Why I’m Quitting Marathons (For Now)

People often think elites run insane marathon times because they train harder than the average runner. In reality, by the time they run their first marathon, they’ve already spent years building speed on the track. So when they start training for their first marathon, they’re already beasts.

At his debut in Valencia last year, Sebastian Sawe finished the marathon in an eye-watering 2:02:05. That’s faster than most national records.

It’s the kind of time recreational runners would struggle to wrap their heads around — but for him, it was just the logical extension of years spent sharpening raw speed.

How is this possible? Because elites build up raw speed first, then layer speed endurance on top.

Recreational runners do the opposite. We usually run a 5K, then a 10K, then a half-marathon, then jump to the marathon or ultras. For most of us, the achievement is the distance, not the speed.

So when we try to get faster, we focus on long distances — 10K, half, marathon — rather than getting faster at the small units: 400, 800 and 1200 meters.

In short, for recreational runners: distance is the achievement.

For elites: speed is the achievement — distance is just the container you put that speed into.

This was me. But not anymore.

I only realised this recently, because I’ve been doing exactly the opposite for years.

I’ve been training and racing marathons for a few years now. And yeah, I’ve gotten faster. But was it optimal? I doubt it.

So this year I’m mixing it up — I’m switching to the track. Partly for motivation and variety — but mainly because it’s the only way I’m going to return to the marathon in 2027 faster than ever.

Start On The Track

You can’t expect those paces to get magically faster — it doesn’t make sense. Your half-marathon pace won’t be faster than your 10K pace. It’ll likely be slower, and your marathon pace slower still.

If you only build the distance, you won’t get faster.

It all comes down to this: If you never raise your top-end speed, your endurance is built on a low ceiling.

So here’s what it looks like when you flip the logic. Instead of focusing on building distance every time, you focus on a set distance until you’re fast at it. Then you build from there.

Here’s what that looks like:

• You run a strong 400m.

• You keep running 400m until you’re fast.

• Then you try to hold that pace for 800m. You fail.

• In the next session, you get closer. Eventually, you hit it — and suddenly your 800m pace matches your old 400m pace.

• Then you do the same for 1200m. And 1600m. Later, you’ll get to the 5K. Eventually, the marathon.

That is how elites race marathons around the 2-hour mark in their first try. Years on the track. Years of raising their top-end speed. By the time they hit the marathon, they’re lethal.

The goal is simple: raise your top-end speed, then stretch it out over longer distances by increasing performance at each distance — speed endurance.

Instead of approaching every new distance as “something to finish,” you approach it with speed already in the bank. You approach your target distance knowing you’re as fast as you can be.

And for me, that target distance is the marathon.

My 2-Year Plan

At the time of writing, I’m taking a break from running. I’ve had a stress fracture since the summer that is lingering due to poor recovery (shouldn’t have run Chicago, oops).

But once I’m recovered early next year, I’ll start running again with a focus on shorter distances: XC, 3K, 5K, 10K, and then a few half marathons.

Then in 2027, I’ll come back to the marathon with a completely different foundation — ideally, faster than ever.

You Can And Should Train Speed During Marathon Training

Most marathon training plans do include speedwork - and they should.

The Pete Pfitzinger method, outlined in Advanced Marathoning, for instance, has runners focusing on 1200m VO2 max workouts towards the end of training.

The problem is that if you’re starting from nothing with 1200m reps, you’re never going to be able to go as fast as you could. You’re always prioritising your endurance over top-end speed, which you’ll more likely hit in 400m or 600m reps.

That’s fine if you already have speed. But most recreational runners don’t.

The assumption that Pfitzinger is making here is that the runner who is training already has speed. (Pfitzinger, of course, was an elite himself, and likely followed this track → marathon trajectory).

Short-Distance Elites Still Run A Lot: Same Volume, Different Purpose

Elite runners at all distances still run a lot. Arthur Lydiard still had his track athletes run around 100 miles a week, even if they only raced for 400 meters.

The difference between short- and long-distance athletes lies in the types of workouts. As outlined above, a marathon runner might run a few 1200-1600m VO2 max intervals in a training block, whereas track athletes will take on much more, and much shorter, speedwork.

And yes — most of those miles will still be easy. If you want more on that, we’ve got a whole video about easy running that you can click here.