Full Marathons in the US

Deedsie
Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I completed my first half marathon in October and it was awe inspiring for me. Seriously, the best feeling that I have ever had in my entire life and I have tried a lot of stuff over the last 30 years. I was happy in my skin and I thought how could I have waited 30 years to feel like this.

But if 13.1 miles felt that great, how great must 26.2 miles feel? I have decided to find out.

So next year, I will run a full marathon in the US. I'm limiting it to the US because I want my 4 year to see me cross the finish line and we are not really comfortable taking her out of the country because of her health. So what ideas do you have for me on full marathons in the US?

I ran my half in Kansas City in 2:22:22.

Should I try an easy course to start?
Where is a good place to run in say September?
How long do you think it will take me?


Thanks in advance!
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Replies

  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    One more question, does anyone want to join me?
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    I'm running my first full on May 5 in Kalamazoo Michigan. You are a lot faster than me though. My best half was 2:45. Let me know what race you choose . I might be up for a second.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    Dee..HUGE congratulations on completing and storming your half marathon! I'm serious...i will run a 26.2 with you, I don't want my first marathon to be ran in the UK. I like the sound of Toronto waterfront in October as it's very flat and first time friendly...but I am open minded!!

    I'm also thinking of training with the Kenyan Olympic long distance runners in iten, Kenya in March..they do a 2 week residential course where you run with the athletes at high altitude every day and they also do seminars on nutrition,technique etc in a very comfortable campus-like environment...it's open for any standard of runner, not just runners in training for major competitions.
  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member
    Not sure how quickly the Columbus OH marathon fills up, but many people compliment the organizers. This year's was sponsored by Nationwide Children's Hospital and each mile was dedicated to a different child hero. It is held in early October.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Congratulations on your first 13.1!

    Check out this web site for races throughout North America

    http://www.active.com/

    When picking your race keep in mind that you want at least 16 to 18 weeks to train for it.

    I'll be running my 4th half marathon in January (it's a Canadian thing, eh!) and my first full marathon in May 2013.
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    Dee..HUGE congratulations on completing and storming your half marathon! I'm serious...i will run a 26.2 with you, I don't want my first marathon to be ran in the UK. I like the sound of Toronto waterfront in October as it's very flat and first time friendly...but I am open minded!!

    I'm also thinking of training with the Kenyan Olympic long distance runners in iten, Kenya in March..they do a 2 week residential course where you run with the athletes at high altitude every day and they also do seminars on nutrition,technique etc in a very comfortable campus-like environment...it's open for any standard of runner, not just runners in training for major competitions.

    I'm pretty sure my husband would freak if I ran off to Kenya for 2 weeks, otherwise that would be awesome. I might be interested in Toronto and definitely would like into Georgia. Do you have the links for the marathons?
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    I'm running my first full on May 5 in Kalamazoo Michigan. You are a lot faster than me though. My best half was 2:45. Let me know what race you choose . I might be up for a second.

    I won't be ready until next fall. By next year, you could be faster than me. I ran with a pacing group which really helped my speed, I think.
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    Not sure how quickly the Columbus OH marathon fills up, but many people compliment the organizers. This year's was sponsored by Nationwide Children's Hospital and each mile was dedicated to a different child hero. It is held in early October.

    That is a definite possibility. I do like races for a cause.
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    Congratulations on your first 13.1!

    Check out this web site for races throughout North America

    http://www.active.com/

    When picking your race keep in mind that you want at least 16 to 18 weeks to train for it.

    I'll be running my 4th half marathon in January (it's a Canadian thing, eh!) and my first full marathon in May 2013.

    Brrrr! A half in January would be cold. I like running in the heat better. I actually get more dehydrated in the cold because I don't feel like I'm sweating.

    I am continuing to train. I have Brew-to-Brew (it's a relay) during the first week of April and warrior dash in May, I will also likely do a lot of local 5k races, especially anything where work picks up the cost to register.
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    If you want a great fall Marathon the Detroit International is in the fall. The route has two international crossings. You run the first three miles in Detroit the take the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor Ontario. After a few miles in Canada you run the only underwater mile in a Marathon by taking the Windsor Detroit tunnel back to the US from there you have 16 or so miles winding through the city. Total participants somewhere around 24000 between the full and two half marathons run that day.
  • CaptainSwab
    CaptainSwab Posts: 53
    A really popular marathon is Portland in October. It's an easy course too.

    A general rule of thumb for predicting a full time is to take your half, double it, and add 10 minutes (or is it 15?) so I figure you'd be ale to finish in about 5 hours. Obviously there are other factors like if it is hilly or hot that would add to your time.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    A great September marathon is the United States Air Force Marathon in Dayton Ohio. It is a large and well run event. The Air Force fighter jets and bombers flying overhead add great motivation.
  • tmccutcheon
    tmccutcheon Posts: 66 Member
    I ran the KC Marathon in 2004 and the Olathe Marathon in 2003. Not sure if either are still around but these would be good choices.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    a big congratulations! for finishing a half! My half will be in June and then full in 2014. since i'm originally from boston, ma i plan on making the Boston Marathon my first full. it's the oldest marathon and it holds a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to work down the street from the start line and also at the finish line.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    GRANDMAS marathon In Duluth, MN. Ran my first Half there last year. AMAZING
  • mrpurdy
    mrpurdy Posts: 262 Member
    A great September marathon is the United States Air Force Marathon in Dayton Ohio. It is a large and well run event. The Air Force fighter jets and bombers flying overhead add great motivation.

    I second the Air Force Half-Marathon! It was my first half, and I will do it over and over again! You get to run on areas of the Air Force base that civilians normally don't get to see. You run under the wings of a fighter right before the finish line.

    If you register on January 1st, 2013, there is a $10 discount.

    I'm doing my first full, the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, OH in May.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    "I'm doing my first full, the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, OH in May."
    [/quote]

    //




    You picked The Flying Pig as your FIRST Marathon? EEK! I hope you like running on hills!
  • riveraphx
    riveraphx Posts: 380 Member
    I ran the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon in 2007 and then the half in 2008. It's a great city and can also be a vacation for the family. Unfortunately my running days are behind me, but best of luck!

    Also, I ran with SD Track Club, it was awesome.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Not sure how quickly the Columbus OH marathon fills up, but many people compliment the organizers. This year's was sponsored by Nationwide Children's Hospital and each mile was dedicated to a different child hero. It is held in early October.

    That is a definite possibility. I do like races for a cause.

    Columbus was my first 1/2; it's a great course even for the full. It's in late October and about 18000 strong. The full doesn't sell out until usually a week or so before the race. I'm contemplating training for the full then depending on how my rehabing of my IT and my 1/2 in May goes. If I get close to a 2 hr finish which is my usual pace before injury I'm going for it.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    a big congratulations! for finishing a half! My half will be in June and then full in 2014. since i'm originally from boston, ma i plan on making the Boston Marathon my first full. it's the oldest marathon and it holds a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to work down the street from the start line and also at the finish line.

    Don't you have to qualify for Boston or can anyone register? I always thought it was qualifying only.
  • gddrdld
    gddrdld Posts: 464 Member
    Congrats on your first half and for having the aspirations to do a whole next year!
    I have run 3 halves with my best time so far being 2:11. I am signed up to run the full marathon in New Orleans this February. I don't really have a time goal, just to finish without cramping too bad or getting sick...haha.. But, my coaches and I have estimated it will take me about 5 hrs.
  • lenniebus
    lenniebus Posts: 321 Member
    Awesome job on the 1/2 :)! I've heard really good things about the Chicago marathon--flat, fast--and it's in October. The last few years have been pretty warm...but it could go either way!
  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    Twin Cities Marathon is the first weekend in October. Absolutely beautiful course around the lakes in Minneapolis and along the Mississippi River. Great finishing view of the state Capitol.
  • numsquat
    numsquat Posts: 133
    Around the the most popular ones are:

    09/22 Quad Cities and Omaha
    10/06 Twin Cities
    10/20 Des Moines

    All have great reviews. I'm planning on doing a HM at either Omaha or Quad and the FM in Des Moines.
  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
    a big congratulations! for finishing a half! My half will be in June and then full in 2014. since i'm originally from boston, ma i plan on making the Boston Marathon my first full. it's the oldest marathon and it holds a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to work down the street from the start line and also at the finish line.

    Don't you have to qualify for Boston or can anyone register? I always thought it was qualifying only.

    If you run for one of the Charities or have connections to some of the local running clubs you can get in without qualifying, otherwise, yes, you have to qualify to register.

    http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/qualifying/qualifying-standards.aspx
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    a big congratulations! for finishing a half! My half will be in June and then full in 2014. since i'm originally from boston, ma i plan on making the Boston Marathon my first full. it's the oldest marathon and it holds a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to work down the street from the start line and also at the finish line.

    Don't you have to qualify for Boston or can anyone register? I always thought it was qualifying only.

    If you run for one of the Charities or have connections to some of the local running clubs you can get in without qualifying, otherwise, yes, you have to qualify to register.

    http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/qualifying/qualifying-standards.aspx

    Thanks! That's what I thought bc I know people who've ran for years and qualifying is their dream.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    A really popular marathon is Portland in October. It's an easy course too.

    Portland is supposed to be one of the easiest in the country ;) .
    Good for a lot of reasons, but if you set a PR there, it'll be hard to beat it at like Cincinnati!
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    I have done 5 Half Marathons...4 of which I did at Disney. Disney is good...great entertainment, flat course that goes through the parks (the Full goes through all 4 parks), but there are a LOT of people (like 15,000) doing it so it can be crowded. They have lots of different Half Marathons through the year, but only on official Marathon Weekend in January do they have a Full one (and also a Goofy Challenge to do the Half and the Full in the same weekend). I've done the Half in January there in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 (can you guess when I will be there to do this race next??? LOL). Two of the years it was so cold it was snowing there (well raining and below 32 degrees!) so even though it is FL, the weather there can be a guess.

    I did one this past Sunday in West Palm Beach, FL (the Marathon of the Palm Beaches). They run both the Full and the Half at the same time and I think there was less than 4,00 people for both. It was a nice flat surface along the Intracoastal and the weather was WONDERFUL. I am not fast by any means, but I PR'd on this one with a 25.5 minute better finish than my previous PR (mostly due to my awesome extra training, but some due to not having to fight crowds of people during the race).

    I know people who have done the Air Force one in Dayton and have heard only good things about it. I also know some who have done the Flying Pig in Cinci and I have only one word: HILLS!

    Good luck!
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Twin Cities Marathon is the first weekend in October. Absolutely beautiful course around the lakes in Minneapolis and along the Mississippi River. Great finishing view of the state Capitol.

    This^^^

    I've run it twice.

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