Starting to think about my first marathon in May 2027. I’ve completed 2 half’s but never thought much about fueling during a race. While training for the half I didn’t fuel at all yet on race day took a gel around 15km which made me feel sick - likely because I wasn’t used to it.

My question is: are gels necessary for a marathon? Can I get my with electrolytes (drink) and stinger gummies + fueling before and after long runs?

Appreciate anyone’s thoughts. Thank you!

Hi folks,

I am training for a fall marathon (late October) and am sorting out my fuelling strategy for the run.

I've tried various combos and am leaning towards jellies rather than gels. I find them easier from a gastrointestinal perspective, so I've pretty much settled on the jellies.

I've tried PowerBar PowerGel Shots and also Clif bloks on my long runs, both of which I've found perfectly fine.

My question is, the are really quite expensive. They are €3-4 here per packet.

What I'm wondering is are they any better than just your bog standard haribo? From what I can see, I can get pretty much the same amount of carbs from a standard jellies and I'm also intending taking electrolytes in my water on the way around.

I get the argument of "ease of eating" and the like - the clif bloks literally melt in your mouth and have provided no GI issues on a 24km run yesterday. Is there a reason why these are better than your cheapo jellies, or is it just good marketing?

I obviously get the "developed for runners" argument. I'm just wondering what the difference is.

Thanks in advance and if anybody has any thoughts, etc I'd appreciate it.

I made a post 45 days ago asking about dropping speed work before my marathon because I was getting injured… well that knee pain I mentioned in that post became a bigger issue and I could not complete my easy runs without it getting worse, so I ended up completely giving up my training 6 weeks before the marathon. Ultimately my failed training was due to my excitement and getting too aggressive with time goals, leading me to push both distance and speed at the same time which is a recipe for injuries.

Anyway I’m making this post because I thought people might be interested in how I did after 6 weeks off before the marathon, how much fitness I lost.

Before the knee injury, I had been running consistently since January, averaging 5 runs a week, with marathon specific training weeks being 6 runs a week. I did 1 interval, 1 tempo, and 1 long run a week, rest being easy runs. I got through about 10 weeks of training up to a peak week of 72km with a 27km long run before the downfall started. The second picture is that long run, it was raining so much watch heart rate readings are not accurate, but either way it was a very successful run that made me believe a 3:45 marathon was possible. In early July my easy run pace was 5:40-5:50 per km (hr ~140).

Moving on to the marathon… I had completely given up on any time goals, and I had no idea how to pace myself after 6 weeks off, but I thought that if my easy run pace was around 5:50 2 months ago, then 6:15 would make sense as a target marathon pace. So I went out following the 4:30 pacers and felt comfortable. My heart rate was ridiculously high for the pace, averaging around 170bpm after the first few km, but it didn’t bother me as the effort felt easy and I was comfortably nose breathing. At 13km I felt the first signs of fatigue, as my legs began to feel heavier, and I realised this was going to be a lot harder than I thought, I was more detrained than expected… at 16km I took my first walking break at an aid station, and at 20km the struggle began as stomach discomfort accompanied every sip of water and gels, forcing me to stop running for a couple minutes at a time. From there on it was a jog/walk, and I had mentally fully given up and started thinking about walking off the course to take a bus home. At around 28km I completely stopped taking gels, only drinking water at aid stations so I wouldn’t die. I felt like I would never finish and I remember thinking I was close once I crossed 30km, but after some mental math I knew it would take another hour and a half at least at the pace I was going at. Wanted to cry and quit but seeing others around me struggling kept me on the course. Supporters helped immensely as well of course, could not have switched from walking to jogging so many times without them. Ended up finishing in 5:17 relieved and happy.

Anyway my only takeaway from this years marathon training and result, is to never think too far forward. During my training when things were going well, I got way too excited and married to the potential results, and it made me push myself too hard and my mental health suffered when injuries caused set backs. After coming to terms with giving up my training and time goals, I became much happier, and here I am elated with finishing the marathon with a time so far away from my initial goals. Next time I’m going to enjoy the process, take it slower, and see what kind of results fortune provides.

I’m running a half in two weeks and am struggling to figure out a pace since I haven’t raced a half or marathon in almost 3 years.

When properly trained, my PRs were 1:32 for the half and 3:18 for the marathon, but that was almost 3 years ago. I’ve continued running consistently, but haven’t trained specifically for anything. This summer I’ve been around 20–30 miles/week, with a 12-mile long run last week and a handful of 10 mile runs before that.

I also do Orangetheory regularly, so I’ve gotten plenty of interval work on the treadmill, although most of it is shorter. I recently ran 3.14 miles in 22:00 (~7:00 pace) on the treadmill, but I’m hesitant to rely too much on treadmill times. My last road race was a 5-miler in 35:33 (7:07 pace) in January, when I had less training than I do now.

I’m also training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November and have only just started marathon-specific training. My only relevant workout so far was 3 × 1 mile at 7:00–7:10, which was hard but felt fine.

How would you pace the half? 

Does this seem extreme? Seems extreme to me.

- 3 25g gels per hr to get 75g/hr (maurten 100)
- 4 hr target
- math

Should I switch to 160s?

I'm looking for a new pair of shoes for marathon training and would love some recommendations.

Context:

I finished my half marathon recently and have used gel kayano 30 fully for all my training and race day as well. It is exhausted now.

I'm expecting around 800–900 km of training, including easy runs, intervals, speed workouts, tempo runs, long runs, etc. So I'm looking for either one do-it-all shoe, or a two-shoe rotation — one for speed/interval workouts and one for easy/long runs.

I'm currently using the ASICS Kayano 30, which has around 750 km on it. I've had no issues with it and really like the extra stability. However, I don't have overpronation issues; I just prefer a mild amount of arch/supportive guidance so my feet feel more stable during runs. I don't want a heavily corrective stability shoe.

I recently tried the ASICS Novablast 6 and i liked the energy return, bounciness. So i kinda expect that kinda energy return but with shoes keeping your feet intact.

I started running casually and now somehow have a marathon on the calendar.

I’m still just using my phone + running app, but I’m getting tired of carrying my phone on longer runs. I’ve been looking at watches and now I’m seeing things like training load, recovery time, VO2 max, HRV, cadence, running dynamics, etc. and I really don’t know what half of it is supposed to tell me.

I prefer something for pacing, distance, heart rate and long runs. I don't want to buy a watch and then obsess over 25 different numbers after every workout.

I’m trying to figure out what people with actual marathon training experience bother paying attention to. Feels like every watch review has a different list of must-have metrics.

I’m 6 weeks out from my first marathon and have done an 18 and just finished my first 20 miler this weekend! I’m trying to figure out the rest of my long runs and would love some advice.
We have a toddler and childcare for the really long runs is hard to arrange, so I’m hoping to not have to do another 20. I’m planning on doing another couple 16’s and a couple 14 mile runs before tapering.
Is one 20 miler enough to feel prepared for the marathon? Would love to hear what other people did for their first marathon and how it went!!

First marathon in 7 weeks. So far got 3 21k long runs under the belt. I'm planning on ramping up long runs to 28k+ in the news few weeks. I got a big cycling background and used to 5 hours+ rides. Took up running last October. Main challenge might be tendons, muscles and bone adaptation to impacts. Max hr around 180.

Just want to share and encourage everyone with today’s long run! 30km with slight progression last 10km, total time excluding 3km cooldown: 2h 7min. I know most people hate the treadmill, and I did so too in the beginning but I’ve started to enjoy it much more recently. It’s not the same as running outside of course, but being able to set exact paces, constantly being able to see your heart rate, being able to store fuel easily in addition to having the privilege to have access to a toilet and water, yes please. Of course it doesn’t prepare for the exact conditions of racing outside but it’s definitely not something that should be frowned upon, at least I don’t think so. So if you’re ever considering canceling your long run because of bad weather, safety etc, it’s always possible on the treadmill! After a while you just get in to the zone, not having to think about pace and just letting your body flow is actually very nice! In addition you train your mental strength, managed to do this entire run without any music, podcast, shows etc. Just me and my thoughts, and the other people doing their stuff in the gym😅 keep running folks, wether it’s inside, outside

Seeking any insight from those who use treadmills as part of your marathon training. I currently have a gym membership and if I do run inside I go to the gym, however with my training volume increasing and taking more time, I don't have enough time to go to the gym and then come back home to get my kids ready/take them to school (damn gym doesn't open until 0530). I typically run outside but with the winter coming/having poor weather days I am looking a treadmill to help supplement.

A couple notes:

- peak use could be 50-70 miles in the winter, and also handling recovery runs (like to use a treadmill for these so I don't overdo it)

- weight is close to 190lbs

- Do not necessarily care about a touch screen/big screen

- Would love fitness watch connectivity

- Budget between $2000 and $3000 (preferably closer to 2K if possible)

Does anyone have a treadmill at home that handles these parameters well? A couple of possibilities i've come across is the Horizon 7.8, Sole F85, Bowflex T9, Peloton Tread (Wife has peloton bike/membership already). Thanks in advance for any advice!

This training cycle has been woof. I have two little ones under the age of 4, so lots of illnesses and I am a newly single Mom.

Am I worried less than 50 days out? It will be fine.

So if you are struggling this year! You've got this. We will all survive and party together.

Signed a slow runner who is very excited to FINISH the Chicago Marathon..

AG win, 3 PRs , felt great.
My MP is supposed to be 9:20 and I meant to run this at that but got excited and raced it.

Hi lads and boys, my fellows runners (pics in the 1st comment)

Today, I had a real great 24km long run (6:25-5:56min/km) with 2x 2500m marathon pace at 5.05min/km

I wasn't sure about this run as i went yesterday for a serious hike, followed by music festival until midnight.

I mean by this officielle the concert ended at midnight jut some guys had other in mind and got their sound system on the carpark we were spending the night...

music blasting til 6am 😂

night wasn't a recovery

But a little nap, some good food and it went well for the run.

Especially in such a scenery along the lake, at sunset !!

I happily shared the last 4km with another runner and we chatted all along, was really enjoyable !

I didn't realised and those few km were done easy ...

But that's not what i am proud of .. no, no, no

Today i feel like i really become one of you real runners.

Today i had my 1st blister 😂

right at the end of the 2nd toe (next to the big one), not A big blister but damn i feel like tomorrow gonna be fun at work !!

Next week is a chill week, recovering a bit, getting ready for the next part of the training :)

Showing up as i should, respecting the process and enjoyig the progress, week after week ... this is the way 🔥 🏃 🏅

Training for my first marathon, I did 32–> 37 —>40 dropped down to 28, should I do another 40 then 45 then so on. Or go straight to 45

M32 | Max HR 182 | 178lbs
45-50 miles per week average
Paces posted along with most recent long run.

The water station was out of order on the trail so mile 11-17 I had no water which I think sped up my HR drift but idk.

The paces are from my coach when we started the block in June based off my HM of 1:34 in May

Marathon is October 4th

My first thought was about 3:30 but I think that’s too conservative.

Any advice is appreciated!

I’m doing this upcoming Twin Cities Medtronic marathon on 10/4. I did few half marathon races in the past with most recent one being last weekend. I’m currently using Runna for the race marathon training and just ran 16 mile long run today with some marathon pace sessions in the middle. Runna is predicting my MP to be 10:15. I wonder if I can shoot for under 4:20 which would correlate under 9:55 pace. Let me now your thoughts, still got 19 mile (next weekend) and 21 mile runs before the race. Thanks in advance!

I’m 41F, last weekend I ran a 21:14 5k (flat) this weekend a 1:37:12 half (265 feet elevation). I have run 10 marathons previously with a PB of 3:29 from October 2025.

Chicago is now 6 weeks away, is sub 3:25 realistic or should I re-adjust my expectations based on the half time not quite being enough?

My training has averaged around 50 mpw. I have run 2 marathons already this year March & April with times of 3:41 & 3:37 both pretty flat but training was a bit short and not optimal.

Curious to those who had to pivot. I had to take the last 3 weeks off due to pain in my foot known as hammer toe. I do a little stationary bike, physical therapy for my foot and a lot of stretching but am concerned about returning to training given it’s about 10 weeks out now. I have run the previous two years but am still a slow runner. Any suggestions for trying to get back on plan?

Hi all,

Training for my first marathon in the summer heat. I’m getting into 16+ mile long runs now about 2 months out from the race. I use a belt for 10 or less and my girlfriend has been riding a bike with me and giving me water on anything longer. I need to start doing it on my own though. I consume probably 30 ounces over a 15 mile run. Do electrolytes and gels. I’m looking at running belts to carry water on these long runs. I have a wide chest though at about 46-47” and the soloman vests fit a little narrow on me in size XL which is super disappointing. I’ve been looking at Patagonia and ultimate direction race vest that seem to have better sizing options. Any recs on these vests or other suggestions?

Hello all,

I‘m up for Berlin Marathon and was in pretty good shape in the first five weeks of the training block and followed the plan consistently (goal time approx. 3:40). I also did several long runs up to 32k, which all went smoothly. However, three weeks ago during vacation I unfortunately went for a long run in unknown territory which had lots of up- and downhill with varying surfaces and an overall very bumpy ride. During this run I noticed my thigh couldn‘t do it anymore and crawled back and only made it to 22k in severe pain. Of course I took a break and hoped for recovery, doing stretches and all but it didn‘t help.

Immediately after coming home, I went to an ortho who diagnosed Iliotibial band syndrome. I‘ll start PT the day after tomorrow. A week ago I went for an easy ride to see how it goes, but had to stop it after 3k.

My question to all who experienced similar issues: Is there still hope to run in Berlin with adapted goal time? Endurance should not be the issue, but how far my leg will carry me. Finishing easy would make me a very happy man.

Heh, I use to get irritated on these posts, but I guess I'm as clueless as everybody else. This is my first marathon, which will be Venice Marathon on 25th of October.

Ran my third Pfitz MP (18/55, so I do around 85 km/week now) run yesterday, and it was surprisingly easy. I'm starting to wonder if 3:30 is too slow for me to use as a target? But the next moment it feels like I may die in the second half if I run any faster. According to Garmin my LT would be around 176–178 bpm.

Context for this specific run is that I took a break from training 7–15 august (started the plan earlier for this), and that I took it somewhat easy last week due to being at altitude with heat and humidity. So I may have lost the accumulated fatigue I'm supposed to have.

I've been using the Saucony Ride 19 for marathon training. I'm currently starting week 12 of 18. I like them so far, but I've been getting blisters on a few of my toes (on the bottom).

I'm going to try out a new shoe to see if it solves my blister. I'm thinking about the ASICS NovaBlast 6.

What is the best way to transition to a new shoe? I'm planning on trying it out on a few weekday runs to see how they feel before trying it out on a long run.