feeling flat wrote:
Current PBs are 18:05, 36:40, 1:21, 2:59.
I think I can take a few minutes off the marathon time but I am struggling for motivation and it's a boring course. I do all my runs alone so have no inspiration as such. Current mileage is 40 mpw (marathon is in 10 weeks).
I've been trying and failing to improve the 5K (keep running around 18:20) so the marathon makes more sense.
You probably won’t get much faster than 2:59 if you are stuck around 18:20, as others have recommended, if you can only manage 40 mpw rn do some 800/mile type speed sessions and try to get yourself into sub 5:00 shape or 2:15 shape, as someone that does middle distance mostly I really like transitioning to a marathon block when I’m used to running fast 200s and 400s, and it makes the threshold/MP work feel a lot smoother. I think a lot of the reason why periodization works so well for most people is the mental side of things.