I see from a quick search that this was run on Sunday…
How did it go? What was your time?
My time was 6+ hours, sucky in general, but reasonable for a first marathon. Next time, waaaaaaaaaaay more 15-20 milers.
How many long milers did you do? Mind if I ask what training plan you followed?
I recently ran a Half Marathon (posted about it on here, too) and, as I was approaching the 12.5-mile mark, I swore that I would never do it again. Now I find myself thinking things like, “You know, there is a marathon at the same time as that half…” and opening threads like this one. Not to mention the fact that I’ve already agreed to run another half in March with my brother.
I can’t believe you did a 3:38 your first time out. Can I ask what training program you followed, if any? What would you tell someone who is looking ahead a full year to a marathon?
I don’t want to do it the first time.
I started running seriously two years ago to compete in triathlons. Despite my advanced age (I’m 53), I continue to improve. You would not pick me as a runner (I’m 6’1" 200 lbs). World-class runners all look the same, but after that it’s less looks and more experience (and age).
If you can run a half marathon, my guess is that you can run a full. I followed Higdon’s training program which you can find here. I looked at other training programs, but this one just fit my running style. Mostly, it required only that I run miles and not try to do hills and speed work and other types of training. But then again, I play ultimate (frisbee) 3 times a week and that I think was a huge help in my training and did give me a very good speed/sprint workout.
There is no secret to running a marathon. The only 2 things you need to do are:
- Run lots and lots of miles. Then run more.
- Don’t get injured. So don’t run TOO many miles. Build your base and slowly build your miles. If you start to feel a twinge (not just fatique) or something on a run, don’t push too hard. Listen to your body. I almost couldn’t finish the training because I injured myself on a long run trying to push too hard.
Higdon’s plan is an 18 week plan. So, between now and 18 weeks before the marathon starts, try to get yourself up to 5 or 6 miles 3 or 4 times a week running at a comfortable pace. I was running between 6 and 8 miles 3 times a week before I started marathon training and I think that helped quit a bit.
There are far more experienced runners around here than me. I’d take any advice I profer with the largest grain of salt you can find.
I think you should set the goal, set a training plan, and then go for it. That is really all I did, and by simply sticking with the plan it worked. If you can get back to a 1/2 marathon in March, I don’t see any reason why you can’t reach a full 6 months after that. By all means, keep us updated (or at least me… I’d like to hear how it goes… e-mail is in the profile).
There is nothing wrong with that time. You.ran.a.marathon. Congrats! It is a pretty good feeling to see the culmination of all that effort, no?
Yes, and I have followup Marathons in Birmingham(February) and Atlanta(March), as well as some 10K/Half-Marathon events sooner.
I need more work above HM, but capped by 20 or so miles. I am living proof that one can run a marathon with training mainly involving half-marathon distances.
However, that approach gets really ugly when one gets past 18 miles or so.
So, next time, many many more 15K, HM, up to 18 to 21 mile runs in prep for the next marathon…
I ran my first and only marathon last year - 6+ hours, my back started spasming about mile 16 for some reason and I was so proud of myself. But it isn’t the fact I ran a marathon, it was the fact that I stuck with the training. I set a goal six months in advance and did it. I truly believe pretty much anyone can run a marathon, if you can stick with it. It is hard because it requires the will to do it, but it is also a total readjustment of your life in a lot of ways. It is a lifestyle change for those months, what you eat, how you spend your weekends, etc.
Anyway, I do hope to run another one some day, I enjoy the running, but I was a bit overwhelmed with how the running kind of consumed my life when I was training. So I am sticking to 5/10k for now.
I’ve done Disney three times and my best was 4:20. But I bet I’ve done better if I hadn’t have had to get up at 3 freakin 30 in the morning for each race, since my 15+ milers in training were far better than a 4:20 split. Congratulations anyway!
That’s the reason I don’t do marathons anymore, is the start times. If I had to get up only at 6 am I’d do them every year or even more.
Thanks for the encouragement and advice!
Right now, even though the HM is over and the next one isn’t for a while, I’m trying to keep my mileage up and to maintain my level of fitness. I ran 10 yesterday and feel fine today. Usually I run 6 a few times during the week. I know it’ll be somewhat more difficult in the winter. I don’t mind winter running—in fact, I prefer cold or even snow to heat and humidity—but the street are never well plowed around here and it can get dangerous.
I also figured out a way around marathon training taking over my family life and weekends. I have a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, and my argument against a marathon was always that it would be unfair to my husband to abandon them one full day on the weekends for long runs. But it occurred to me yesterday that I can plan vacation and personal days from work and do a Friday long run instead.
Yup. Taking vacation days purely for the purpose of running. That’s a sign, isn’t it?
A marathon is the kind of race where I’m impressed with anybody who can finish - and you did it 3:38?
Congratulations, twice.
Ludovic - Congrats on doing a marathon 3 times! I really don’t know how you can go through something like that multiple times, so I’m really impressed. Especially since you were having to get up so early. I considered driving there on the day of the marathon, but I really didn’t want to have to get up at 3:30 like you did. Worse, I didn’ t want to have to drive home afterwards, either.
I really liked running the marathon itself. I really didn’t like the training. I honestly have no idea if I’ll be able to motivate myself to go through that again. People that have done multiple marathons and keep doing them are just in a different class in my mind.
lorene - Yeah, I’d say you’ve definitely found a sign… I can’t imagine taking vacation time just for training runs. I’m also REALLY impressed that you are doing this kind of training with two really young kids. My kids are 10, 7 and 3 so it isn’t as big a deal. Also, I do most of my running early morning (I usually start my runs before 5:30) so I don’t take up an entire day with it. After a 20 mile run I was usually pretty tired, but I was still able around to help with small things, so it worked out okay.
If you ran 10 yesterday and frequently run 6, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from doing 26.2. You could be doing a marathon in as little as 4 or 5 months if you really wanted. 6 months ago I was probably exactly where you are now.
Nava - Thanks. As I said in the OP, all kinds of people can do this… but it does take a certain mindset to finish. I’m not going to call it insanity, but a masochistic tendency wouldn’t be off the mark by much.