The Sub 3:15 Marathon Thread

4 lurkers | 333 watchers
Nov 2023
2:35pm, 2 Nov 2023
3,026 posts
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Big_G
Thanks for the links for recipes etc. I’ll take a look.
Nov 2023
2:40pm, 2 Nov 2023
138 posts
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Charlesvdw
1. I know some runners who don't fuel or hydrate during long runs. They're mostly good runners.

2. I either fuel during long runs (15+ miles) or I hydrate aggressively afterwards. If I don't I get a headache and feel sluggish the rest of the day.
Nov 2023
2:44pm, 2 Nov 2023
22,501 posts
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larkim
My best recovery after long runs (typically Sunday mornings) is to go out for a family stroll about 2pm for 2-3 miles. When I do that I definitely feel fresher on the Monday than when I just sit on the sofa for most of Sunday!
Nov 2023
2:52pm, 2 Nov 2023
66,106 posts
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Velociraptor
larkim, I'm very similar. I discovered early on that I can get away with keeping running and eating separate up to and including marathon distance and I've never got into a pickle that could reasonably be blamed on not fuelling. And I also often wonder if an intra-race gel protocol would "help". But I can't see a specific problem that it might solve. If I could, I would, because I'm perfectly capable of eating gels and keeping them down.
Nov 2023
3:01pm, 2 Nov 2023
48,309 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Up to 20 I can do slow training run with no fuel or water, and I'm not a "good" runner. However, if it was in a 50 - 75 mile week, with some tough sessions later in the week like intervals or tempo, then I would expect to need some extra fuel after and poss in those session to still be able to do them in next days. And water obv also depends on temp - if it's v warm then risk of severe dehydration would be dumb. Finally, if trying to do MP or tempo within a long run then I might fuel those sections. But not a 20 mile plod! :-) G
Nov 2023
3:05pm, 2 Nov 2023
22,502 posts
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larkim
LOL at HG not being a "good "runner!

Spot on with water ref temps though. I'd do my best to avoid heat anyway.
jda
Nov 2023
3:05pm, 2 Nov 2023
15,775 posts
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jda
I don't think I *need* to fuel or drink on long steady runs, but I can end up a couple of kg lighter (I think I've gone over 3 rarely) so assume drinking probably helps. Of course *performance* doesn't really matter in these runs, I'm doing them for the training effect, and I always drink a lot afterwards though sometimes the appetite stays suppressed for a while.

I got a spectacularly low blood pressure measurement once when I did one an hour or two after a sunday long run. Had the doctor wondering if I fainted a lot (answer: no, but sometimes get close after a sunday long run!)
SPR
Nov 2023
3:14pm, 2 Nov 2023
43,164 posts
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SPR
Raptors claws are coming to town you don't fuel in marathons at all?
Nov 2023
3:14pm, 2 Nov 2023
2,627 posts
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riggys99
I used to be able to do long runs without fuel or water. Now because of my diabetes I find I need fuel (carry a few jelly babies on every run just in case ). My last marathon I only had about 30 mils of water plus jelly babies. Mind you it was that wet I probably absorbed 2 litres of rain 😁
Nov 2023
4:18pm, 2 Nov 2023
66,108 posts
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Velociraptor
I have run marathons without taking anything other than water, SPR, although more often I'll have a few sweets, often scavenged from spectators at random points in the race, to keep my mouth entertained. I've never fuelled "properly" in a marathon. Now that running shorts have better pockets I'm more likely to carry a couple of gels round with me.

It probably helps that I'm not tickle-stomached and can go on eating and drinking until quite close to the start of the race.

About This Thread

Maintained by Windsor Wool
For those who want to go sub 3.15 in a marathon and/or those that have already done it and want to give advice. Share your journey or help someone else's here.

2024 achievers:
Akie: 3:15 @ Rotterdam
allmatthew: 3:09 @ Manchester
Bowman: 3:01 @ Boras
Mark J: 3:12 @ Christchurch NZ
PJH92: 3:13 @ London

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