I can attest to the success of a
@DopeyBadger plan in getting you across the finish line comfortably. I never ran a marathon before and had a mental block at achieving that distance. I also had the mental block that I am turning 50 and my ability to be in shape for such a task was impossible.
As for the the HR item, I will let you know I use my Garmin to measure my HR and even on my slow runs my HR is a lot higher than what I have read online. Mine was always in the high 140s/low 150's. I also got caught in the trap at looking at other peoples VO2 max numbers and became frustrated that mine never really improved over the training plan. As mentioned, it is unique to each individual.
Here is what I ended up running over my plan. I am sure I was pushed to run further and more than I thought even possible, but that is part of the mental game a coach brings to a plan. I can also tell you I was definitely not running 5 days a week and definitely not hitting 20-30 miles a week before I started my plan. I have had previous injury issues which I believe were related to me not knowing how to run, not mixing up my speeds and for sure not slowing down in my runs! I can also tell you I needed more time to ramp up the miles because mentally I believe I was too old and would get injured.
Dopey minus 20 = 21.17 miles and 3:47:49
Dopey minus 19 = 31.12 miles and 5:01:02
Dopey minus 18 = 28.73 miles and 4:34:11
Dopey minus 17 = 32.23 miles and 5:08:42
Dopey minus 16 = 32.37 miles and 5:09:13
Dopey minus 15 = 32.14 miles and 5:05:08
Dopey minus 14 = 33.17 miles and 5:09:26
Dopey minus 13 = 27.06 miles and 4:19:01
Dopey minus 12 = 32.57 miles and 5:07:48
Dopey minus 11 = 42.81 miles and 6:49:10
Dopey minus 10 = 38.42 miles and 6:00:32
Dopey minus 09 = 41.50 miles and 6:39:00
Dopey minus 08 = 36.88 miles and 5:51:20
Dopey minus 07 = 44.02 miles and 6:59:36
Dopey minus 06 = 39.64 miles and 6:17:57
Dopey minus 05 = 49.61 miles and 7:49:16
Dopey minus 04 = 43.64 miles and 6:56:56
Dopey minus 03 = 52.13 miles and 8:24:20
Dopey minus 02 = 38.28 miles and 6:02:09
Dopey minus 01 = 33.99 miles and 5:24:15
Dopey week oo = 50.84 miles and 07:58:26
The last 20 weeks do fit in the greater than 20 range, but before that, I was rarely hitting 20 and it was only 3 days a week.
...trust in the
@DopeyBadger ... you got this!