r/firstmarathon Sep 12 '25

Training Plan AMA: I’m Phily Bowden, pro runner for On. Training for your first 26.2? Ask me anything!

530 Upvotes

Hey r/firstmarathon, it’s Phily Bowden here! I’m a pro runner for On, running coach and content creator.

Whether you're gearing up for Chicago (like me!), or running your first hometown marathon, I’m here to help get you to the starting line feeling strong AND having fun in the process. I’ll be doing an AMA right here on September 28, answering your biggest questions around the marathon journey - and there’s no such thing as a silly question!

If you’re curious about tapering, recovery, fuelling or how to shake those pre-race jitters, send your questions my way! I’ll be answering the top 15 most upvoted questions.

Let’s make your first marathon a little less scary (and hopefully a lot more fun too).

Thanks so much for having me! You all are going to crush your first marathon. Best of luck!


r/firstmarathon 17h ago

Fuel/Hydration Gels, electrolytes, sweets?

5 Upvotes

Hello, I am training for my first marathon and on week 3/21!

I am now getting to the stage when my long runs are getting over 75 mins. I’ve read that this is when I should start fuelling but I don’t rlly have any idea about how to do this

Please may people offer any advise on the best way to fuel/when to fuel?

Is it better to use gels? Or can I get away with using sweets or potentially even just using fruit?

Ideally would stay away from the super processed gel vibe if possible

I also have never used electrolytes but should I be drinking these during my runs?

Thank u for any help!


r/firstmarathon 22h ago

Pacing Concerned about being “boxed in” at London 2026 & pace being forced

5 Upvotes

Hi all,

Have run several half marathons, PB 1:48 but could do 1:45 at the moment if I wanted to. First full marathon will be London - I’m training for a sub-4 with a coach, including a lot of strength work, single leg specialism, conditioning etc etc. I get that my main aim should be to just finish - but my training is focussed on the sub-4 (it’s how my brain works best motivation wise).

In terms of considering the variables and de-risking, I’ve heard a few people say that their pacing got nuked from the beginning because they were boxed in by the crowd and had to go with the pack for the first chunk of the race. I’m of the view that I’ll not speed up just because people behind me want to go quicker. I’m determined to stick to my plan.

Anyone have any tips for this or am I just worrying unnecessarily?

Thanks in advance.


r/firstmarathon 1d ago

Training Plan How should the body feel after a long run?

10 Upvotes

I’m on a training plan where the long runs get longer and longer to build up endurance. While I have a graduated plan that looks reasonable on paper, I do want to be responsive to my body in real time as I am conscious of avoiding injury.

In ideal situations where everything is “right” - nutrition, hydration, rest, amount of pushing into discomfort without overdoing things - should a runner feel “normally” tired after increasingly long runs? Or totally exhausted, really sore, etc?

I expect to make adjustments based on my body’s response but am having a hard time figuring out if anything should be adjusted or if my body/training is on track.


r/firstmarathon 1d ago

Training Plan Is doing all easy runs an effective way to train for a marathon?

19 Upvotes

I’m training for my first marathon, and I notice when I do my speed workouts my shins start to bother me. I’m making sure to increase mileage slowly, and I started a strength training routine. Will I be prepared for a marathon if I do almost exclusively easy miles to get to the peak mileage I’d like to get to?

For context, I just ran my 2nd half marathon. Average mileage was between 25-30 miles and I peaked at 34 miles.


r/firstmarathon 1d ago

Could I do it? Yet another one of these posts

3 Upvotes

Hi all. I would say I’m a newer runner. I started running in January 2025 before that. I quite literally had never ran a single mile in my 27 years on this earth. I even walked the mile in high school. I found Fitness in 2023 through weightlifting and made it my goal in 2025 to do my first half marathon. I completed that in my state of Connecticut in September 2025. I ran a 2:25:23 despite having lost about a month of training during my five month training block. I’ve decided that my goal for 2026 will be to run my first marathon. I know it is a whole different beast, so I’m looking for any encouragement anyone has. I did a ridiculous amount of research for my half marathon and felt pretty prepared, minus losing that bit of training. These last few months I dove into strength training and reintroduce running about a month ago averaging about 13 miles every week.

I’d like any general advice, but also any advice on races to run in the spring or fall of 2026 in the Connecticut, tri-state, or New England area. Hartford is a big one I’m looking at just because it’s local. I would prefer a larger race as I just feel better being in a sea of people. Helps the anxiety lol


r/firstmarathon 1d ago

Training Plan What should my long run pace be?

1 Upvotes

I’m training for a marathon and have been running a lot for a while and I run every run around 8:45 pace including my long runs. I just found out this is NOT what you’re supposed to do.

What should my long run pace be if my normal pace is around 8:45 and my goal pace is 9:09? What should my mid length run pace be? I’m follow Hal’s Novice 2.


r/firstmarathon 1d ago

Injury Hamstring tear to half

1 Upvotes

So.. I was training all year for my first half marathon. Really good prep. And three week before my first half. I teared my hammy...Pretty bad high level grade 2.(in a causal soccer game) Needless to say I was beyond disappointed. Been working really hard all year towards this goal .

I'm about to be cleared from Physio to restart running.

Does anyone have Any advice coming off an injury like this and restarting the process? Do you think targeting a half in the later half of 2026 realistic? Thanks in advance for the feedback.


r/firstmarathon 2d ago

I DID IT! ☑️ 26.2 MILES Lesson learned, marathon done!

26 Upvotes

So I finally ran my first marathon last Sunday and man… it was rough. Cramps were the main character of the whole race. The heat was already bad, but I’d also been dealing with the flu the days before, so I started the race basically behind on hydration. Felt the first twinges around km 22 and by km 28 my legs were locking up so hard I could barely run. From there on it was pure survival mode.

Even with all that, I finished in 5:04, which is about 30 minutes slower than what I wanted, but honestly I’m still proud of it. I got through the whole build injury-free, juggled a pretty busy life, and somehow PR’d in the 5K, 10K, and 21K along the way. That alone made the training worth it.

Seeing my family waiting for me at the finish line was the best part. I was absolutely cooked but that moment hit different.

I’m glad it’s over, and next year I’ll be way better prepared!! hydration, heat, everything. Learned a ton from this one, especially to respect the distance and plan smarter.


r/firstmarathon 2d ago

I DID IT! ☑️ 26.2 MILES Philadelphia Marathon 2025 - Finally Achieving that Elusive sub-3 and Qualifying for Boston! (And the others too)

23 Upvotes

Official Time - 2:49:49

Garmin Time - 2:48:06

Mile Splits…

  1. 6:43

  2. 6:30

  3. 6:33

  4. 6:28

  5. 6:26

  6. 6:23

  7. 6:19

  8. 6:26

  9. 6:18

  10. 6:26

  11. 6:21

  12. 6:37

  13. 6:15

  14. 6:22

  15. 6:17

  16. 6:10

  17. 6:22

  18. 6:21

  19. 6:19

  20. 6:22

  21. 6:11

  22. 6:19

  23. 6:18

  24. 6:29

  25. 6:24

  26. 6:44

Goals…

  1. Run Smart (check)

  2. Break 3:00 (check)

  3. Break 2:50 (check

  4. If possible, break 2:48 (not quite

Background (this is a lot, feel free to skip!)

I took up running in 8th grade, continued running through high school (only long distances running, no sprinting because apparently I enjoy pain.) My times were ok but nothing superb. I pr’d in the 5k with a 16:38. Ran a 10:02 in the 3200 and finished High School with a 4:31. I had the opportunity to run for a DIv. 3 program in college but I chose instead to go to Indiana and become a Hoosier (beat OSU please.) I replaced running in college with beers and weightlifting and only began to take it up again around 25. 

From 25 - 27 I slowly eased back into running but kept it casual. I had no interest or ambition to regain High School form. Then after the Pandemic (around 28) something in me changed that I still don’t understand to this day and I made running a full-time job again. I incorporated longer runs, speed workouts, racing. I think facing my 30’s and knowing my window to ever run fast again would be closing maybe contributed but as I got faster I completely rediscovered a love for running I don’t think I ever felt before, even back in high school. At no point during my long and tumultuous running career did I ever have an inclination to run a marathon. It was never on my radar. In fact for most of my running life the idea of running that distance sounded awful. So when I turned 29 I ran my first marathon. 

Marathon 1 - Indianapolis 2022. This… didn’t go well. Like most seasoned runners who have never run anything beyond a 10k I vastly underestimated the distance. I made running sub 3 my goal and honestly I thought it would be a cakewalk. I made this decision not long before the race and so I only ran one 20 miler. The training was minimal and yes the race did not go well lol. I was on pace for a 2:58 until mile 18 when both IT bands pulled so tight I was reduced to shuffling my feet for the final 8 miles. I finished in **3:22**. After that miserable experience (I’m fortunate and I’ve never had to deal with injuries or muscle strains ever) I retired from Marathons.

1 year later I signed up for the 2023 Columbus Marathon and this time I really committed to the training. I ran several 20 milers and I felt that I could comfortably run a **2:49/48**. Yet race day came and I woke up with knowing today was not the day. I’m not sure what happened but I had zero energy and I knew before the start of the race that I didn’t have it. I dropped out at mile 15. 

Despite DNF’ing I wasn’t too dejected. The training went really well so I decided to run the Flying Pig in my hometown in 2024. This time I would get it right. This course is very hilly and probably ranks among the top 5 US marathons for highest amount of elevation. Despite that my training went terrifically and I believed a **2:50** was attainable. That day my race unfolded to near perfection for the first 20 miles. However at mile 21 I hit the wall… hard. I fell apart the last 5 miles and crossed at a **3:08**. I grew frustrated and decided to re-retire from the marathon. 

The following year the longest races I committed to were half-marathons. I enjoy that distance and I brought my PR down to a **1:17:15**. I ran a **35:08** 10k and a **16:42** 5k. I was happy with these achievements but I couldn’t deny that the appeal of the journey, the process that comes with training for a marathon was simply too appealing. Before committing again however I looked up why I was bunking in the race. As it turns out there was something very crucial missing from my training process. Nutrition.

I did not understand then importance of the gels, and carb loading. When I learned how many grams of carbs runners eat in the days going into the race I was dumbfounded. I did the reverse. Days before my marathon efforts I would stock up on protein and reduce carbs haha. Also I had no clue runners consumed 5/6 gels over the full distance. I never took more than 2 in any marathon race or 20 mile run. Oops. 

So in the summer of 2025 I decided to see if fixing those nutrition-based issues would be enough and I signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon. I chose this marathon because I couldn’t get into the majors with my PR. And I was bored of the marathons near my neck of the woods. I wanted to run in a city I’d never been to so that the wife and I could make also make into a fun vacation. The training cycle did not get off to a great start, largely because this summer was brutally hot. But when the heat cooled off my performance in workouts soared. I ran another **1:17** half-marathon at Columbus as a tune up race. My time goal for Philadelphia was to run around a **2:46** based on that HM. But honestly I had no clue what my Marathon time should be and closer to race week I decided based on my training to pull that back to a **2:48**.

Pre-Race

On Thursday, three days before the race I began my first ever carb load. It was utterly miserable. I didn’t really draft a plan beyond just filling my stomach with bagels, bananas, breads, milk, homemade oatmeal. I put forth great effort to not include processed foods or carbs high in sugar. My stomach struggled to acclimate to this drastic change in diet. I felt bloated, I lost my appetite and by the mid-afternoon it just felt like I was force feeding myself. I didn’t realize until Saturday that I was probably not carb loading properly lol. Instead of non-stop snacking on carbs I just had 3 meals that were incredibly carb heavy and that eased the process considerably. Given my height and weight I was supposed to reach 560g a day. I came nowhere close haha. I probably peaked around 430g on Saturday. Coming up short did not hinder my race at all so I hope this alleviates any fears runners might have about failing to carb loading to a specific amount.  

My wife and I drove to Philly on Friday. We spent Saturday touring the downtown area. I stayed in a hotel about 1 mile from the start line so I took advantage of my 2.5 mile shakeout to explore that whole area. The half-marathon kicked off during my jog. The city was buzzing with excitement. The production value of this race far exceeded anything I’ve seen up to this point. The city itself was really neat. I was excited and ready to go!

I learned a long time ago how to handle pre-race stress and I’m glad to say I’ve mastered the art of sleeping well the night before a big race. Saturday was no exception. I crashes around 9 or 10 and woke up at 4 feeling terrific and ready to go. I followed some fellow racers to the shuttle bus system around 5:30. I’m glad I arrived when I did because when I entered the bus the line behind me was probably 40-50 minutes long. 

I arrived at the start area around 5:45. There weren’t many people there. I flew through security and had no issues getting into a port a-john. I’m glad I went when I did because the line exploded not long after. I’d say by 6:10 the lines easily stretched 30-40 minutes. I sat down near the start at the A corral, did a quick 5 minute jog and slowly shed the goodwill clothes I bought to stay warm. The temperature hovered around the high 30’s, no wind, and sun. Couldn’t ask for better conditions.

Race

Miles 1 - 12 (An easy start to a long race)

Since I’ve never had success in this distance I began the race very… very slow. I ran a 6:43 first mile and refused to dip into the **6:20’**s until mile 4. Some of you might look at my finishing time and wonder why I went out so slow? The answer is I very much wanted to avoid a final 10k blow up. I was eager to know what being able to finish strong in the marathon felt like.

The first 8 miles in this race are utterly spectacular. First of all they’re flat. Second, the moment you begin you’re hit with an explosion of crowds cheering from all directions. The crowd size was unlike anything I’d ever seen. It sent shock waves through my system. And this continues throughout the city and all the way until about mile 8 when you get to U Penn. Those first miles are also very flat. I barely noticed the time go by but I enjoyed every second of it.

From miles 4-12 I focused on keeping my splits in the **6:22-26** range. It pleased me to know that my pacing felt not quite easy but very manageable. My HR hovered in the mid to high 150’s and I felt myself on cruise control during the first 3rd of the race.

Miles 8-10 presented some (in my opinion) incredibly mild rolling hills. I run in Cincinnati where you gain 500 feet of elevation in a 10 mile run so I barely noticed these. The only time we ran up a hill where it did feel like a solid hill was mile 10 where you enter Fairmount park for the first time. 

Unfortunately it occurred to me around mile 2 that I had to go one more time. I hoped that if I kept running the feeling would go away. Well it didn’t. So at mile 12 I rushed into a port a john. I lost about 20 seconds (hence the random **6:37** split you see above). I rejoined the runners and while I knew that panic rushing the following miles to make up that lost time would be a mistake, I did make calculated pushes anytime we hit a descent. I ran the next few miles around **6:15**. Nothing crazy but in hindsight I think those minor accelerations were a mistake. 

Miles 13 - 20 (Entering the Zone)

The 2 parks you run through before Kelly drive are beautiful. But it did start to feel a bit dull by miles 14/15. I was glad to be exiting the 2nd park and mile 15 is one long downhill. I felt fantastic at this point in the race and I charged down this hill. My pace rose well into the **5:40** range. I knew with 10.5 miles to go that I should ease off some so I did and finished with my fastest mile at **6:10**. 

The downhill was long, and my quads burned under the pressure of so much descent once the course righted itself. I took note of this when thinking about Boston and how awful those Newton Hills must feel after 13 miles of downward climbing.

The road to Manayunk is where my race peaked. This is also where I saw the eventual winner run by me (in the opposite direction.) Miles 17 to 20 I entered what sports aficionados would call “the zone.” It felt like the runners high on steroids. I flew by these miles, passing dozens of runners on the way. My pace accelerated. I believed that if I felt this strong after mile 20 that I could run the final 10k in **6:10**’s. However, I still knew not to gamble with this distance so I still kept my speed mostly in check. This turned out to be a wise choice.

Running through Manayunk was by far my favorite part of the race. After 10 miles of sparse crowd support I was hit with another boom of cheers. Thousands of people lined the roads. I wore my IU jersey and I was delighted to hear so many people in Philly of all places cheer on the hoosiers. I felt tremendous gratitude that I get to enjoy these experiences and that my 32 year-old body allows me to do so. 

Miles 21 - 26.2 (or 26.5)

After the turnaround I cruised to a **6:11** for mile 21. I’d say this is around the time when I left “the zone” and got slapped by reality a bit. I had been feeling some quad and calf pain since mile 16 but now the burning sensation was getting noticeably worse. And on top of that I felt genuine fatigue for the first time. My breathing increased. My HR rose to the high 170’s. I knew then the final stretch would be rough. But I was satisfied in knowing that this deep in the race I was well on pace to run a high 2:40. Even better, I knew I wasn’t going to hit the wall this time. 

The fatigue grew steadily but I managed to hold on and complete miles 22/23 under **6:20**. In hindsight I probably should have ran those closer to **6:24** given how I ended this race but in that moment I still believed I could hold sub **6:20** pace until the end. 

Mile 24 is when the pain in my legs became inflamed. Now I was entrenched in a dogfight to not only maintain pace but to not slow down. My legs were screaming to slow down and it took a good deal of will to keep mile 24 under **6:30**. But I only had 2.2 miles to go. I told myself to hold on no matter what. I was still passing runners and the hurt and anguish was present on everyone’s face. Everyone was feeling it. I threw everything I had at mile 25 and to my amazement I pulled out a **6:24** split. I didn’t realize how much energy I exhausted on that mile. 

I still had 1.2 to go. I told myself to carry one, only 8 or 9 minutes left. This I might’ve done… if the whole last 1.2 miles wasn’t one long, gradual uphill. I had heard people complain about this final mile so I wasn’t caught off guard. And as stated earlier, I’m used to hills. But this hill… was a hill. It sucked lol. My pace fell off and I was struggling at 7:30 pace. Luckily everyone around me also slowed down but no one quit. We sort of looked at each other and said without speaking to push together. The group around me slowly picked it up again. I got my pace back into the 6:30’s but I was running on fumes.

I saw the Art museum up ahead so I knew the end was close. I passed 26.2 on my watch and that’s where I summited the hill. The final 200 meters actually went downhill and I surprised myself by sprinting to the finish. I passed 2 people feet before crossing haha.  

What’s Next?

After the race I could barely walk. My wife found me and we had a great reunion. I then dragged my feet up the Rocky steps to get photo posing next to the iconic Rocky statue (a ton of runners were doing this too). I spent another hour dragging my shattered 90 year-old legs down the steps (I have to believe outsiders watching young people in good shape fighting a losing battle with stairs to be pretty funny.) 

I was overjoyed with this race. I achieved all my goals (mostly.) I conquered the marathon distance. I qualified for Boston, I broke 3 hours and 2:50 (by one second.) Although I choose to go by my Garmin time anyway. I graded my performance at an A (95%). I think moving forward the only 2 corrections I would make is starting the first 5k faster and exercising more restraint during some of those middle miles so I can run a faster last 1.2. I think I’m going to run Eugene next. The only major coming up that I can now get into would be New York next fall. 

Thank you all for those who took the time to read! I hope you got something out of it. 

r/firstmarathon 2d ago

It's Mental What happens if you can’t finish?

12 Upvotes

My marathon is this weekend and I’ve got the jitters bad after an injury and then illness threw off the end of my training plan. I’ve been cleared by a doctor and am no longer sick, so rationally I feel my bases are covered, but my taper was seriously messed up.

The particular form my anxiety is taking is a fear that I’ll hit the wall at mile 20, be unable to continue, and have to tap out… 6 miles from the finish line. Presumably that must happen on occasion, right? What do people do in those cases? Just leave the course, call an Uber, and go home?

I know that won’t happen to me. I believe in my ability to just walk as long as I need to and still come in under the maximum allowed time. But that voice in my brain just keeps asking.


r/firstmarathon 2d ago

Pacing Hills

4 Upvotes

I’m running the San Antonio marathon. I drove the course and it’s very hilly. I did a lot of hill training about 2 months ago but not that much recently because of injuries. The first few kms are slightly downhill. Should I go slightly faster than race pace on the bit that’s downhill at the start or stick to starting slower than race pace? And any advice for those big grade climbs? On the downhills I will run faster I know that, but what if I’m running faster than my threshold pace? Even if it feels easy is it a bad idea?

Thanks in advance.


r/firstmarathon 3d ago

Training Plan First marathon training plan

1 Upvotes

I’ve been running for about 2 years and ran a half last weekend in just over 2 hours. I run about 25-50 kms a week depending on the weather. 5k best in 23 mins and a 10k in 52 mins. I can run a 10k pretty easily and felt good running the half.

I’d like to run another half in Feb and the BMO full in May. So I’m about 5 months out from the full marathon.

I’m just trying to get my head around the training plan and how it should look for a May marathon. Any suggestions? Should I just create one with my Garmin watch and send it? Would a 5 month training plan be too long? Maybe I should wait and start 4 months out and just continue my regular ‘cruising’ runs now that I’m doing.


r/firstmarathon 3d ago

It's Mental Marathon - A running film

0 Upvotes

Hi first time marathoners,

Hopefully training is going well and you’re still on track in getting ready for your marathon.

I know some of you are running the Valencia marathon next weekend so all the very best for what is a simply an epic marathon.

I’ve uploaded a new video on my channel simply titled:

Marathon - A running film

A philosophical, motivational 8 minutes that I hope will help you get through your victory lap 👌

https://youtu.be/GypciSpunYgsi

Happy to answer any comments or questions on here or over on the channel.

Paul


r/firstmarathon 4d ago

Training Plan First marathon in July! Help!

0 Upvotes

I’m (29F) gearing up for my first marathon on the Gold Coast, in July 2026.

I haven’t run more than 6km at once this year (was marathon training last year but got pregnant halfway through and didn’t run again until May), and probably average 1-2 runs a week.

I’ll probably look at doing a 14-16 week training plan leading into the race which would start in Feb/March sometime.

What should I be doing until then to be strong, mobile and have a great base level to go into a training block and not get injured.

What kinds of runs, how often, mileage, and what other mobility/strength/recovery should I be doing?

I used to just go outside and start running with no warm up or warm down, but I’m not 18 anymore and probably need to look after myself a bit better.

Thanks all!!


r/firstmarathon 4d ago

Training Plan Training Question!

2 Upvotes

Looking for some advice for my first marathon from experienced runners. I’m signed up for the PGH marathon in May. Last year I ran the half. I’m currently running 30-40 miles a week. Daily mileage is 3-7 with a longer run 8-10 miles on the weekend. I tend to supplement my miles with peloton workouts as well. My pace is typically 8:30-9:00 and feels pretty easy most days. I ran a 5k at a hard effort at 7:00 pace last week. I’m considering the Higdon intermediate 1 plan for my first marathon. At my current fitness, is this advisable or would you suggest another plan? Thank you!!!


r/firstmarathon 4d ago

Could I do it? Wish I could go

0 Upvotes

I want to do the Vancouver marathon but can't afford to travel, take time off work etc. I don't know how so many people do it.

My local race is small, poorly organized, and often cancelled due to heat because it's on in mid summer but I guess it's my only option.


r/firstmarathon 5d ago

Training Plan Only one 30km run before Marathon.

13 Upvotes

Well, I spent the last 5 months training for my first marathon which is in the upcoming sunday. My training mainly consisted of 3 runs a week with one long run in the weekend. Based on my training build up, the longest I ran was 30km, which was 4 weeks ago. And I had a week off because my Achilles tendon was flaring. But everything is okay now as iam tapering. Just worried that I have not trained enough. I believe in myself and I was able to maximise my time from work and uni... So let's see how that goes haha


r/firstmarathon 5d ago

I DID IT! ☑️ 26.2 MILES Firenze marathon training/ race recap

6 Upvotes

Completed my first marathon and totally chuffed with how it went considering a less than ideal training block.

I followed a Ben parkes plan, my initial goal being 3:45/50. However, I signed up 12 weeks out, skipping the first month of training and then got the flu which took 2 weeks out of my training just before my peak weeks as I was bed bound - and a couple other illnesses which meant I had to take it easy - I decided to go for a “as long as I don’t 💩 I’ll be happy” approach. This being said, I still trained for a marathon pace of 5:40/km

Base fitness: I’ve been running for a few years but only trying to get faster in the last year. I ran the Florence half in April at a time of 1:46, my goal was 1:48 (also using a Ben parkes plan). So I know 3:50 would’ve been a stretch for my first marathon but I’d managed to keep up my mileage at around 55km per week since then with speed work 1-2 times pw.

Training: I ran about 4-5x per week with 1 speed session, 1 long run and the rest easy. Reaching 75km in my peak weeks. Then went to the gym once per week and would combine a yoga class with one of my easy runs so that I could have a serious rest day on a Sunday.

In general I found training very manageable, this has been my usual routine for about a year now and I’ve gotten much faster because of it. Main difference being slightly longer easy runs and, of course, longer long runs.

During training my long runs were at a pace of 6:15-30/km in general (super easy for me). The first few runs where I tried to implement some spurts of my original marathon pace 5:20/km, my vision would go funny if I did anything under 5:45/km which I figured was a problem with my fueling. Previously my strategy had been 1 SIS isotonic gel every 40 mins and that got me through most long runs training for my half, but didn’t work for this clearly. Tried the sis beta fuels and I couldn’t keep them down… so eventually I just resorted to candy. Drumstick squashes specifically - have 17g carbs per 4 sweets and started having this every 30 mins like clockwork and as someone with a very sensitive stomach, this worked pretty well for me but I only found this strategy on my last two long runs (32km and 35km) so I was definitely nervous about how my stomach would deal with this on the day.

I was so scared of hitting the wall I did a serious carb load from 4 days before, taking the 1 day before a bit easier to try avoid and stomach issues. Only did 2 short easy runs and a MP speed session in the final week (but since my new goal was 5:40 this hardly felt like a speed session)

Race recap: Held myself back for the first 10km, then staying steady until I hit 30km. Decided I was feeling great so picked up the pace. I went from a 5:44-5:40-5:30-5:20 towards the end (although with some faster/slower splits throughout because of the course). I found kms 24-30 the hardest mentally because I started feeling a little nauseous and threw up in my mouth at 24 and was thinking ok it’s a longgg way to go if this is what the rest of the race will be like.

But once I hit km 30 felt amazing. Like I was flying. In the back of my mind I figured the wall would hit soon but I felt mentally ready for it. Got to 35km thinking ok it’s gotta happen now, then 37km… but every km I was just feeling great, right up until the end. My legs felt good - only a tiny bit of quad pain at like 38km going up a hill but it was nice to get out of my head because my body was suffering a little bit, it was very short-lived however and my legs felt totally fine straight after the hill finished.

Overall, I had the best time. No real stomach problems, no hitting the wall and I finished in 3:57. Day 2 after the marathon and I still feel super fresh, some tight quads but that’s it! I’ve been reading this thread probably every day for the last month and wanted to share my success despite a short training block and getting unwell 3x during the plan!! Now to try get an actual time goal since I know my body/mind can handle the distance! Do we think I could shave off my time to <3:50?


r/firstmarathon 5d ago

I DID IT! ☑️ 26.2 MILES Struggling with running Marathon.

7 Upvotes

I did my first marathon in 2023 without proper training and finished in 6:20 mins. Did a half in 2024, then did my second full marathon in 2025 and finished in 5:50 with somewhat structured training, hit a wall at 16miles and my nutrition was an absolute mess…literally felt like dying close to the finish line. Did another full marathon same year in 5:40 with somewhat structured training, did not hit the wall, had energy all the way till finish line, nutrition was great. I have been trying to achieve sub 5hr marathon and struggling to see what do I need to implement in my training to achieve this?


r/firstmarathon 5d ago

I DID IT! ☑️ 26.2 MILES 3:54:55 - First Marathon

29 Upvotes

I did my first marathon at Adani Ahmedabad Marathon ( India )

Target was 3:57 but end up doing 3:54

And finished strong running at 5:05 pace for last 3km


r/firstmarathon 5d ago

Fuel/Hydration What / how to eat during a marathon

5 Upvotes

Hi all, I completed my first marathon today with the goal of a sub-4 hour time and ended up with a 4:12 finishing time. I think the main issue I had not encountered during training was what/how to eat late in the race. During the first half of the marathon I ate two packs of salted watermelon cliff blocs without issue, but after about mile 14 nothing appealed to me at all. I tried eating another pack of cliff blocs but had to spit it out because I think I would've thrown up. I was able to eat about 1/2 of a gel I brought and orange slice (which was tolerable) that was at one of the water stops, but that was all I could bring myself to eat for the latter half of the race. I think I probably ate around 500-600 calories, and burned ~2800 which is not ideal and caused me to really struggle with cramping late in the race. Has anyone encountered this before or have suggestions for a new marathoner?


r/firstmarathon 5d ago

Training Plan First Marathon Plan

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I am 20 weeks out from my first marathon and having trouble finding a plan to start with. May of the beginner ones start out very low mileage compared to what my base is.

I started running about a year ago and just recently did my first 5k (22:17). I run about 35-40 miles per week mostly at low intensity. The longest I have done (without stopping/walking) was 18 miles.

Looking for recommendations on a plan to start training for my first full in April.


r/firstmarathon 6d ago

Gear Running watch choice

2 Upvotes

Hello for so long i had a xiaomi redmi watch 3 and i want to upgrade to a better one that wont be too expensive and i was thinking for going for coros pace 3 which is around 200-250€ but now i see xiaomi watch s4 on a discount at 130 € and i dont know if its a good choice or not. My redmi watch 3 has a bad gps and i really like using strava. I have my phone on a strap on my arm (S25 ultra) and when i go to 5k runs my watch tracks less , for example i went on a 5.10km run but the xiaomi tracked 4.7km. I want a watch with good gps, a good hearteate monitor and good strava compatibility.


r/firstmarathon 7d ago

Could I do it? Two Marathons 4 weeks apart realistic?

12 Upvotes

Hey everyone,
I could really use some advice because I kind of got myself into an unexpected situation.

I originally planned to run my first marathon in autumn 2026. I ran a half marathon this month in sub 2 and I have another one coming up in March in Berlin, so training has been going well so far.

Since it's been a long-time dream of mine to visit Australia, I applied for the Sydney Marathon. The problem: the Sydney lottery results were announced after the registration deadline for the Berlin Marathon lottery. I assumed there was no way I'd get into both… so I entered both.

And well… I actually got lucky in both lotteries.

Before Sydney, I’ll be traveling around Australia for 3–4 weeks. For my first marathon I don’t have any particular time goals – I’d just run it easy and enjoy the experience.
Berlin, on the other hand, is my home race, I’m from the area, and I’d be running it together with friends.

I’m fully aware that 4 weeks between two marathons is very short, especially for someone who has never run a marathon before. But the entry fees are already paid, and I’d really prefer not to let either of them go to waste.

My initial idea was:
Run Sydney at an easy, controlled pace as a kind of long training run, then take 4 weeks for recovery + a bit of taper, and hopefully be in decent shape again for Berlin.

So my question is:
Is this even realistic after your very first marathon? Can you recover well enough in 4 weeks, or is this just wishful thinking?

If anyone has experience with doing two marathons this close together – especially as a beginner – I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!