Base building to a marathon
Elise4270
Posts: 8,375 Member
Hi all! I've been part of the monthly running challenge group for sometime now. I'm just realizing that longer distances may be doable iny not so distant future.
I've run 2 halves. And as I'm finally getting around to planning my April miles, I realize I am not running longer than 7-8 miles. I am working on base building. My last half was enjoyable, not a super hard effort.
So my long distance is only ~54% of my race distance, ~3xweek. (I am considering planning on one longer run every other week, maybe 30% of my weekly miles. Maybe alternating base building/distance every other month. Maybe)
This got me a bit curious. I understand you don't have to have run 26 miles in your traning to be able to run a full. Obviously, being able to consistently run 54% of the distance isn't going to get you ready for a marathon. Right? Hypothetically, If I could run 14 miles 3 days a week (say for a few months, 50-60 mpw) would a full be possible?
I'd always thought training for a distance, would be running close to that distance, ~80%. Can it be done through base building?
I'm not planning on a marathon, but I feel like somewhere in my brain its plotting one.
I've run 2 halves. And as I'm finally getting around to planning my April miles, I realize I am not running longer than 7-8 miles. I am working on base building. My last half was enjoyable, not a super hard effort.
So my long distance is only ~54% of my race distance, ~3xweek. (I am considering planning on one longer run every other week, maybe 30% of my weekly miles. Maybe alternating base building/distance every other month. Maybe)
This got me a bit curious. I understand you don't have to have run 26 miles in your traning to be able to run a full. Obviously, being able to consistently run 54% of the distance isn't going to get you ready for a marathon. Right? Hypothetically, If I could run 14 miles 3 days a week (say for a few months, 50-60 mpw) would a full be possible?
I'd always thought training for a distance, would be running close to that distance, ~80%. Can it be done through base building?
I'm not planning on a marathon, but I feel like somewhere in my brain its plotting one.
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Replies
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I reckon if you were churning through 50-60 mpw, you could definitely run a marathon regardless of your long run distance. However, that kind of distance requires some serious commitment, so I'm curious why you wouldn't want to go work a longer run into your schedule for the same overall mileage. Wouldn't it be better to mix your distance up a little?
Having said that, I incorporate some longer runs of race distance or a little further in my half training as well, but you don't seem to suffer from omitting these, so maybe the same would apply to the full. If you're achieving your goals and you're not chasing a time, I say do what works for you.1 -
I'm a little confused. If you are running 50-60 mpw and only 3 days, you are going to have to hit at lest one run of 20 or so miles, right? Or were you thinking of adding an additional day at 14? I suppose what you are suggesting is possible, but I personally would have a hard time doing it. Just from my experience, those 16-20 mile long runs are invaluable during training, as are the short recovery runs. I can run 6 or even 7 days per week as long as I have those short, easy 5-6 mile days here and there. I know you will be benefiting from additional rest days, but none of your runs will really give you the opportunity to actively recover, which is important to understand how it feels to run on tired legs. But again, everybody is different, so you have to do what works for you. Strictly from a mileage standpoint, you would be fine. I know plenty of people that have run full marathons without ever topping 40 mpw. It all depends on what type of experience you want to have.1
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I wrote a longer reply in the other group, but the short answer is yes, you can get to and complete a marathon with just base building. Much of what is written about training for a marathon assumes a goal of finishing as fast as possible. If the goal is simply to finish, or to finish running all the way, you can get there with easy running and long runs.1
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Haha I just replied on the other group and then saw this year. But I'll echo what I said in less detail here: yes. If you ran 14-16 miles 3-4 days a week, I think you'd be as prepared as someone who does those 20 mile LRs but only runs 4-6 miles a few times midweek. It's more about cumulative miles, I think, than just getting in the long runs. It all boosts fitness, and either way will get you to the finish line.1
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lporter229 wrote: »I'm a little confused. If you are running 50-60 mpw and only 3 days, you are going to have to hit at lest one run of 20 or so miles, right? Or were you thinking of adding an additional day at 14? I suppose what you are suggesting is possible, but I personally would have a hard time doing it. Just from my experience, those 16-20 mile long runs are invaluable during training, as are the short recovery runs. I can run 6 or even 7 days per week as long as I have those short, easy 5-6 mile days here and there. I know you will be benefiting from additional rest days, but none of your runs will really give you the opportunity to actively recover, which is important to understand how it feels to run on tired legs. But again, everybody is different, so you have to do what works for you. Strictly from a mileage standpoint, you would be fine. I know plenty of people that have run full marathons without ever topping 40 mpw. It all depends on what type of experience you want to have.
Ya I don't want it to be a crappy experience, if I get there. Right now I'm mentally sorting possibilities. Currently I'm doing 30-35mpw. I was just surprised how the half has become a bit easier, and the full doesn't look impossible anymore. Although, it may not be the right distance for me. I'm just keeping options open.0 -
@kristinegift @MobyCarp thanks, I'll read those too! I'm just doing a drive by and headed out for a run.
Way to go MFP adding the like/awesome buttons. Although I see the stock has plummeted, thank goodness I sold when I did!0 -
rightoncommander wrote: »I reckon if you were churning through 50-60 mpw, you could definitely run a marathon regardless of your long run distance. However, that kind of distance requires some serious commitment, so I'm curious why you wouldn't want to go work a longer run into your schedule for the same overall mileage. Wouldn't it be better to mix your distance up a little?
Having said that, I incorporate some longer runs of race distance or a little further in my half training as well, but you don't seem to suffer from omitting these, so maybe the same would apply to the full. If you're achieving your goals and you're not chasing a time, I say do what works for you.
Oh I'm just kicking it all around. I was just thinking where I could be and be semi capable of doing a full. I'd absolutely add LR's and mix it up if I was planning on a full. I'm still building miles. Just trying to see the horizon. 0 -
You absolutely can do it! IMO, you are approaching it from the right direction. Take your time, build the base, and let those miles get easier and easier before you jump head first into a training plan without any real foundation. Here is what I told my husband the other day: The way I see it, there are two ways to get through a marathon. You can rely on discipline or you can rely on determination. If you are disciplined and take your time through training, hitting all of your training runs, you should have a relatively smooth, comfortable race. If you rely on determination, you might not be as disciplined about your training, but you can tough it out and make it through those 26.2 . It just might hurt a little more. Of course, both discipline and determination are important for anyone running a marathon, but most people seem to sit on either side of center when it comes to balancing the two. Whatever works for you. Either way, nothing can compare to that feeling you get when crossing the finish line!1
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Last year I had no plans of doing a full. It was while keeping pace with a stranger who I started chatting with on a half marathon last spring when I first truly considered it. I had mentioned the half marathons I had done and how the distance did not seem as daunting anymore after doing the series that had two half's on back to back weekends. I thought that would be killer but it wasn't. That person asked if I had ever considered a full marathon and I mentioned I was nowhere near ready for that. They told me that if I could do half marathons confidently then there is no reason at all that I could not do a full. All I had to do was adjust my training, build up mileage, and go for it. So I decided to do it. They were right. While I would never dare equate a half to a full, I would dare to say that anyone who is comfortable running a half can definitely prepare for and run a full. There is absolutely no reason they shouldn't be able to do so.
TLDR.....
DO IT!!!!!
DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!!! 1 -
@lporter229 haha! That's my husband! He just plows through the distance without training. I don't want to regret my first full, if I do one. I want it to be smooth and calculated!
@WhatMeRunning
I'll keep adding the miles and see where that takes me!
Thanks so much for your support!0 -
WhatMeRunning wrote: »
TLDR.....
DO IT!!!!!
DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqDYcCDOTg 2
