So, I want to run a marathon.

bump. I wanna be able to run a half next year and marathon in 2014.

I'd also suggest going to your doctor prior to starting a feat like this I.also suggest making sure you have the best running shoes..get your feet tested etc..and good luck!!!

I agree with the proper shoes and I always have to wear the right kind of socks (Cotton is rotten...for running at least) Also rest days are important and only increase either your time or distance by about 10% a week. I found the worked for me. the weeks I increased to much to fast I had a hard time maintaining it and it really set me back. I got a book called running for woman by Kara Goucher. She has a lot of really good things in there (I am sure there are tons of books out there and that she talks about things for both men and woman but this is just the one I found.)

Have fun running!

I'm running my 3rd marathon in a few weeks. My experience over the past few years has been the importance of having the right shoes. I also learned quickly to listen to my body. There are days when it needs rest and I didn't listen. I agree with (ncuneo) I don't enjoy the short races like I use to.

google "marathon rookie" . that website has tons of info for new runners and those who aspire to complete a marathon. Good luck!

Start slow. since you can run ~1mile now sign up for a 5K in February/March.... then a 10K in May/June... build your way to a half marathon first. I ran a few half marathons before running a full and I'm so glad I did. My body took almost no time to recover from the half but after the full marathon, it took me almost a month to feel "normal" again. Regardless of how you decide to do this just keep going

This. A marathon is an admirable goal but 26.2 miles is not something you just decided to do the next day. Proper shoes, nutrition, training etc all take time and experience. Going too fast and too far with very little running experience can and most likely lead to injury or a DNF. I'm in no way discouraging you from having that as a goal; just maybe a long term goal. If you just want to finish one with run/walk intervals in 6+ hours, yes go look at those links. But if you want to run, have a good time and enjoy it, start slow.

I would strongly suggest you join a running group. Most places have several and some are even free. You could try a meetup group. Even if it is just for the long runs. In Austin there is everything from free to thee hundred plus dollars for a marathon training season (usually about 5 months). The more expensive ones have training during the week and supported runs. When you are choosing make sure it is one you feel comfortable with some are so laid back you don't get any support, while others are very focused and maybe too intense for your first experience. I belong to one that cost about $100 and has supported long runs with a leader for each time group and then has very informal (not officially part of the group training but run by some good people in the group) weekday runs. Also check out running stores that usually have free core classes and track/hill trainings during the week to supplement your long runs.

If you can't enlist some friends to run with you in different parts of your really long runs or someone with a bike to tag along.

Just remember to enjoy your journey and for most it is a journey physically, mentally and spiritually. I started out at age 48 about 3 1/2 years ago and have now run 4 marathons and 8 halves and am training for a 50k - what a fantastic journey.

A marathon is an awesome long term goal. I ran 4 years before I ran my first full marathon. I agree with start with shorter distance events (5K's) and work your way up to a half marathon. That's an awesome distance and also gives you a good taste of having to take real training into consideration (nutrition, cross training, long runs, etc). Once you've done a half or two, then put a full on your plan.

I can tell you the most important lesson is to train smart, listen to your body, and eat right.

Good luck!
Cyndi

Start slow. since you can run ~1mile now sign up for a 5K in February/March.... then a 10K in May/June... build your way to a half marathon first. I ran a few half marathons before running a full and I'm so glad I did. My body took almost no time to recover from the half but after the full marathon, it took me almost a month to feel "normal" again. Regardless of how you decide to do this just keep going

This. A marathon is an admirable goal but 26.2 miles is not something you just decided to do the next day. Proper shoes, nutrition, training etc all take time and experience. Going too fast and too far with very little running experience can and most likely lead to injury or a DNF. I'm in no way discouraging you from having that as a goal; just maybe a long term goal. If you just want to finish one with run/walk intervals in 6+ hours, yes go look at those links. But if you want to run, have a good time and enjoy it, start slow.

Agree with all of the above.

Get fitted for shoes. Start out slowly - maybe Couch to 5K? Sign up for a 5K this spring. Do a 10K in the fall. Run a half marathon next spring and see how you like that distance before training for a full. 26.2 miles is long - and the amount of time you will have to devote to training is going to have a big impact on your life. You'll also need to have your diet completely on point, and have a good cross training program in place. There are a lot of factors that come into play with distance running.

Good for you! You can do it. I have signed up to run a marathon in June and I'm terrified. But I know I can do it. I am training for my marathon with Team in Training and raising funds for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. The training is "free" but I have committed to fundraising $2,100.

I have run 4 half marathons and numerous other races. I've enjoyed training groups that are put on through local running stores in my city. I would look for something like that. The one that I've participated in before is $100, but it covers 4 - 6 months of training. It's worth it if it falls within your budget. You'll learn a lot about proper training, nutrition and avoiding injury. If a running group is not your thing search for Hal Higdon's training schedules on google. They are free and how I trained for my first half. Also try reading Runners World or looking for numerous free resources on google. My biggest tip for you is to get fitted for proper running shoes at your local running store. This will be a huge factor in avoiding injury. Please, please, please do this.

Also, if you own a smart phone look for apps. I have an iphone and have used the Runners World Smart Coach.

And, if you are unsure about the full marathon, perhaps start with a half marathon. Still a big challenge and accomplishment. From there you can move up to the full distance.

Good luck!

Depends on your goal. If you just want to finish it no matter how long it takes, you can totally do it in 4-5 months. I know, because I did it.

However, if you want to have a great time, and include speed work in your training, then take your time! Train for smaller events and work your way up.

You can definitely do it! I'm sure I'm repeating what many people have said already, but here are my thoughts. I had started training for a marathon about 8 yrs ago and got up to 10 miles and couldn't walk. I had such painful achilles tendonitis, it was so painful to even walk. I had to drop out of my training then, and was kind of scared of running again, until I tried the Galloway run/walk program. Basically, you do intervals of running and walking. For me it made it so much better and I was able to complete a half marathon in 2011. This year I had been training for another one and was again sidelined by injuries. So here's my advice:

1. Be consistent. I would do 2 short runs a week and then one long one. You must get the short runs in, the long runs build up your endurance but you need to keep doing the short runs too.

2. Give yourself enough time to train. If you are at a mile now, and let's say you think it will take a year for you to build up to running a marathon, sign up for one next fall/winter. You can do it! You don't want to pick a date that is too soon and stress yourself and your body out by overtraining and injuring yourself.

3. Stretch!!! Seriously, take time to stretch properly. This can prevent many injuries. It's debatable whether you should stretch before or after exercise or both. It's up to you, and read up on it.

4. Wear proper gear. Invest in a good pair of running shoes and a good sports bra, those are key.

5. Put your running clothes on your dresser/someplace super visible so you see them and don't start rationalizing why you shouldn't run today. Getting out there and the first mile or so is definitely out there, so pat yourself on the back every time you get out there!

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Here is a training schedule I used for my first marathon. Saturdays are long run days, and most important, especially the 20 mile run day. Rest days are important to avoid injury, and so is cross training(biking, swiming, etc.). It works. Good luck!
Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
1 Rest 3 mi Cross Train 3 mi Rest 4 mi 3 mi EZ
2 Rest 3 mi Rest 3 mi CT or Rest 5 mi 3 mi EZ
3 Rest 3 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 6 mi 3 mi EZ
4 Rest 3 mi Rest 4 mi CT or Rest 4 mi 3 mi EZ
5 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 6 mi 3 mi EZ
6 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 8 mi 3 mi EZ
7 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 10 mi 3 mi EZ
8 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 8 mi 3 mi EZ
9 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 12 mi Rest
10 4 miEZ 4 mi Rest 4 mi CT or Rest 10 mi 3 mi EZ
11 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 14 mi 3 mi EZ
12 Rest 5 mi CT 5 mi CT or Rest 10 mi 3 mi EZ
13 Rest 4 mi CT 5 mi CT or Rest 16 mi 3 mi EZ
14 Rest 4 mi CT 5 mi CT or Rest 12 mi 3 mi EZ
15 Rest 4 mi CT 5 mi CT or Rest 18 mi Rest
16 3 mi EZ 5 mi Rest 6 mi CT or Rest 12 mi 3 mi EZ
17 Rest 4 mi CT 6 mi CT or Rest 20 mi 3 mi EZ
18 Rest 4 mi CT 4 mi CT or Rest 12 mi 3 mi EZ
19 Rest 3 mi CT 3 mi CT or Rest 8 mi 3 mi EZ
20 Rest 2 mi CT rest CT Rest rest

I just got my butt chewed by an orthopedic dr for not having several years of running experience before running a marathon - I didn't tell him I'd ran 2 So based on his advice - run a lot before taking on a marathon, he said 5 years - I've been running since 2010.

If anything - I'd tell you to work up - train for a 5k first, then a 10k, then a half marathon. Make sure you have a bunch of time to commit, marathon training really does take a lot of additional time away from friends, family, work commitments. Make sure you have time to run, eat, sleep, stretch, cross-train, get massages, and repeat daily for 18 weeks.