First Marathon... Should I
Happylady123
Posts: 166 Member
Two questions:
1) Should I run with a pacer?
2) Should I play it safe and run at my training pace just to finish, or should I set my sights on a better pace knowing that my legs will be fresh from the taper?
1) Should I run with a pacer?
2) Should I play it safe and run at my training pace just to finish, or should I set my sights on a better pace knowing that my legs will be fresh from the taper?
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Replies
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bump... anyone?0
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Depends on your training, but I've done six and better to run your own race.0
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How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?0
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Definitely run with a pacer! Set your sights on your training pace. I did that, and at mile 23-24ish I felt like I could go a little faster than my pacer was going, so I went ahead and finished ahead of that pace group.
Good luck and have fun!0 -
I haven't run a full yet - so I"m excited for you!
I generally end up starting too fast due to the excitement at the starting line. During my first 1/2M I went out too fast and struggled to finish.
I would recommend starting at your training pace for the first 1/2 of race and then see how you feel then.
If you are feeling awesome, maybe try to catchup to the next (fastest) pace group if you see it just ahead of you.
In general, I hate 'struggling' to finish so my goal is to run a negative split. <==But that's just me.
Have fun and good luck! :drinker: :flowerforyou:
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I just ran my first this weekend and would say go at your own pace.0
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PS: OP - Do you have a Dorian Grey type portrait in your basement? You look amazing!!0
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I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?0 -
Thank you! You are very kind:happy:PS: OP - Do you have a Dorian Grey type portrait in your basement? You look amazing!!0 -
I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?
I would run a pace to bring you in around 4:30 based on the numbers above. That's a 10:19 pace. Run that for about the first 16 to 18 miles and see how you feel. If you are feeling good, pick it up some, but not too much. I would caution running any mile faster than about 9:30 pace.
Also, I would suggest not doing a 23 mile training run. The recover takes too long. I wouldn't go over 21 (20 is even good for most).0 -
First time out? I'd run with a pacer.
I can always tell the people who are running their first half or full... usually by halfway thru the race. They will be the ones who jackrabbit at the start of the race and will hit the wall early. I usually end up passing them somewhere on the course.
The reason a pacer helps is that it keeps you on an honest and consistent pace. It keeps you from being a jack rabbit early and gives you a guide and motivator later on. By keeping up with your pace bunny it gives you that little voice of experience to follow.
Set your goal time and find your pace bunny. And if you are lucky... your pace bunny will have a great personality and sense of humor and that alone will make the 26 miles go quickly. They can help keep your mind off the distance and keep you from beating yourself.
Have a Great Race! Don't forget to smile for the camera's!0 -
The finishing time of 4:30 feels right to me, too. That is what I have been comfortable with at this point. I have until Nov. 9th to train. What should my long runs look like from here on out?
I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?
I would run a pace to bring you in around 4:30 based on the numbers above. That's a 10:19 pace. Run that for about the first 16 to 18 miles and see how you feel. If you are feeling good, pick it up some, but not too much. I would caution running any mile faster than about 9:30 pace.
Also, I would suggest not doing a 23 mile training run. The recover takes too long. I wouldn't go over 21 (20 is even good for most).0 -
I am definately toying with that idea, but I usually run alone. Sometimes when I run along side other people I get caught up in their breathing, pacing, struggle... I can't explain it. When I run I talk to myself in my head and block everything else out as much as possible. I guess I self motivate, but running my first marathon with a pacer sounds a little more comforting!First time out? I'd run with a pacer.
I can always tell the people who are running their first half or full... usually by halfway thru the race. They will be the ones who jackrabbit at the start of the race and will hit the wall early. I usually end up passing them somewhere on the course.
The reason a pacer helps is that it keeps you on an honest and consistent pace. It keeps you from being a jack rabbit early and gives you a guide and motivator later on. By keeping up with your pace bunny it gives you that little voice of experience to follow.
Set your goal time and find your pace bunny. And if you are lucky... your pace bunny will have a great personality and sense of humor and that alone will make the 26 miles go quickly. They can help keep your mind off the distance and keep you from beating yourself.
Have a Great Race! Don't forget to smile for the camera's!0 -
I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?
I would run a pace to bring you in around 4:30 based on the numbers above. That's a 10:19 pace. Run that for about the first 16 to 18 miles and see how you feel. If you are feeling good, pick it up some, but not too much. I would caution running any mile faster than about 9:30 pace.
Also, I would suggest not doing a 23 mile training run. The recover takes too long. I wouldn't go over 21 (20 is even good for most).
Agreed. It also might be good to go with the 4:30 pace group just so you don't go out too fast at the beginning of the race. Let the experienced pacer take you through those first adrenaline-pumped miles.
ETA: you don't have to officially 'join' the pace group, you can just hang out near them. I have often implemented the 'just follow the guy with the numbers on the sign' strategy late in marathons when my ability to pace or think clearly starts to waver.0 -
I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?
I think start SLOW...you've got 26.2 miles ahead of you and the worst thing you can do is hit a wall at mile 16 because you started off too fast. If you ever even have the thought, am I running to fast, then you are. I'm currently training with Team in Training for the Nike Women's marathon. The furthest distance we run is 20 miles then taper off. Look at it this way, it's a 20 mile warm-up with a 10k race! GOOD LUCK!!!
xoxo0 -
Why do we have to maths this out??? Just run it! If you get tired, slow down... tired again, walk, then crawl. No need to over analyze...0
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I just wanted to say thanks to the OP for asking the questions and to you all for the great responses. I am running my first marathon - actually my first ever road race - in October. These are some of the questions that are starting to pop in my head.
Thanks again!0 -
I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?
I would run a pace to bring you in around 4:30 based on the numbers above. That's a 10:19 pace. Run that for about the first 16 to 18 miles and see how you feel. If you are feeling good, pick it up some, but not too much. I would caution running any mile faster than about 9:30 pace.
Also, I would suggest not doing a 23 mile training run. The recover takes too long. I wouldn't go over 21 (20 is even good for most).
This is really good advice. Both on the pace and on the LRs.
For the weeks you were going to do 22/23, just do 20/21. Perhaps even take the first one of those off from that long a run and do 10-12 instead. You'll still get in 3 20+ mile long runs, more than enough. Rest your legs a bit by giving them a cutback - even though you'll taper into the race.0 -
I agree with Carson that a 4:30 goal is reasonable given your training. My recommendation on long runs would be to do 3 more 20s on 7 Sep, 28 Sep, & 19 Oct. On the weeks in between you should run for 2 to 2.5 hours for whatever distance that comes out to at your training pace. If that is too much then you could reduce one of those 2 hr runs to 90 min so you have a cycle of 20 mi - 2 to 2.5 hr - 90 min every three weeks.The finishing time of 4:30 feels right to me, too. That is what I have been comfortable with at this point. I have until Nov. 9th to train. What should my long runs look like from here on out?
It would also help if you can stretch out one of your midweek runs out to around 90 minutes each week if you can do it without getting hurt.0 -
I would be careful with doing too many 20+ long runs especially if you haven't been running that long. For my first marathon, I cut myself out at one 3 hour run prior to training and I was fine. I went by time rather than distance because I am a slow runner and wanted to keep my longest run under 3 hours due to the recovery time after long run. My husband runs a sub 3 marathon, and he even cuts his longest run at 20 miles and only does 2-3 of them prior to the race. You don't want to overtrain and end up tired and beat up on race day.0
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Why do we have to maths this out??? Just run it! If you get tired, slow down... tired again, walk, then crawl. No need to over analyze...
That's a terrible strategy for marathon, one that is sure to have the OP cursing while hobbling across the finish line, if she makes it there at all.0 -
This...For the weeks you were going to do 22/23, just do 20/21. Perhaps even take the first one of those off from that long a run and do 10-12 instead. You'll still get in 3 20+ mile long runs, more than enough. Rest your legs a bit by giving them a cutback - even though you'll taper into the race.
Or this. Either will work.My recommendation on long runs would be to do 3 more 20s on 7 Sep, 28 Sep, & 19 Oct. On the weeks in between you should run for 2 to 2.5 hours for whatever distance that comes out to at your training pace. If that is too much then you could reduce one of those 2 hr runs to 90 min so you have a cycle of 20 mi - 2 to 2.5 hr - 90 min every three weeks.
It would also help if you can stretch out one of your midweek runs out to around 90 minutes each week if you can do it without getting hurt.0 -
Thank you guys so much for the advice. It really helps a lot! I am also afraid of the taper... I get the theory behind it, but with me being somewhat of an overachiever... it is hard to sit back and wait! Please tell me why the taper is so important and what is going on while I'm tapering. I am not going to lose my ability to go the distance, am I? Please forgive me for sounding stupid. I am just nervous about not running...0
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It depends on what your training has been and what your goal is. I've always run with no technology (I set my watch/ heartrate monitor at the beginning and turned it off at the end, and don't look at it once throughout the run). For those events, I have run at a pace I was comfortable at based on my training, and my goal was to "finish with a smile on my face". For my next marathon, I will be running with a friend who will be pacing me because I will be trying to qualify for Boston.0
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Thank you guys so much for the advice. It really helps a lot! I am also afraid of the taper... I get the theory behind it, but with me being somewhat of an overachiever... it is hard to sit back and wait! Please tell me why the taper is so important and what is going on while I'm tapering. I am not going to lose my ability to go the distance, am I? Please forgive me for sounding stupid. I am just nervous about not running...
While you are training, you are constantly tearing down muscle tissue. While you are tapering, you are giving the tissue time to heal. You are getting rest that your body needs. You won't lose any fitness, you'll be fresher than you have been during the last 12 weeks of training. Your taper should not have a drop off in intensity, only in volume. So, if your tempo run was12 miles with 8 miles tempo pace, during taper you might be 7 miles with 2 miles at tempo pace. You are still teaching the body to run the right paces, but you are giving it time to heal and rejuvenate. Don't cut short your taper.0 -
You've already put the work in in getting your cardio and endurance to where it needs to be. Leading up to the race, make sure you're eating well, hydrating well and getting lots of sleep. I understand about the taper just feeling wrong, but then I remember how awesome a run feels after a rest day when my legs have had the chance to recuperate.0
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Why do we have to maths this out??? Just run it! If you get tired, slow down... tired again, walk, then crawl. No need to over analyze...
That's a terrible strategy for marathon, one that is sure to have the OP cursing while hobbling across the finish line, if she makes it there at all.
Well she knows not where to find me! And if she happens to find me, she has to be able to outrun me to kick my *kitten* :-D0 -
The finishing time of 4:30 feels right to me, too. That is what I have been comfortable with at this point. I have until Nov. 9th to train. What should my long runs look like from here on out?
I have run two half marathons: 2:01:45 and 2:06I:02. I just completed my longest run to date (20 miles @ 10:18 avg. per mile). I am running 5, 6, and 5 miles during the week with a long run on the weekend. My long runs add a mile each weekend. I have not been including a cut back week on long runs, but will probably start now that I have reached the 20 mile mark. I will probably do 15 this weekend and then go up to 21 the next weekend and so on until I get to 23 miles max. That sould bring me up to tapeiring time.How many half marathons have you completed? What's your training schedule look like? When is the marathon?
I would run a pace to bring you in around 4:30 based on the numbers above. That's a 10:19 pace. Run that for about the first 16 to 18 miles and see how you feel. If you are feeling good, pick it up some, but not too much. I would caution running any mile faster than about 9:30 pace.
Also, I would suggest not doing a 23 mile training run. The recover takes too long. I wouldn't go over 21 (20 is even good for most).
november 9th? Thats the date of my very first marathon!!! Are you doing the rock and roll by any chance?0
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