I've Got a Year to do a Marathon, Any Personal Training Tips?

[running_coach]

@Dinsdale

I guess I missed the part about 3.5 hr halfs, and not caring about time. Personally, I never understood the folk who walk a marathon “for the accomplishment”, completing it in 6+ hrs after the course has been closed. (The only exception is for someone who is recovering from some major health issue.) Any average human in anywhere near decent shape should be able to walk 3-4 MPH for 6-7 hrs.

How about 5 days?

[Sir_T-Cups]

@Dinsdale

Sure, join a group of get a running buddy - if you are like most of us who benefit from the encouragement that provides.

You can find any number of training programs to build up to a marathon. I believe I used Galloway’s. Completing a marathon is no big deal - just alot hard work. When the raceday comes, all you need to do is slog through the miles (and put up with the crowds.) The accomplishment is in setting a goal and sticking with it to do what it takes to get there.

I’m not convinced that marathons are a great goal for everyone. Personally, after a lifetime of running, I had my knee scoped months after my first marathon. (After another couple of injuries/surgeries, I’m now a biker/swimmer! :)) In my mind, the half is a much more reasonable distance.

Galloway is huge down here because he runs all the races. I’ve seen him a few times while volunteering and a friend of ours got (accidentally) put into his corrall and ran with him a good ways a couple years ago.

[filmore]

As long as you’re moderately active, your muscles are likely strong enough to walk a marathon. The problems will be more about all the connective bits which aren’t used to that much impact. Without any long distance training, your hips, knees, and ankles would be very sore. Your back might be very sore as well from trying to keep your torso upright for such a long time. The long training sessions are not about building up muscle to go the distance. Rather, it’s to get all those other components fit enough to last for the entire race.

[Sicks_Ate]

@Dinsdale

I guess I missed the part about 3.5 hr halfs, and not caring about time. Personally, I never understood the folk who walk a marathon “for the accomplishment”, completing it in 6+ hrs after the course has been closed. (The only exception is for someone who is recovering from some major health issue.) Any average human in anywhere near decent shape should be able to walk 3-4 MPH for 6-7 hrs.

I dunno, a 4 mph walk is still pretty quick.

[Ludovic]

Esepcially for 26.2 miles. I can walk 4mph for a ways without breaking into a shuffle/jog but probably no more than 10 miles. Some time before 10 miles I have to alternate jogging with walking to maintain that pace. Even though my walking pace has improved since I started walking every day and running once or twice a week instead of running every other day.

[phreesh]

I’ve been around a bunch of 40 year old marathoners and my main piece of advice is to TAKE IT EASY. Especially if you have so much runway between now and the race. Injury setbacks are a killer. If you feel some new soreness, dial back the intensity and undertake some treatment.

I’ve seen a lot of good intentions go to the wayside by overtraining leading to injury.

Otherwise, best of luck and keep ramping up your training as the weeks and months pass!

[Skara_Brae]

My advice would be to make sure you don’t overtrain. It’s easy to get over enthusiastic when you start and injure yourself. This is what happened to be and I wound up having a major injury that affected me for years.

Respect the “rest” days!