Just another coach out there wrote:
1) You need to race more. Typical year for him needs to include: 2 marathons, 2 15k/HM's and 3-5 10k's, he is not mentally toughened for racing with his current schedule.
2) He needs to work on his velcoity at VO2 Max in between his marathons. That mean 12-14 weeks out from his marathon he needs to be at PR shape in the 10k, then transition into a marathon specific phase. He will not be able to improve the percentage of vVO2 max he can hold for the marathon much beyond his current abilities, so he needs to improve his vVO2 Max, that is the main thing seperating him from top 5 marathoners in the world.
3) His post marathon breaks are too long with no running. They should include at least some easy paced running rather than weeks of nothing. It takes him too long to regain fitness so his progressions are lost. He is just reaching his former fitness levels by the time the next marathon comes around.
1) I agree.
2) This "vVO2Max" will improve by racing more.
3) Remember the kenyans. Long breaks doesn´t seem to harm them.