Sub 3 first attempt

rafa05

Yes another one of those threads!! But I need to ask, I am mid 30's started running a few years ago. Did a few 5ks and 2 10ks. Fastest 5k is 17mins flat with 2 longish hills. Best of 10k is 37.57 on a course with a few hills and was a really windy day. Plan last year was to get a flat 5k course and break 17min and then do the Dublin marathon. But I got injured last march and I am just starting to get into it again in last few weeks, Did a bit of cycling to keep fit and ran 18.15 5k recently. The most I ever ran has been 18 miles.

I ran one half marathon a few years ago at the galway half ironman in 1.32.30min. So that would be 1k swim, 90k bike and then onto the run. I want to do my first marathon in Dublin in October. I am dreaming of breaking 3 hours on my first attempt. If I blowout and do not finish the race I am not worried. It is just something I would like to try if I am up to it. Thoughts and if possible what kind of training would I need to be looking at?

thanks

ronnie085

rafa05 wrote: »

Yes another one of those threads!! But I need to ask, I am mid 30's started running a few years ago. Did a few 5ks and 2 10ks. Fastest 5k is 17mins flat with 2 longish hills. Best of 10k is 37.57 on a course with a few hills and was a really windy day. Plan last year was to get a flat 5k course and break 17min and then do the Dublin marathon. But I got injured last march and I am just starting to get into it again in last few weeks, Did a bit of cycling to keep fit and ran 18.15 5k recently. The most I ever ran has been 18 miles.

I ran one half marathon a few years ago at the galway half ironman in 1.32.30min. So that would be 1k swim, 90k bike and then onto the run. I want to do my first marathon in Dublin in October. I am dreaming of breaking 3 hours on my first attempt. If I blowout and do not finish the race I am not worried. It is just something I would like to try if I am up to it. Thoughts and if possible what kind of training would I need to be looking at?

thanks

With a 17 min 5k you have the speed but you seem to drop off with the longer races suggests you might need to work on aerobic fitness, ie plenty of miles. Loads of time to build a good base before hitting a marathon plan in june/july. Suggest getting 'advanced marathon' book, served me well so far, oh and check out the sub 3 support thread here.

EauRouge79

ronnie085 wrote: »

With a 17 min 5k you have the speed but you seem to drop off with the longer races suggests you might need to work on aerobic fitness, ie plenty of miles. Loads of time to build a good base before hitting a marathon plan in june/july. Suggest getting 'advanced marathon' book, served me well so far, oh and check out the sub 3 support thread here.

+1 on all of that!:)

DogSlySmile

OP, go for it. I did it last year off the back of 10k training. I did one long run, a 20 miler 8 days before the marathon. I was in bits after the race but i'd just ran sub 3 at the first attempt so i was walking on air for about 2 weeks after. Your PBs are similar to mine before I did the marathon, you can definitely do it and you have plenty of time, so go for it!

ThePiedPiper

Go for it OP.. You're planning well ahead, and that's the key with a sub-3 marathon. It's not experience or ability that'll get you there. It's a solid base of training, a small bit of natural speed (you seem to have some), and a committed effort over 4-5 months. Best of luck with it. It'll happen if you want it to, and work for it.

KentuckyPete

Yep, as mentioned, search for the sub-3 support thread on here - all you need to know is in there!

Looks like you have the speed but need to build the stamina and learn to hammer out the 6:50's even when shagged. Some of the workouts in that thread will certainly give you that - they worked for me anyway.

Good luck with it!