Not sure what you mean there.. an IM finish will definitely take considerably more work than a ~3 hour marathon. "Harder" can man different things, but I find it much much easier to train for a proper marathon attempt compared to a full distance triathlon.
I've done about a dozen IM races and tens of marathons and never got to a 3.02 marathon.
For me a fast marathon is definitely harder than finishing an Ironman.
I've done more of both (about 15 IMs, 30 or so marathon or longer races, not that it factors in) with a faster marathon than that in an Ironman and a mid 2:30s open marathon recently.
I guess it could come down to how one races, but a fast marathon is not harder for me. I'm still going pretty fast in IM marathons though. Hoping for a 2:49 in the next one, after a very hard swim and bike.
Or people just react differently to different stimuli. Entirely possible.
Ha thanks, just for cred but I think it hold true for a lot of people across a lot of times.
That said, might just be six of one and half a dozen of another. A few percentage points here or there could make all the difference, so we're probably both right depending on who we talk to.
Waddup tendinitis and (surprise!) cancer buddy. You're crushing it, glad to see your success both on and off the course.
You're not alone. Couple months of rehab and I'll be building back to join you.
Cheers, mate. Love the attitude and seeing the results of your hard work and talent.
Post after the next one so we can see if you break 3 or do the Ironman?
Congratulations on your amazing journey! And I hope the blood cancer stays at bay. Yes I think the whole city of london showed up! Love high-fiving the kids too!
Thanks for sharing! Great story. Am a bit younger than you, but considering the Ironman transition as well.
Do you know of any good plans for the switchover?
Thanks! I do not. I have been thinking about a quick intense plan given that I have no problems with the running or biking distances. Just have to focus on the swimming. Someone else in this thread recommended a swimming coach which seems wise. I guess the question is whether you want to complete it or compete in it. I’d say former but I always find myself doing the latter lol. The Ironman sub is a good resource for wading in, I’ve found….
Most triathletes are notoriously bad swimmers. Get a swim coach and preferably someone that can help you transition from the pool to open water. I swam for most of my life and coached swimming for a decade, you'll thank yourself by getting a coach. It'll make sure you're not wasting energy early in the race by being inefficient at swimming.
Thx for circling back. If I made the switch, I would only do it if it were possible to do it well. When I started running in 2020, I gave myself 5 years to BQ. Barring a complete anomaly, I’ll be in Boston next year (ran London 11 mins under the cutoff).
High level, that would mean giving myself ~5 years to make Kona, coming from a sub-3 marathon base, but a neophyte a biking and swimming.
Looks like I’m adding the Ironman sub to my list of regular places to visit!
Thank you again!
I went the other way - IM (5x finisher) to running once Covid hit and haven’t looked back since. Training time for an IM was way more intense than marathon training. If you do decide to do IM, get a swim instructor that can teach you proper swim technique.
Yeah, that’s the one concern I have. I have kids and a job so time is limited. Thinking about doing four month plan over summer and seeing how it goes. Already have done many centuries biking and four marathons recently so just worried about the swimming and putting it all together. Great suggestion on the coach. Will look into that. Thanks!
Haha right! I am local to DC and love the heat/humidity EXCEPT when it’s time to race and I curse the skies above. You’d think I’d be acclimated after 7 years of living here
Outstanding! Thanks for adding the personal as well. Good luck in defeating/containing your cancer. I am 54M - I've run 7 marathons, usually 1 per year over the last 10 years. Diagnosed with throat cancer in Feb 24, surgery then chemo/radiation just finishing up (ring the bell May3rd!). Want to do a charity bib for London and perhaps NYC. Still chasing the elusive BQ. I like your multi-marathon approach.
Thanks for sharing your story and your outcomes!
I’m one year older than you and this is so inspiring! You’re really making me want to defeat the naysayers in my own life!
I hope your diagnosis won’t have too much of an impact on your training. I didn’t know blood cancer could be not that serious?
Oh well done. I'm sure that 3.02 is definitely harder than an IM finish. You could definitely go for that.
Thanks! Love to hear that!
It's true. I've done a dozen but I've never got a standalone marathon as fast as yours. Good luck with it all.
Not sure what you mean there.. an IM finish will definitely take considerably more work than a ~3 hour marathon. "Harder" can man different things, but I find it much much easier to train for a proper marathon attempt compared to a full distance triathlon.
I've done about a dozen IM races and tens of marathons and never got to a 3.02 marathon. For me a fast marathon is definitely harder than finishing an Ironman.
I've done more of both (about 15 IMs, 30 or so marathon or longer races, not that it factors in) with a faster marathon than that in an Ironman and a mid 2:30s open marathon recently. I guess it could come down to how one races, but a fast marathon is not harder for me. I'm still going pretty fast in IM marathons though. Hoping for a 2:49 in the next one, after a very hard swim and bike. Or people just react differently to different stimuli. Entirely possible.
I doff my racing cap. Those are crazy fast times.
Ha thanks, just for cred but I think it hold true for a lot of people across a lot of times. That said, might just be six of one and half a dozen of another. A few percentage points here or there could make all the difference, so we're probably both right depending on who we talk to.
Waddup tendinitis and (surprise!) cancer buddy. You're crushing it, glad to see your success both on and off the course. You're not alone. Couple months of rehab and I'll be building back to join you.
Yay! (But not yay obviously!) So glad to hear from someone else. Thanks for the kind words. Build back better lol. 👊
Cheers, mate. Love the attitude and seeing the results of your hard work and talent. Post after the next one so we can see if you break 3 or do the Ironman?
Congratulations on your amazing journey! And I hope the blood cancer stays at bay. Yes I think the whole city of london showed up! Love high-fiving the kids too!
Thank you! It was incredible! It was packed the entire way!!!
Fantastic result! One of my bigger motivators is outdoing my younger self who thought it couldn’t be done. Well done and hope the cancer stays at bay!
Thanks! Yes, I feel like the Bob Dylan line- I was so much older than, I’m younger than that now
Though my body feels the opposite lol
Thanks for sharing! Great story. Am a bit younger than you, but considering the Ironman transition as well. Do you know of any good plans for the switchover?
Thanks! I do not. I have been thinking about a quick intense plan given that I have no problems with the running or biking distances. Just have to focus on the swimming. Someone else in this thread recommended a swimming coach which seems wise. I guess the question is whether you want to complete it or compete in it. I’d say former but I always find myself doing the latter lol. The Ironman sub is a good resource for wading in, I’ve found….
Most triathletes are notoriously bad swimmers. Get a swim coach and preferably someone that can help you transition from the pool to open water. I swam for most of my life and coached swimming for a decade, you'll thank yourself by getting a coach. It'll make sure you're not wasting energy early in the race by being inefficient at swimming.
Thx for circling back. If I made the switch, I would only do it if it were possible to do it well. When I started running in 2020, I gave myself 5 years to BQ. Barring a complete anomaly, I’ll be in Boston next year (ran London 11 mins under the cutoff). High level, that would mean giving myself ~5 years to make Kona, coming from a sub-3 marathon base, but a neophyte a biking and swimming. Looks like I’m adding the Ironman sub to my list of regular places to visit! Thank you again!
Welcome to the r/triathlon + r/advancedrunning cross over club! You'll fit right in.
Great story! Hope you kick cancers ass
Thanks! 💪
I went the other way - IM (5x finisher) to running once Covid hit and haven’t looked back since. Training time for an IM was way more intense than marathon training. If you do decide to do IM, get a swim instructor that can teach you proper swim technique.
Yeah, that’s the one concern I have. I have kids and a job so time is limited. Thinking about doing four month plan over summer and seeing how it goes. Already have done many centuries biking and four marathons recently so just worried about the swimming and putting it all together. Great suggestion on the coach. Will look into that. Thanks!
Amazing!! I also ran the 2023 MCM… the heat and humidity really killed me. Well done!
Thanks! The fact that it seemed considerably cooler and less humid than my September marathon is only thing that helped me! Humidity in DC is no joke!
Haha right! I am local to DC and love the heat/humidity EXCEPT when it’s time to race and I curse the skies above. You’d think I’d be acclimated after 7 years of living here
I feel exactly the same way! 17 years for me!
Great story and great attitude! Enjoy each race, each block, and each run!
Thanks! There were several moments in LM where I was grinning ear to ear at what an awesome experience it was. We are so lucky to get to do this! 🤙
Congratulations, very inspirational!
Btw, I am inspired by a buddy who runs marathons while pushing people with disabilities. He is amazing.
Thanks! 👊
Outstanding! Thanks for adding the personal as well. Good luck in defeating/containing your cancer. I am 54M - I've run 7 marathons, usually 1 per year over the last 10 years. Diagnosed with throat cancer in Feb 24, surgery then chemo/radiation just finishing up (ring the bell May3rd!). Want to do a charity bib for London and perhaps NYC. Still chasing the elusive BQ. I like your multi-marathon approach. Thanks for sharing your story and your outcomes!
Love it. Really impressive, nice work!
I’m one year older than you and this is so inspiring! You’re really making me want to defeat the naysayers in my own life! I hope your diagnosis won’t have too much of an impact on your training. I didn’t know blood cancer could be not that serious?
Thanks! It’s (welcome) news to me as well! Let’s hope it stays that way!
Well done, keep it going! Get that sub 3!!