Dan / Race Mornings

Never an athlete. Started running at 44. First marathon 3:53 → 3:15 at 47. Dad of 3, full-time job. Chasing 3:10 & a BQ.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

Never an athlete. First marathon at 44: 3:53 on 3 runs a week. At 47: 3:16 on 5.

I'm building a 16-week marathon plan for 40+ runners with about 4 hours a week.

Free waitlist, no payment:
https://t.co/AiDlqcMZfP

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@_re_pete I think they’re cool, and I don’t understand why you would get beat up for those shorts. Runners are positive people, so they must not be runners!

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

The hardest part of marathon training isn't the long run.

It's saying no to the 4th social thing that week so you can sleep before the 5th run.

Or moving a workout because your kid has a thing. And not spiraling about it.

That part doesn't show up in the plan PDF.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@ChaserNoPacer Sometimes just finishing is a win, and it’s always certainly an accomplishment! I travel 2 to 3 days per week myself for work so I know that struggle. I finished at 3:15:15 so I was pretty happy with that at the ripe age of 47

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@loscuthros 5:05 to sub-4 is a big swing, but it's doable with a full block. My first marathon was 3:53 at 44 on three runs a week, so it doesn't take a crazy schedule. How many days a week are you planning to run?

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@stevemagness Mine for years: I'm not an athlete. Never played a sport. Started running at 44 anyway, ran 3:53 in my first marathon, and at 47 just ran 3:15. Turns out that story was just old.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

Indianapolis marathon recap:

Official time: 3:15. Legs on fire by mile 11, held pace to 22.

What kept me in it: my why. I run to show my kids you can do hard things at any age. My why helped me hang on when my legs said otherwise.

Next up: 3:10.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

Question for the group: how many days a week can you realistically train right now? Not the ideal week. This week.

Drop a number. No judgment. I'm at 5 these days.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@runsonprosecco @DavidDack Great job! Just finishing is a great accomplishment, especially with your first.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@stevemagness For a 47-year-old with a full-time job and three kids, balance is the whole plan. I went from three runs a week to five, not overnight, and went 3:53 to 3:15. Patience did the work.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

Myth I believed: you need 5+ days a week or you're not serious.

What actually worked: three solid runs, protected fiercely, got me to 3:53. Five came later, when life allowed it.

Start with what you can keep. Add when you can keep that too.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@DavidDack 5K under 20 IMO. I did not start running till 44, I did my first marathon in 3:53. Just did Indianapolis yesterday at 3:15, and this was the first year I broke sub 20 in the 5K.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@potamopotos Great job!

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@potamopotos My first marathon was 3:53 on three runs a week, after starting running at 44. Rooting for you on the sub-4 goal. What has been the biggest challenge in training?

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@JasonFitz1 I started running at 44 without an athletic background. My first marathon was 3:53 on three runs a week. You don't need an impressive starting point to build from it.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

I wasn't an athlete. I started running at 44.

First marathon: 3:53 on three runs a week. At 47: 3:16:53 on five days a week. Now chasing roughly 3:10 and a Boston qualifier.

If you're starting late, you're not behind. You're just starting.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@tcoste110 @Lewis_Porters Quitting smoking and then running your first at 50 is a heck of a comeback. I wasn't an athlete either and didn't run my first until 44. Faster training runs now than before your first sounds like your prime years are right on time.

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@A2sanjay @DavidDack Old guys unite. I ran my first at 44 and remember the nerves that last week. Go out slower than feels right for the first few miles, you'll thank yourself at mile 20. Enjoy every bit of it! If it’s Indy, I’ll be another old guy out there too!

[Dan / Race Mornings @RaceMorningsDan]

@Mete_Yildiray_ @DavidDack Work stealing two runs a week is a tough trade. My first marathon was on three runs a week, so three good ones can still take you a long way. Five came later for me, once life allowed it.