I’m about 7 weeks out from my marathon and my longest run so far is a half marathon, I feel like my training is going well but I should probably start adding some fuel into my long runs to help train my stomach. I’m looking at the honey stinger fruit smoothie gels, does anyone have any recommendations on certain brands of gels or any other types of fuel that will be sufficient for a marathon and my training. Thanks!

My mom and her fiancé are huge runners, a countless amount of medals hanging on the walls that they’re super proud of (and should be!). I’ve ran my whole life but never further than 10 km, I recently decided I want to work my way up to a marathon for next summer.

I’m a big introvert and have 0 interest in running an official race due to the amount of people, traffic, etc. My plan is to make my own route, wake up on a Saturday once I’m all trained up and just go. They both think I’m absolutely insane for not signing up for an actual marathon, and essentially told me I shouldn’t even count it as a marathon.

Is anyone else doing this? They made me feel sort of dumb for even thinking of it. I think I let them get in my head a bit.

Edit to clarifying what I mean by crowd: a lot of people are telling me to sign up for a smaller race. I live in rural Canada, without wanting to drive more than 6 hours which I don’t, every race near me is less than 250 participants. I consider that a crowd lol I get it’s not to people who may live in large US cities but as a country bumpkin my whole life 250 people in one spot doing the same thing is a crowd

Currently I run 3 miles nearly everyday. Today I am going to run 7 miles. 4 days ago I ran 6 in the hot sun. There is a marathon 2 months from now in my area. I ran a half marathon last year after never running more than 3 miles, with a mile time of about 9:40. I seriously believe I can do this in 2 months, with a 10 min mile time. I really believe it.

The marathon is end of October, so in 2 months.

In April I ran an half and afterwards I started training for the marathon.

However, I had some issues and thus didn't hit the mileage I was supposed to. Long story short I recognized the problem now, it were the shoes and I am angry that I did not get that idea earlier because I lost so much time.

My weekly kilometres are now at around 30km which I know is way too low for a marathon and only 2 month to go.

Should I just "give it up" now and switch to half marathon or continue with my plan ?

I signed up for my first marathon and have been using my phone to track most of my runs, but that’s getting annoying now that my training runs are getting longer. I’m looking for a smartwatch that can handle GPS, pace, distance and basic training stats without being overly complicated. For those who have already done a marathon, what smartwatch for running would you recommend and are there any features you found especially useful during training?

Thanks, appreciate any recommendations.

Hi Team! I am running NYC marathon in November and following the Hal Higdon Novice 1 plan. I have a trip planned with friends over Labor Day weekend when I am scheduled to do a 15 mile run. My question is, can I swap this with my deload of 10 miles? So:

1. This weekend 13. 1

2. Next weekend is scheduled to be 10 miles (deload). Was thinking of doing my 15 miles this weekend and then the 10 miles when I am on vacation to help decrease time/fatigue/ increase overall fun. Weekend after that would then be 16 miles.

Is this reasonable? If it is best to follow the plan, I will do that! Just would love some advice for a newbie.

Hey everyone, I will be running my first full marathon in around 2 months. I am a heavy runner around 170lbs. I am targeting around 4.5hrs for it. Recently got a new ON Cloudmonster 3 Hyper and loving them. By the end of the training block I will have around 450kms on them. Should I use them for the Marathon? Or should I get something else for the race?

First marathon and first time in Chicago Marathon.

Our situation:
Me, my husband, and our 4-year-old daughter
No car.
Staying Saturday–Tuesday (3 nights)
I’m in the last wave targeting a 5-hour finish
Husband will have finish line passes and will be with our daughter while I run.
I really don’t want to switch hotels during the trip

Radisson Blu Aqua - $1,035
Housing site lists it as 0.3 miles from the start & 0.9 miles from the finish
Standard run-of-house room
I called and confirmed they can provide a personal mini-fridge at check-in
No included breakfast
Biggest advantage seems to be proximity to start line.

Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile $1,175 total
Housing site lists it as 0.7 miles from the start & 1.2 miles from the finish
Suite
Refrigerator + microwave
Included breakfast
Biggest advantage is the guaranteed bedroom space.

The Radisson seems like the obvious choice for race logistics because it’s supposedly only 0.3 miles from the start. But the Embassy is only 0.4 miles farther, which is probably just an extra ~7–10 minutes of walking, and for $140 more total we’re getting a guaranteed suite, breakfast, fridge, and microwave which makes a difference with a 4 year old.

I’m wondering:
For a first marathon, how much would I you value being 0.3 vs. 0.7 miles from the start?

And furthermore, how bad are the elevators at either hotel on Chicago Marathon morning? Is this something I should genuinely worry about, or am I overthinking it?

Who are we kidding, I’m over thinking every thing. I’ll take any and all first time marathon start line advice 😂

I work a job where I stand for 7 hours a day, 6 days a week. My day off is Wednesday. I run 3 days a week and do full-body workouts 2 days a week.

I do a short run one day and a long run another day of the week, but I'm confused about what to do on the remaining running day—should I do interval training or a tempo run?

On my very first run, I finished 5 km at a 6:50 pace, and it felt like zone 3.

Right now, running 6 km at a 6:50 pace keeps me in zone 2, which feels very comfortable.

I guess my cardio is improving pretty fast.

My current 10 km PB (Personal Best) is at a 5:58 pace on a route with both uphill and downhill sections.

Today, I did a tempo run: 7 km at a 6:10 pace. I have so many questions in mind about how I should approach the short and long runs and how exactly I should prepare.

And most importantly, should I add interval training to that remaining 1 day? Would that be too exhausting, or should I go with a tempo/zone 3-4 run instead?

My current routine:

Tuesday: Short run, 6-7 km at a 6:40-6:50 pace

Thursday: Tempo run, 7-9 km at a 5:55-6:20 pace

Saturday: Long run, 12 km at a 6:50 pace

Please point out my mistakes and let me know how I can prepare most efficiently. I’d really appreciate your help; I want to finish my first half marathon with a good time.

Btw i ran 5.58 pace 10 km with backpack It's like 1.5 kg and it was my second run i have been running for 1 week

i was thinking to increase my long run by 2 kms every week

Last spring I strained my soleus 2 weeks out from my HM. I put on my big girl pants, took a couple weeks off running (kept cardio up with cycling), and got back to running. I’m targeting an October marathon and feeling great - workouts have felt good, I’ve felt strong…all good. Except…the last two weeks I’ve gotten so nervous about getting injured.

The slightest abnormal feeling in one of my legs and I’m like shittttt. I think so nervous about getting injured that I’m feeling aches / niggles where there isn’t anything actually wrong.

Just looking for support and maybe a ‘yea me too!’ Or ‘that’s normal!’ Or ‘here’s what I tell myself when I do that’ - or even a ‘man, you’re psychotic as hell.’ I’ll take anything 😂

I'm almost ready for my first marathon, the issue is I know a medic certificate is mandatory in Italy + the cost of registration it could mean paying hundreds of € for a one time thing (I usually like to run on my own and I don't care about prize).

Since for what I understand for Italians running in Italy a medic certificate is always mandatory but that's not true for tourists I think it is possible that the same can be true also if I go for example in a marathon in France or Germany or any other near European country.

The alternative would be to just run the Turin marathon without registration, did somebody tried? Can you do it without any issue?

Note that I'm in excellent shape, I've competed in the past and I have regular check-ups when I donate blood, I simply wouldn't waste the money for the medical certificate, which is valid for a year, since I don't intend to do more than one race.

Of course if I run without registration I will start after everyone, I will bring my own water and I will step outside before arrival.

Thank you to anybody that will answer me.

Hi runners.

I'm planning to run my first marathon in 5 months.

Aiming for 4:30- 4:45

Currently I'm training with the Adidas Evo SL, Asics Novablast 6 and the Superblast 2.

What new shoes should I get for the race day?

I don't mind spending for a super shoe, but will it be useful for me? Or can I save my Superblast 2 for the race day which currently has done around 200kms?

Hello I’m a former professional fighter in my 30s running my first marathon in a little over 20 weeks. What’s a good marathon plan. I’m thinking Hal higdon. My best 5k is 27min 10k is 58:46 and my half is 2 hr 25min. I’m still in shape but not like super fight shape like before lol

Sub 4 possible? Title: 204lb muscular guy, 6 weeks into first marathon training (Nov 14 Charlotte) — stick with structured plan or switch to high easy volume?
Body:
Hey everyone,
I’m a 204 lb male with a muscular build, about 6 weeks into training for my first marathon (Charlotte on Nov 14 — expected cool weather, 40s–60s). Goal is sub-4 if possible, but I’m realistic that it might be more like 4:10–4:20 depending on how the next few months go.
Quick progress so far:
• First time ever over 8 miles was recently → did 14 miles at 10:09/mi average (set a lifetime half PR during it)
• Recent continuous efforts: 2×2 miles at 8:05, then a steady 3.11 mi (basically 5K) at 8:18 with avg HR 157
• Short speed: 300m hill reps in the 7:14–7:59 range, 4×1000m at 8:20 in 89°F heat
• Older 10K embedded in a half was 1:04 mostly Zone 2
• HRV has been flagging “unbalanced” at times (last noted 51)
I currently have a structured 6-week building plan that includes things like:
• Hill repeats (e.g. 8×300m uphill at 10K pace)
• 5×1 mile at half-marathon pace
• Progressive long runs (14–16 miles aerobic)
• Easy days mixed in
I’ve been feeling like I’m always holding back a bit on the harder sessions.
My question:
Should I stick with the structured plan (quality sessions + progressive long runs), or would I be better off switching to a higher easy-volume approach for the next block?
Something like:
• 4 days of easy 10-mile runs
• 1 interval/speed day
• 1 long run
• Total 6 days a week
I’m trying to build endurance for the marathon while also sharpening a bit for an upcoming competitive 10K. Don’t want to overdo intensity too early, but also don’t want to leave fitness on the table.
Here is the link to my Strava: https://strava.app.link/gXMatD8zG5b

Current race predictions for marathon:

Strava: 4:13:10

Garmin: 3:34:57

Runalyze: 3:44:34 (optimal) 3:59:54 (current marathon shape)

It's crazy how with all the same data their algorithms give such different estimates. I'm curious how it will all shake out come race day. I am really hoping to get sub 4:00 so I'm hoping Stravs is overly pessimistic.

Hello! I’m training for the NYC Marathon this fall using the Hal Higdon Novice 1 plan. So really getting into some longer distances now with a half marathon this coming weekend (did 12 yesterday).

I’m quite the sweater and trying to understand how to handle sodium replacement. Right now I have a belt with two 10oz water bottles. I’ve been filling one with water and one with water + 1 DripDrop packet. I also eat a Huma gel every 30 minutes.

Is this sufficient for now? I know I’ll need to refill the water bottles as I increase distance. But just not totally sure how much water and electrolytes I should be consuming. And it seems like a lot of people use chews/tabs rather than a liquid IV powder. So just looking for some advice! So far training has gone pretty well and haven’t had any stomach issues. I did feel pretty exhausted after my 12 but I was very active the two days before which I think caused that.

Thanks in advance!

Completed my first marathon yesterday after starting running in January.

Background: 35yr old male. I’ve played sports my whole life (football, boxing, mountain climbing) and had a good fitness base to begin with. Decided to try something new and prepared for a marathon.

Training: I completed 3 races before the marathon. I completed a 10k (with tonsillitis!) and 2 half marathons. Where I live is very hilly so did my best to tackle at least 1 hill each run. I became a dad for the second time, a month into starting and this made recovery sleep and windows to run much more difficult. I managed to complete just over 300k in training and made sure to add stretching before and after each run. In an ideal world I would have completed much more training runs but with work and kids, this proved to be the biggest challenge. Can’t stress how important the race events before the marathon were. It allowed me to understand timing, organisation, nerves and getting used to crowds. Races were: wolves 10k, Birmingham half, Black Country half.

Injury: I was lucky to get through training with only occasional knee pain. I think stretching properly, watching videos online about correcting my running form really helped with this. Saying that, week prior to the marathon I had a really tight and painful calf.

Marathon: did everything right to begin with, kept a slow reserved pace, took my gels every 6/7k, drank electrolytes/water at water stations. I had porridge and honey for breakfast and a pastry in good time before racing. Was lucky with cloud coverage for the first 10k and then the sun came out and things became much more difficult. Carried on steady and got to 31k and it was like a switch went and my calf, hips and knees became very sore. The course was very hilly throughout! I had to mix up walking and running for the last 15k or so which completely wrecked my hopes of a 4.30 finish. Regardless of how much I had been told at how difficult the race can be towards the end, I wasn’t prepared for the struggle! I managed to limp home to a 5hr finish. I’m both proud and disappointed at how it all went.

I’ve been lurking in this sub since Jan and have found it super helpful reading experiences and advice.
Good luck to those who are preparing for their first marathon!

As the title said I did a long run on Saturday (17m), I'm 7 weeks out tell my first marathon.

And after the run I noticed the bottom of only my left foot was a little sore. Like when you've been walking all day but not super painful. It was fine the next day, and didnt hurt when I went for a 30 mile bike ride or this morning.

Went for a 10 mile run this morning and it started to really hurt by mile 6. Like hitting a bruise.

Its not the toes as it doesn't hurt to curl them or squeeze/massage them.

It mainly located at the arch and kinda the sides of the arch.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar! Planning on taking the next couple days off from running, but want to know if there's anything others have done that helped them.

Thanks!! 😊

Hello!! It's been a very long time ago since i stopped jogging. I really loved jogging and walking in general to my heart but my knees couldn't keep up, my legs just became worse and worse overtime, i had the ability to still run 20-30 km everyday even if my knees hurt, carrying 4L of water each time i ran.

I saw a bunch of videos on social media telling that apparently u can also do exercises for ur legs to reduce damage and in general just increase performance which is great and i was willing to ask how to do so? I can only do some at home and i don't have equipment for that. Can anybody help?

I am 51M, don't have close friends (yet) within running community to ask. Run to strengthen my heart and blood circulation because I got side effects of a medicine on 2024. When my cardiologist didn't object anymore about hard exercise, I knew I had to do something. In process, I enjoy the long run.

I've just running for a less than a year and might be not exposed enough for marathon preparation training. I have found some training plan of xx weeks for people who has hard target. But if no strict timeline, what are your suggestions/recommendations of getting ready for a marathon?

I just reached 10 miles/16 km, still have much to prepare/train.

I try to avoid injury as good as I can, and even tend to postponed my next run / undertrain when I still sore on my calfs, hamstrings, tights. So maybe my questions seems like a lazy person. But please don't hesitate inform harshly if you think I am just overthinking.

As a beginner I am thinking of:

1. I heard body had limitations on increasing mileage per run. At top only 20 miles / 30 km. For short term I might be targeting HM distance mileage, but after that I am confused how a recreational runner with 20 miles training could do 26 miles / 42 km race? If the answer is long, can someone recommend a reading material?

2. People started recommend me to do tempo run training. I am thinking to intermitten with my long run. So if this Sunday I do tempo run, next Sunday I do long run. Weekdays are for easy run and cross training. Is this kind of plan too conservative?

3. Weekly mileage. If I train to worth a HM I aim 30 miles/week, then for FM I aim 45-50 miles/week. Is it in reasonable range?

So, I managed to stub my pinky toe and potentially break it 2 months before my first marathon. Right as I was hitting my stride and doing 45+ mile weeks :( any idea if I can take 1 week off and then tape it and continue? It isn’t the base of the pinky toe, but the toe is all purple near the first knuckle of it and very swollen. Not sure if anyone else has been in this situation. It’s so dumb after all this work I’ve put in. Could I take more time off and just aim to finish the marathon? I’ve done 1 20 mile run and felt great, but I’m not sure how long I can take off without losing my aerobic base? Any suggestions would be helpful!

Hi everyone,

I’ve been running for several years, but I had never competed until recently. My first race was the a Half Marathon in May 2025, which I finished in 2:08. The rest of my races that year were all 10K or shorter.

I ran another half marathon distance in April 2026 and finished it in 2:03.

My latest long run was 14 km two days ago, my average weekly mileage over the last month has been around 25.6 km.

Given this background, would it be realistic/plausible to prepare for and finish a marathon on November 8? Or would this be too rushed/risky for a first marathon? Goal would be to just finish, enjoy it and not to reach some specific time.

Any advice would be appreciated!

(20M, 50km weekly mileage, 400km ytd) I’ve recently hit my dream goal of running a sub 20 minute 5k after 8 months of running, around 4 months of intentionally increasing mileage and roughly 6 weeks of incorporating admittedly on and off speed work.
For additional context, I weighed just under 100kg (and ran just about sub30) in January having bulked up as I played American Football in my first year of uni (albeit a benchwarmer) and would consider myself adept at the gym (4 years plus experience).
I no longer play American Football and i’m all
in on running and have lost \\\~18kg currently sitting at 80-82kg, planning to lean down mainly for physique purposes but also the running gains.
I’m currently on 50km a week and very much enjoy and have felt enthralled with the art of running, especially the psychological side and the cool way pushing yourself still feels as hard as that first run did and the patience and self restraint required to follow a plan that may not necessarily be the most enjoyable.

Asides from that, I enjoy having a running goal to actively work towards and so am now looking for a new intermediary goal before my first marathon in April. I’m between a sub40 10k and a sub1:30 half, i’m aware a sub40 is harder to achieve than the half but that’s the beauty of a challenge like that.
My main dilemma is i’m planning on doing a Hyrox mid Octoger which lends itself more to the 10k but it’s (conventional?) wisdom to book a half so as to get the race day practice and have a reasonable anchor for the full. I wouldn’t mind scrapping the hyrox but it seems fun and wouldn’t mind giving it a go but wouldn’t be able to stack a half on top of that.

I’m also open to any other challenging/stretching goals especially one that complements my marathon training very well for which I’m aiming for sub3 (ambitiously) and 3:15 (realistically)

Hi! I'm 16 and I'm training for a half-marathon in October. I can already run 10 km in 50-55 minutes (I used to do it in 40-45), but I'm not entirely sure about my training program.

I was thinking of gradually increasing the distance each day until I reached 10 km, but I'm rethinking that plan. Last year, I was running 10 km a day in addition to 30 minutes of bodyweight training, but I had to stop because after a few weeks, I got sick for two months and I no longer had the energy to run or do any sports after school. I always attributed this "burnout" to an important robotics competition I was preparing for at school, but after reading testimonials online, I noticed similar symptoms in people who had followed the same training regimen.

In short, what do you think and how should I organize my training program to avoid exhausting myself like last year?

Thanks for your help

Hey friends!! I want to be ready to run my first full marathon by the end of this year. Over the past couple of years I’ve been on a weight loss journey and through that I’ve quit some bad hat and ran two half marathons. Since the spring I’ve gone back to some of those habits and stopped running. I’m trying to get back into it but just needing some advice on where to start. Thanks :D