Marathon Weekend 2026

[The Expert]

Yes, please @camaker I'd love to see it continue. You've done a great job with it! I know a few of us are willing to pitch in here and there when you're otherwise occupied or to just give you a break, so feel free to tap us in when needed.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: Yes to keeping it going! You’ve done a great job for MW2025 and look forward to more great SAFD this year! And I agree with @The Expert , I’m sure lots of us would be happy to jump in if you need a break from time to time!

 

[Erika10021]

SAFD: Please continue SAFD! I love it, even if i don't respond very often.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

SAFD: Absolutely, let’s continue SAFD. @camaker thank you for doing it. It’s a wonderful way to keep the conversation going and get new people involved in our cult.

 

[mmm_texas]

I know I said it years ago and it didn't sway the majority then, but let me throw it out there again.

I really think SAFD should be its own thread. Every separate topic should be its own thread. It's intentionally easy to create new threads, that's the way these forums are supposed to work, and that's how they seem to work best. It would certainly make finding actual MW news easier, since SAFD ends up being the majority of the posts.

Thanks for listening!

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: we should definitely keep up our tradition, it's very enjoyable

 

[Fischstick]

SAFD: keep it going!

 

[Ronski]

Question for marathoners! 2026 MW will be my first attempt at the marathon distance. I'm a chonker and will be just shy of 60y/o in Jan 2026.
I currently run using Galloway @ about a 12:45 pace. I will be following rD beginner marathon training plan which is about 28 weeks.

So, the question is: Between now and the start of the plan (around July1) where should I concentrate my efforts? Distance? Pace? Consistency?

I am currently doing 3x a week, but my "long" run is only about 5 miles. I have been focusing on incrementally altering my r/w ratios to try and get near a :30/:30.

I have a history of trying to do too much and getting hurt-- I'd like to break that cycle!!!

 

[AZMermaid]

Great question Ronski! Following along for peoples thoughts as I’m in a similar boat with my first but needing to get ready to start the plan. But you are more fit than I am!

SAFD- I say yes! I see the Argument for the own thread and understand it… but think there’s a long gap between news so it keeps this thread active.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: Dittos to earlier comments.
To @Ronski : start training now, even if it is just what I call “maintenance” runs. Mine are 3 to 4 miles long, roughly every other day, and it sounds like you are already doing similar. Keep it up to build up muscles and stamina. Cross training with cycling, swimming, or lifting weights is also good. And definitely keep optimizing your running/walking intervals.

FWIW, I will also be a week or so shy of 60 for MW2026.

Let me chime in for today’s SAFD since I wasn’t there: The new course layout. What was your most or least favorite aspect of the new course? What would you like to see different?

 

[camaker]

Question for marathoners! 2026 MW will be my first attempt at the marathon distance. I'm a chonker and will be just shy of 60y/o in Jan 2026.
I currently run using Galloway @ about a 12:45 pace. I will be following rD beginner marathon training plan which is about 28 weeks.

So, the question is: Between now and the start of the plan (around July1) where should I concentrate my efforts? Distance? Pace? Consistency?

I am currently doing 3x a week, but my "long" run is only about 5 miles. I have been focusing on incrementally altering my r/w ratios to try and get near a :30/:30.

I have a history of trying to do too much and getting hurt-- I'd like to break that cycle!!!

My suggestion would be to work on your running base. A lot of injuries come from trying to build from a small base up to full marathon volume. The more miles your body is used to running consistently, the smaller the jump from base to marathon-ready will be, reducing the risk. The biggest benefit I saw in my running as far as injury prevention goes was increasing my running base from an ~25 miles/week level to a base of ~35 miles/week. The more consistent and higher your running volume prior to starting the marathon plan, the more success you're likely to have.

 

[camaker]

SAFD: Dittos to earlier comments.
To @Ronski : start training now, even if it is just what I call “maintenance” runs. Mine are 3 to 4 miles long, roughly every other day, and it sounds like you are already doing similar. Keep it up to build up muscles and stamina. Cross training with cycling, swimming, or lifting weights is also good. And definitely keep optimizing your running/walking intervals.

FWIW, I will also be a week or so shy of 60 for MW2026.

Let me chime in for today’s SAFD since I wasn’t there: The new course layout. What was your most or least favorite aspect of the new course? What would you like to see different?

You answered the SAFD question and then proposed a new SAFD question? That might be better as a last SAFD on the 2025 thread rather than a first question for 2026.

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD: I am definitely in favor of keeping SAFD going. I realize that it can make searching for past posts a bit difficult, but I think that is more than offset by the increased engagement with the thread which makes getting questions answered in a timely fashion, and from more than one source when they are subjective/perspective based questions, much more likely.

ETA: I’ve never found this crew to be an asked and answered bunch (in the best way). I’ve always thought the MW thread is populated with people who are happy to help and offer feedback, even if something has been addressed quite often.

 

[Ronski]

My suggestion would be to work on your running base. A lot of injuries come from trying to build from a small base up to full marathon volume. The more miles your body is used to running consistently, the smaller the jump from base to marathon-ready will be, reducing the risk. The biggest benefit I saw in my running as far as injury prevention goes was increasing my running base from an ~25 miles/week level to a base of ~35 miles/week. The more consistent and higher your running volume prior to starting the marathon plan, the more success you're likely to have.

Does it make sense to increase my long run mileage too early when the plan starts at a lower level? Or should I work on increasing long run mileage early then jumping into the plan at a later date?

The beginner plan calls for 30min, 30min, and a longer weekend run-- I'm currently doing 3miles, 3 miles and a 3-4-5 mile weekend run (depending on whether I've changed my ratio that week). When changing ratio's I adjust in 15sec intervals and hold at the new ratio for 3 weeks to give myself time to adjust.

Should I factor additional time into the plan to account for time off due to injury, life, etc???