I did my first last November and plan to run that same race again this year. the best advice I got last year as I was training was that the goal for the first is to finish. You can train for specific finish times but many things can go off track, and remember, so few people tackle that distance that finishing on it's own is a significant accomplishment.

The longest run of the training plan I did was 1 20-mile run (it was one developed by a run club). I've talked to other marathoners who suggest going a little further (22 miles) and trying to schedule at least 2 of those runs. That is my plan in training this year.

As you increase your distance, don't get discouraged if you have at least one terrible training run! 18 miles was great for me, but I really struggled in the 20 miler. The emotions that came through that run really did help on race day!

I am training for my second half marathon right now which is in June and then I plan on training for my first full marathon in October! I am following Hal Higdon's intermediate program for the half and his Novice 2 for my full marathon.

Hi Suz..I am in training for my first Marathon in May..congrats on making the commitment for 26.2

I am learning all kinds of things about running since I started my training. I am following Hal Higdon's novice 2 plan, but am nursing a minor injury right now, so I'll have to modify my training so I am healthy on race day.

Good luck and please feel free to add me..anyone!

I started running last fall. After running my first 5k last December, in Januart I ran my first 10k and half marathon. My first full marathon will be in October. I will also be following the Hal Higdon plan

Hi I have on and off probs with knees over the years I have been running. I know its down to not being consistent with my weight training - keeping my legs strong and my core and of course stretching. I go all out for a few months - loose the will to keep going to the gym and then thats when my knees start playing up.
I found this last year I have started going back to basics. Starting my weekly mileage of 12 miles and dividing up to 3 days running and having patience with my mileage only increasing it one mile a week (picking the one which is gonna be your long day run) When I feel the knees going - I half the weekly mileage by running only 0.5 mile for my long run and add 0.5 to another day. so keeping to my weekly mileage plan and not loosing the goal.
I found the more days I ran the more chance the knee's went. I also cross train on my bike one day and go for a long hike on another weather permitting and if home life permits - and ofcourse the gym is boring I know and time consuming but essential.
The fear I have of the knee's going gets me down but so far it is working.
use the advise the PT gave and start doing light weights at first and build it up weekly.
I also know a big part to play is my weight - I hope this website is the answer to my prayers as I would love to do a marathon and admire you going for it.
I am training for a half marathon and hope to God I just manage to complete it with out my knees going - thats my goal.
Good luck and hope this helps as I feel your pain! ( they are twitching as I type this - they know they are being talked about) lol x

Congrats on taking the leap! I also am setting myself up for running my first full in October.

I am training for my first marathon in June of this year. I ran my first half marathon last November and my second half marathon last weekend. I will be starting my first 14 mile run this weekend. I am using Hal Higdon's novice 2 plan.

Wishing you luck on your first marathon.

I am running the BCS Marathon down in College Station, Texas, in December and hope to run two halves this year. I have not selected a race for that yet, but I will be running the 10Mi in Greenville, MS in May.

ETA: Waiting to see what happens with the cutbacks before I commit to an event. Every one I am finding seems to involve travel and hotel.

I might run the BCS Marathon too. Nothing but positive feedback from the event this past year. My first marathon will be this year at the end of IMTX.

I am running the BCS Marathon down in College Station, Texas, in December and hope to run two halves this year. I have not selected a race for that yet, but I will be running the 10Mi in Greenville, MS in May.

ETA: Waiting to see what happens with the cutbacks before I commit to an event. Every one I am finding seems to involve travel and hotel.

I might run the BCS Marathon too. Nothing but positive feedback from the event this past year. My first marathon will be this year at the end of IMTX.

Yes, the feedback you read/heard was all true! I think the only gripe was that the port-a-potty doors at the starting line faced the corrals and when the start was buzzed, all the doors flew open at the same time. It was (almost) hilarious! They promised next time to have them turned around. :laugh:

Yup. I live in Australia, and I'm doing the Perth City to Surf marathon in August.

I'm going to lodge an application to do the NYC marathon in November, but that's a matter of luck since it seems to basically be a lottery for entry. And flying from Australia to the US just to run a race is an expensive prospect, so not booking anything until my application gets up (or not).

I'm not doing any specific training program for the marathon, just doing my own thing and running daily. I like to think I'm doing pretty well with my distance and time at this point. I've done a couple of half marathons already and been happy with my results. I think at first I started on this path just so I could prove to myself that I could run a marathon. But in reality, I have a competitive streak a mile wide, and it's not just about finishing anymore. I actually want to post a decent time, so I'm aiming to finish in under 4 hours. We'll see how I go.