Training for a full marathon

MSeel1984
MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I just finished my first half marathon a couple weeks ago and loved it.
I understand the next place to go from here is a full. I am hoping to start training for it and wanted to know if there are any recommendations for training programs, etc to work my way up to it. Hoping to be able to do one next year around this time (in the fall). Thanks!

Replies

  • AniLandSmiles
    AniLandSmiles Posts: 89 Member
    I recently found a long term marathon training schedule that were a year long. Unfortunately, I'm at work right now, so it's blocked and I can't post the link. But if you do a search for long term marathon schedules, you'll find some good ones. :) Congratulations!
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    AniLandSmiles wrote: »
    I recently found a long term marathon training schedule that were a year long. Unfortunately, I'm at work right now, so it's blocked and I can't post the link. But if you do a search for long term marathon schedules, you'll find some good ones. :) Congratulations!

    Awesome-thanks!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Check out Hal Higdon's training plans. I have no idea what your other running history is but rather than jumping right from half to a full (and a year from now is tons of time to train) get a few more HMs under your belt (you can probably incorporate them into your full marathon training plan).

    Caveat: I haven't run a full marathon yet. I really enjoy the HM distance and I still find 26.2 mile intimidating!
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Oh I'm COMPLETELY intimidated by that distance too. I'm trying not to be. I just keep remembering crossing the finish line during my half and thinking "I'm so glad I'm done...just imagine if this was a full...you'd only be half way!"
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    edited January 2015
    The next logical step is not necessarily the full. Getting faster at the half (or even 10k and 5k) is a perfectly valid "next step". Of course if you *want* to try to run a full, go for it, by all means.

    My only word of advice is to not think that a "half marathon" is half of a full marathon. Sure on paper the distance is half of the full. But the pain and misery of the full marathon cannot be compared to "twice a half".

    Mile 13.1 of a full marathon is not half way there. You are "half way there" when you hit mile 20 or so. The rest of the pain comes after that, in concentrated form over the next 6 miles.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    The next logical step is not necessarily the full. Getting faster at the half (or even 10k and 5k) is a perfectly valid "next step". Of course if you *want* to try to run a full, go for it, by all means.

    My only word of advice is to not think that a "half marathon" is half of a full marathon. Sure on paper the distance is half of the full. But the pain and misery of the full marathon cannot be compared to "twice a half".

    Mile 13.1 of a full marathon is not half way there. You are "half way there" when you hit mile 20 or so. The rest of the pain comes after that, in concentrated form over the next 6 miles.

    LoL-oh now I'm REALLY excited! J/K
    I've heard the same from others who have done full marathons. My older sister did the Boston and said she was in hell for the last few miles.
    I just want to prove to myself that I can do it (despite having type I diabetes).
    I have a couple half marathons planned between then and now :)
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Adding: Don't take that post as discouraging you from going for it. I just want you to know what you are getting yourself into. It is a much bigger bite to take, and be prepared for some LONG training and many many miles.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    Adding: Don't take that post as discouraging you from going for it. I just want you to know what you are getting yourself into. It is a much bigger bite to take, and be prepared for some LONG training and many many miles.

    Yeah-I've been using a Hal Higdon training plan and building my mileage up gradually. Good news is I have a while before the event so I can take my time. I'm using his novice 1 program and it's been good so far. Biggest issue is the stupid weather. It leaves me with either trying to run outside when there is ice all over the sidewalks or running >10-12 miles on a stupid treadmill. I am dying for Spring. Even Summer when I can get reflective clothing and run before the sun comes up/it gets hot/muggy. Ice is dangerous-I'm a klutz as it is.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    The next logical step is not necessarily the full. Getting faster at the half (or even 10k and 5k) is a perfectly valid "next step". Of course if you *want* to try to run a full, go for it, by all means.

    My only word of advice is to not think that a "half marathon" is half of a full marathon. Sure on paper the distance is half of the full. But the pain and misery of the full marathon cannot be compared to "twice a half".

    Mile 13.1 of a full marathon is not half way there. You are "half way there" when you hit mile 20 or so. The rest of the pain comes after that, in concentrated form over the next 6 miles.

    livin-on-a-prayer.gif
  • tanowicki
    tanowicki Posts: 60 Member
    Gotta agree with glevinso about mile 20 being about halfway done with a full marathon. The last 6 miles are tough not just physically but mentally.

    I would like to run another at some point but towards the end, the training is a part time job. Before jumping up to the full, make sure you have the time and schedule to commit to it. Personally, I'm just trying to perfect the 10k and doing an occasional HM.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Well I have 1-2 half marathons planned. This full isn't until October so I have time. I've already started on my training plan :)
  • Eire228
    Eire228 Posts: 238 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    The next logical step is not necessarily the full. Getting faster at the half (or even 10k and 5k) is a perfectly valid "next step". Of course if you *want* to try to run a full, go for it, by all means.

    My only word of advice is to not think that a "half marathon" is half of a full marathon. Sure on paper the distance is half of the full. But the pain and misery of the full marathon cannot be compared to "twice a half".

    Mile 13.1 of a full marathon is not half way there. You are "half way there" when you hit mile 20 or so. The rest of the pain comes after that, in concentrated form over the next 6 miles.

    livin-on-a-prayer.gif

    Amazing.

    Also, good for you for running the full! I ran my first half last fall, and I'm not sure I ever want to do the full. So I'm impressed by your determination!!! :)
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Eire228 wrote: »
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    The next logical step is not necessarily the full. Getting faster at the half (or even 10k and 5k) is a perfectly valid "next step". Of course if you *want* to try to run a full, go for it, by all means.

    My only word of advice is to not think that a "half marathon" is half of a full marathon. Sure on paper the distance is half of the full. But the pain and misery of the full marathon cannot be compared to "twice a half".

    Mile 13.1 of a full marathon is not half way there. You are "half way there" when you hit mile 20 or so. The rest of the pain comes after that, in concentrated form over the next 6 miles.

    livin-on-a-prayer.gif

    Amazing.

    Also, good for you for running the full! I ran my first half last fall, and I'm not sure I ever want to do the full. So I'm impressed by your determination!!! :)

    This made me chuckle as well...and I think I need to add that song to my running playlist now.

    And thanks! I am very intimidated by it but also really excited...I want to push myself...to be able to say I did it.

    I've also had type I diabetes for 15 years now so...that adds an interesting challenge.
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    I'm in base building/maintaining for a 26.2 in July. I'm going to follow Hal Higdon's training plan for the most part. It's an 18 week program that I will start either on March 1 or March 8. (going away for a week in April and will probably need to "repeat" that week).
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    CharleneMarie723 wrote: »
    I'm in base building/maintaining for a 26.2 in July. I'm going to follow Hal Higdon's training plan for the most part. It's an 18 week program that I will start either on March 1 or March 8. (going away for a week in April and will probably need to "repeat" that week).

    Yeah-we have a vacation planned in May...I usually go to the gym they have at the resort, but given that it's in coastal Mexico, it's extremely humid and hot. I'm going to see if I couldn't run around the resort instead of going to the gym (I have treadmills)...maybe if I got up early-I mean the whole place is well lit and I could get some reflective gear.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    CharleneMarie723 wrote: »
    I'm in base building/maintaining for a 26.2 in July. I'm going to follow Hal Higdon's training plan for the most part. It's an 18 week program that I will start either on March 1 or March 8. (going away for a week in April and will probably need to "repeat" that week).

    Yeah-we have a vacation planned in May...I usually go to the gym they have at the resort, but given that it's in coastal Mexico, it's extremely humid and hot. I'm going to see if I couldn't run around the resort instead of going to the gym (I have treadmills)...maybe if I got up early-I mean the whole place is well lit and I could get some reflective gear.

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