How demanding is marathon training??
Options
Replies
-
His bad luck i hope to see you at a start line soon...just remember, the guy who ran the first one dropped dead upon completion...that's all I need to know...
0 -
I am less than 4 weeks out from my 4th Marathon (Marine Corps Marathon)......this was my schedule last week:
Monday - 4 miles
Tuesday - 7 miles (1 mile warm up, 1.5 miles at half marathon pace, 2 mile of hills (attack up, recover down), another 1.5 miles at half marathon pace, and 1 mile cool down) This was nonstop....
Wednesday - 14 miles
Thursday - rest from running
Friday - 8 Miles
Saturday - 20 miles
Sunday - rest day (I did not feel like doing anything after this week)
Schedule for this week is as follows.
Monday - 5 miles (done)
Tuesday - 800M repeats (run for 4 min at an 8 min mile pace, then jog for 4 min....repeat 10 times)
Wednesday - 10 miles
Thursday - Rest from running
Friday - 8 miles
Saturday - 12 miles (2 warm up, 8 at goal pace (9 min mile), 2 miles cool down)
Sunday - Rest
I ran right at 190 miles for the month of September and have ran over 500 miles preparing for this race.
And by the way, I go to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to lift weights.
If you take this on it will be very time consuming, it will also be very tough mentally and physically.......but when you cross the finishline and get your medal, it is ALL SO WORTH IT.
Hope this helps...0 -
you could do it. i did it in 8 months , first time , ran a 4:36. The time consuming day will be your long run day, every other day should take about an hour - hour an half. I would run close to home to maximize time. If you live in cold weather, that would be the biggest obstacle imo.0
-
If you're worried about how useless/tired you will be outside of the actual time spent running, that is completely subjective and depends on the individual. I can come home from 20 - 22 mile run, make breakfast, shower up, and do whatever needs to be done that day. Mostly because I have to. I have a bunch of kids and I can't just stop being a mom.
Now, I know a certain person, mentioning no names, ahem *cough cough my husband cough cough* who used to run marathons and he would come home from his long runs and have to sit on the couch and was basically useless for the rest of the day. LOL0 -
FWIW, I would actually focus more on building a base and then consider marathon training after 25+ mpw is normal and you have been running for a year or more.
I concur. Just get through the C25K, then work on building base mileage. After a year of that, then pick a Marathon and a training program.
Yes, you will be tired on the weekends, but not to the point where you can't function. If you lay down on the sofa, chances are good you will fall asleep, so don't lay down on the sofa.
0 -
I trained for a half over the summer.....but honestly, it got the best of me, mentally. I just didn't have the experience or dedication to finish my training. I started running in March/April (a little fuzzy on the time), ran my first 5K in May and then jumped into half training. By the time we were doing 11 mile runs in late July, it was wiping me out for the day. I decided to back off - (for me) I'd rather enjoy a 3-5 mile run than dread an 11 mile run.
A friend of mine is doing her first full marathon next weekend. She has put A LOT of time into training. She has had 2 injuries that set her back a few weeks. We were talking last night and she told me that the 20 mile run really took a lot out of her and she basically sat in a chair for the rest of the day. Keep in mind that this lady is a fitness instructor and a dedicated runner. She loves the sport and excels at it. And she is wiped out by the training.
You can expect it to take over your whole life. For you, that might be a good or bad thing - depending on your commitment and love for the sport of running.
Edit to say that I would suggest completing C25K, doing some races, advancing to the 10K, then a half, and then a marathon. 26.2 miles is a lot to conquer your first time out.0 -
If you're worried about how useless/tired you will be outside of the actual time spent running, that is completely subjective and depends on the individual. I can come home from 20 - 22 mile run, make breakfast, shower up, and do whatever needs to be done that day. Mostly because I have to. I have a bunch of kids and I can't just stop being a mom.
Now, I know a certain person, mentioning no names, ahem *cough cough my husband cough cough* who used to run marathons and he would come home from his long runs and have to sit on the couch and was basically useless for the rest of the day. LOL
I have found myself much like your husband at time......though being a single dad does not always allow me to do as I wish.0 -
A friend of mine is doing her first half next weekend...
...she told me that the 20 mile run...
Did you mean her first full? 20s aren't a part of half marathon training for us mortals. 0 -
A friend of mine is doing her first half next weekend...
...she told me that the 20 mile run...
Did you mean her first full? 20s aren't a part of half marathon training for us mortals.
Yes, let me edit that!!! LOL! Her first full!0 -
It all depends on your fitness level and what your goals for the race are. My last marathon training cycle, I had about 9 hours of actual running per week, plus 2 hours of weight training, probably 2 hours additional in stretching, rolling, etc and then comes the naps. I love / need my nap after a Sunday long run.
I will say that I do recall being way more taxed whilst training for my first marathon. But then again, I should have not being training for a marathon.0 -
You are going from the couch to a full marathon in just a few months? I think it would take a lot of out of me personally if I was to do that. I have not done a full marathon but am about to start training for a half. I did a 10K two weeks ago. If I can find a 15K this winter I will add that. I'm not looking to do a half until next April though. I go spend an hour running 5 days a week and lift 4 days a week. I do this in the morning and still am able to do everything I normally do a day. I spend 50-55 mins running. With the new program I will be doubling that. I will be working up to running 2 hours at a time. That alone will cut into my time. Plus all the food I need to eat to fuel for the run. I agree with those that say research a plan and see how that fits into your life.0
-
If you're worried about how useless/tired you will be outside of the actual time spent running, that is completely subjective and depends on the individual. I can come home from 20 - 22 mile run, make breakfast, shower up, and do whatever needs to be done that day. Mostly because I have to. I have a bunch of kids and I can't just stop being a mom.
Now, I know a certain person, mentioning no names, ahem *cough cough my husband cough cough* who used to run marathons and he would come home from his long runs and have to sit on the couch and was basically useless for the rest of the day. LOL
I have found myself much like your husband at time......though being a single dad does not always allow me to do as I wish.
It's amazing what we can do when we HAVE to, isn't it? 0 -
I trained for a half over the summer.....but honestly, it got the best of me, mentally. I just didn't have the experience or dedication to finish my training. I started running in March/April (a little fuzzy on the time), ran my first 5K in May and then jumped into half training. By the time we were doing 11 mile runs in late July, it was wiping me out for the day. I decided to back off - (for me) I'd rather enjoy a 3-5 mile run than dread an 11 mile run.
A friend of mine is doing her first full marathon next weekend. She has put A LOT of time into training. She has had 2 injuries that set her back a few weeks. We were talking last night and she told me that the 20 mile run really took a lot out of her and she basically sat in a chair for the rest of the day. Keep in mind that this lady is a fitness instructor and a dedicated runner. She loves the sport and excels at it. And she is wiped out by the training.
You can expect it to take over your whole life. For you, that might be a good or bad thing - depending on your commitment and love for the sport of running.
Edit to say that I would suggest completing C25K, doing some races, advancing to the 10K, then a half, and then a marathon. 26.2 miles is a lot to conquer your first time out.
I agree with this. My first 1/2 is in less than 3 weeks and I started in Jan with C25K. I work FT and in nursing school FT then I have family. It's taxing and takes a good amount of time, training and preparation. Not to mention the toll it takes on your body. Besides running 3-4 times/week I have lifting, stretching and cross training to keep up with. Then you have to have proper nutrition. While I admire your goals; I would start small and build from that. I'm friends with a few that are training for a full and it's demanding on them moreso. You need to make sure you enjoy running and that you can build off of C25K. Not everyone completes the program falling inlove with running.0 -
If you put in a decent amount of planning, and pay really close attention to your body, you can train in 3, 4, 5, or 6 - day weeks (tha'ts training those days, doing other things or rest on the remainder). But at some point you're going to have to put the miles in, and that just takes time.
If you KNOW deep down in the soul of your armpits that you WILL finish, your long runs don't have to be much longer than 15 miles (provided your mileage the rest of the week is high enough - there are plans out there on the web for this, but they typically assume this isn't your first marathon). If you're not sure, and by mile 17 many aren't, stick to the standard pre-marathon ramp up to a couple 20 mile runs. The mental game is critical.
Assuming 11-12 minute mile pace, which is a nice Long Slow Distance pace for a beginner (at least it has been for me and a few friends who've done it), running 35 miles a week means 6.5-7 hours a week running (add stretching, driving to the run, showering, etc). If you pick a marathon, find out what the sweep car's pace is. One I'm running is 12 minutes per mile - if you don't keep that pace or better, you get a free ride for the rest of the course, and are DQ. You'll want to make sure that whatever race you pick, you can finish it in the time allotted, or ahead of the sweep.
Two things I'd recommend to keep this possible - get your family's support. Find a training program that you think is doable on your schedule given your pace, and go over it with them - not in miles, which if they're not runners they won't understand, but in hours (you know your pace - if not, hold off until you do). With their support and understanding, or at least an attempt at it, training will be much easier. That way, for example, when you've managed to discover blisters in new and embarrassing places, they won't expect you to walk the dog for a few days until you can avoid waddling (chafing is not fun). If they think you're crazy, rather than a sympathetic hug they may use it as ammunition to convince you to give up. Support can mean the world.
Second thing - eat your miles back. If you don't allow for the extra calories in your diet, you will crash and burn on the long slow distance days, rest days won't be enough, and life will get progressively more miserable. You can train for a marathon while trying to lose weight, but if you don't eat your calories back you won't make it through the training.
Ok, a third thing, get a training partner if you can. Anybody you can run once or twice a week with, even if they're not training for the marathon. It seriously helps to have someone to talk to and to keep you honest and stuck to your program.
Last, remember it's supposed to be fun. Seriously! You can do it
0 -
Why not start with a half and go from there? You get "half" the idea for the amount of time it will take and the toll it will take on your body.
I just completed my first half 2 weeks ago, and I am running another half in 2 weeks. Already contemplating the full...
Oh my my my my my...
Well, this seems like a good a time as any to start bursting bubbles. If you think, for one minute, that running a full marathon is the equivalent of running two half marathons, back to back? Oh Dear God In Heaven are you in for some serious hurting. There is simply no comparing the two distances. Running a half marathon is fun and exciting and joyful and a big happy party. Running a marathon is fun the first half, then the second half is like having people kick and hit you as you pass them by. It's gritty and painful and stabbing and throbbing and lonely - oh so lonely - and emotional. It's everything a half marathon IS NOT. A marathon is all about the guts to keep going when all you want to do is quit and go home. It's about feeling uncomfortable, hot, cold, chaffed, exhausted, and defeated for hours on end, and STILL going forward through all of that. Marathoning is about reaching a state of pain and exhaustion and not stopping anyway. It's a dark beauty. And as harsh as this paragraph sounds, it is beautiful. But if you don't - or can't - appreciate the intensity of the physical and/or emotional toll it will take, then you're in serious trouble from your first training day.0 -
Oh my my my my my...
Well, this seems like a good a time as any to start bursting bubbles. If you think, for one minute, that running a full marathon is the equivalent of running two half marathons, back to back? Oh Dear God In Heaven are you in for some serious hurting. There is simply no comparing the two distances. Running a half marathon is fun and exciting and joyful and a big happy party. Running a marathon is fun the first half, then the second half is like having people kick and hit you as you pass them by. It's gritty and painful and stabbing and throbbing and lonely - oh so lonely - and emotional. It's everything a half marathon IS NOT. A marathon is all about the guts to keep going when all you want to do is quit and go home. It's about feeling uncomfortable, hot, cold, chaffed, exhausted, and defeated for hours on end, and STILL going forward through all of that. Marathoning is about reaching a state of pain and exhaustion and not stopping anyway. It's a dark beauty. And as harsh as this paragraph sounds, it is beautiful. But if you don't - or can't - appreciate the intensity of the physical and/or emotional toll it will take, then you're in serious trouble from your first training day.
I'm glad someone said this0 -
Oh my my my my my...
Well, this seems like a good a time as any to start bursting bubbles. If you think, for one minute, that running a full marathon is the equivalent of running two half marathons, back to back? Oh Dear God In Heaven are you in for some serious hurting. There is simply no comparing the two distances. Running a half marathon is fun and exciting and joyful and a big happy party. Running a marathon is fun the first half, then the second half is like having people kick and hit you as you pass them by. It's gritty and painful and stabbing and throbbing and lonely - oh so lonely - and emotional. It's everything a half marathon IS NOT. A marathon is all about the guts to keep going when all you want to do is quit and go home. It's about feeling uncomfortable, hot, cold, chaffed, exhausted, and defeated for hours on end, and STILL going forward through all of that. Marathoning is about reaching a state of pain and exhaustion and not stopping anyway. It's a dark beauty. And as harsh as this paragraph sounds, it is beautiful. But if you don't - or can't - appreciate the intensity of the physical and/or emotional toll it will take, then you're in serious trouble from your first training day.
Amen.0 -
I love marathons. I have done 6 and on Sunday I am running my first ultra, a 50km race.
I reckon just run for a couple of years, doing races along the way. Then if in two years you still love it. Commit to a marathon. Yesterday I did 16 miles then immediately had to get on with making a roast and socialising. I felt like poo by the evening0 -
Why not start with a half and go from there? You get "half" the idea for the amount of time it will take and the toll it will take on your body.
I just completed my first half 2 weeks ago, and I am running another half in 2 weeks. Already contemplating the full...
Oh my my my my my...
Well, this seems like a good a time as any to start bursting bubbles. If you think, for one minute, that running a full marathon is the equivalent of running two half marathons, back to back? Oh Dear God In Heaven are you in for some serious hurting. There is simply no comparing the two distances. Running a half marathon is fun and exciting and joyful and a big happy party. Running a marathon is fun the first half, then the second half is like having people kick and hit you as you pass them by. It's gritty and painful and stabbing and throbbing and lonely - oh so lonely - and emotional. It's everything a half marathon IS NOT. A marathon is all about the guts to keep going when all you want to do is quit and go home. It's about feeling uncomfortable, hot, cold, chaffed, exhausted, and defeated for hours on end, and STILL going forward through all of that. Marathoning is about reaching a state of pain and exhaustion and not stopping anyway. It's a dark beauty. And as harsh as this paragraph sounds, it is beautiful. But if you don't - or can't - appreciate the intensity of the physical and/or emotional toll it will take, then you're in serious trouble from your first training day.
true that!
During my last marathon, there was a younger guy chatting me and my running partner up miles 8-13. He had told us it was his first full marathon and we had talked about training, etc. He said he did a half marathon during training in 1:40 something (low). When we crossed the 13.1 line, his friends, who were right behind us, said "Half way there". He chimed in and said he was feeling good. Running partner and I looked at each other, smiled and gently informed him that the halfway point is more like 20 miles! We promptly dropped him at 15 and never saw him again. I can't say I hated besting a guy 12 years my junior 0 -
OP- are you talking about a half or a full marathon?
Halfs are fun. You do one long run a week, and the rest can be done after work. I would start there and see how the training fits in to your life before committing to a full one. Most reasonably fit people can *finish* a half if they don't have a time goal. People are happy, cheerful...basically they're fun. Start there.
I would suggest looking at the Rock and Roll halfs (they have live music every mile and all sorts of other entertainment) or the disney-type ones. Fun.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 392K Introduce Yourself
- 43.6K Getting Started
- 259.8K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.7K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 402 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.8K Motivation and Support
- 7.9K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.4K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 998 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.4K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions