Sub-4hr marathon support and celebration thread
181 watchers
Apr 2024
9:48pm, 21 Apr 2024
23,843 posts
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larkim
3:56:02, super delighted for mrs Larkim. She was on for a sub 3:55 which might have been GFA, but stomach cramps at 25th mile did for that. She's delighted too though! She ran a better race than I did by some way! |
Apr 2024
9:54pm, 21 Apr 2024
946 posts
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Solo
That is brilliant news! Congratulations to the new sub 4 lady 🎉
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May 2024
9:39am, 13 May 2024
68,896 posts
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Velociraptor
Welcoming Wezza passing through on the way to sub-3. Agree with posters on that thread, it's a real stretch target, but the journey should be full of small triumphs.
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May 2024
9:55am, 13 May 2024
3,713 posts
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Bowman 🇸🇪
Welcome Wezza, Btw, I haven't crossed the finish line on my last marathon still, so that wont be a sub 4 h for sure 😂 |
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May 2024
10:30am, 13 May 2024
68,897 posts
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Velociraptor
I didn't get close to sub-4 at Belfast, but it wasn't a sub-4 attempt. Not writing off the possibility of having a go this year if my training predicts that it's possible. You'll get that sub-3 next time, Bowman 
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May 2024
1:06pm, 13 May 2024
416 posts
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theOtherRichard
I just managed to sneak under 4 last week at MK, despite my regular visitor, hamstring cramp, trying to stop me at about 37km I took Velociraptor's advice and let The Boy run his own race at the Great Birmingham Half on the Sunday and restricted myself to spectating duties. [Having tiptoed around each other for the past 4 or 5 months, it turns out that he would have liked me to run with him, but didn't want to ruin my marathon. I would have liked to run it with him too, but didn't want to compromise his pace. So, neither got what we wanted there, but both succeeded in our race goals. And the 1:41:xx that he ran in that heat would probably have nearly killed me.] So, my first sub-4 at my 13th MK and my second in succession. It was very hard work, though - took as much mental strength as physical. If I want to go any faster I need to train much smarter. |
May 2024
2:37pm, 13 May 2024
1,336 posts
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CasB
Congratulations theOtherRichard! And welcome Wezza. In the nicest possible way, I hope your stay with us is relatively brief and you can head off to speedier threads before too long I would just say that my sub-4 took me three goes - the first was definitely a long shot, the second was more possible given fair wind and a decent amount of luck (but this is a marathon after all) and the successful third one happened when my training volume and especially pace suggested it was a genuine possibility and I really thought I could do it unless something went badly wrong. But each attempt gave me more miles in the legs and more knowledge for the next one, so if it doesn't happen on the first go, definitely keep trying! |
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May 2024
3:36pm, 13 May 2024
417 posts
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theOtherRichard
Thanks CasB And good luck, Wezza. I'd echo CasB's words - it took me 15 attempts* and 12 years to go sub-4, but the past few years have seen quite nice progress knocking 5 minutes off here, 10 minutes off there. This year's was only a minute or two off being my fifth consecutive PB. I can't see me ever getting near 3 hours, but I'll probably have a bash at 3:50 or 3:55 next year. * not all attempts were genuine PB attempts as some of my 'training' left a little to be desired. |
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May 2024
3:50pm, 13 May 2024
68,899 posts
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Velociraptor
Well done, theOtherRichard 🏆And good work by the boy too. You'll both get faster.
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May 2024
4:46pm, 13 May 2024
4,261 posts
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tipsku
Welcome to Wezza and well done to theOtherRichard and your boy. 1:41 is a great HM time. Well done on your sub 4 in MK. It is not a very fast course; I attempted a sub 3:30 there once and finished in 3:36, had calf cramps in the final 4 miles when the constant ups and downs on bridges and underpasses got to me. It took me 2 attempts to get sub 4, 2 more for sub 3:45 and then 7 attempts for sub 3:30 over 7 years. The more challenging the goal, the longer it takes to figure out all the details to your individual race plan that work for you. |
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