The sub 3.30 marathon thread

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Feb 2023
9:43pm, 20 Feb 2023
2,478 posts
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tipsku
This weekend, I've signed up for the marathon through my club. They will do the collective registration at the end of March. I haven't put a time goal on the internal registration form yet; I'll wait a few more weeks until I'm going to commit. If I sign up for 3:29 or faster, I'll be in block B at the start. If I sign up for 3:30-3:59, it's C for me. Some of my club mates are probably going to be the 3:29 pacers. So no pressure at all, if I add this time to the registration form 😅

Training is going well; based on my MP data, I'm currently in form for a 3:40 halfway through the plan. That's a neat improvement from about 3:50-55 when I started it (MP was around 8:45-55 then, if I recall right, now I'm in the range of 8:15-8:25). Let's see how the next 6-7 weeks turn out.
Feb 2023
6:56am, 21 Feb 2023
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ptr_rnr
Sounds good Tip!!
Feb 2023
8:46am, 21 Feb 2023
4,466 posts
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Dillthedog
I'd be tempted to go for the faster pen Tipsku. It will hopefully give you a clearer run, and even if you don't quite make it, you aren't going to be far off.
Feb 2023
3:31pm, 22 Feb 2023
2,329 posts
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SailorSteve
Getting into the meat of my training block now.

50+ for the last 3 weeks, with a couple of long runs per week; mainly sunny weather with light breezes, thoroughly enjoyable.

There’s a free 300m running track close to where I’m staying which, by way of a change, I’m planning to use for an inexactly-timed, pyramid interval session tomorrow.

I just need to settle on a means of keeping ‘track’ of which lap I’m on. I’m favouring the idea of arranging stones/pebbles on the steps at one end. Apparently Sibelius used a similar method on his daily constitutional garden walk.
Feb 2023
7:38pm, 22 Feb 2023
5,755 posts
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Oscar the Grouch
Sounds good, Steve. Funny, I immediately thought stones...

I had an encouraging 11 miler today. 500m of climb and still came in at a tick over 9 minute miles.
Feb 2023
8:20pm, 22 Feb 2023
2,330 posts
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SailorSteve
Splendid work Oscar👊
Feb 2023
10:09pm, 22 Feb 2023
2,501 posts
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tipsku
Great progress, Steve and Oscar!

I agree, DTD, I think I want to start in the faster block in the back - I just hope that people there don't shoot off like crazy. I have to be disciplined so that I don't get carried away.
Feb 2023
9:29am, 23 Feb 2023
1,136 posts
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ptr_rnr
I have to be disciplined so that I don't get carried away.


Pacing pacing pacing!! It's hard at the start of a marathon when you feel good and often there's lots of people going out too hard.
Feb 2023
9:32am, 23 Feb 2023
20,321 posts
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larkim
Will they have pacers tipsku? If you're in 3:40 shape and that's what you'd like to target, I might actually start deliberately behind a 3:45 pacing group (e.g. give them a 30s head start as they go under the start gantry) and use them as a roadblock for the first 5km or so. If you catch them at about 5km and then go through them, you'll be bang on 3:40 pace and nicely settled into a rhythm. Depends how crowded the route is though. And waiting 30s for them to get ahead of you is a nervous wait when you just can't wait to get going!!

Of course, you may be extremely metronomic with your pacing so you might not need something like that as a suggestion!!
Feb 2023
3:13pm, 23 Feb 2023
4,480 posts
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Dillthedog
…Plus you are relying on the pacer being competent, which isn’t always guaranteed! I think Tipsku is perfectly capable of running her own race to her own pace, without relying on others. I’d say, trust in yourself, you’ve got this, at whatever pace you decide to run at.

About This Thread

Pop a message in the thread with an upcoming attempt and I'll add you to the side bar :)

2025 Sub 3:30 Attempts:

April 13th - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Hills of Death (HOD)
April 13th - Christchurch, New Zealand - Mark J
April 27th - London - Aurburnette
April 27th - London - SailorSteve
April 27th - London - Solo
Oct 12th - Chicago, USA - Mark J
Oct 19th - York - Riggys99

-----------------------
2024 Hall of Fame:

SailorSteve - London - 3:17:08 & Edinburgh - 03:24:09
auburnette - London - 3:28:47 & Valencia - 3:20:50
Tipsku - Leipzig, Germany - 3:27:26
Mark J - Christchurch, NZ - 3:12:24
MissingPhoenix - Chester - 03:28:40

Related Threads

  • goals
  • marathon
  • sub
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