First Marathon

BChanFit

So I've just decided I want to run a marathon approximately 1 year from now. My longest distance thus far is the half marathon. I finished my most recent one in September in 2 hours 21 minutes. I would like to finish the marathon sub 4 hours 30 minutes though. I found a good training plan I like but I won't start that until this coming May.

So my question is this... since my race season is winding down (just 2 races left this month), what should I do to maintain/slightly improve my running skills over the next 7 months or so? Any advice for a first timer?

JustWant2Run

Hi!

First, I think your goal to run a marathon in a year is a good one. Gives you plenty of time to be ready.

I'm just here to suggest you join the Long Distance Runners group. You'll probably get more specific advices there. And let's be honest, it's where all the cool kids hang out

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/111-long-distance-runners

SonicDeathMonkey80

So I've just decided I want to run a marathon approximately 1 year from now. My longest distance thus far is the half marathon. I finished my most recent one in September in 2 hours 21 minutes. I would like to finish the marathon sub 4 hours 30 minutes though. I found a good training plan I like but I won't start that until this coming May.

So my question is this... since my race season is winding down (just 2 races left this month), what should I do to maintain/slightly improve my running skills over the next 7 months or so? Any advice for a first timer?

1) Don't stick a time goal to your first. Run it to finish. You don't know what to expect, so save the pressure/expectations for when you know what's up.
2) In the meantime, build up your mileage base. Run lots of slow, easy miles. Repeat.
3) I'd try to be around 40ish MPW prior to marathon training so you can peak at 45-55. 45 is the bare minimum I'd recommend to be marathon-ready.

Not sure what your training currently looks like, but I went into my first marathon with 600 lifetime miles (9mos after starting to run), 20 MPW and had a bad experience. I waited a year, ran nearly 2000 mostly-easy miles and went into my second marathon at 55 MPW, taking nearly an hour off my time. You get out of it what you put in - no fakers.

BChanFit

Thanks for the advice! The goal time for me is not really as important and I don't put it out there to put pressure on myself. I want to be able to seriously run/jog it and not have to walk the second half. Will check out the distance running group! Looking at my running apps I've run about 1300 miles total since I started last year. So by next year's marathon I'll have been running for 2 and a half years. The training plan I chose (runkeeper's marathon for beginners to finish) calls for 30-45/week and that would be the real prep. I am looking for something in the middle. I'm running about 5-10 per week now but know I need more than that though. Will check out the distance group. Thanks!

ekat120

Hey, my first half was 2:21, too! And I just ran my first marathon. I had about 2.5 years between the two but am not a very consistent runner. I'd recommend focusing on consistency above all else. My marathon training peaked at 45 mi/wk with mostly 30-40 mi weeks. Good luck!

BChanFit

Hey thanks! We sound pretty similar ekat!

Maleficent0241

I would highly suggest making three goals: an A goal (attainable but a stretch - would be thrilled with it), B goal (walk away happy), and C goal (walk away satisfied). C goal should be just to finish.

With the marathon being more than twice as hard as a half (it really is), 4:30 might not be attainable this time around. The good news is that you have a good amount of time. I would suggest maintaining a good mileage base, and doing a mix of workouts each week - definitely a long run and a speedwork session per week. Speedwork can vary, tempo runs and intervals are great. Since it's your first time out, finding a structured training plan to follow may help (which of course you can modify to yourself if you need). I will say that 5-10 MPW is nowhere near enough Focusing on getting your weekly mileage up should be your first goal. Good luck!

hermann341

It is possible to improve on your 2:21 enough to get to a 4:30 marathon in a year (I managed to do it so I know it can be done). I would recommend training for another half or two before starting your full training. Or at least bump your mileage to 20 per week.