First marathon

kristin2572

Hey all - looking for any advice to start training for my first marathon and what to expect or join up with others considering or already training for a full!!! I've ran a few halfs, relays and shorter races but this is a big deal

glevinso

Best advice I can give, without knowing much about you, is grab a plan off the Hal Higdon site and follow it as best you can. His plans are great for getting people through their first marathon.

Expect a LOT of running. 500-1000 miles in preparation. A few pairs of shoes, and towards the end, a lot of planning around the training, some good ole' fashioned race anxiety and jitters, then on race day it will be epic, it will be painful, but it will be worth it.

mykaylis

i have no experience, but i have enjoyed hal higdon and jeff galloway for books on the topic. make sure you have at least 2 pairs of shoes. i have done a short-distance run in an event that included marathoners and the experience was incredible. good luck to you!

_Waffle_

kristin2572 wrote: »

Hey all - looking for any advice to start training for my first marathon and what to expect or join up with others considering or already training for a full!!! I've ran a few halfs, relays and shorter races but this is a big deal

Expect to understand that 13.1 is a pretty short run.

I'm loosely following a plan by Jeff Gaudette off RunKeeper.

http://runkeeper.com/fitness-class/running-marathon/10?menuSelection=TRAINER&sponsorId=6&trainerSlug=jeff-gaudette

stealthq

_Waffle_ wrote: »

kristin2572 wrote: »

Hey all - looking for any advice to start training for my first marathon and what to expect or join up with others considering or already training for a full!!! I've ran a few halfs, relays and shorter races but this is a big deal

Expect to understand that 13.1 is a pretty short run.

I'm loosely following a plan by Jeff Gaudette off RunKeeper.

http://runkeeper.com/fitness-class/running-marathon/10?menuSelection=TRAINER&sponsorId=6&trainerSlug=jeff-gaudette

Yeah - I just finished half marathon training. 6 mi is now a 'short' run, so I can see how this can be.

OP, prepare to spend a lot of time per day on your training. Somehow, even though I could calculate how much time my long runs would take out of my day, I always failed to consider how much slower I would be moving for the rest of that day. Especially when your shoes start getting worn down. #legfatigue #achyfeet

rmdaly

glevinso wrote: »

Best advice I can give, without knowing much about you, is grab a plan off the Hal Higdon site and follow it as best you can. His plans are great for getting people through their first marathon.

I agree with this suggestion.
When you are training, you need to work with your nutrition. For a half-marathon, you can almost get by with little food and water. You can't for the marathon. During training, work out what works for you. Some people use electrolyte drinks. Some use gels. Some gels have caffeine or added salt. Some use water and salt/electrolyte tablets. Make sure you get enough nutrition and liquid.

Also, running a marathon is very challenging mentally. After you finish the first 10K, you still have 20 miles to go! A good mental outlook can make or break your race. Some people use mantras or music or both to get them through the toughest miles. Something else to practice on the longest runs.

Finally, on the long runs, figure out what you are going to wear. Its amazing how a piece of clothing that is fine for 6 - 10 miles, but for 20 will create a very painful raw spot. I get chafing on my stomach from a running belt and use a product called Body Glide to prevent it. Body Glide is also good under running bras. Train in what you will wear in the race. Don't wear anything new in the race.

Hope this helps. Have fun in the process.

urban_ninja

In. I'm training for my first as well and this inquiring mind wants to know...