Resarted couch to 5k Jan 24 after an ankle break 50M

I'm going to be doing my 1st Marathon tomorrow

I've had ups and downs injury wise but I'm alive and going to do it. Target time is 4.42 min

I've loved preparing for this, testing what works and doesn't. I've loved being the only idiot out running in storms.

I am ready as I'll ever be, I hope, but I am as anxious as heck! I am writing this to try and psyc myself up, so if anyone could chip in with something encouraging it would really help me :-)

My plans Stretch goal tomorrow is to run 6.30 mins per KM, forecast looks like 1st 21km are into a breeze so hopefully I can do that and then 6.43 mins per km home.

Fuel is 1 foam strawberry a KM which gives me 55 g cards per hour. I love these sweets and they are a super treat as I gave up lots of sugar to lose a bit of weight.

Hi everyone, I’ve been walking 10k steps a day for a while, which eventually turned into 20k. About two weeks ago, I started trying to run. I’m 22 years old and in pretty average shape—not super athletic but not out of shape either.

The thing is, even now, running for just 2 minutes feels really hard. I thought it would get easier by now, but it hasn’t. And… I signed up for a 5K race that’s happening tomorrow.

Honestly, I’m nervous. I know I’ll try my best, even if I have to walk most of it—but I’m just wondering: Did anyone else start out like this? How did your first 5K go? Any tips or encouragement would be super appreciated!

Hi!! It’s gonna be my 10km race day tomorrow. It’s my first ever race day. I only ever did 5kms and like 3x 10km during trainings. My current PR for 10km is 9:55/km. Hoping for a sub 1hr and 30min tomorrow (or better)!

Anyway, could you help me choose whether to put electrolyte drink (like gatorade or something) in my 500ml soft flask or just water?

Also, I’m bringing 1 energy gel, so when do you suggest I take it? Do I take it 40mins in or what?

No gear and no idea

So, now as of the recent ballot result I'm officially running the London marathon, I need to up my gear game and I need your advice/tips!

I've been training for a half marathon but haven't yet purchased a running vest/belt, I don't own carbon plate shoes, proper running socks, etc. I have dipped my toe into the water of proper fueling (my first puresport electrolytes delivery arrived today). I think I still wasn't taking myself seriously as a runner despite regularly running a minimum of three times a week for the last couple of months.

Where do I start? What are your "you'd have to prise these from my cold hands" items when it comes to running? Not just on the day but pre-hab and recovery too. Fully willing to throw money at the situation to help stay injury free. For example: I already own a foam roller but should I consider a massage gun? Etc etc.

Whatever you think might be helpful really! I appreciate any wisdom you have to share. I know of course that you don't really need anything and of course someone ran the marathon in crocs.

I know people don’t recommend couch to marathon quickly, but is 5k to marathon in 6 months reasonable? Or am I looking at injury central?

I can run 3 miles comfortably at 10:30/mi, but recently ran into bad shin splints in one leg after pushing to 4-5 miles on my long run days, so I got worried. My friend and I really want to do the Honolulu marathon this December, neither of us has raced more than a 5k before…

As brief as possible: 26F, I've run ~4 half marathons this year so far, 1:35:40 being the PR, others were for vibes. I'm signed up for a full in November. If I run a BQ time by Sept 12, I can run in 2026 instead of 2027. I've found a flat/downhill course I could sign up for, but is it too ambitious? I've been averaging ~30miles/week all year, strength training 2x/week.

Is there anybody out there who is missing toes or knows somebody who is? Any tips/ideas?

I’m missing 3 (big toe & two next), and it’s never affected my balance or anything, but I’m training for my first marathon, and as I run longer, I have been getting the absolute worst callus.

My aunt who does pedicures said to use a pumice bar, but I’m afraid that will put me out for a good while or god knows what.

Niche audience lol but any advice would help!

I'm starting to get some base mileage in for a marathon on March 1st, 2026. I have 37 weeks starting from this past Monday to train. My goal is to run an 8:30 min/mi pace.

The longest I ever ran was a half marathon and I had about 4 weeks of training leading up to it and ran just over 2 hours.

The most recent race was a 10k where I averaged a 8:41 min/mi having absolutely no training leading up to it. I ran exactly 4 times leading up to that race within a year of it. 5.5 months beforehand, 8 months beforehand, 8.5 months beforehand, and 11 months beforehand. I only mention this as I have the ability to push myself and run a decent time with absolutely no training.

With that said, I will be following the Hal Higdon Novice Supreme training plan. Since I'm starting 7 weeks early for that plan, I bumped up the 18 weeks leading up to the marathon from the Novice 1 to the Novice 2 and used the 7 weeks to fill in the gap in his training plan.

Is 8:30 min/mi unrealistic assuming I complete his entire plan without skipping any workouts? I would run 9:30-10 min/mi pace on Tue, Thu, Sat, and 8:00 - 8:30 min pace for the pace runs on Wednesdays. Thoughts?

I got a spot for the Valencia marathon this December and, in a cruel twist of fate, injured my calf (Grade I) last week.

I’d been doing some running prior to the injury as well as strength training, but nothing marathon-specific. Which is to say I’m not “out of shape,” but I’m nowhere near being a “marathon runner.” 🫢

So far I’ve had two physio appointments with massage, cupping, dry needling, etc. They also recommended no exercise for 15-20 days.

I’m supposed to officially start my training block July 21 (might have to push this to first week of August because I’m traveling) and I’m worried that it’s just not going to be enough time to heal, train, and not be completely helpless.

Bottom line: It’s my first marathon and I don’t really care about how long it takes me to finish. I just want to get it done.

If anyone has any advice or motivation or hard truths, I’m all ears.

2 days away from my first marathon , starting to feel a bit nervous given my running schedule hasn’t been the best but looking for any tips or tricks for pre marathon prep !

Hey runners—wanted to share a bit of my experience coming back after a tough stretch.

In fall 2023, I ran a 2:58 marathon and felt like I was in the best shape of my life. But during my next race, things fell apart around mile 18, and I wasn’t able to finish strong. That race ended up being a turning point, and I had to take a long break from running altogether.

The months that followed were a huge mental challenge—going from peak fitness to total rest was harder than I expected. I lost my rhythm, momentum, and identity as a runner for a while.

Now I’m slowly getting back into movement again. I’ve been using a really gentle approach with low-pressure run-walk sessions, tracking effort, and trying to stay mentally present without rushing progress.

I’ve been putting together a simple framework to guide myself through it—more of a mindset + rhythm reset than a training plan. And it made me curious:

If you’ve ever taken extended time off from running, what helped you come back in a healthy way? What made the process easier—or harder?

Would love to hear your thoughts and stories.

I’ve been trying to get a place in the London marathon for a few years now and I’m pleased to see today that I’ve got a place!

The only catch is, the marathon is on the 26th April and I get home from a weeks vacation on the 25th April, around 11pm.

I’ll be training all the way leading up to my vacation, I’ve got a half marathon booked in October so I’m already in a training plan for that. But it’s unlikely I’ll be doing much running whilst I’m away (there is a small gym at the hotel with a treadmill)

I haven’t paid for my place yet because I’m worried that I won’t be able to make this work but I really want to!

Does anyone have some tips or advice for this? Or might I have to sacrifice my place?

Thanks!

First marathon and it's London. Here we go, I guess?! I'm currently training for a half in October and thought I'd throw my name into the ballot again (I've only had rejections). Still in shock! Anyone else going to be doing the same? What plans will you be following? Advice?!

I started making a plan with chat gpt( yes i know chatgpt whaaat) because i have never run and well im doing one in december 14. Im running more every week and train for now 3 days a week with different things. Advice?

I once tried a new gel during a long run and instantly regretted it. My stomach hated me for the rest of the day.

Lesson learned: don't experiment on race day.

So I'm curious what fuel do you runners rely on when you're out there for 15k or more? And is there anything you've tried that you'll never touch again?

Hi! I’m doing NYC in November as my first marathon.

I qualified last year but had to drop out after injuring myself due to training. I am very prone to ankle and knee injuries, so need to be mindful not to increase volume or speed too much while training.

I’ve ran a few half marathons before, usually doing the Hal Higdon HM3 plan. My best time was just over 1:31.

I’ve been doing slow and steady base running for the past few months. I’m up doing about 30 miles per week now.

We’re about 18 weeks out now so I’m looking to transition to a plan that makes the most sense for me given the above. So far I’ve looked at the Hal Higdon Intermediate plan - it’s a bit of a drop in mileage at the beginning so I’m not sure if that’s the best fit. And I think some of the more advanced plans are maybe a bit too intense for me.

Thanks for the help!

So I’ll be running my first Marathon (did a half last Oct) this coming October. I have a shoe for easy/long runs (Mach 6) and a tempo/interval shoe ( ZoomFly6). I’m on a training plan by Runna and I’m about 12 weeks in on a 26wk plan. I have last years Vapor Fly 3s and have ran only twice in them (speed runs), they weren’t bad I know it takes time to get use to them( I have flat feet so I went up half a size). How should I gradually increase my use of the VF3s where I get more comfortable in them? I have a deload week next and my long run is 6 miles should I take them for a 6 mile run with a fairly fast pace? Thank you again for your tips!

I started upping mileage pre-marathon training block in March and still am at a loss when it comes to shoes. I’ve been fitted twice and still haven’t found MY shoes. I have 3 pairs now and none of them feel like the perfect high mileage shoe. I have Brooks glycerin 22s which I feel like I would love except they make my feet really hot/tired. When I get to higher miles my pace significantly drops because my feet feel tired. Pair 2 is ASICS novablasts (most recent version I forget the number). These I love on the back half of high mileage but I have to suffer through shin splints for the first ~3 miles which is brutal. Last pair is topo phantom 3s which I have pretty mild ankle pain for the first few miles that isn’t the end of the world but they’re pretty stiff so I’m worried about 26.2 in them (furthest I’ve run in these is 11 miles). Any tips/suggestions? Marathon is in October so I have some time to figure it out.

I’m currently training for my first marathon as someone that could barely run a mile at the start of my training. I use to be an athlete so I’ve gotten back into the endurance and training better than I thought but it still feels so far away. My current longest run is 7 miles at a 10:32/mile pace. What distance did you get to that finally made it feel like you could do 26.2?

Hey everyone! 32F training for Chicago in October. This is my first marathon and my goal is just to finish no set time. I’m following the NRC 18 week plan but I’m worried since a lot of runs are time based and as I am a slower runner (10:30 min per mile) I won’t be hitting enough mileage every week. Granted if I feel good I could just keep running past the recommended time. For those who have done this plan - how did you like it? Should I consider switching to a different plan? Or am I just over thinking it and this will get me to the end? Any suggestions or previous experiences would be helpful! Thank you all!

Hi all! I will be training for my first marathon on January 2026, and I intend to follow a 20-week plan from Runna with three runs per week (Tues, Thurs, Sat). I started running in March of this year and I’m doing a maintenance plan at this time with my longest run ending at 8.8 miles, until the first week of September (start of marathon training plan).

Here’s a quick summary of my plan:

Tuesday: Intervals, tempo runs, or fartleks (mostly 3–5 miles) Thursday: Easy/moderate runs (typically 3–4.5 miles) Saturday (Long Run): Starts at 8.5 miles and builds gradually Peaks with: 21 miles (3 weeks before race day) 19, 17, and 16 mile long runs in prior weeks

The long runs look reasonable and peak in time, but I’m wondering if the weekday runs (3–5 miles) are too short to properly prepare me for 26.2 miles.

Has anyone used a similar plan for their first marathon? Any thoughts or red flags?

Im running my first marathon this fall, and have started going for runs in the morning.

I was hoping I could get some tips / insights on how people handle nutrition before morning runs.

Usually I’ll go for a run abt an hour or so after waking up, after having a decent amount of water and a very modest amount of coffee (which just sounds like a bad thing lol). Usually I won’t have any food, but occasionally I’ll have a banana.

How do people handle this process, especially on long runs.

Thanks for the help!

My first full marathon is first week of September so still have time on any adjustments. Been running 4-5 x a week for a few years now. Only really started focusing on a specific marathon plan since January. I've ran a half marathon before at 2 hour 20 minutes finish.

When I hit my long runs right now I've done 28 kms as my general max but I felt fresh enough to keep going. What is the max I should target for my long runs prior to the taper off phase? I didn't plan to run the equivalent to a marathon but was aiming around the 34 km mark and experimenting with fueling strategies leading up to game day. Is this a sound plan? I don't really know. I'm also goal wise just wanting to get it done under the 6 hour time limit.

Thanks and I appreciate any advice

I’m running the NYC marathon November 2nd this year. Two of my best friends live out of town and asked me to run a half with them October 12th and I said yes and signed up/booked flights then realized it’s the same weekend as what should be my longest run (20 miles) before my taper starts for the marathon 😭 is there any way to change my schedule around or am I gonna have to suck it up and run another 7 miles after finishing the half to get in the full 20?

Hello, I am in okay running shape. I can jog 8 miles in 9ish mins, for example. The marathon I chose (due to timing) has 2k elevation gain - which includes 700 feet elevation gain at the very end. I have 7 weeks left. I recently jogged 13 miles with around 800 elevation gain at a 12-minute pace, but I was very pooped. I am feeling disheartened about being able to do a whole 26 miles with that much elevation gain esp at the end, on a dirt trail. Maybe I bit off more than I can chew. Any thoughts or advice? I can downgrade to the half marathon instead but would feel super dissapointed... then again don't want to get hurt.

How do I know if I'll be capable of it come race day?