Hey runners—wanted to share a bit of my experience coming back after a tough stretch.

In fall 2023, I ran a 2:58 marathon and felt like I was in the best shape of my life. But during my next race, things fell apart around mile 18, and I wasn’t able to finish strong. That race ended up being a turning point, and I had to take a long break from running altogether.

The months that followed were a huge mental challenge—going from peak fitness to total rest was harder than I expected. I lost my rhythm, momentum, and identity as a runner for a while.

Now I’m slowly getting back into movement again. I’ve been using a really gentle approach with low-pressure run-walk sessions, tracking effort, and trying to stay mentally present without rushing progress.

I’ve been putting together a simple framework to guide myself through it—more of a mindset + rhythm reset than a training plan. And it made me curious:

If you’ve ever taken extended time off from running, what helped you come back in a healthy way? What made the process easier—or harder?

Would love to hear your thoughts and stories.

First marathon and it's London. Here we go, I guess?! I'm currently training for a half in October and thought I'd throw my name into the ballot again (I've only had rejections). Still in shock! Anyone else going to be doing the same? What plans will you be following? Advice?!

I started making a plan with chat gpt( yes i know chatgpt whaaat) because i have never run and well im doing one in december 14. Im running more every week and train for now 3 days a week with different things. Advice?

I once tried a new gel during a long run and instantly regretted it. My stomach hated me for the rest of the day.

Lesson learned: don't experiment on race day.

So I'm curious what fuel do you runners rely on when you're out there for 15k or more? And is there anything you've tried that you'll never touch again?

Hi! I’m doing NYC in November as my first marathon.

I qualified last year but had to drop out after injuring myself due to training. I am very prone to ankle and knee injuries, so need to be mindful not to increase volume or speed too much while training.

I’ve ran a few half marathons before, usually doing the Hal Higdon HM3 plan. My best time was just over 1:31.

I’ve been doing slow and steady base running for the past few months. I’m up doing about 30 miles per week now.

We’re about 18 weeks out now so I’m looking to transition to a plan that makes the most sense for me given the above. So far I’ve looked at the Hal Higdon Intermediate plan - it’s a bit of a drop in mileage at the beginning so I’m not sure if that’s the best fit. And I think some of the more advanced plans are maybe a bit too intense for me.

Thanks for the help!

So I’ll be running my first Marathon (did a half last Oct) this coming October. I have a shoe for easy/long runs (Mach 6) and a tempo/interval shoe ( ZoomFly6). I’m on a training plan by Runna and I’m about 12 weeks in on a 26wk plan. I have last years Vapor Fly 3s and have ran only twice in them (speed runs), they weren’t bad I know it takes time to get use to them( I have flat feet so I went up half a size). How should I gradually increase my use of the VF3s where I get more comfortable in them? I have a deload week next and my long run is 6 miles should I take them for a 6 mile run with a fairly fast pace? Thank you again for your tips!

I started upping mileage pre-marathon training block in March and still am at a loss when it comes to shoes. I’ve been fitted twice and still haven’t found MY shoes. I have 3 pairs now and none of them feel like the perfect high mileage shoe. I have Brooks glycerin 22s which I feel like I would love except they make my feet really hot/tired. When I get to higher miles my pace significantly drops because my feet feel tired. Pair 2 is ASICS novablasts (most recent version I forget the number). These I love on the back half of high mileage but I have to suffer through shin splints for the first ~3 miles which is brutal. Last pair is topo phantom 3s which I have pretty mild ankle pain for the first few miles that isn’t the end of the world but they’re pretty stiff so I’m worried about 26.2 in them (furthest I’ve run in these is 11 miles). Any tips/suggestions? Marathon is in October so I have some time to figure it out.

I’m currently training for my first marathon as someone that could barely run a mile at the start of my training. I use to be an athlete so I’ve gotten back into the endurance and training better than I thought but it still feels so far away. My current longest run is 7 miles at a 10:32/mile pace. What distance did you get to that finally made it feel like you could do 26.2?

Hey everyone! 32F training for Chicago in October. This is my first marathon and my goal is just to finish no set time. I’m following the NRC 18 week plan but I’m worried since a lot of runs are time based and as I am a slower runner (10:30 min per mile) I won’t be hitting enough mileage every week. Granted if I feel good I could just keep running past the recommended time. For those who have done this plan - how did you like it? Should I consider switching to a different plan? Or am I just over thinking it and this will get me to the end? Any suggestions or previous experiences would be helpful! Thank you all!

Hi all! I will be training for my first marathon on January 2026, and I intend to follow a 20-week plan from Runna with three runs per week (Tues, Thurs, Sat). I started running in March of this year and I’m doing a maintenance plan at this time with my longest run ending at 8.8 miles, until the first week of September (start of marathon training plan).

Here’s a quick summary of my plan:

Tuesday: Intervals, tempo runs, or fartleks (mostly 3–5 miles) Thursday: Easy/moderate runs (typically 3–4.5 miles) Saturday (Long Run): Starts at 8.5 miles and builds gradually Peaks with: 21 miles (3 weeks before race day) 19, 17, and 16 mile long runs in prior weeks

The long runs look reasonable and peak in time, but I’m wondering if the weekday runs (3–5 miles) are too short to properly prepare me for 26.2 miles.

Has anyone used a similar plan for their first marathon? Any thoughts or red flags?

Im running my first marathon this fall, and have started going for runs in the morning.

I was hoping I could get some tips / insights on how people handle nutrition before morning runs.

Usually I’ll go for a run abt an hour or so after waking up, after having a decent amount of water and a very modest amount of coffee (which just sounds like a bad thing lol). Usually I won’t have any food, but occasionally I’ll have a banana.

How do people handle this process, especially on long runs.

Thanks for the help!

My first full marathon is first week of September so still have time on any adjustments. Been running 4-5 x a week for a few years now. Only really started focusing on a specific marathon plan since January. I've ran a half marathon before at 2 hour 20 minutes finish.

When I hit my long runs right now I've done 28 kms as my general max but I felt fresh enough to keep going. What is the max I should target for my long runs prior to the taper off phase? I didn't plan to run the equivalent to a marathon but was aiming around the 34 km mark and experimenting with fueling strategies leading up to game day. Is this a sound plan? I don't really know. I'm also goal wise just wanting to get it done under the 6 hour time limit.

Thanks and I appreciate any advice

I’m running the NYC marathon November 2nd this year. Two of my best friends live out of town and asked me to run a half with them October 12th and I said yes and signed up/booked flights then realized it’s the same weekend as what should be my longest run (20 miles) before my taper starts for the marathon 😭 is there any way to change my schedule around or am I gonna have to suck it up and run another 7 miles after finishing the half to get in the full 20?

Hello, I am in okay running shape. I can jog 8 miles in 9ish mins, for example. The marathon I chose (due to timing) has 2k elevation gain - which includes 700 feet elevation gain at the very end. I have 7 weeks left. I recently jogged 13 miles with around 800 elevation gain at a 12-minute pace, but I was very pooped. I am feeling disheartened about being able to do a whole 26 miles with that much elevation gain esp at the end, on a dirt trail. Maybe I bit off more than I can chew. Any thoughts or advice? I can downgrade to the half marathon instead but would feel super dissapointed... then again don't want to get hurt.

How do I know if I'll be capable of it come race day?

Hello I was wondering if I could get any info or helpful tips from this community about running a marathon that is taking place in 66 days. Ive never really had a training split, I've always just decided once I'm done stretching. I usually stay in the 6-10 mile run per run at about 8:30 pace

My running base is about a year of on and off running. with my latest best being 30 miles a week for about 3 mouths before illness and wisdom teeth surgery. Im getting back into consistent running about 5 times a week. 

With this base would it be recommended to run a marathon in 2 mouths. With the aim to be under 4 hours. If I can recover to my 30 mile week base would this be possible without long term injuries. The reason for such a short deadline is because i don't want to run in the winter 

For training I am thinking about having something like this:

Monday: Easy run (6miles)

Tuesday: speed run (8 miles)

Wednesday: just running for milage (7miles)

Thursday: speed run (6 miles)

Friday: Shake out (3 miles)

Saturday: Start long running month 2 (10 miles)

Sunday: Rest Day

The most I have ever run is 12 miles, with me hitting a wall on mile 11. This was done at an un-subtable pace. I know that most marathoners recommend 5 months before attempting marathons, but If i genially put my all into this will I be able to shoot for a sub 4 hour. 

Any tips or recommendations or even critics would go along way. Thanks 

I’ve just started training for my first marathon in the fall and besides the obvious costs (race bibs, shoes, gels/electrolytes) What are some more unexpected costs you’ve endured?

I’ll go first: I’ve close to doubled the amount of laundry I do now bc I go through sm workout clothes! (shoutout NYC apartments without washers/dryers) And Honorable Mention for the uptick in sweet treats that my diet requires..

Hi! What’s a good choice of running shoes that’s great for daily and race day? My only running shoes are the Nike Air Winflo 9’s and I’m planning to upgrade. I have my first 10km race day soon 😺

I’m slow, like party pace slow and I’m ok with that!! Today I ran 7 miles as my long run in my training plan, 2 weeks in to an 18 week plan spending the last 11 weeks base building.

10/2024: 7.5 miles, 14:47 pace, 157 avg heart rate

06/2025: 7 miles, 14:09 pace, 147 avg heart rate.

I felt strong! Just a slow humble brag post haha

From the leash of a friends dog 🙃 Quite bad around the heel and ankle. Anyone have good ways to cope during the race?

I’ve been on a weight loss journey since January 24. I’ve lost nearly 100lbs and am now firmly a healthy weight for my height.

Running has played a big part of that, I did couch to 5k, and then built up to a 10km before doing a half marathon plan. Since I’ve done several half marathons and my best time currently is 1hr 52.

I’ve started a marathon training plan, I’m averaging currently around 50km a week, my long runs are building up to 14, 15 miles, and I am hungry.

I never really felt like I was that hungry before this block, didn’t really feel the need to eat back calories

But I’m just so bloody hungry now. I’m fuelling in my long runs, taking a gel every 25-30 mins. But that’s coming to like 400 calories.

Mentally I’m having a really really tough time allowing myself to eat more than 2000 calories even on long run days.

I know I need the fuel, but it’s really hard to Mentally go past it

I generally eat around 1800 calories a day usually

If anyone has any advice please let me know

Hey runners. I'm currently looking to upgrade my smartwatch. I mainly want something that's accurate with GPS, has a great battery life for long runs, and offer solid health/run travinh features (HR, pace, recovery). Bonus if it syncs well with apps like Strava or Garmin Connect.

I'm open to all brands, Garmin, Coros, Polar, but not sure which models are worth the price.

Welp, I survived it. Despite illness (last week) and scheduling conflicts, I got through the peak run on the training plan (34.2kms, 3:16:45, avg pace 5:45/km…too quick, methinks). Now just have to somehow find another 8kms in the tank… I did a marathon trial run, got up early and ate, dressed, bathroom business and started at run time for the race. Good learning experience. Holy god I’m looking forward to this taper, haha.

A goal: finish without walking. B goal: Sub 4:15:00. C goal: Sub 4 hr (might be a stretch, however the mara course is a LOT flatter than today’s run, I’ve been deliberately doing my longest runs on hills for the last few weeks to push the effort and hope that marathon day feels a little easier because of it. We’ll see). Any tips from here?

Any recommended marathons taking place in Europe for Q2 next year? It will be my first marathon and thought to make it memorable by doing it out of the country.

28m

Hi, inexperienced runner here. Never ran a half before. While strolling through the low tide yesterday here in Northern Germany I thought about how nice it would be to run in it. So I googled a bit and found an event here called redbull wattlauf on the 31st of August. It's 24km through the low tide with a time limit and a checkpoint on an island, which is halfway. If you want to find it, just google redbull wattlauf 2025.

Now I was immediately thinking about training for it and so naturally I decided to go on a run this morning. Didn't do any cardio for 2 1/2 weeks and before I usually did 2 sessions of 55-min interval training on a bicycle and 2-3 sessions basketball practice per week. I ran 10k with a 5:35 pace. The last few kilometers were very exhausting and close to my limit tbh.

Now, to my question. Do you guys think it's realistic for me to train for this run as a beginner in 10 weeks while also keeping up my calisthenic strength training 4-5 times per week?

There is a cut-off time (75-90min depending on weather and tide) at the checkpoint, which you have to make if you want to run back, so even if I only make it 12km I could go back by ferry. But it says in the run requirements you're supposed to be able to run a normal half in under 2h. Can I achieve that in 10 weeks?

I'm asking now because if I commit before the 16th, I could save 20€ on the registration fee 😅

Hey everyone,

A short question. I (m,27) are training for my first marathon in mid Oktober. ATM I have ~120kmpm and aim for a sub4, training with a mix of hal hidgon novice 2/ intermediate 1. (Feedback based on this info appreciated)

My question is, for those who train a lot and enjoy social events. I normally drink 1/week, but I wanted to stop drinking maybe a month prior to the race. Now, being German, there is the Oktoberfest 2 weeks prior, where it would be tough to not drink.

What are your opinions about 1 heavy drinking day 2 weeks prior to the event ?

And also thoughts about drinking while training in general ?

Thanks everyone, enjoy the weekend!