Am I marathon ready??

bluefox9er

Hi guys...I am posting this to get some perspective on weather I should enter my first 26.2mile Marathon in May, 2013 ( Toronto ).

I am 45 years old Male ( 46 in December ), and 'started' running when I took up the c25k program in April this year, from no experience of running.

Since then, I have moved from running 5k runs to 10k runs, 10 mile 'long ' runs and in August this year, a 13.1 mile half-marathon 'long run'.

Then I got injured (IT Band) in August, but have recovered, and only this saturday ran my second ever 13.1 mile half marathon ' long run'.

I am logging between 20 - 30 miles every week, and cycle at least once a week as I cannot swim. I am a non smoker, and 'healthy' weight now according to my BMI ( THANK YOU MFP).

The Toronto marathon is on May 5th, approx 5 months away. Would aiming for this event be feasible for someone like me?

I am not concerned with running the race at a lightening pace ( my kenyan brothers and sisters will do that voraciously on my behalf) but more concerned about completing the distance.

After running 13.1 miles on saturday,I felt great, but I did ask myself how it could be humanly possible to run 26.2 !!

any feedback/comments gratefully received.

schmenge55

Totally feasible, especially if you are not going for some specific time. There are tons of marathon training programs out there and all can have you ready to go by then.

If you do not have a foam roll I suggest you get one. They are great for stretching your IT bands. You also want a few exercises to make sure you have a strong glute medius (you can Google some or let me know and I can give you ideas). Taking care of the glute medius and keeping the IT bands stretched will help you a lot and hopefully prevent any training injuries.

Have fun no matter what!!

schmenge55

And go Bears! lol

arc918

What is your ultimate goal with the marathon? Just survive, race well and perhaps run a certain time? Are you looking to be one & done or run more marathons in the future? All that said, May 5 seems pretty reasonable to me.

Just ramp up smart and in the event you end up injured, be prepared to bump down to the half marathon (if need be) and try for 26.2 another day. I see some people too hell bent on running a certain race even though they are injured.

Keep your weekly long run up at least 10 - 12 miles.

I like Hal Higdon's training program for newbies.

Good luck!

redredy9

First: GO NINERS!!

I think a marathon is totally doable if you pick a good 16 to 20 week training plan and remain committed to your training plan. Its a lot of running. 4-5 days a week with long runs getting up to 20 to 22 miles depending on the plan. My longest runs were 2 20's and that was good. Now injury can happen at any point along the way no matter how well you train or how committed you are. Try to listen to your body and respect its limitations. Don't ignore injurys. Get plenty of rest, eat well and you will be ready to do 26.2

My next marathon - is SF in June! Can't wait to run through the streets of my hometown!

athensguy

I think you can do it.

I used a Pfitzinger plan from Advanced Marathoning for my first marathon, which was coincidentally almost exactly the same amount of time after I started C25k. I started C25k in October 2011 and ran my first marathon on Nov. 10, 2012.

I'd recommend buying that book and while you're waiting to get to the start time for the plan, drop the cycling and gradually increase your weekly mileage, if you can.

CarsonRuns

Yes, I think it's feasible. I always recommend that one not embark on marathon training until they have a base of ~25 miles per week for a minimum of 6 months, so you should be right in there.

They are great for stretching your IT bands. ...keeping the IT bands stretched will help you a lot and hopefully prevent any training injuries.

Have fun no matter what!!

I agree with foam rolling, but just for clarification, the IT Band is like a strap of leather. You can't stretch it. It's so strong that you could tow a car with it. What you are actually doing is breaking up any areas where it has adhered to the muscle over which it runs. Also, recent studies have shown that a majority of runners with IT Band issues respond positively to hip and glute strengthening exercise (which you advocated as well).

RunnerInVT

This is perfect!! I am so glad I came upon your thread. I too, am scheduled to run my first marathon in May. I too, have some kind of IT or glute problem. I have "the stick "which I dont like and just got a foam roller. I run 2 half marathon's a year as well as 5ks, 10 and 5 miler races with the same leg problem. Just thought I would just have to "suck it up " but will try hip strengthining and the roller every day. Good to know the IT band won't stretch but needs separation. Whew!!

BrianSharpe

A little OT but here's a link with more info re: IT band problems....

http://news.menshealth.com/it-band-syndrome/2012/07/27/

Stick to your training plan and you should be fine, Toronto (from what I've heard) is a very nice, flat course. I'll be running my first a few weeks after you (Ottawa - May 27th)