I'm running a marathon...

SonicDeathMonkey80

Dear OP, you want a personal experience? Here's one for ya!

Jan 2013 I started running. At this point, I was already in pretty good shape, much better than yourself at this point in the game. I logged 200 miles by June, and pulled off a miraculous 1:45 half marathon. That's pretty fast given my running experience! So there I was saying "what's next?" I felt entitled and cocky, and thought "Full marathon? Whatever" and I signed up for one that took place the beginning of September. Sure, my 9 months vs your year, but remember, I was at an optimum weight and conditioning level compared to you, and had logged the following miles:

Jan: 15
Feb: 35
Mar: 56
Apr: 54
May: 34
Jun: 84 (Half marathon, triathlon)
Jul: 80 (triathlon)
Aug: 113 (triathlon)

That's a total of 471 miles going into my first and only full. Those miles were all outside, all conditions, and a hard learning experience. I ran maybe 3-4 times per week, and had a long run of 18mi. That's all I could take. I learned about the benefits of properly fitting shoes, the pain my body was in and what it all meant, as well as how to fuel and run for longer distances.

I ran my full in 4:27 and change. For me, that was slow. Why? I was in such good shape! Well, it's because I had not put in the time necessary. I didn't listen to these unsupportive a**holes that told people like me and you day in day out to wait and build your mileage and conditioning. I thought "hey I ran a fast 13.1, and I felt pretty good after." Truth be told, I was ok until about mile 19. Hot weather set in, my heartrate skyrocketed, I got cramped, and I walked - limped - from station to station. And my last 3 miles were around a 13-14 minute mile

Yep, I earned that medal, but I've sorta regretted it all this time. I wanted a better first full marathon experience that wasn't filled with anger and regret at my choice. The whole "what the hell did I just do" and "why did I do this, I totally wasn't ready." So I signed up for my next one, a YEAR from the one I felt like a bucket of fail on.

You might be the running phenom that will have a pain and injury free 12 months and you will stroll to the finish line and have the last laugh because you "winged it."

I wish you the best.

If you want support, I encourage you to post your story to http://www.letsrun.com those folks know their stuff.

CarsonRuns

If you want support, I encourage you to post your story to http://www.letsrun.com those folks know their stuff.

No, don't do that.

You think people here are being un-supportive? At Letsrun, they call you slow if you can't run a 2:45 marathon. Yes, marathon. Not half marathon.

SonicDeathMonkey80

If you want support, I encourage you to post your story to http://www.letsrun.com those folks know their stuff.

No, don't do that.

You think people here are being un-supportive? At Letsrun, they call you slow if you can't run a 2:45 marathon. Yes, marathon. No half marathon.

Some lessons are best learned the hard way though, yes?

aswearingen22

If you want support, I encourage you to post your story to http://www.letsrun.com those folks know their stuff.

No, don't do that.

You think people here are being un-supportive? At Letsrun, they call you slow if you can't run a 2:45 marathon. Yes, marathon. No half marathon.

Some lessons are best learned the hard way though, yes?

lol

scraver2003

But no one is disputing any of this with you! People are just trying to share their experiences!

Nonsense, very few people have shared their experiences, they have just been negative about time frames and twisted my words to say things I haven't said.

Did you ask for people to share their experiences? You didn't really ask anything other than for people to offer their advice.

I started running in December of 2007. I was making really great progress until I bacame pregnant in May of 2008. Began running again when my first son was a year old. I was doing 5k's in about 40 mins - give or take depending on the course. My best time was 34 minutes and change on a really flat course. Every minute I took off my 5k time took A LOT of hard work. I was and still am over-weight. I can feel every single little extra pound I carry around. I know the thing that will MOST impact my running is weight loss.

I did my first half marathon in September of 2011. The time limit for that was 3 hours. I did it in 3:00:53. (They still counted it! ~phew!~). And from not wearing the proper size shoes, I lost a toenail and almost lost a second one. I can't remember if I did my sprint distance triathlon that year or the year before. That was fun!! I hope to do one again next year. But - wow! - losing weight while training for one was not possible for me.

I did my second half marathon a whole year later. I performed better in the training that time around (the year of running REALLY helped.) I was SO sure I could do it in under 3 hours. BUT... when I got there that day and did it, for some reason I found I just could not PUSH hard enough to get it under 3 hours. My time was 3:14:and some seconds. The next day I discovered my problem... I was pregnant! Talk about "set backs" in running. Lol!

I packed on some weight during this last pregnancy. I carry every extra pound around like lead weights tied to my hips, belly, thighs, arms... My body hates me for it. Running while overweight is rough work. I have done two 5k's so far this year. I am registered for two more in June, one in October, and a half marathon in September. (With many more races I plan to do.) I have my 5k time back down to 43 minutes. Every pound I lose helps me. Every single one.

At this time, I am not even considering a marathon in the any-where-near-future. I know I would injure myself if I pushed harder than I am. I have tried C25K and there are jumps in the training that I struggle with. I find doing my own intervals works better for me. I just trying to run a little further or a little faster each day before I walk. I know that increasing 10% each week is the rule of thumb, but I find (FOR ME) that 5% is what suits me more. That means it takes me twice as long to build up to the distances I want to run. I also know that I need more recovery weeks to scale back my runs so I don't burn out and so I don't injure myself.

I know these things about myself because I have been running on and off since December 2007. And I still feel like such a begginer. Every time I head out for a run... I feel like I am still just starting out. A year? A year seems like such an insignificant amount of time to me.

I hope you do reach your goals! I hope you get to feel the success of crossing that finish line. I think it is noble that you want to help your friend. Good luck!

ThickMcRunFast

Just to throw in my 2 cents:

Can you do it in one year? Sure. Should you? Well, that will depend.

My personal experience: I 'accidentally' went from 0 to marathon in a little over a year. I say 'accidentally' because I had no plans at first to run 26.2, I just wanted to tighten things up a bit. I came from a track background in high school, then took college mostly off, but was never at a point where I couldn't just go out and run a few miles.

So in the fall of 2004, I started jogging to warm up for lifting. A friend and I made it our goal to do a spring 10k. At that 10k, we saw people getting medals for finishing the half, and we decided we wanted medals. So we trained for a half. My god, was that different. I thought my knees were going to fall off during my first 10 mile run.

One night while drinking after training, we decided 'eff it, we can do a marathon, why not???" So we both signed up for a fall one. I had no idea what I was doing. I just ran a lot. 3 ten mile runs and one 20 mile run a week...that sounds good, right? This was back in the day before I knew about online forums and training plans. I ran my first marathon in 4:26 with knee tendonitis. It felt like I was running on a broken leg, and I was really disappointed with my time. Only stubbornness got me through miles 18-24. I remember crying while running because it hurt so badly. For a few weeks after, my knee would just randomly give out while I was walking. No bueno. Of course, i also fell in love with marathoning over the process, and learned to do it right (or at least not so wrong) in the years that followed.

So, is it possible? Yes. But manage your expectations. 26.2 miles is a really, really long way. I would find a plan, and stick to it as much as possible.

thepetiterunner

You've gotten a ton of good advice here from newer and veteran runners alike, so I won't add more as far as training advice.

I will caution you with this though: The marathon is a distance unlike any other. When people say if you can run a 10k, you can run a half marathon, they're right. The distance is double, but it's not usually at such a high rate where things literally start to fall apart. Running a half marathon is VERY different than running a full marathon. You may feel good and strong at the end of 13.1, but there's something that happens as you get up to miles 18, 20, 22 and yes, 26.2, that isn't the same.

I don't say this to discourage you, I say it to prepare you. I started running on August 10, 2010 and signed up for a half marathon that day, which was exactly 60 days away. Most people would have thought I was insane - and I definitely did not run my best half marathon, but I was set on doing it and I did. I decided to run the Nike Women's Marathon in 2011 after getting in by lottery the following October.

I was running a lot the year in between races, and it was just about a year out from my half marathon. I was in really good shape, I had dropped about 30 lbs and weighed almost what I was in high school. I ran the race, a very difficult hilly course in SF, and I did finish it. But it was really, really hard. I hit the wall - no, I SLAMMED into the wall - at mile 22 or so and never really recovered. I did finish it, but the training I did (which was insufficient physically), was hard and mentally it was very tiring. Marathons aren't just about whether or not you can physically make it - I think a better portion of it is just your mental ability to stick it out and push through.

I think you can run a marathon, but whether or not it will be an enjoyable experience or one you'd like to repeat afterwards is another story. I just ran my second marathon this last December, a little over 2 years after my first. Why? Because I was still that mentally burned out from the last one. Marathons are a tricky beast. Respect the distance.

FeebRyan

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

It is definitely the physical I am concerned about!

CarsonRuns

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

While that's quite commendable, there is one big difference. In a marathon, you can step up on the curb and walk away.

beckydragonpoet

You can do this! You will need at least one pair new shoes by the time you get to your marathon possible 2 pairs by then. Also its ok to walk as part of your trianing. Good luck!

SonicDeathMonkey80

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

It is definitely the physical I am concerned about!

I'm pretty sure crossing a finish line is about as close as I'll ever come to knowing what it's like to pushing three children out of your vagina, so I'll give you that.

I just can't do this thread anymore though.

Vaya con dios.

runner475

I think a year is plenty of time.

I will aim for a 10k in July and then go from there!

My running shoes were moderately expensive (around £60) and all I can afford at the moment.

So that is what I will be running in.

Are you saying a year from now you would running your Full in the same shoes that you have now?

Please do not. For the love of your health buy at least (minimum) one more pair and alternate b/w 2 for training.

aswearingen22

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

It is definitely the physical I am concerned about!

lol, the comparison isn't even close. I"ve birthed two babies and run two marathons (so far) and the marathon is like a 5 month long labor (as mental strength is needed the entire training cycle to stay committed) with no cute little baby to push you through to the end. Running mental strength is earned on the road. As Carson said, you can stop at any time and throw in the towel. You can't stop a birth, it's going to happen with or without you, a birth is more about getting through the experience. A marathon is having the mental strength to get through when every single muscle and your brain is telling you to stop. Birth doesn't prepare you at all for that.

MeanderingMammal

You can do this! You will need at least one pair new shoes by the time you get to your marathon possible 2 pairs by then.

More like six or seven new pairs. They'll only have about a 400 mile life, optimistically, given the need to avoid injury.

likitisplit

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

It is definitely the physical I am concerned about!

I used to worry about having the mental toughness to do a marathon. Since I've done a half marathon, I realize that the important thing is that 26.2 miles (42k) is really, really far to run. Running for more than three hours isn't all that fun. It's even a substantial drive.

The human body takes awhile to adjust to running. There's no way to speed up the process. A year is an aggressive timeline for your body to adapt to running that kind of distance.

sarahz5

26.2 miles (42k) is really, really far to run. Running for more than three hours isn't all that fun. It's even a substantial drive.

This may be the best illustration of the challenge of long distance running I have ever read. Never thought about it that way before. That does make it sound so much more uncomfortable! :laugh:

3dogsrunning

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

It is definitely the physical I am concerned about!

I used to worry about having the mental toughness to do a marathon. Since I've done a half marathon, I realize that the important thing is that 26.2 miles (42k) is really, really far to run. Running for more than three hours isn't all that fun. It's even a substantial drive.

The human body takes awhile to adjust to running. There's no way to speed up the process. A year is an aggressive timeline for your body to adapt to running that kind of distance.

Totally agree. I love half marathons and have done quite a few. I had a good base of running when I started training for a marathon earlier this year and came to this same realization. It isn't just about putting the miles in, that's the easy part. The mental aspect and avoiding injury are much harder.

I can't really compare to the mental toughness of childbirth, I'll have to wait another 3 months or so for that.

vmclach

I do feel the negative energy in this thread. However, whenever there is person who is claiming they want to run their first marathon, there are a lot of negative responses. I, for one, admire your decision! I have no doubt that if you are determined, you will reach your goals!

In 2008, I made a decision to try to run a mile. I could not complete a mile. Now I've ran 5 marathons in very respectable times.
I can run a sub 20 min 5k & broken 5:45 in a mile...

I went from smoker to Boston Marathon qualifier a 1.5 years..

I've taken 41 min off my marathon time in 10 months. (4:09---> 3:27)... If you want something bad enough, you will achieve it...

My brother began running in Jan. 2013 & ran his first full October 2013 (4:24)

My fiancés ex girlfriend never ran a day in her life.. She ran her first 5k September 2011 then her first full 13 months later in October 2012... She ran a 5:55...

Is it going to be hard? Yes.

These people are coming off as "negative" because they want you to know what you are getting into. It won't be easy. You will want to quit many many times. You will have to push through pain you've never experienced both mentally & physically, but I have no doubt you will achieve this goal.

Feel free to add me for support.

FeebRyan

all births are different, for one of mine there was no baby at the end.

After going through that, while listening to all the little babies be born in rooms around me, I decided I could do anything.

Pick that apart all you want lady in pink, I do wish you'd find another thread to give your 'advice' on though, trust me it is wasted here.

vmclach

Well I have done a 26hr labour and 2 9 hour ones, so hoping that i have the mental ability to get through a marathon.

It is definitely the physical I am concerned about!

lol, the comparison isn't even close. I"ve birthed two babies and run two marathons (so far) and the marathon is like a 5 month long labor (as mental strength is needed the entire training cycle to stay committed) with no cute little baby to push you through to the end. Running mental strength is earned on the road. As Carson said, you can stop at any time and throw in the towel. You can't stop a birth, it's going to happen with or without you, a birth is more about getting through the experience. A marathon is having the mental strength to get through when every single muscle and your brain is telling you to stop. Birth doesn't prepare you at all for that.

Lol this is good to hear as I have no children! Child birth should be a cake walk, right?

My friend has ran a 3:13 marathon. She says child birth is much harder

I guess it's all the perspective. Marathons aren't that bad

Come on guys.

Yes yes. The first marathon always sucks, but I love marathons. They are such a great experience & challenge

FeebRyan

I've decided to aim for the half marathon in October instead, simply because it will mean that we can shorten the time it takes to get the money to my friend. He doesn't want to wait a year and a half for a wheelchair. I am still determine to do the Bournemouth marathon in 2015 but at least the pressure is off.

I am pretty sure that mentally I can cope with it, I think you have to believe that or you are failed before you have started.

FeebRyan

You seem to have far more the outlook that my running friends have got, that actually its a marathon and a lot of hard work but actually its not 'that' bad and really can be trained for in a relatively short space of time.

If I do well with the half I might try and run the London the following year (If I get in)

Anyway, focusing on a half in October now, which seems scarily close!

vmclach

If you want support, I encourage you to post your story to http://www.letsrun.com those folks know their stuff.

No, don't do that.

You think people here are being un-supportive? At Letsrun, they call you slow if you can't run a 2:45 marathon. Yes, marathon. Not half marathon.

Hahaha... Omg. Once there was a thread on there titled "since when is running a sub 3 hour marathon something to brag about"

Linli_Anne

I'm curious, OP. Why did you choose the Marathon distance (26.2 miles/ 42KM) as the distance for your fundraising goal?

Would running a half marathon, for the same cause, be less noteworthy in your mind?

I applaud your reason for wanting to run - any distance. In 2013 my father-in-law was diagnosed with both cancer and congestive heart failure. We all felt helpless. I chose 2 races that were taking donations to local charities/programs that he would directly benefit from. One race was a 6KM mud run/obstacle course. I raised $350. The second was a half marathon, or 13.1 miles and I raised another $350. People were inspired by my drive to do something to make a difference, not my distance.

Something very personal happened during my running that year (which actually started with the C25K program in Nov. 2012, but I digress) and that was I fell in love with running. I looked forward to hitting the pavement for long runs bright and early every Sunday, and a few nights a week after the kids' soccer games and swimming lessons. I felt twitchy if I went more than a few days without logging some miles.

I decided that I wanted to do a marathon this year. The "big" one here happens every year on Father's Day. I started my official marathon training on January 1st of this year. I have not missed a scheduled run in the last 16 weeks. I have missed Sunday morning breakfast with my kids, because my long runs are all 3+ hours these days. I have made the choice to turn down late night events because without my sleep I can't make it through my 20 mile runs. There are days where I need to force myself to run. I still love running, but I did not plan for how mentally exhausting truly training for the full marathon would be. It is a different beast from anything I have experienced - including laboring and delivering my children.

Whether you choose to do a full marathon in 2 years, or a 10K in 6 months, don't lose sight of why you set this goal for yourself in the first place, because you will need it to remind yourself why you are doing it when you hit the road before day break so that you can be home to share cereal and watch cartoons with your kids. You will need it to push yourself when at mile 10 of a training run your mind says, "You've done well. You can rest now.". You'll need it to help you lift your legs out of bed the morning after your first 20 mile run and your 2nd, and you start to realize just how much of a toll those long distances take on your body even if you do feel great during the run.

A marathon can be trained for, and possibly finished in a year's time. I'm sure people do it often, and with little to no prior running experience. I'm sure that you can do it as well, as your mind seems to be sure of it which is sometimes a big part of the battle, but please do read what some of the experienced runners here are telling you, read blogs and training guides and forum topics. Read them again. Try something, and know that you will have to make changes. Be prepared to face runners trots, chafing, black toenails, blisters, blood, tears, sweat and a whole slew of things you never thought you would with a sport. Be educated about the training, be educated about the experience, and be smart enough to know if you need to back off, and when you need to back off because sometimes bad experiences put us off of wonderful things for a long time because we didn't go into it with an open mind to begin with.

I wish you much luck with whatever course, distance, and training plan that you so choose.

likitisplit

I was reading through the thread. The OP mentioned: " I think a 5k run would take me about an hour or so."

My question is: are you entering an official marathon or just running the distance as a fundraiser?

Most half marathons and marathons have a sweep time that you need to be under. While I think that, with training, you will get under the time limit, you should be aware of this.

Also, since you mentioned children - have you thought about the impact on your family that running around 40 miles a week will have?

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

OP: I can see where someone being optimistic like you might take realism to be negativity. For what it's worth, you have a far more altruistic reason for running than I do - I do it for myself, my health, and my mental well being. So you've got a better motivation for it than I do. Motivation can carry you a long way.

Many of the people on this thread are offering sound, realistic advise. If your goal is to simply finish for supporting your friend, I'm sure that motivation will be a big part of the puzzle.

Do keep in mind that many of the people indicating that you should spend more time building base mileage are what I would consider hardcore runners. Their motivations are different than yours. As such, their advise is probably geared more towards having a good, enjoyable race, where they are in their best overall condition, free from injuries, and probably hoping to obtain a personal record. For that goal, the advice is sound. And for what it's worth, I agree with such advise.

Your motivation is different. As long as you've set realistic expectations of perhaps a run/walk event, in which you may finish as many as 6+ hours after the start, then I have no doubt that you'll complete your goal.

Best of luck to you.

likitisplit

You seem to have far more the outlook that my running friends have got, that actually its a marathon and a lot of hard work but actually its not 'that' bad and really can be trained for in a relatively short space of time.

If I do well with the half I might try and run the London the following year (If I get in)

Anyway, focusing on a half in October now, which seems scarily close!

It is, but you can do it! A half is a lot more manageable than a full. You'll have a better sense of perspective once you've completed that.

aswearingen22

all births are different, for one of mine there was no baby at the end.

After going through that, while listening to all the little babies be born in rooms around me, I decided I could do anything.

Pick that apart all you want lady in pink, I do wish you'd find another thread to give your 'advice' on though, trust me it is wasted here.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. And I'm sorry that any advice that you don't like, you seem to want to attack the person giving it. I've been very nice today (as everyone else here has been and has said all is being said in a nice and friendly way, you're the only one that seems to feel differently). We all just want to help. I think a half this fall is an absolutely fabulous idea. That's a more realistic goal and as you said, can help your friend sooner. Glad everyone could help!

vmclach

And I'm sorry that any advice that you don't like, you seem to want to attack the person giving it. I've been very nice today (as everyone else here has been and has said all is being said in a nice and friendly way, you're the only one that seems to feel differently). We all just want to help. I think a half this fall is an absolutely fabulous idea. That's a more realistic goal and as you said, can help your friend sooner. Glad everyone could help!

I think she mainly just posted it for support. To hear someone tell her "Yes you can!"... I was shyed away from marathons because everyone always told me not to do them because I was so "young" and I should get more "experience". While it was honest advice, I really wanted to run one, but because so many people were unsupportive of the idea, I put it off for years. I'm not even glad I waited. Lol I wish I would have ran one sooner.

FeebRyan

I dont think realism is negative, I think people lying about things you've said, making up crap and demeaning your grueling 9 hour labour to deliver a still born child is negative.

Everyone is different, everyone deals with challenges in different ways.

I dont intend on being a 'hardcore' runner or 'making great time' I just want to support my dear friend who is going through some crap at the moment. That this whole thread has become an excuse for certain people to 'lol' at my expense and rubbish my enthusiasm is really sad.