First Marathon
Race Information
- Name: Vienna City Marathon
- Date: April 19, 2026
- Distance: 42,195 km
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Time: 3:26:18
Goals
| Goal | Description | Completed? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sub 3:23 | No |
| B | Sub 3:30 | Yes |
| C | Stay motivated for another marathon | Yes |
Splits
| Kilometer | Time |
|---|---|
| 5 | 4:47 |
| 10 | 4:50 |
| 15 | 4:48 |
| 20 | 4:49 |
| 25 | 4:46 |
| 30 | 4:54 |
| 35 | 4:57 |
| 40 | 5:14 |
| 42 | 5:04 |
Running History
37M. Started exactly two years ago when I ran a relay at the same event (4:48/km for 11 km without any specific running training, but lots of climbing/bouldering). First half year was just 20–30 km per week, then more like 35–50 km per week. Max HR: 188.
Training
Decided 16 weeks before the event to go for the full marathon and started with 2Q from Daniels. Switched between the two lower-mileage plans (up to 64 km and 64–89 km). I liked the plan a lot — workouts were fun and got easier over the weeks.
Was a bit worried that there were no really long runs in the plan, so I extended some of them. Otherwise, I did all the workouts except in the week when I ran a tune-up half marathon. Altogether, I did 6 workouts >27 km, the longest being 32 km.
Felt really good in training. In the key workout (7 easy + 21 Marathon Pace at 4:48/km), I ran the 21 km at 149 avg HR. Together with the tune-up half (1:31:13), I thought a pace around 4:40/km would be reasonable for the full.
Long story short: I felt incredible throughout the whole training block and had no problems hitting all the workouts.
Tapering and Pre-race
Two weeks before the race I did the last workout — and it went horribly. Suddenly my heart rate was much higher (instantly >160 at marathon pace) than in all previous workouts.
Tapering was the hardest time — all runs felt hard, something was off. I freaked out about the high HR, so I decided to do all taper runs without measuring it. I think the problem was the rising temperatures. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for race day wasn’t great (much hotter than in training, but at least cloudy), so I adjusted my goal back to 4:48/km.
Long story short: tapering was horrible, especially mentally.
Race
Weather was even worse than the forecast — no clouds at all. At the start it was around 15 °C, and two hours later 20–25 °C with almost no shade.
Nevertheless, the first 30 km went pretty well. The first half felt almost too easy, and I had to hold myself back several times to avoid going faster. Then it got hard — the heat kicked in and my legs started to tire. I stopped twice at aid stations to drink a lot of water and Powerade to stay hydrated. I also took 7 gels throughout the race and water/Powerade at all the other aid stations without stopping.
Kilometers 32–40 were really tough, and I wasn’t sure if I could make it to the end with 4:48/km, so I decided to go for Goal B. So many other runners dropped out, even at 38/39 km.
Post-race
My legs are completely wasted! Nevertheless, I’m really happy to have finished my first marathon. Already searching for the next one! :D I really liked the marathon training block. After one week off, I’ll try Norwegian Singles for a while and focus on some 5Ks (and hopefully improve my PB of 19:50). Maybe I’ll stick with an adapted Norwegian Singles approach for my next marathon, or go back to 2Q or try Pfitz. I’ll definitely switch to a higher-mileage plan next time — that’s for sure — and include several runs >32 km.
Made with a new race report generator created by /u/herumph.