Pros and Cons of Marathon Training

I've run 7 fulls. There is a big jump in the length of your training runs. So much more time committment. Like you will be doing 18, 20, and 22 mile long runs for training.

I've had no injuries due to running. But have had injuries that have stopped my running. Training for a full has to be a committment to that lifestyle. But the reward and satisfaction of personal achievement is great.

I've lost count of the number of marathons, so obviously I love doing them, but here's my take (with a note that I am biased towards doing them)

It is a huge commitment, and not one you can half-*kitten*. Well, you can, but you will have a miserable experience race day if you do. The first time through training you will have all kinds of doubts as to whether or not you can even do it, plus chances are, you will only run up to 20 miles in training, and that last 10k will be a big question mark for you on race day. Don't worry about it, if you can run 20 miles, you can run 26.2. There is a social life restriction. No more Saturday nights out. It is incredibly difficult to lose weight while training, because you become a ravenous hunger monster.

However, its a great experience. Not only the race, but the 18 weeks of training you go through. It teaches you a lot about yourself, and what kind of discipline you have. I tend to stop weight training (but not strength training - I just back off to body weight) during high mileage training. I enjoy the peace of a long run and the way my body hums through the day after a morning interval workout (even though mile repeats make me want to barf).

If you want to do it, I say do it. Its not like you're committing to running them forever. If you don't like it, you don't have to do another one.

I just finished my first half marathon with relative ease, and I really really enjoyed it. I am toying with possibly training for a full marathon which would be in December.

I'm really nervous about committing to running 30+ miles every week, injury, etc. Any marathoners who could share their experience with me would be greatly appreciated!

Just so you are aware 30+ miles a week is very low. I don't believe the 60-70 mile weeks we used to do are necessary but I wouldn't run a marathon without averaging 40+ and be closer to 50 for many of them. People who have run marathons will tell you otherwise, but I suspect those people are merely looking to finish the race rather than get a faster time.

As far as your question goes, yes, it is a big sacrifice. Training 18 weeks and committing to long runs is not easy and is not for everyone. It is very tough on your body, and also tough on the people who you live with. You have to change your focus on everything and also face the facts that is may impact your work life as well. That's just the way it is.

I just finished my first half marathon with relative ease, and I really really enjoyed it. I am toying with possibly training for a full marathon which would be in December.

I'm really nervous about committing to running 30+ miles every week, injury, etc. Any marathoners who could share their experience with me would be greatly appreciated!

Just so you are aware 30+ miles a week is very low. I don't believe the 60-70 mile weeks we used to do are necessary but I wouldn't run a marathon without averaging 40+ and be closer to 50 for many of them. People who have run marathons will tell you otherwise, but I suspect those people are merely looking to finish the race rather than get a faster time.

Just wanted to throw in that my normal marathon training plan has me topping out at 55 miles/week, and starting around 35. When I first started, I guess I averaged closer to 40. And yes, there is a difference between training to finish and training to race.

I just finished my first half marathon with relative ease, and I really really enjoyed it. I am toying with possibly training for a full marathon which would be in December.

I'm really nervous about committing to running 30+ miles every week, injury, etc. Any marathoners who could share their experience with me would be greatly appreciated!

Just so you are aware 30+ miles a week is very low. I don't believe the 60-70 mile weeks we used to do are necessary but I wouldn't run a marathon without averaging 40+ and be closer to 50 for many of them. People who have run marathons will tell you otherwise, but I suspect those people are merely looking to finish the race rather than get a faster time.

Just wanted to throw in that my normal marathon training plan has me topping out at 55 miles/week, and starting around 35. When I first started, I guess I averaged closer to 40. And yes, there is a difference between training to finish and training to race.

I only used the 30+ figure because that is the most I have run up until now. I'm thinking that maybe I should stick to the half marathon distance. I mean finishing a full would be a huge accomplishment, but I can always do it later on in life. Maybe I should work on improving my half time for now, and think about full distance later.

Amen. There will always be a marathon to race, and 99.9% are held annually - only things that change are the medals, shirts, and courses.

What program did you use to train for your half and would you recommend it?

I didn't use a training plan, but I have heard great things about Hal Higdon's novice half marathon training program.

Thank you! I will check it out

Tagging to follow.

The secret to remaining injury free are as follows:
- Build up slowly. If an 18 week plan seems like too much, it just might be. Take 36 or 42 or even 52 weeks.
- Consistent training whether it is 3, 4. 5 or 6 days a week. Base runes, long runs and tempo runs all have different purposes.
- Age matters. Easier for younger folks than older folks. The older you are the more time you should take.
- Properly fitted running shoes are always a must.
- Strength, stretching and rest days. No formula but most good runners will have all three.
- 30 miles per week is a minimum. I do more 180-200 per month.

At age 55 I personally think anyone can run a marathon that can run a 5K. Instead of how many miles to get to your goal, begin to think in terms of hours per week. To be safe, it's probably about 10-12 or so. Your longest runs could take from 3 to 5 hours. Training for a marathon to finish it, even at a novice pace is a lot of time. If you have the time, you'll do fine.

Just remember as the miles go on, you'll face new problems with chaffing, fueling and the enormity of the mental game doing distance you have never done before.

Good luck.

Hey, Hannah...noticed that you are here in Dallas so I thought I would mention Run On as a training program for you. I've been with them since 2010 and have run 10+ half-marathons and 2 fulls with a 3rd planned this October. I highly recommend them as they have a variety of pace groups to train in from 8:30 min/miles to run/walk (where I am). Not being a typical runner (I weighed 278 when I started and am now down to my maintence weight of 248-ish), their program got me through both marathons at a pace I could handle and injury-free as well.

Just let me know if interested and I will post some more info for you. Best of luck!!!

The three most important pieces of advice are:

1. Join a running group. Folks in a running group will have great advice and will always be willing to help out when you have questions.

2. Join a running group. There is always someone who's just a little bit better than you to inspire you and motivate you to perform your best.

3. Join a running group. During long runs, they will keep you company, inspire you, and make the time fly by. They will become your best friends.

But beware, if you join a running group, they will probably talk you into running another marathon...and another, and another, and another!

I am in the final week of training (taper) for my marathon this Sunday and I am scared ****less. I will reiterate that those last 6.2 miles are what scare me. I didn't see them during training (and was told I didn't need them) and so they scare me. I did my 16 and 18 milers on a treadmill b/c it was bitterly cold outside. I am running my marathon in Vibrams so I am no help with shoes - however, I have had no running injuries in my vibrams (ran 10 half marathons previously, 4 of them in this same exact pair of vibrams - YAY for not needing to replace running shoes every other week!!).

Did I mention I'm scared? I'm also so ready to be done that I don't even want to run it. Training for a marathon is a LOT of running. It is a LOT of time. And if you have kids (I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old) it is a lot of time for someone else to commit as well (to babysit the kidlets).

I am considering a second marathon come this fall - but it's only an inkling right now. To be honest, I wish Sunday's run was only a half... A half I can do with no issues... a full? A full is scary.

Oh, and I didn't have a running partner. Every single one of my miles was done solo. So while a running partner (or bike partner) would have been superb, it's not necessary.



PS my body is capable - I just have to convince my mind that we'll be fine.

I am in the final week of training (taper) for my marathon this Sunday and I am scared ****less. I will reiterate that those last 6.2 miles are what scare me. I didn't see them during training (and was told I didn't need them) and so they scare me. I did my 16 and 18 milers on a treadmill b/c it was bitterly cold outside. I am running my marathon in Vibrams so I am no help with shoes - however, I have had no running injuries in my vibrams (ran 10 half marathons previously, 4 of them in this same exact pair of vibrams - YAY for not needing to replace running shoes every other week!!).

Did I mention I'm scared? I'm also so ready to be done that I don't even want to run it. Training for a marathon is a LOT of running. It is a LOT of time. And if you have kids (I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old) it is a lot of time for someone else to commit as well (to babysit the kidlets).

I am considering a second marathon come this fall - but it's only an inkling right now. To be honest, I wish Sunday's run was only a half... A half I can do with no issues... a full? A full is scary.

Oh, and I didn't have a running partner. Every single one of my miles was done solo. So while a running partner (or bike partner) would have been superb, it's not necessary.



PS my body is capable - I just have to convince my mind that we'll be fine.

Just wanted to say good luck!

The first marathon is oddly about trust...you have to trust that the training will work. In a way, training is just a formula. Want to run a marathon in "x" time? Apply "y" formula. Coaches and veterans know the formula works if you apply it correctly, but first timers just have to sort of blindly trust that the training won't let them down. Its totally normal to be freaked out. But crossing the finish line of my first marathon is something I will never, ever forget. Its up there in the top 5 all time greatest memories of my life.

Hi,
Ive done 6 full marathons.
If you can do a half, you can do a full. Its just a matter of more training (easier said than done). 18 / 20 milers are painfully dull, even my dog hates them but I would only do 20 miles twice in the run up to a marathon. Lets face it, you won't get 20 miles in and then think that you cant be bothered with the other 6!
If you are not over worried about the time you finish in, then train as well as you can and enjoy the journey. Make sure that your first marathon is a good one - popular, fun, an event. Mine was Amsterdam - very exciting, flat etc. Ive also done Loch Ness twice - not a first marathon to do!

Good luck. Its a very special experience.

I've lost count of the number of marathons, so obviously I love doing them, but here's my take (with a note that I am biased towards doing them)

It is a huge commitment, and not one you can half-*kitten*. Well, you can, but you will have a miserable experience race day if you do. The first time through training you will have all kinds of doubts as to whether or not you can even do it, plus chances are, you will only run up to 20 miles in training, and that last 10k will be a big question mark for you on race day. Don't worry about it, if you can run 20 miles, you can run 26.2. There is a social life restriction. No more Saturday nights out. It is incredibly difficult to lose weight while training, because you become a ravenous hunger monster.

However, its a great experience. Not only the race, but the 18 weeks of training you go through. It teaches you a lot about yourself, and what kind of discipline you have. I tend to stop weight training (but not strength training - I just back off to body weight) during high mileage training. I enjoy the peace of a long run and the way my body hums through the day after a morning interval workout (even though mile repeats make me want to barf).

If you want to do it, I say do it. Its not like you're committing to running them forever. If you don't like it, you don't have to do another one.

Although I have only run one marathon, I couldn't agree more with this post. I would only add, a half marathon and a marathon are TOTALLY different things. After doing a half, some people prefer to focus their energy on getting faster and slay the half marathon. A full marathon is not for everyone, although I do believe that anyone can and should do it if they want to. Just know what you are getting into and don't rush into it. There were 9 years between my first half marathon and my full marathon, and I will never claim that that time did not serve me well in my marathon training.