training for a marathon/ race

Before you run a race, you really should be doing some running. If you plan to walk them, that is a different story.

Running fitness is not the same as overall general, aerobic fitness. Before running a 5K, you really should be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping, which is what the full course of C25K will train you to do.

ETA: And as any FYI, a marathon refers specifically to a race of 26 miles, 385 yards and does not apply to any races of shorter distances.

I just signed up for a 5k and it is on Sept. 30th. I have done 2 days of training so far. My workouts up until now have just been walking, the elliptical and jogging inside on a treadmill. The first day was a 20 minute jog/walk outside and I was able to complete the entire 20 minutes without walking. Yesterday was a 30 minute jog/walk outside and I walked most of it. I am hoping that I can get in shape over the next month so I can complete the 5k without walking. Wish me luck!

I can recommend the book : Run Less, Run Faster. It has some great programmes in it for Novice, Intermediate and Advanced runners for all the major distances including 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon and marathon. My advice to you would be run in a 5K so you can get the feel of a race and get used to things like getting your gear ready and pinning on your number and dealing with the adrenaline rush. The programmes are all about 13 weeks long. If the programme Week 1 starts with 12 miles of running in total, just make sure you can run that far over a week. Your goal should be finishing initially. Next time focus on a time. There is no law against walking a bit. In fact it's been shown that in marathons many people can improve their time by walking 10 secs every mile !