Couch potato to Marathon Runner - goal in sight

Orrgarde86

So I've been on MFP for since about March I think and I set myself the challenge - Couch potato to Marathon runner in 1 year, can it be done?

Over the months I've been good, and not so good but now I have the ultimate goal in sight - the Barcelona Marathon in March 2012

http://eriksmarathon.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-goals-new-start-excited.html

I've set myself some diet goals as well:

http://eriksmarathon.blogspot.com/2011/10/diet-goals.html

What do you all think? I feel motivated to the max - I hope I can keep that going until March. Any feedback/encouragement/advice is much appreciated. Feel free to add me on here or follow my blog to see how I get on: http://eriksmarathon.blogspot.com/

All the best,

Erik

alexfaty

YES go for it!

I went from Smoker to Marathon runner in less than a year, it was a tough first year but now i try and do about 2 marathons a year and LOVE IT....
Doing Beachy Head Marathon on 22nd Oct 2011 and I have a place in London 2012 so I will add you and keep pushing you out on those long runs though the winter - I will be doing them too....

Good luck

Orrgarde86

Cool Alex! Well done you! I could definitely do with the motivation. Did you blog about your experience too?

alexfaty

I did the first marathon, but not since... But could do for London I have a ballot place but always feel you should try and raise a few penies for london as everyone else is... in return it only seams fair to blog so think I will... what milage are you doing now?

Oh and runners world website is fab for loads of information...
Away for weekend at a Fitness Fiesta but looking forward to reading your blog when I get back :-)

lisa_lotte

wish I had the motivation to train for a Marathon..... Well done :-)

Orrgarde86

I did 13.1 miles back in June but have then slacked off so starting again with 4-5 miles. All will become clear when I post my training plan next week on the blog. It's the same training plan I followed to get to a half marathon and so I think I just need to follow it and stick with it this time.

Orrgarde86

You can do it Lisa! Just got to set your mind on it!

BerryH

Absolutely! Beginner's training plans last 6 months, so you've got a nice comfortable run-up, pardon the pun. Do make the most of the time - from experience I can advise to take it steady and not to run through illness and injury, take any break you need then head back into it. Also cross-train and s-t-r-e-t-c-h!

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Orrgarde86

Thank you! I'm gonna update my training plan at some point this weekend so you'll see what I mean. I'm not starting from scratch which is good as I've done a fair bit this year so far (I have 200 miles under my belt)

I've added you so you can follow my progress!

BerryH

I forgot to mention, I did the London Marathon two years ago for charity and got it completely wrong and ended up finishing after 7 hours 12 with torn shoulder tendons and coughing up blood. After eight years of applying for a ballot place (I missed one year so didn't get an automatic one) I've finally got one and I intend to train so sensibly I enjoy every single bloody step!

Orrgarde86

Here is my training plan!

http://eriksmarathon.blogspot.com/2011/10/training-plan.html

madmickie

What time are you aiming for?

Orrgarde86

What time are you aiming for?

I'm not too concerned with time, i just want to finish the race. Anything towards 4½ hours would be great.

madmickie

Good luck with that - you have youth on your side. Haven't done a marathon but 4 - 4.5 would be a decent time - 10min mile pace.

Orrgarde86

Thanks yeah anything under 5 hours would be great. i'd also like to run the entire 26.2 if I can!

Orrgarde86

If anybody generous would like to sponsor me for the marathon as well, I have set up a fundraising page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ErikOrrgarde

Many thanks!

Erik