2:30 marathon aspirations

Mac Cormaic

Ok, I am going to try to train for a sub 2.30, starting from scratch. Ran a total of about 30 miles in the past three months, and I am presently about three stone overweight, so really starting from scratch.
Have ran marathons in the past, pb 3.35, but mostly averaged about 3.50 - 4.10, with generally about 15 - 20 miles training a week.
Currently I'd estimate it would take me 5 hrs to complete a marathon, but will try Cork in June and aim for 4 hrs or 4.10.
I am going to aim for the 2.30 in Dublin, that gives me 28 weeks training.
I'll be able to give a realistic answer how training goes, if I get burnt out, lose interest, get injured, or if I can only reach 3.30 or maybe a 3 hr marathon.
Naturally some bit athletic, did a 5 mile race, in 7 min miles last August, so would potentially do a 3.30 with a basic training plan over 3 - 4 months. Jogged 5 miles in 44 mins yesterday, but would knock a few minutes off that if I was racing.
I don't envisage myself running a 100 miles a week, hopefully will get up to 50 miles, and up around 70 miles a week for a month or two towards the end. Will do a little cross training in the gym.
I think motivation to train is the biggest challenge.
At worse I hope to beat my pb 3.35, but will see how achievable it is to work towards a 2.30 from scratch over 28 weeks.

tang1

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

Ok, I am going to try to train for a sub 2.30, starting from scratch. Ran a total of about 30 miles in the past three months, and I am presently about three stone overweight, so really starting from scratch.
Have ran marathons in the past, pb 3.35, but mostly averaged about 3.50 - 4.10, with generally about 15 - 20 miles training a week.
Currently I'd estimate it would take me 5 hrs to complete a marathon, but will try Cork in June and aim for 4 hrs or 4.10.
I am going to aim for the 2.30 in Dublin, that gives me 28 weeks training.
I'll be able to give a realistic answer how training goes, if I get burnt out, lose interest, get injured, or if I can only reach 3.30 or maybe a 3 hr marathon.
Naturally some bit athletic, did a 5 mile race, in 7 min miles last August, so would potentially do a 3.30 with a basic training plan over 3 - 4 months. Jogged 5 miles in 44 mins yesterday, but would knock a few minutes off that if I was racing.
I don't envisage myself running a 100 miles a week, hopefully will get up to 50 miles, and up around 70 miles a week for a month or two towards the end. Will do a little cross training in the gym.
I think motivation to train is the biggest challenge.
At worse I hope to beat my pb 3.35, but will see how achievable it is to work towards a 2.30 from scratch over 28 weeks.

No bother to ya, best of luck with it.

Myles Splitz

@Mac Cormaic

I will give the same advice you were given here 5 years ago. Trying to hit sub 2.30 from scratch (even from a decent base) in such a short space of time while not impossible is not an easy feat by any means.

Your PB has not improved over the past 5 years either. With motivation effecting your ability to train setting such an ambitious target (not to sure why exactly that figure has become your personal target and what basis do you believe dropping an hour from your best in the course of six months is achievable or even advisable) will only serve to have you train to hard or be discouraged.

To put it this way last August you ran 7 min pace for 5 miles. You are looking to run that for over five times the distance in approx. 1 min 15 sec per mile quicker. The only way you could achieve that would be to have utter determination and focus and given that you have already admitted one of the possible weaknesses is your internal motivation this seems highly unlikely and even if you were able to the chances of hitting the time while not impossible, chances are quite low.

Forget times for now. Spend the next 16 weeks focusing on one goal, getting fit. After that you can start getting a sense for times as I fear if you stick to the sub 2.30 target which is in your head you will fall away similar to how you did previous

(Sorry to be a little blunt but I think that target will actually hold you back rather than motivate you to get the best out of yourself)

Mac Cormaic

Myles Splitz wrote: »

@Mac Cormaic

I will give the same advice you were given here 5 years ago. Trying to hit sub 2.30 from scratch (even from a decent base) in such a short space of time while not impossible is not an easy feat by any means.

Your PB has not improved over the past 5 years either. With motivation effecting your ability to train setting such an ambitious target .

To put it this way last August you ran 7 min pace for 5 miles. You are looking to run that for over five times the distance in approx. 1 min 15 sec per mile quicker. The only way you could achieve that would be to have utter determination and focus and given that you have already admitted one of the possible weaknesses is your internal motivation this seems highly unlikely and even if you were able to the chances of hitting the time while not impossible, chances are quite low.

Forget times for now. Spend the next 16 weeks focusing on one goal, getting fit. After that you can start getting a sense for times as I fear if you stick to the sub 2.30 target which is in your head you will fall away similar to how you did previous

)

Thanks for the imput Myles. On the last occasion it was an injury that basically broke the pattern, and therefore the motivation.

I am under no illusion about the challenge. You are correct, it is motivation rather than ability in my eyes. So I think motivation actually makes up 50% of the challenge.

My pb hasn't improved simply because I haven't trained, and running is more of a sporadic hobby, in comparison to some of the more dedicated runners.

The reason I have set the challenge is simply as a novelty. Everyone knows that once someone is some bit athletic, it's likely that they could run a sub 3 with six months training.

But the big question is can someone run a sub 2.30, A. without years of training, and B. without recognizable athletic ability.

I am not worried if I achieve the goal or not, but am in part interested if it's actually achievable. Is motivated as much as training the real ability of being a successful runner?

Myles Splitz

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

Thanks for the imput Myles. On the last occasion it was an injury that basically broke the pattern, and therefore the motivation.

I am under no illusion about the challenge. You are correct, it is motivation rather than ability in my eyes. So I think motivation actually makes up 50% of the challenge.

My pb hasn't improved simply because I haven't trained, and running is more of a sporadic hobby, in comparison to some of the more dedicated runners.

The reason I have set the challenge is simply as a novelty. Everyone knows that once someone is some bit athletic, it's likely that they could run a sub 3 with six months training.

But the big question is can someone run a sub 2.30, A. without years of training, and B. without recognizable athletic ability.

I am not worried if I achieve the goal or not, but am in part interested if it's actually achievable. Is motivated as much as training the real ability of being a successful runner?

To be a successful marathon runner you need the following IMO

- Intrinsic motivation
- A good work ethic
- Durability
- Common sense (I would say 70% of injuries are down to ego/stupidity)
- Patience

In terms of your broken pattern through injury, could this have been a case of the training and the goals exceeding the bodies current ability to handle them?

Also, you say running is more a sporadic hobby and the reason you haven't trained significantly in the last 5 years to improve, what has suddenly changed that is going to convince you to go out early morning on weekends in August/September when the weather starts to chance to get the miles done when your in no mood to train or when social events come up and you weigh up how you are going to get training done or whether you will be too hung over.

If you attempt this "challenge" it will end the same way that it did previously however if you set yourself a more achievable goal who knows you may find yourself enjoying it along the way and can help you become motivated to give it a true effort down the line.

You should never train for a specific time you should have your training designed to improve you as a runner.

Mac Cormaic

Myles Splitz wrote: »

To be a successful marathon runner you need the following IMO

- Intrinsic motivation
- A good work ethic
- Durability
- Common sense (I would say 70% of injuries are down to ego/stupidity)
- Patience

In terms of your broken pattern through injury, could this have been a case of the training and the goals exceeding the bodies current ability to handle them?

Also, you say running is more a sporadic hobby and the reason you haven't trained significantly in the last 5 years to improve, what has suddenly changed that is going to convince you to go out early morning on weekends in August/September when the weather starts to chance to get the miles done when your in no mood to train or when social events come up and you weigh up how you are going to get training done or whether you will be too hung over.

If you attempt this "challenge" it will end the same way that it did previously however if you set yourself a more achievable goal who knows you may find yourself enjoying it along the way and can help you become motivated to give it a true effort down the line.

You should never train for a specific time you should have your training designed to improve you as a runner.

Injury happened after a run and happened because of a distraction, (but over-training may have accounted for about 30% of it). It wasn't a bad injury as such (torn tendons in the ankle), but being off training killed the momentum.

And for the very reasons you highlight of why I shouldn't what has suddenly changed that is going to convince you to go out early morning on weekends in August/September when the weather starts to chance to get the miles done when your in no mood to train or when social events come up and you weigh up how you are going to get training done is why I am going to try.

As I said motivation, along with training is the biggest factor. So, I may say after 3 months, that without a consistent pattern of training, it's an impossibility, because the mind doesn't adapt to the change in lifestyle, as opposed to the body doesn't adopt to the increase in mileage.

While I see as sub 2.30 as the goal, I do see it as a process. Starting with running 2/3/4 times a week, 5 mile races, then aiming for a half marathon, some long runs, a marathon in June, then possibly speed work, increase in mileage, and looking to reduce running times in increments.

As I said I am not pushed if I achieve it or not, and if I only beat my pb well and good, but everyone loves a challenge.

Also from experience, I have found that the more you run, and enjoy the running, the more I'm inclined to keep it up, until the pattern is broke. So the key is to ensure the pattern isn't broke.

Anyway, first goal is Cork marathon, for in the region of 4 hrs.

Chivito550

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

Injury happened after a run and happened because of a distraction, (but over-training may have accounted for about 30% of it). It wasn't a bad injury as such (torn tendons in the ankle), but being off training killed the momentum.

And for the very reasons you highlight of why I shouldn't what has suddenly changed that is going to convince you to go out early morning on weekends in August/September when the weather starts to chance to get the miles done when your in no mood to train or when social events come up and you weigh up how you are going to get training done is why I am going to try.

As I said motivation, along with training is the biggest factor. So, I may say after 3 months, that without a consistent pattern of training, it's an impossibility, because the mind doesn't adapt to the change in lifestyle, as opposed to the body doesn't adopt to the increase in mileage.

While I see as sub 2.30 as the goal, I do see it as a process. Starting with running 2/3/4 times a week, 5 mile races, then aiming for a half marathon, some long runs, a marathon in June, then possibly speed work, increase in mileage, and looking to reduce running times in increments.

As I said I am not pushed if I achieve it or not, and if I only beat my pb well and good, but everyone loves a challenge.

Also from experience, I have found that the more you run, and enjoy the running, the more I'm inclined to keep it up, until the pattern is broke. So the key is to ensure the pattern isn't broke.

Anyway, first goal is Cork marathon, for in the region of 4 hrs.

You have zero chance of running sub 2:30 in this year's Dublin Marathon. Z. E. R. O. Zero!

rom

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

Mac Cormaic

Chivito550 wrote: »

You have zero chance of running sub 2:30 in this year's Dublin Marathon. Z. E. R. O. Zero!

That may be so Chivito. Then it more or less answers the question that it's near impossible to go from the couch to a near elite athlete in six months. But let's see.

Chivito550

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

That may be so Chivito. Then it more or less answers the question that it's near impossible to go from the couch to a near elite athlete in six months. But let's see.

Of course it's impossible. This is a pointless experiment.

Dubgal72

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

That may be so Chivito. Then it more or less answers the question that it's near impossible to go from the couch to a near elite athlete in six months. But let's see.

If it was possible, don't you think it would have been done by now? C2Rio6m?

Chivito550

Reminds me of this legendary thread from the archives!

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056301966

walshb

Chivito550 wrote: »

Reminds me of this legendary thread from the archives!

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056301966

Wasn't there another thread about someone wanting to run 400 in circa 46 or 47 seconds or so? Bit of training and willpower and he was sorted.

28064212

rom wrote: »

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

Unless you DNF

28064212

Chivito550 wrote: »

Reminds me of this legendary thread from the archives!

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056301966

From that thread:

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Reminds me of the lad who want to break 2:30 in the Dublin marathon this year ...

The circle is complete

ThebitterLemon

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

That may be so Chivito. Then it more or less answers the question that it's near impossible to go from the couch to a near elite athlete in six months. But let's see.

Good to see you running.

My two cents worth, you are setting a goal that to many on hear is completely unrealistic thus the perception among genuine posters is that you are either a troll or completely deluded. There is a poster on here who many admire who just missed out on a sub 2.30 last weekend, he has run over 20 marathons, won many races and has some super times over shorter distances. He has many years of training and experience behind him but still came up marginally short on his sub 2.30 attempt.

If you're not a troll then I think you've done yourself a complete disservice, and that you are going to drawn the scorn, ire and ridicule of people who understand the dedication required to achieve this goal. Why didn't you set yourself a more manageable target work towards that and build some credibility and goodwill here. I personally agree with Chivito in that I also think you have no chance in achieving this (attention seeking?) goal, but I've also learned in life that there is very little that's impossible.

Can you post a link to a recent race that you completed?

If you're genuine good luck with Cork, I hope it goes well for you.

TbL

Chivito550

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Good to see you running.

My two cents worth, you are setting a goal that to many on hear is completely unrealistic thus the perception among genuine posters is that you are either a troll or completely deluded. There is a poster on here who many admire who just missed out on a sub 2.30 last weekend, he has run over 20 marathons, won many races and has some super times over shorter distances. He has many years of training and experience behind him but still came up marginally short on his sub 2.30 attempt.

If you're not a troll then I think you've done yourself a complete disservice, and that you are going to drawn the scorn, ire and ridicule of people who understand the dedication required to achieve this goal. Why didn't you set yourself a more manageable target work towards that and build some credibility and goodwill here. I personally agree with Chivito in that I also think you have no chance in achieving this (attention seeking?) goal, but I've also learned in life that there is very little that's impossible.

Can you post a link to a recent race that you completed?

If you're genuine good luck with Cork, I hope it goes well for you.

TbL

Very unlikely to be genuine. Before yesterday, previous post on boards was 4 years ago. The only thing I'm impressed with is how he managed to remember his login details after such a long sabbatical.

TFBubendorfer

Ah guys, stop giving him quite such a hard time.

I don't think 2:30 is realistic and surely it would make sense to target sub-3 first, which isn't exactly an easy target either, but he's not a troll.

walshb

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Ah guys, stop giving him quite such a hard time.

I don't think 2:30 is realistic and surely it would make sense to target sub-3 first, which isn't exactly an easy target either, but he's not a troll.

Well then he seems very misguided on what the sport takes and requires.

ThebitterLemon

Chivito550 wrote: »

Very unlikely to be genuine. Before yesterday, previous post on boards was 4 years ago. The only thing I'm impressed with is how he managed to remember his login details after such a long sabbatical.

Chivito, "Pisco Sour" seemed a much more apt user name

TbL

ThebitterLemon

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Ah guys, stop giving him quite such a hard time.

I don't think 2:30 is realistic and surely it would make sense to target sub-3 first, which isn't exactly an easy target either, but he's not a troll.

Not sure he's getting a hard time T, just a dose of reality.

I also it's inappropriate to post such aspirations here in this thread when one is so far away from achieving a 2.50 never mind a 2.30.

This set out as a serious thread for 2.50 runners, it going to go t1ts up and potentially another useful tread gets locked.

I wouldn't post here in the normal course of events coz I'm nowhere near that level.

If a serious runner and new poster were to land here looking for 2.50 advise they'd probably run a mile.

No harm Mac setting himself up for a fall (or confound the collective experience) but the tread shouldn't fall with him and I think he should bring his aspirations to another tread.

In my opinion this is how many well intended treads here descend into farce and lose credibility. (Look how much air this tread has gotten today but no serious advise posted in yonks, and yes I do appreciate that I'm adding to that air!)

TbL

TFBubendorfer

Fair enough, I've split the new discussion off from the sub-2:50 thread

walshb

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Not sure he's getting a hard time T, just a dose of reality.

Agreed. Far from a hard time he is getting. He should come live in my AR world!:eek:

Krusty_Clown

Hi Mac Cormaic, it's great to have an inspirational goal, but as others have suggested, time-bounding it in the manner you've suggested pushes it beyond the bounds of being realistic. Every goal should be achievable, otherwise you'll end up dropping it, and we'll see you back here in 2021, with the same comments.

I'd suggest you take a completely different approach and return to basics. Complete a coach25k program, and build some discipline and consistency so that you are capable of training regularly, without injury. Progress to 10k and try to bring your time down to sub 40. Aim for a half marathon in sub 90. Break three hours for the marathon (will likely be 1-2 years from now). Then get under 2:45. At that point you'll have a better understanding of what it takes to go under 2:30. It doesn't mean you can't do it (I'm sure there are some outliers who can go from 10 miles a month to sub 2:30 in 6 months), but the times/results you are posting do not point in that direction for you. You seem to have taken a far more logical and achievable approach in your new training log, so I'd stick with that focus. By all means, keep the vision on a sub 2:30, but recognize that the road to getting there is long, and full of many, many miles and intermediate goals.

ultrapercy

Sombody asked me in the lead up to Rotterdam when did I set 2.30 as a goal. I thought back and remembered telling someone at Christmas 1997 that I believed one day I could run under 2.30. It was only that October that I had broken 3 hours with a 2.58 in my third marathon. Looking back now it wasn't really a realistic ambition and I said it after a few drinks. I think an ambitious even unrealistic target is a good thing if you are the kind of person who isn't easily demotivated. Incremental improvement over a long period of time can frustrate almost to the point of madness but if you can tolerate it you can achieve a lot. I often think now if 2.20 was my goal would I now be a 2.21 runner, I doubt it because I don't think I have the athletic ability but I do have a lot of physical and mental durability but it is fun to think about that. The point I think I'm trying to make is that running is a sport where actual athleticism doesn't dictate very much, of course you need an amount but the drive and durability to do and withstand the training are by far the more important traits. Still didn't do it though!!

Mac Cormaic

ultrapercy wrote: »

Sombody asked me in the lead up to Rotterdam when did I set 2.30 as a goal. I thought back and remembered telling someone at Christmas 1997 that I believed one day I could run under 2.30. It was only that October that I had broken 3 hours with a 2.58 in my third marathon. Looking back now it wasn't really a realistic ambition and I said it after a few drinks. I think an ambitious even unrealistic target is a good thing if you are the kind of person who isn't easily demotivated. Incremental improvement over a long period of time can frustrate almost to the point of madness but if you can tolerate it you can achieve a lot. I often think now if 2.20 was my goal would I now be a 2.21 runner, I doubt it because I don't think I have the athletic ability but I do have a lot of physical and mental durability but it is fun to think about that. The point I think I'm trying to make is that running is a sport where actual athleticism doesn't dictate very much, of course you need an amount but the drive and durability to do and withstand the training are by far the more important traits. Still didn't do it though!!

*\*

That I would be in agreement with. Not everyone is capable of running a 2.30,
but there is no harm in aspiring towards that. It may turn out that my athletic ability is only 3.30 or 3 hrs. So I could say that I am going to set a series of targets, starting in June, and working up towards Dublin. What I don't understand is why others are bothered in terms of what goals I set. It's a simple aspiration. I am not saying I am going to do it, I am saying I aspire towards that. And if it turns out to be the case that it actually takes 3 years to achieve the goal, or it's beyond my athletic ability, that doesn't bother me to much. But my simple goal is from couch to 2.30, and is it actually possible. The only harm done is I might get fitter along the way .

walshb

I don't think people are bothered, but really, when you don't educate yourself on what is actually involved, and post fanatsy like times that you want to achieve, well, expect a bit of incredulity!

Mac Cormaic

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Mac Cormaic, it's great to have an inspirational goal, but as others have suggested, time-bounding it in the manner you've suggested pushes it beyond the bounds of being realistic. Every goal should be achievable, otherwise you'll end up dropping it, and we'll see you back here in 2021, with the same comments.

I'd suggest you take a completely different approach and return to basics. Complete a coach25k program, and build some discipline and consistency so that you are capable of training regularly, without injury. Progress to 10k and try to bring your time down to sub 40. Aim for a half marathon in sub 90. Break three hours for the marathon (will likely be 1-2 years from now). Then get under 2:45. At that point you'll have a better understanding of what it takes to go under 2:30. It doesn't mean you can't do it (I'm sure there are some outliers who can go from 10 miles a month to sub 2:30 in 6 months), but the times/results you are posting do not point in that direction for you. You seem to have taken a far more logical and achievable approach in your new training log, so I'd stick with that focus. By all means, keep the vision on a sub 2:30, but recognize that the road to getting there is long, and full of many, many miles and intermediate goals.

I'll check out the coach25k program, although till June I'll most likely just do regular jogs, 3/4 times a week, possibly 1/2 long runs, and some weights, and improve on my diet. When I have a basic pattern of jogging built up I'll tune into an actual training program then. In theory I have worked out how I'll get to the sub 3 hr stage in 6 months, so it's putting that into practice, and considering what other types of training that can be done to compliment that will be the challenge. I don't think anyone (or most) would say, that a person who is some bit athletic could potentially run a sub 3 hr marathon with six months training. It seems that when someone suggests under the 3 hr everyone thinks it's a near impossibility.

tang1

You obviously have some talent, from your log you ran sub 4.20 in Cork last year doing twenty two runs training for it. I know myself no way I would run that time just off 22 runs, as others say you need serious determination and dedication to go sub 3, let alone go sub 2.30. I ran 3.24 in Rotterdam Sunday and hope to run sub 3.15 come Dublin, but I know I have to work harder than some to attain goals, some are more talented athletically than others. I say best of luck to you, I hope it happens for you but be under no illusion it will not be easy.

Mac Cormaic

tang1 wrote: »

You obviously have some talent, from your log you ran sub 4.20 in Cork last year doing twenty two runs training for it. I know myself no way I would run that time just off 22 runs, as others say you need serious determination and dedication to go sub 3, let alone go sub 2.30. I ran 3.24 in Rotterdam Sunday and hope to run sub 3.15 come Dublin, but I know I have to work harder than some to attain goals, some are more talented athletically than others. I say best of luck to you, I hope it happens for you but be under no illusion it will not be easy.

I have a little bit of ability. I ran a 20:27 5k at the start of August last year, (6.35
m/m), but I did keep up running after the Cork marathon, 11 runs in June and 10 runs in July, but almost none of that would have been speed work. Mostly all casual jogs.

I would assume if I really pushed myself I'd be able to run a 6 minute mile by the end of this month, definitely before the end of May, so in part it's more down to regular training, and specifically speed training, tempo runs, and long distant runs. I would assume just losing the excess weight I am carrying would knock about 43 minutes off my present marathon time. And I do think that
getting to a certain level of fitness first is almost as big a challenge than knocking off the minutes from 3.30 downwards.

Krusty_Clown

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

I'll check out the coach25k program, although till June I'll most likely just do regular jogs, 3/4 times a week, possibly 1/2 long runs, and some weights, and improve on my diet. When I have a basic pattern of jogging built up I'll tune into an actual training program then. In theory I have worked out how I'll get to the sub 3 hr stage in 6 months, so it's putting that into practice, and considering what other types of training that can be done to compliment that will be the challenge. I don't think anyone (or most) would say, that a person who is some bit athletic could potentially run a sub 3 hr marathon with six months training. It seems that when someone suggests under the 3 hr everyone thinks it's a near impossibility.

Runners in general are realists. We have to be, because the cold hard facts are presented to us after every race, just as the cold hard facts will be presented to you after Cork marathon in June and Dublin marathon in October. So when you post that you hope to improve your marathon time by a little under two hours in a little over 6 months, it is assumed that you are looking for some kind of feedback and I guess as runners, we feel the need to inject a bit of reality (sometimes in a positive manner, sometimes with some amount of incredulity). Over the years, we've seen a number of fire and forget posters, who tout significant aspirational goals and then disappear, never to be heard from again (or in your case, reappear 5 years later), so you can understand some level of skepticism.

If you were looking for feedback, I think you've got it. Keep the training log going, and posters will monitor your progress and offer advice if it is sought. If you were just declaring your intentions, then there may be better platforms for doing so, like LetsRun, which attracts a lot of these types of conversations. Anyway, will keep an eye on the training log and I hope you prove me wrong and hit that sub 2:30 in October.

El Caballo

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

*\* What I don't understand is why others are bothered in terms of what goals I set.

Well, you did come onto a public forum and just posted that you were going to run a 2:30 marathon without asking for advice so it seems pretty obvious that your intention was to cause a stir.

tipping

This thread reminded me of this guy, who did something like the OP is aspiring to, so possible but extremely unlikely.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/get-inspired/27994073

johnruns

The fact that this thread has gone to 3 pages shows how far the a/r forum has fallen.

IvoryTower

johnruns wrote: »

The fact that this thread has gone to 3 pages shows how far the a/r forum has fallen.

The link on page 1 from thread similar to this is 5 years ago and has 11 pages, so it must be improving

Gavlor

tang1 wrote: »

You obviously have some talent, from your log you ran sub 4.20 in Cork last year doing twenty two runs training for it. I know myself no way I would run that time just off 22 runs.

Ppffft


Based on this theory I'm signing up for cork to get my Olympic standard time!!

average_runner

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

That may be so Chivito. Then it more or less answers the question that it's near impossible to go from the couch to a near elite athlete in six months. But let's see.

Of course it is, otherwise you would have everyone doing it.

Do you think the likes of Mark English will only start to train from scratch for the olympics now?

rom

Why do people honestly care that op thinks this is possible?

walshb

rom wrote: »

Why do people honestly care that op thinks this is possible?

If nobody cared or nobody had an opinion the OP would be wasting his time posting about it. It would be a blank thread!

average_runner

rom wrote: »

Why do people honestly care that op thinks this is possible?

OP wanted a reaction, why post otherwise

dublin runner

This has been quite the embarrassing thread. Deluded or attention seeking has yet to be decided.

How a person in her or her position gets so much traction is beyond me. Hopefully this signals the end of such a spurious thread.

That's not to put off any sub 2.30 runner (me included). A certain sense of realism and dedication is needed before such an attempt is made.

Please let this thread now die the death it deserves.

Mac Cormaic

dublin runner wrote: »

This has been quite the embarrassing thread. Deluded or attention seeking has yet to be decided.

How a person in her or her position gets so much traction is beyond me. Hopefully this signals the end of such a spurious thread.

That's not to put off any sub 2.30 runner (me included). A certain sense of realism and dedication is needed before such an attempt is made.

Please let this thread now die the death it deserves.

How is this a spurious thread?

In my opening remark I said I hoped worse case scenario was I'd beat my pb of 3:35.

There is nothing wrong with having an aspiration. I personally believe with six months training I should get a sub 3, that's if I'm athletically able.

So it's primarily down to firstly reaching that goal, and seeing if I can potentially knock time off a sub 3 in the direction of a 2.30.

Do I believe a sub 2.30 is impossible? No. I believe I might have only a 1% chance of reaching it, but I don't think it's an impossibility.

I have no problem with you dismissing the idea that it is potentially possible, but do it constructively.

If you think that it's only possible to reach a sub 3.30 or 3.15 or something with 6 months training from the couch, just say so.

Mac Cormaic

dublin runner wrote: »

This has been quite the embarrassing thread. Deluded or attention seeking has yet to be decided.

How a person in her or her position gets so much traction is beyond me. Hopefully this signals the end of such a spurious thread.

That's not to put off any sub 2.30 runner (me included). A certain sense of realism and dedication is needed before such an attempt is made.

Please let this thread now die the death it deserves.

How is this a spurious thread?

In my opening remark I said I hoped worse case scenario was I'd beat my pb of 3:35.

There is nothing wrong with having an aspiration. I personally believe with six months training I should get a sub 3, that's if I'm athletically able.

So it's primarily down to firstly reaching that goal, and seeing if I can potentially knock time off a sub 3 in the direction of a 2.30.

Do I believe a sub 2.30 is impossible? No. I believe I might have only a 1% chance of reaching it, but I don't think it's an impossibility.

I have no problem with you dismissing the idea that it is potentially possible, but do it constructively.

If you think that it's only possible to reach a sub 3.30 or 3.15 or something with 6 months training from the couch, just say so.

Gavlor

I can't believe that so many of you are biting here. just because the account is reg'd for a few years doesn't meant that the guy is genuine.

He's a timewaster with nothing better to do than wind up people here.

Remember kids, Don't feed 'em.

Chivito550

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

How is this a spurious thread?

In my opening remark I said I hoped worse case scenario was I'd beat my pb of 3:35.

There is nothing wrong with having an aspiration. I personally believe with six months training I should get a sub 3, that's if I'm athletically able.

So it's primarily down to firstly reaching that goal, and seeing if I can potentially knock time off a sub 3 in the direction of a 2.30.

Do I believe a sub 2.30 is impossible? No. I believe I might have only a 1% chance of reaching it, but I don't think it's an impossibility.

I have no problem with you dismissing the idea that it is potentially possible, but do it constructively.

If you think that it's only possible to reach a sub 3.30 or 3.15 or something with 6 months training from the couch, just say so.

Go out and run a 1 mile time trial on the track tomorrow. When you get nowhere near 5:43 (the pace required to run a sub 2:30 marathon) you will forget quite quickly this "aspirational" goal. Delusional is more like it.

ger664

Whatever your full potential is for the marathon distance. You will not reach it off 6 months training.