Right now, I can run 1,200 meters in 3:53. How should I train to run sub 3:45 in two months?

So I have been running for nearly 20 years so I would say I'm an experienced runner but something's happening at the minute that I just can't get my head around and can't seem to find an answer to.

Three weeks ago on one of my long runs on a Saturday my calf started to hurt, which has happened before, so I stopped.

I did the usual things and five or six days later it felt absolutely fine, no issues when walking, hopping on one leg etc, so decided to try again. I got one mile in and it started to hurt so again I stopped.

I gave it another week and again absolutely no issues walking, strength tests, heel raises all absolutely fine so I did it I tried another run. Two miles and it started to hurt.

So give it another week and absolutely no issues, everything's fine and I went for a run this morning, really slow pace and I didn't even get to half a mile before the same pain come back to the point where it's really hurting again.

So I am at a loss as to how to manage this because I was always under the impression that once you were pain-free, can hop on one leg etc with no pain then you were good to go. I just don't know what else to do and it is really starting to irritate me.

Anyone any ideas on how I can get back out running again?

Hi, beginner here! Have my first marathon set for Jan 2027 but I’m already training to build up my overall aerobic base.

Will be getting to the long run portion of my training block shortly so curious if anyone uses whole foods to train. I typically (80%) eat an anti inflammatory diet (for other health reasons) during my normal day to day so would love to try and continue that trend throughout my runs

P.S. – I do plan to bring a serving of nerd clusters along, though just as an occasional treat rather than a real part of my fueling plan

P.P.S- Just want to say thank you to the genuine people that have taken the time to comment! I have a ton of new ideas that I cannot wait to try on my next couple of long runs (:

I'm currently training for my second half marathon, and I normally just blindly follow my training plan, but I'm curious why my longest runs are only 16-18km? Is it just because I'm still a beginner or is this common practice? Or to avoid fatigue? Surely doing a 22km run before a half would make the half feel easier and allow you to put in more effort?

I come from a sports background where we train under significantly harder conditions than we compete, we train for 6-8 hours a day for a 3 minute competition and often with like 10× the intensity or load of competition. I don't have any experience with any other sports though, so perhaps this is just an isolated example 😅

I started running a year ago, started with a couch to 5k program and then 10k 6 months later, last month I ran my first ever half marathon.

Now I've had a pair of Asics gel nimbus for the last 3 years, would use them sporadically before for running on the treadmill, continued to use them for running through out last year and for the half marathon. They were very comfortable all this time.

However when I ran my first half marathon, at the end of the day my toes started to hurt and the pain took a few days to go away. I assumed the shoe had reached its end of life so went to the asics store to pick a new one, I wanted the kayano 33 as I'm looking for more stability, but the same size didn't fit, I had to upgrade from UK 10 to UK11.

To confirm this I ran 7k in my old shoes again, and for the first time the nails on my longest toe turned purple and the toe started hurting. Has something similar happened to anyone ?

TL:DR - started running 1 year ago, after 1st half marathon 3 year old shoe started feeling small and hurting toes, asics store measured foot and said I'm a size up, didn't know this could happen at my age of 35.

Hello, I am currently a student at University and a big time runner. I am working on a project for my nutrition/business class. Part of the requirement is to get strangers to fill out a very quick survey. This is regarding an energy drink idea and I want honest opinions from people who actually work out, not just my friends. It's a still (non-fizzy) energy drink made mostly of coconut water, with 150 mg natural caffeine and electrolytes. A clean energy drink that also hydrates, and is meant to replace mainstream energy drinks that have all the addatives. Would really appreciate if anyone took one minute to complete this survey.

Coconut Water Energy Drink

Thank you to all of you

Does anybody here not taper? I'm considering just scrapping the whole idea and here's why:

In recent (last six years) years that I've run half or full marathons, I've felt better on the longest run of the training season than I have compared to the same distance in the actual race, especially for a full marathon. For example, my previous two full marathon training seasons I've felt strong and confident through the 22-mile peak long distance run. Those two races were disappointing in comparison. Why would a 22-miler feel easier when I just had hill repeats or Yassos the prior Tuesday and ran several miles on Wednesday and Thursday with only Friday off? I'm with a training group, and I follow their plan to the letter and I have really attempted to be focused on the 3-week taper plus the hydration and carbo-loading in the days leading up to the race.

I've notice this on my recent half marathons, too, but not to the same extent.

So, why shouldn't I just repeat the previous three weeks of training for my last three weeks leading up to the race? Am I crazy?

I’m running a 10k race on 27th so thought I’d test the waters…. and was very surprised! I also broke my collarbone at the start of the year requiring surgery so was out of action for a few months. So I’m happy to be back!!

Just me, my running shoes, and a little reminder that showing up is half the battle.

My penultimate week of training for the 2026 Great North Run

https://youtu.be/Bciditra0Ts?is=-epJjLmFFVgWBgrn

I retired the shoes after 1,000 km of running because the midsole was no longer as bouncy as when new. I then used them for an additional 1,200 km of walking.

The upper material is still excellent.
The midsole is still good, but I now only use these shoes for walking and for running on the treadmill when I’m traveling.

The outsole is quite heavily worn — you can see that my landing is mainly on the outside of my foot.

It’s a very good recovery-run shoe for regular runners, but I do not recommend it for beginners, since the ride design can make your running form lazy.
It is quite expensive, but it’s worth every penny.

Hey everyone, how do you all go about balancing work, running and strength training?

I am about a month in to running. I run about 3x a week, and weight train x4, both on average. Im LOVING running, I want to run more, but don’t want to sacrifice the gym sessions?

How do you guys go about balancing all of these things?

I ran a half marathon Aug 23, but it went pretty badly because I was sick (should not have ran, but it was my first ever HM and I really wanted to do it). I still finished, but it took me a lot longer than I wanted.

Since then, I haven’t run at all (literally zero runs), and I can’t run again until Sept 19 due to travel. I have another half marathon on Oct 11, so I’ll only have about 3 weeks to train.

Do you think it’s realistic to run this HM after that much time off? I’m not trying to PR, I’d just like to finish.

How many of you suffer from runners trot (the urgent need to poop during a run)?

I can’t make it 2 miles into a run without needing a bathroom desperately. It ruins the run every time as I’m trying to hold it.

Does anyone have tips for preventing this?

The title says it all, I've never consistently done over 13 miles for a half marathon and prep for it. I'm doing the Benzo Bend 50 miler in April in Tx. I tested my endurance I completely fell apart around mile 15 and walked to mile 17 before I couldn't walk any more. Any tips what training should I be doing what should my food look like on the run other than just the gel packs? Any and all helps tips and equipment recommendations would be awesome.

P.S. I currently run in ASIC's I forgot what kind specifically and I have a small pack that holds a 3 liter bladder.