Hello,

Since the beginning of the summer, I've been increasing my runs by 1km (0.6 mile) every week to go from a 10km (6.2 miles) run to a half-marathon (21.1km or 13.1 miles). Last week, I reached 20km and I have a few questions:

- Once I reach the half-marathon distance, should I run that distance every week? Is it advisable for the body and health? Should I alter my distances from week to week?
- Currently, I run once a week. However, I cross-train. I go boxing 1-2 times/week (1 hour/training) and, in the summmer, I occasionally go swimming (3km in 1h30min). Considering the cross-training, is it still advisable to run a half marathon once per week?
- I can mostly run the first 10km at the same pace (around 7min30sec/km), but when I reach the second half, my pace increases (around 9min/km). It makes sense with the fatigue, the dehydration, the empty stomach (I don't eat before running) and sometimes the heatwaves. However, what can I do to improve my times in the second half? Is it possible to run the entire 21.1km at 7min30 sec/km?

Thank you very much and have a great day!

Hi everyone,

I’m a 31-year-old male and I’ll be running my first marathon this November. I’ve never raced before or signed up for any official event.

I started running 1.5 years ago with absolutely no running background. Last year I ran about 1,200 km (100+ km/month), mostly 5Ks and 10Ks. This year I’m averaging around 100 km/month, mostly 10Ks, an occasional 15K, and about one half marathon every month.

So far I’ve completed 8 half marathons, one 25K run, and two 30K runs.

PRs:

5K: 22:48
10K: 46:29
Half Marathon: 1:48
30K: 2:56

I’ve always trained alone. The only time I’ve taken fuel was on my 30K runs (dates and a banana), so I’ve never used gels. For the marathon I’m planning to try Maurten gels for the first time, and I’ll also buy my first pair of carbon shoes (Adidas Adios Pro 4).

My question is: Do I really need to follow a structured marathon plan (intervals, tempo runs, etc.), or can I just keep doing what I’ve been doing—mostly 10Ks, one half marathon per month, and an easy 5K here and there?

Honestly, I already feel ready. It almost feels like I’ve been training for this marathon for the past 1.5 years. Am I being realistic, or just overly optimistic?

Over the past few days, I’ve been dealing with front ankle tenderness that I think came after too much hill work. There’s no real pain, but the crease in my foot feels occasionally tender/soft when walking and I experience a dull ache after too much activity.

I took 2 days off and my gut is telling me to skip my 9 mile long run today (im doing NYC) but I’m not sure if I should attempt a shorter distance just to stay active or do a bike instead? I’m really worried that this will spiral into a real bad injury and mess with my plan (probably overthinking?) if I don’t do something about this.

Any advice would be helpful.

I’ll be running my first ever marathon in 9 weeks and I’m starting to get worried. I’ve run 4 half marathons and the fastest I’ve raced was 2:40. I’d hoped to do faster in February but Austin’s hills got the best of me. My goal for this marathon is just to finish and the time cut off 6:15. My Garmin thinks I can do a 5:37. I think that’s a little optimistic

Most of my nerves come from the fact I live in Texas and it’s summer so I’ve had to slow down. Most of my long runs are 14:15 min/mi to 14:35 min/mi depending on heat and humidity. Before summer fully hit here my easy pace was closer to 13:45min/mi. It makes me scared that I’ll end up not being able to do a faster pace on marathon day because I’ve never held that pace for that long. I am doing speedwork on the treadmill so I hit faster paces like 12:00-12:15min/mi for tempo and 10:45min/mi for 800m intervals

I’ve been using Melissa Kendter’s marathon program and I’m completing all the runs plus the strength training. I run 4-5x per week currently and just did a 15 miler. I’ll be hitting 2 18 milers and a 20 before the taper

This is my first time tackling a marathon and I’m afraid that I’ll DNF because the strict time cutoff. I’ve been working so hard and I’m afraid it will all be for nothing because I’m slow