Marathon Runners - I have questions!!

Schnuddelbuddel

So, I swore to myself that 10k will be my limit with races. And then the scary thought of 'What IF I ran in the Dublin Marathon in October?' popped into my head...

1- anyone know of good training plans online? I currently do 3/5/10k races
2- what time should I expect to run one in? There is no qualifying time needed, and even walkers are welcome (7hr time limit!)
3- everything else I need to know, please share!

Gracias! Danke! Thank you! Go raibh maith agat!

SOOZIE429

Here's a good marathon training website:

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51143/Marathon-Novice-Supreme-Training-Program

There's a couple of running groups on here too. I would post your questions there.

Schnuddelbuddel

Thank you!! :flowerforyou:

Will check out that link and search for the running groups!

CarsonRuns

How long have you been running?
How many miles per week have you averaged over the last 12 weeks?

scottb81

If you have a 5 or 10k race PR you can put the time in the calculator at the link below and it will tell you your potential marathon time. Be aware though that the calculator assumes that you have done a fairly high mileage marathon training program.

In reality, once you have done the training your 5 and 10K times will probably be faster. You can probably read the result as you can likely run a marathon somewhat faster if you actually complete a high mileage training program or around the same or slightly slower if you complete a lower mileage training program.

http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/

Note: High mileage = 60+ miles per week during marathon training.

Schnuddelbuddel

Thanks - as I said I swore that 10k would be my limit, so most of my runs are between 5 and 10k 3/week plus circuit training 1-2/week. Nothing as much as I need to - BUT - the marathon I'm thinking of entering is on the last Monday of October so plenty of time still.

Started running last year, stopped for second half of year, started again properly in January this year. So - not that much mileage under my belt yet!!!

vmclach

I know a girl who runs about the same 5k time as you and it took about 5 hours and 45 min for her to finish a marathon. She trained for a year.

vmclach

and 6 months isn't a lot of training time!
it seems like a lot, but you should make the decision soon!!!!

I started training for my full 5 months out, and I do not feel prepared at all

stefa711

Map my run has some great training plans for all levels (from beginner to veteran). The plans build your mileage and speed fairly slowly, but effectively.

majope

I think it's an aggressive goal for someone who just started running again. Did you see there's a Dublin half-marathon in September? That might be more reasonable, but you'd still have to start training right away.

bk0626

bump

nlsmitty1

I just signed up for my first marathon last night. There is a great supportive website http://anothermotherrunner.com It is also have books you can buy. It is a great tool for running mothers.

Good Luck to you. Follow your training plan. I would sign up to do a 1/2 in between.

runningjen74

Have you looked at the training schedules on the dublin city marathon web page?

http://dublinmarathon.ie/training.php

There is a different suggested schedule depending on what time you think you'd be up for.

By the way, we're relative neighbours. I've been in dream land considering a marathon, but for next year. I'm only doing my first 10km next week - samsung night run. But it's good to dream isn't it.

LaraeTX

Great sites already said about plans, so my 2 cents may seem strange, but it's something I wish I would have been told for my first half marathon: Take toilet paper with you. I use a spibelt to keep my phone and other belongings, so I also add some toilet paper to my waterproof bag. You will never find a port a potty with toilet paper.

KelliW_runner

I ran my first marathon within a year of starting running again. I tried to follow Higdon Novice 2 but wound up with IT Band injury so ended up with a hybrid of running and cross training. I stayed true to the long runs part of the program, though. Was able to finish in 4:33 - would have been under 4:30 if it weren't for a very long porta-potty line when I needed it at mile 16.

If you haven't been averaging 30 miles per week running already, just be cautious in your training - listen to your body and cross-train as needed. If your goal is to just finish and check it off the bucket list you could probably do it.

I'm about to run my 2nd 26.2, this time on trails. My goal is simply to finish under the cutoff time of 8 hours - will walk as needed - especially on the steep climbs.

alli_baba

If you haven't been averaging 30 miles per week running already, just be cautious in your training - listen to your body and cross-train as needed. If your goal is to just finish and check it off the bucket list you could probably do it.

I second this advice.

I have absolutely no doubt that you can run a marathon (because a good deal of it is mental), but as others have suggested, I would try a half-marathon first as you are a relatively new runner. To give an example, I have a friend who took up running and wanted to run a marathon as her first big race. She trained with a group for several months and pushed her body probably outside her comfort zone -- instead of being able to complete the marathon, she wound up with a stress fracture in her hip a month before the marathon (and she hasn't run since).

But do what you feel is right. Marathons attract a wide variety of runners. I have run marathons where some participants start walking from mile 5 -- and that's OK. Just listen to your body. But if you want to run the whole way, maybe test yourself with a half-marathon.

Good luck!

Zaria_Athena

I would suggest doing at least 1 half before the full, perferably several. It's a big jump.
Good luck.

Schnuddelbuddel

Thanks guys! I've a 10k race this Sunday. There are plenty of half marathons around so will try one of those before.

I'm not trying to get this marathon in record time and would walk if I needed in between but it's just something my head keeps getting back to! Especially because this one allows 7 hrs to finish I think it's a good one to start with and see how I get on. All going well I might go for next year's with more view on finishing time.

The thing that actually works me most is that most training would be during summer, which I will largely spend away in a Warner country (Let's face it. Ireland doesn't do summer) and that training would be even harder just because of that.