Sub 3 Hour Marathons
Running marathons is hard work, and training for marathons is worse. I got my fastest marathon time during a mid-life crises, trying to prove to myself that I wasn’t really getting older.
I ran 2 hours 41 minutes in the London 1995 marathon, when I was 40 years old. Unfortunately an inevitable consequence of ageing is that you start to slow.
The big barrier for most club runners is the sub 3 hour marathon, and this was becoming more and more difficult to achieve in my late 40′s. Also the high mileage I was running had given me heel spurs in both feet, so the training was becoming more uncomfortable.
I decided that I would race my last marathon when I was 50, but it must be a sub 3 hour run, enabling me to ’retire’ with my head held high.
When 50 came along I wasn’t fit enough for sub 3 hours, so I delayed the run and had an extra 12 months of training.
Finally, in 2006 I was ready and entered a local race, the Shakespeare Marathon in Stratford Upon Avon.
The run was harder than I remembered, (but marathons always are) and I had to dig out a fast last mile to cross the line in 2 hours 59 minutes 12 seconds.
Hooray! I’d done it, and as a bonus I won a prize as the first man over 50. 
After 17 marathons I had retired, and no longer had to churn out 70 to 100 mile weeks over the winter months. Now I could concentrate on my favourite distance; The half marathon – much more sensible and far more pleasurable to race.
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
Hi John,
I so admire people who have this kind of determination. I have a friend who did the Great North Run. It was her first run, she trained for an age, and she was well into her 60′s at the time. She was determined to do it, did a really good job, raised loads of dosh for breast cancer and we’re all very proud of her. (And as a lovely bonus she looks so FIT now!)
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
It doesn't take determination Mandy, once you realise how good you feel when running is part of your life. My girlfriend could only run 100 yards when I met her 6 months ago, now she is running 10 miles and I can't stop her. She loves it, and the easy weight loss it produces.
John[Reply]
John McNally
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August 10th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Running is addictive as well Mandy. I recently had an operation and I haven't run for 4 weeks now. It's the longest break I have ever had and I'm really, really missing it. John[Reply]
Hi John, Fair play to you my friend, that’s true grit (as John Wayne said)
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Respect & Regards
Barry
I think John Wayne won an Oscar for True Grit. Well done creating your new product Barry; I already had a peak as I saw it mentioned in the masterclass forum. eBay is my next project so this will be a great help. Keep up the good work. John[Reply]
Hi John,
What an inspiration you are! I love to run myself and find it so … liberating.
By the way, have you heard of Dr. Al Sears’ ‘P.A.C.E. Program’? I know follow his techniques based on techniques that sprinters are using and must say that I have seen great stamina results with it.
You can check it out here: http://www.pacepower.net/
Thanks for sharing
Svenja
I've already had a look at that PACE program Svenja, it seems interesting. I haven't run for 5 weeks now after an operation on my heel spur, and I'm desperate to start again
John[Reply]
Funny what age does to you huh. I think I had to prove something to myself — when I ran my first marathon at 40 years of age. But, I do have to say those were the good ole’ days and I met so many good friends thru those years. Keep it up and thanks for sharing.
Don't forget that those "were the good old days" - I hope you are still running!
John[Reply]
great blog thanks for sharing,
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John McNally
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May 27th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Thanks for leaving a comment.
john
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[...] I have run 17 marathons, and the last one was 3 years ago, when I was relieved to announce my ‘retirement’ from ever running 26.2 miles again. I was so pleased that I no would no longer run a marathon I wrote a blog post about it: Sub 3 hour Marathons. [...]
Awesome effort, at any age, but especially at 50+.
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Thanks Michael, nice to hear from a fellow runner who appreciates the significance of a sub 3 hour marathon...Unfortunately I won't be able to do this again.
Ageing slows you down by 1 minute 5 seconds for every year beyond 37/40. My new target is to run a 3 hour 29 minute marathon when I am 60 (in 4 years time). 
John
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John, I am planning on a sub 3hr at 61 in 10 months. Found your site in my search for training tips. My average time for 88 marathons is 3:04 and so a 3:29 at 60 is very do-able (did 3:30 last week). Your PB is only slightly slower than mine so you should also do it. With my last sub 3hr at 54 followed by divorce and cancer I slowed up. Now retired I am giving this a go. A famous NZ runner was doing sub 2:40s in his 60s.
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John McNally from Making Money on the Internet
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August 27th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Very well done Doug, 88 marathons with an average of 3.04 is brilliant.
Some people run a lot of marathons, but their times tend to be slower. Are you aiming for 100, then retirement?
I’m now entered for the Brighton Marathon April 2010, and aiming for sub 3.10. Running 20 mile long runs every 3 weeks. What weekly mileage will you run for your sub 3hr?, and how many 20/23 mile long runs will you complete?
I’m worried that as I age the marathon training may provoke an injury that will stop me running altogether. Which marathon are you going for the sub 3?
Sorry for all the questions.
John
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How much training is needed for this?
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John McNally
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October 4th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Depends if you are already running or not Lina. Even for regular runners I recommend a minimum of 4 months solid marathon training. Some people only do 3 months, but I’ve never met one who ran a good time!
John
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