I was usually somewhere behind them and honestly never cared about the rank. I just remember looking at some of them thinking, man, I wish someday I could run like these people.

I only started taking running seriously around a year ago. I found run clubs, made friends through running, asked people a ridiculous number of questions and read a lot. Probably too much.

I learned that getting better did not mean pushing myself every day. Some days I pushed, some days I went really slow, and some days I rested.

I was actually going to register for the Sydney half marathon. Then a colleague at work asked why I was not doing the full. He had finished one himself in around six hours and said with complete confidence, “Come on, the cutoff is seven hours. You can do it. It is easy.”

Easy?? 😂

But the way he said it got me going. Once I stopped treating 42.2 km as this impossible thing, I started thinking about how I could actually do it. How do I train? How do I pace it? How do I get myself to the finish?

Same problem. Different way of looking at it.

So I registered for the full. My goal was under 4:30.

A few months before the race I was lucky enough to meet Cadel Evans, winner of the 2011 Tour de France. I asked him what advice he would give someone preparing for their first marathon.

He said “persistent consistency.” You have to push yourself, but you have to be able to keep doing it consistently. Some days that means pushing hard, other days it means slowing down. The important thing is to keep showing up.

And that is pretty much what I tried to do. If it was hot, I ran. If it was raining, I ran. Some days I pushed, some days I went ridiculously slow, and some days I rested.

My training was far from perfect marathon training. I was not doing huge mileage and the furthest I had ever run before race day was 24.5 km. But I was running week after week and slowly building up.

Somehow I was completely excited about the marathon until about two days before it.

Then it REALLY bothered me.

I started doing the maths. I had run 24.5 km. The marathon was 42.2 km. Sydney is ridiculously hilly. I had absolutely no idea what those remaining 17.7 km were going to feel like.

The night before the race I told my flatmate I was scared and pretty anxious about the whole thing. He told me that whenever I felt like that, I should imagine myself at the finish line, wearing the medal and knowing I had done it.

Race morning came. I had read enough about the course to know not to get carried away at the start, so I tried to be patient. People were passing me and I let them. The Harbour Bridge was right there, the crowds were huge and every part of me wanted to go faster. But there was a very long way to go.

The atmosphere was unreal. Tens of thousands of runners from all over the world and around half a million spectators across Sydney. Complete strangers cheering for each other. Runners struggling themselves and still encouraging someone next to them. My friends were somewhere in those crowds too.

Around 32 km, I hit the wall.

I was exhausted and really hungry. I walked for maybe 10 or 20 seconds, ate something and tried to get myself together.

Then someone on the side shouted:

“You got this buddy! You are almost there.”

I have no idea who he was.

And I thought about what my flatmate had told me the night before. The finish line. The medal.

So I started running again.

Sometimes a few words from someone are enough. A friend the night before, a complete stranger during the race. It is difficult to explain, but motivation works like magic.

Eventually I could see the Opera House.

Then the finish line.

3:41:38.

My first marathon. My first World Marathon Major.

I had signed up hoping to finish under 4:30.

My friends were there. My parents were incredibly happy. My phone was full of messages afterwards.

A couple of years ago, I was the person at parkrun looking at other runners thinking, man, I wish someday I could run like these people.

Running has given me much more than a marathon time. I feel happier, more energetic, less stressed and more focused. I have met people I probably never would have met otherwise. Sometimes just getting outside for a run changes my whole day.

So if you have something you have been thinking about starting, running or otherwise, maybe just start.

Be new. Be slow. Ask questions. Find people who inspire you. Keep showing up.

On Sunday I crossed the finish line of the Sydney Marathon in 3:41:38.

Persistent consistency.

Step outside and start.

It works.

Hi everyone. I’m running my first marathon 11/1 NYC marathon.

I live in the Charlotte NC area, and I’m supposed to run 17 miles on Friday before I leave for a trip next week and have a big down week.

Should I still plan to run it with this weather?

I don’t want to get behind bc I’ve been very disciplined so far. For context of my long runs, I’ve completed an 11, 13, 15 and 2 16 mile long runs successfully so far and planned to do a 17 this week, 10 (on vacation),16,18,12,20 and then taper.

I’m worried running in this weather will do more harm than good. Any advice appreciated!

So much of race day is luck and this time, I got lucky, 2 years later than I’d planned.

I was supposed to run Sydney marathon in 2024 before it became a major- which would’ve gotten me a guaranteed entry for 2025, 2026 or 2027. But a stress fracture meant that wasn’t possible and then I didn’t get in to the ballot in 2025.

I trained for Melbourne marathon 2025 instead and on race day, woke up vomiting 4 hours before the race. I took loads of meds and tried to run anyway (on 0 fuel and very dehydrated, do not recommend) and I DNF at 26km. I was shattered.

And then I didn’t get in to the Sydney 2026 ballot 😭. Took me awhile to decide what to do but I booked myself a spot for both Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast marathon with the plan that whichever race I got to the start line prepared and healthy would be my A race. And Gold Coast it was and it went decently well. I ran well through 30km and then had to walk parts due to my quads giving up. It was a good first race but I wanted to do better.

I was incredibly lucky and managed to get a late spot at Sydney through a partner organisation.

My goal was a steady race and not to have to walk which I executed well- my 5km splits were within about 5 seconds. I ran by effort, taking it easier up the hills and coasting the downhills. My fastest km of the day was the last one down Macquarie st. Fueling was on point- I had a gel every 30 mins alternating between SiS beta fuel and fuelr. Had a handheld soft flask and refilled twice and added a precision PF1500 tab (750mg) sodium to each.

I had the absolutely best experience. Smiled so much and genuinely enjoyed myself the whole race.

I posted here two weeks ago asking for feedback on my taper and whether sub 4 was realistic for my first marathon, so I thought I’d come back with an update.

I finished the Sydney Marathon in 4:03. I fell just short of my sub 4 goal, but I’m still very happy to have completed my first marathon.

For most of the race, everything was going better than expected. I was holding my pace well and even felt confident that I might finish around 3:55, but that confidence only lasted until about 36km.

The cramps gradually started creeping in, and from around 38km onwards, I experienced the worst leg cramps I’ve ever had. My legs kept seizing up, forcing me to stop and walk a few times. Sydney’s hills in the final section definitely didn’t make things any easier, but I managed to keep moving and made it to the finish line.

Looking back, I probably could have prepared better for the final 10km, but I’m glad I didn’t try to cram in that 35–36km run during the taper. I felt fresh on race day, and the taper itself seemed to work well.

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice on my original post. I didn’t quite get the sub 4, but 4:03 for my first marathon gives me plenty of confidence that I can get it next time.

Sub 4 is now unfinished business.

This is a dumb question but whatever…

Whats the etiquette for passing in larger races? I learned the hard way in my first half in May what it means to stray out around people too much. I ended up running 13.5 miles 😂

I think getting the pace correct from the start probably helps thin the amount of people you have to pass. That was another thing I took from my half. O started just a tad too conservative.

Any other tips at maintaining your line so you don’t add too many extra .1s

Thanks 🙏

Hip flexor kills after runs or day after, never during. However, feel subtle pain in it at all times and very sharp pains with random lunge like stretches and movements. Doesn’t hurt directly while running. No idea what to do or what’s wrong

OK, so I know the rule of thumb and standard and all that right now is between 60 and 90 g of carbs per hour for runs over 90 minutes for most people for optimal performance and recovery

In practice, this is generally given as practicing your race day fueling and hydration strategy on your weekly long runs

Do you follow that same practice for midweek runs that exceed 90 minutes?

For context, I am seven weeks out from my first marathon, following Pfitzinger’s 18/55 pretty closely and my hopeful goal is four hours, I’m also in the south US so it is very hot and humid and I have to run in the afternoon after work generally to make it fit my schedule so my general aerobic or medium long run pace has me running one or even two weekday runs every week that can hit or exceed two hours

Has anyone experienced their toes, particularly 2nd and 3rd toes, hurting because of the socks digging into the toe nails when the socks are wet from sweat? This happens to me often.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Running the Montana Marathon in a few weeks. Starts fairly level with a gradual uphill climb from miles 5-10, then almost entirely downhill the rest of the way.

I've been running 55-63 miles per week for the past 20 weeks, with a long run of 23 miles. This will be my second attempt at breaking 3 hours, after an initial marathon of 3:09 and a brutal hit-the-wall second attempt when I was on pace through mile 22 and then just disintegrated.

Would ideally run very even to slightly negative splits, but curious how experienced runners would approach miles 5-10 in particular. I see myself getting anxious if my pace is looking slow at that point but don't want to use up too much energy prior to the downhill phase.

Yesterday I ran this interval session to see where my fitness is at right now. I am running the Berlin Marathon in 4 weeks and my current PB is 3:20h which I ran last year.

Do you think it's possible to run a Sub 3 Marathon for me, and what are some key sessions I should focus on until then?

Thanks for any help!

Es un error hacer microciclos de 10 días, a veces siento gracias a esos tres dias adicionales al microciclo tradicional de una semana el "sindrome de vacio de km"

Context: I am in a 140km ~ a week since 8 weeks (88miles), I did consistently 8 long runs of 30+km (4 30km and 4 32km), this is one of the my biggest long run (usually I do steady pace 25/30 seconds slower than my marathon pace goal), my max heart rate is 191bpm. I used the Superblast, in race I will use the Carbon plate shoes Hoka Rocket 3, I expect a small boost.

Thanks

I'm looking at doing the doing the Generali Run the Sun Marathon in Ascona-Locarno, Switzerland next year and saw they had kids events from less than 1km to 2km. I would love to get my kids a core memory associated with physical fitness as my family has a history of obesity and I want to lay the foundations for them growing up and having a healthy lifestyle.. My kids are loving the idea of "racing" with dad.

Do you know any other marathons that have kids events associated with them in the days leading up to the adult marathon?

I’m running Chicago this year - my first marathon and I have loved marathon training so far even with the runs that I feel like I won’t survive :’) I am using Runna for my training block — I am not a fan of AI but I’ve been running for 2 years now and know my body pretty well, so I modify the runs that Runna gives me if I feel like they’re too much, etc.

I currently started week 11/16 this week, where last week I ran 46 miles with a 17 mile long run and felt amazing! Overall throughout this block I have felt pretty good, no injuries, motivation is still somewhat there but I’m at the point where I’m just ready to get the marathon over with lol. I’ll be aiming for 50 miles this week with 19 mile long run, and then week 12/16 Runna has a deload week scheduled for me of 35 miles, and then week 13/16 is my peak week of 53-55 miles and a 20 mile long run. On week 9/10, I did have a down/taper week of 30 miles for a 10k B race I had scheduled.

My main question is wondering if it’s a good idea to take a deload week next week right before my peak week, when 2 weeks ago I had a lighter week for a race? I feel pretty decent right now, but this will also be my first time reaching 50mpw and I’m not sure if I should have a slight reset before peak week, or to just do 50mpw this week, increase slightly next week to stimulate fatigue and running on tired legs, and then peak at 55mpw for week 13/16.

I know I’ve seen this question on the sub but now I can’t find it or using wrong search terms. Most of the answers are about running in rain, my question is the pre-race routine

I’m registering for a fall marathon. It’s my second one.

Last year I paid extra for access to indoor facilities prior to the marathon. It was great because the weather was chilly with lots of moisture/dew everywhere outside. Not to mention long lines at toilets and 1,000s of people.

However, this time around that option is either not available or sold out far earlier than last year.

Now I’m getting anxious about what to do if it’s raining or crummy weather.

Do you show up in the nick of time, do you bring a small shelter like you see on the beach, big umbrella…?

Thanks.

I recently ran a half marathon (1st image) where I was sitting around 183-187 heart rate now where I’m confused is that Garmin says my max heart rate is 195 and my lthr is 178 at 4:00min/km is this correct? Cause in my past half marathon maintaining anything above 180 got me dying. So I ended up doing a 30 minute time trial with a chest strap (2nd image) based of this my lthr shld be around 185. Is this correct and my max heart rate is wrong or have I built up tolerance for a higher heart rate.

Any insight would be appreciated

Does everyone rotate multiple pairs of shoes in training? Any specific advice from people following a Garmin training plan would be greatly appreciated!

Hi guys, long story short I've had a rough year running wise.

Last year I matched a PB in Macedonia of 3.16 in October, the plan was to beat that in 2026.

That hasn't gone to plan, was meant to run in April but did my achilles and was meant to run a marathon last week but broke my collarbone a few weeks out. Think it might be the universe saying give up 🙃

However, I feel quite determined to get a marathon done this year and not ruin my streak of always running at least one a year. I've managed to do that for 13 straight years now. Could anyone recommend a race in November? Europe preferably. Not a PB attempt, just tick one off somewhere in some description.

I'm considering the Palermo Marathon 15 November, but looks like a faff to get to and a lot of other races seem to be sold out of too pricey. But hopefully someone can recommend one mid November onwards 🙏

Hi! Anyone here was a previously overseas participant for Seoul Marathon? I registered today for the 2027 Seoul Marathon on March 21st 2027. I have submitted my qualifying record and wondering how long it would take for them to confirm my registration. In the website all I see is “Pending” next to my registration . I am expecting it might take a few days. I guess I’m just a bit nervous and wanted reassurance lol.

I have inquired via their IG account but have not received any reply yet and after doing google search— ai answer said it could take months.
Tried looking up here in Reddit but I couldn’t see any similar question or situation (might be skill issue lol)

Thanks in advance! This will be my third marathon and first time in South Korea so I’m pretty much excited 🫶

Hey everyone!

I just signed up for my first marathon (yay! 🎉), and I'm super excited. The race is in March 2027, which means the peak of my training will be from December through February... and I live in Ottawa, Canada. 🥶

I'd love to hear from anyone who's trained for a marathon through a Canadian winter (or anywhere with similar conditions). Any tips, must-have gear, or tricks for staying motivated when it's freezing outside?

I know I'll probably end up doing a lot of my runs on the treadmill, but I'm having a hard time imagining myself doing those 30 km long runs indoors. 😂 How did you handle your long runs? Did you brave the cold, split them up, or just embrace the treadmill?

I'd really appreciate any advice or lessons you learned the hard way. Thanks!

Hi! I can’t decided on which race day shoes to use for NYC. I train in the saucony hurricanes, brooks glycerin max and NB SC rebel v1s or saucony azuras for speedier things. I ran my half in the saucony elite, liked didn’t love.

For the marathon I was looking at ASICS Metaspeed Edge but loving the NB SC rebel so now I’m thinking if the new NB elite v6 could be a good fit ? I’m also a heel striker. Open to new suggestions too thank you!

Currently training for a marathon using Pfitzinger's 18/55 plan. I'm 5'3, and I weighed 120lbs when I started the plan (9 weeks ago), now 118lbs. I don't think this difference is significant, but I've recently had trouble sleeping and been waking up hungry in the middle of the night and/or extremely early (4 or 5am). I tend to eat significantly more on my long run days (around 3000 calories), and in the range of 2000-2400 on other days (I don't track super closely so it's hard to know).

I usually spend two hours per week cross training (a mix of light cardio and strength), and to give a sense of my general activity level, I average 20k steps per day. Should I be eating more calories? Or could it be that my macos are off (based on MyFitnessPal, I tend to get just under 50% of my calories from carbs, 30% from fats, and 20% from protein (though protein and fats vary more week to week).

I'm in the process of scheduling a consultation with a dietitian, but I would appreciate any insight/suggestions in the meantime!!!

I had a 32k long run with 4x5k at MP last weekend. I couldnt hold the pace in the last block and I was shattered at the end. Do I need to lower my MP expectation, or does this sound normal?

My PB is 2:44 from 2 years ago and was hoping to push for sub 2:40 in Berlin - but this run wasn't encouraging!

Missed my long run last week as I was on holiday. This week I’m supposed to be doing: 8k tempo run, 13k easy, 7k easy, 32k long run.

Should I swap the 7k easy run for last weeks long run (29k)? If I do the 29k on Wednesday, then 32k on Sunday..

My weekly mileage is usually 60km ish. I’m just worried missing a long run will reduce my fitness?

Helloooo. Apologies in advance if this is a stupid post, genuinely just curious to hear from some other speedy smokers out there and how much success you've found. So I'm a 26yo guy who's been smoking weed pretty much daily for many years (haven't drank in like 3-4 years though). Got into running over the past year and have found that my athletic background has me progressing really quickly. My first half was a 1:38 finish time and I'm running my first full in October. Training has gone really well, feeling fast, hoping to finish sub 3:30. Call me delusional or whatever but I believe I can get to a Boston qualifying time in the next couple years if I stay as consistent as I've been. But the main thing I wonder about as I get more serious with this running stuff is my smoking habits. Am I going to reach a point where smoking daily seriously inhibits me? I'm not trying to qualify for the olympics or anything here, but is getting to a ~2:50 marathon time realistic as a daily weed smoker? Has anyone else here done it? Give me your stoner success stories! Or alternatively, tell me about your experiences quitting smoking and then getting much faster after. Was it holding you back? Curious the effect it has on progress as you get faster, if any.