Sub-4hr marathon support and celebration thread
180 watchers
10 Jan
4:50pm, 10 Jan 2026
113 posts
|
Sale Runner
@SilentTim Hi, yes I sure am. The only thing Iām trying to debate is what effort to run it atā¦ after a fairly hard HM last Sunday, and given my multiple winter-spring objectives, I think I plan to do this one at a pretty sedate pace. I struggle badly with holding back though. When I KNOW I can go faster I find it very very very hard NOT to go faster. So tomorrow will actually be something of a struggle, more so if I do my intended āslowā time! If anyone has any tips for that, it would help me! |
10 Jan
5:09pm, 10 Jan 2026
766 posts
|
SilentTim
Same. It's not going to be an all out effort. Don't know if I'm in the shape for that really. Also not sure if the conditions support it. Just going to start it at marathon pace 9:09/mile and see what happens |
|
10 Jan
5:18pm, 10 Jan 2026
115 posts
|
Sale Runner
Itās hard to plan pace for trail races tbh. Especially with the big hill at the end, which from memory with the way we approach it, is more of a slow steady climb (steepening up towards the end). Iāve run that hill a few times but always in the opposite direction, where itās a short sharp wall and over with fairly quickly. In fact itāll probably be to my overall advantage if I deliberately donāt plan or think about pace, donāt look at my watch, and just run to effort, keeping it conversational. I want to try and enjoy this one without it turning into yet another performance effort. Problem is, once Iām running I really do find it hard to overcome the racing ego. Itās not even like im hugely fast !! |
|
10 Jan
6:02pm, 10 Jan 2026
767 posts
|
SilentTim
Well I'll hopefully be on the start line tomorrow wearing my fetch vest, so feel free to come and say hi. I'm probably just going to treat it as an easy-ish long run too
|
10 Jan
6:08pm, 10 Jan 2026
78,681 posts
|
Velociraptor
Have fun, both of you 
|
|
10 Jan
6:10pm, 10 Jan 2026
116 posts
|
Sale Runner
SilentTim wrote: Well I'll hopefully be on the start line tomorrow wearing my fetch vest, so feel free to come and say hi. I'm probably just going to treat it as an easy-ish long run too Vest? Iām planning full winter gear with waterproof jacket LOL Iāll seek you out! |
|
10 Jan
6:10pm, 10 Jan 2026
117 posts
|
Sale Runner
Velociraptor wrote: Have fun, both of you Cheers! Itās a lovely place to do a trail run |
|
10 Jan
7:21pm, 10 Jan 2026
768 posts
|
SilentTim
Even if you have to get up at 6am?! š±š¤Æ
|
|
11 Jan
2:09pm, 11 Jan 2026
118 posts
|
Sale Runner
Didnāt manage to find you at the start @SilentTim but I am 99.99% sure I saw you at one of the passing points out on course. You looked deep in the pain cave, with a face of deep concentration! How did it go? I was not expecting so much ice, and the descent off the final big hill was like a downhill ski slope, except ice not snow! That was pretty hairy! Miraculously kept on my feet tho. Another fun day out done
|
|
11 Jan
2:27pm, 11 Jan 2026
769 posts
|
SilentTim
When I got to the start, I added a waterproof since it was so bloody cold, thus concealing my fetch vest. It was a fun morning out!! Like I said yesterday, no expectations, so no disappointment. Finished in 2:08. Those hills were killers, especially the last one! I walked the descents, especially the icy and muddy bits. Not worth risking your ankles at the start of the year. Reckon that added a few minutes. Also only managed three hours sleep last night, so all things considered, got to be pretty happy with that!! |
About This Thread
Maintained by Velociraptor
A planning, discussion and support thread for Fetchies with a target of under 4 hours for the marathon. Faster runners, runners for whom sub-4 is a long range target and runners for whom sub-4 is just a memory are also welcome.
FORTHCOMING ATTEMPTS
15/2/26: Velociraptor - Seville Marathon
19/4/26: Sale Runner - Manchester Marathon
26/4/26: Velociraptor - London Marathon
3/5/26: Velociraptor - Belfast Marathon
4/5/26: Wezza - Milton Keynes Marathon
4/5/26: RiceandPeas - Milton Keynes Marathon
27/9/26: roberton - Loch Ness Marathon
11/10/26: SilentTim - Chester Marathon
2025 ACHIEVEMENTS
31/8/25 - JackFW - Sydney Marathon - 3:49:52
20/9/25 - DrMags - Oslo Marathon - 3:58:49
19/10/25 - hgreav - Yorkshire Marathon - 3:43:13
14/12/25 - Sale Runner - Sale Water Park Marathon - 3:41:53
2025 OUT-OF-RANGE FINISHES
Velociraptor - Newport Marathon - 4:58:33
Jaffa Cake - Dusseldorf Marathon - 4:13:53
SilentTim - Manchester Marathon - 4:51:00
Velociraptor - Belfast Marathon - 4:42:04
sparklecloud - Amsterdam Marathon - 4:45:29
RiceandPeas - MƔlaga Marathon - 4:41
FORTHCOMING ATTEMPTS
15/2/26: Velociraptor - Seville Marathon
19/4/26: Sale Runner - Manchester Marathon
26/4/26: Velociraptor - London Marathon
3/5/26: Velociraptor - Belfast Marathon
4/5/26: Wezza - Milton Keynes Marathon
4/5/26: RiceandPeas - Milton Keynes Marathon
27/9/26: roberton - Loch Ness Marathon
11/10/26: SilentTim - Chester Marathon
2025 ACHIEVEMENTS
31/8/25 - JackFW - Sydney Marathon - 3:49:52
20/9/25 - DrMags - Oslo Marathon - 3:58:49
19/10/25 - hgreav - Yorkshire Marathon - 3:43:13
14/12/25 - Sale Runner - Sale Water Park Marathon - 3:41:53
2025 OUT-OF-RANGE FINISHES
Velociraptor - Newport Marathon - 4:58:33
Jaffa Cake - Dusseldorf Marathon - 4:13:53
SilentTim - Manchester Marathon - 4:51:00
Velociraptor - Belfast Marathon - 4:42:04
sparklecloud - Amsterdam Marathon - 4:45:29
RiceandPeas - MƔlaga Marathon - 4:41
Related Threads
-
Sub 3Hr Marathon
Jan 2026
-
RW sub3/3.15
Jan 2026
-
The sub 3.30 marathon thread
Jan 2026
-
The Sub 3:15 Marathon Thread
Jan 2026
-
The sub 3.45 Marathon Thread
Dec 2025
-
Sub 2:30 Marathon
Oct 2024
-
The sub 2.45 marathon thread
May 2024
-
The sub-5 hour marathon thread
Apr 2022
-
5:43 Marathon to Sub 5hrs
Dec 2018
-
Sub 3.05 Marathon Plan / Advise - Help please
Aug 2016
Report This Content
You can report any content you believe to be unsafe. Please let me know why you believe this content is unsafe by choosing a category below.
Thank you for your report. The content will be assessed as soon as possible.