Marathon Improvers Thread.

Seems to have been a bit of a triggering comment, but I never said that what works for one needs to work for all.

But on forums like these you see so many posts about taking X amount of grams at Y intervals that people reading would be forgiven for thinking that it was the be all and end all. I know when I was a beginner that I certainly read these forums and so took it as accepted wisdom that the nutrition needed to be perfect or I would be in trouble.

It doesn't have to be, some people don't need the half of it and don't need to let it worry them so much, so I won't apologise for offering a counterpoint that may well resonate with somebody else, even if a few think it heresy.

I am a little amused though that 3 scoops of tailwind in a bottle is considered comparable to the regimes some others have listed.

Debate is always good and I think we're in agreement, it's specific to the individual.

You're last point is just plain wrong though, 3 scoops of tailwind is 81 grams of carbs, which is more than 3 gels. Add a sports drink to the mix and that's another 30 grams, so you're consuming 4 to 5 gels worth.

I do take more as I don't eat the morning of the race, so definitely need the extra.

This is a good explanation

I myself went to a guy in Kilkenny to get it done.

I get your point that overly technical info or advice can bamboozle beginners, and is sometimes counter productive.

This is a thread for experienced marathoners though. It's why you'll sometimes see the same people offer simpler advice on the novice thread.

Road tested the Endorphin Pro3 this morn on a 10m.

Long run effort which is 30 -55 secs (km) slower than MP. Been running them 40 secs slower at 130bpm. 5:26km

This morning was 5:14 at 128bpm. They felt amazing, the run felt effortless. Weird at first, especially with the slippy wet road but I quickly adapted to them. At one point I came over a steep canal bridge to turn right and struggled with the downhill, struggled steering right. An unusual situation though I suppose.

Mad, for a split second, after looking out the window at 5:50am at the torrential rain I considered ditching them until Saturday. Can't be getting these 250 blip shoes destroyed in the rain. Quickly snapped out of it though. They're tools. They're gonna get wet ye gannet.

Love them.

I feel the shoe shape, that high cushion heel really suits me. Might look at non carbon plate versions for training.

Best of luck in Amsterdam. May I ask how long it has taken you to improve for circa 4 hours to targeting 3:10?

My new Vaporflies just arrived, think I'll still wait for the rain to pass 😅

Anyone like coffee? Anyone get a bump from caffeine gels? I do :-) I heard someone recently recommend giving up the old coffee and tea for a week or ten days before the marathon to help during the 22-26 mile phase. By all account the boost from the caffeine gel or tablet after the period of abstinence is longer lasting and more noticeable and can significantly assist during the dreaded last few miles. What do you guys think, is it waffle? I am not sure I could give up the coffee of tea for a week though.

On the subject of hydration (don't read any further if your bored of the debate)

I've carried water on all my Marathon distance runs, a single 250ml soft bottle which I drink from if I'm thirsty or when I'm not sure were the next water stop is(during races). I usually fill it up again if I pass an early station and can grab a bottle, if its plastic cups I don't bother. In the Dublin marathon of 2019 it was exceptionally good luck as some of the latter stations I passed had no water.

I would be in the drink water if want to camp.

I've heard that caffeine thing too. Apparently you won't get much benefit from the caffeine gels unless you give it up for a week or two in advance. I enjoy my coffee far too much to test it out.

I couldn’t give up my coffee long enough to test that theory! Well wear with all the new runners. I’ve the Endorphin Speed 2’s, Hoka Rocket X, Vaporflies and Alphaflies to choose from 🙈. My ankles seem to cope better with the first two pairs even though the alphas are by far the fastest shoe.

My Decathlon belt arrived earlier too. Anybody know what all the little loops with plastic things hanging off it are for?

I hooked my key around that K. I'd say there's a chance of losing it otherwise pulling stuff out.

Probably a size too big. Been using one for a long time and never had a bottle fall even with strides.

Is there much of a difference between the Endorphin Pro 2s and 3s?

There is. The 1 and 2 are pretty similar but the 3 is noticeably more cushioned and has a wider, more stable base. The upper is quite different too. I haven't run in the 3s yet so can't comment on the performance. Reviews suggest it's a major improvement.