Tips for a ROOKIE REGISTERED for a FULL MARATHON

Yeah I found that I didn't just run a marathon for 26.2 miles but I ran my marathon for months and months as the training commitment was HIGH. The marathon itself was a bit rough. It was the longest race I ever ran. I did run 20 miles during my training but that was at a very comfortable jog and I wasn't pushing myself AT ALL as I was just trying to get distance in that morning. I was running 4 days a week, some weeks every day for 5 miles or more and my long runs on the weekend surpassed 1/2 marathon length. I'm considering the training implications or running another one next year because my first marathon was in a canyon and I'd like to having something comparatively flatter.

But yeah different beast and it's not just race day.

I agree with this, I actually found the training much harder than the actual marathon, I had trouble with my achilles last year, so the majority of my training was done on trails, but the longest trail loop I had was 8 miles, so I was running the same trails 4 times a week and then having to double the loops on my long runs, I was sick of the forest by the end of the training, my times were getting worse because it was the same route all the time (the issue was it was only 2min from my house, so I could get back home and bed quickly), couldn't remember the last time I had a hot bath, if there wasn't ice in it, I didn't know what to do,
It really is the time commitment for marathon training that's the biggest issue, if I wasn't training I was sleeping, my life was on hold for 18 weeks to make sure the runs were done, the day of the marathon was just the achievement, your friend find you boring, because all you can talk about is your training (it's all you have to talk about)
However I was one of these people that start of about week 14, that seriously questioned why the hell I thought this was a good idea, and continued to have those doubts, right up until 5min after I had finished, when I was planning the next one!!!
Glad you're doing a half first, it was one of the things I regretted, it would have given me a lot more confidence if I had!

Good Luck, remember, your time doesn't matter, finishing does:)

Today's 4 mile run i averaged 11.22 per mile. When im at the gym ive been doing some speed work on the treadmill for the last 6/7 weeks since the 10k and its improved a lot as it was about 13.30 per mile before. Plus ive lost more weight which will have helped me get a bit quicker.
I really want to do my next 10k in about 60/65 mins so need to keep improving my time. I find when im outside i tend to start off too fast so been trying to keep a steady pace the whole time which is helping but hard to do!

Are you still enjoying doing it? Do you think you will carry on once you have done the marathon? Another reason i signed up for the other 10k was to make sure i didn't have too much off a rest from training before my half next year. I think having the goals really help to keep you motivated.

Yeah I found that I didn't just run a marathon for 26.2 miles but I ran my marathon for months and months as the training commitment was HIGH. The marathon itself was a bit rough. It was the longest race I ever ran. I did run 20 miles during my training but that was at a very comfortable jog and I wasn't pushing myself AT ALL as I was just trying to get distance in that morning. I was running 4 days a week, some weeks every day for 5 miles or more and my long runs on the weekend surpassed 1/2 marathon length. I'm considering the training implications or running another one next year because my first marathon was in a canyon and I'd like to having something comparatively flatter.

But yeah different beast and it's not just race day.

I agree with this, I actually found the training much harder than the actual marathon, I had trouble with my achilles last year, so the majority of my training was done on trails, but the longest trail loop I had was 8 miles, so I was running the same trails 4 times a week and then having to double the loops on my long runs, I was sick of the forest by the end of the training, my times were getting worse because it was the same route all the time (the issue was it was only 2min from my house, so I could get back home and bed quickly), couldn't remember the last time I had a hot bath, if there wasn't ice in it, I didn't know what to do,
It really is the time commitment for marathon training that's the biggest issue, if I wasn't training I was sleeping, my life was on hold for 18 weeks to make sure the runs were done, the day of the marathon was just the achievement, your friend find you boring, because all you can talk about is your training (it's all you have to talk about)
However I was one of these people that start of about week 14, that seriously questioned why the hell I thought this was a good idea, and continued to have those doubts, right up until 5min after I had finished, when I was planning the next one!!!
Glad you're doing a half first, it was one of the things I regretted, it would have given me a lot more confidence if I had!

Good Luck, remember, your time doesn't matter, finishing does:)

Ive heard the same, that the training is much harder then the marathon. I guess this may hold some truth for most sports. I have yet to take an ice bath, for me the heat makes me feel better in the soreness area, however , that may be because I have short runs .

Heat WILL make you feel better, in the short term, but you'll be sore pretty well when you exit the tub/shower. Ice Baths SUCK, but they are your key to recovery along with foam rolling, proper stretching and proper nutrition. I'm not saying take an ice bath after EVERY run, but when you are in the thick of your marathon training and you are running distances longer than a half marathon (if not longer than 10 miles) give it serious thought.

This is definitely a case of what feels good isn't necessarily good for you.

Today's 4 mile run i averaged 11.22 per mile. When im at the gym ive been doing some speed work on the treadmill for the last 6/7 weeks since the 10k and its improved a lot as it was about 13.30 per mile before. Plus ive lost more weight which will have helped me get a bit quicker.
I really want to do my next 10k in about 60/65 mins so need to keep improving my time. I find when im outside i tend to start off too fast so been trying to keep a steady pace the whole time which is helping but hard to do!

Are you still enjoying doing it? Do you think you will carry on once you have done the marathon? Another reason i signed up for the other 10k was to make sure i didn't have too much off a rest from training before my half next year. I think having the goals really help to keep you motivated.

Thats awesome that youve gotten faster! Great feat. I ran last night but it was the tread, so I had help, but I ran at 13-13:50 pace for my 4 miles. Typically outside I have been running at 13:00-15:00 min pace depending on the heat . Typically around 100 degrees or less I can run at 13 ish...more then 103 and I start to slow down...

I am enjoying the process. I get a little overwhelmed in the beginning almost anxious to know if I can finish the runs. My program keeps bumping up the minutes on me..and it may not seem alot but running 5 extra minutes is killer for me! lo...surprisingly after each run im so happy because I finished it and didnt stop . I do think I will continue to run. So far I do enjoy it. I have even learned that on stressful days at work I actually look forward to just coming home and running..which is something I never thought Id say. Also, when I miss my run when I had it planned I feel like ididnt accomplish much. lol. On days I get my run in I feel very accomplished and it kind of carries into the rest of my day. Dont know if this is all normal ..just learning about my mental stamina and physical stamina everyday. Ive never "pushed" myself like this tod o something I thought I hated and couldnt do.

When I was training for my half, I got used to looking at my plan, having a good laugh at the fact they thought I was capable of it, finishing the run as planned, showering and going to sleep.

The feeling of accomplishment is normal. It is such a great way of learning about mental vs. physical boundaries - because you gently push against them both.

I have done one full marathon. To say that I "ran" it would be a gross overstatement. I crawled, scraped, cried, whatever, but I did cross the finish line. In seven hours...

If you've never done a half marathon, do that first. And realize that a full marathon is a hell of a lot more than two half marathons. If you can just about do a half, then it will take some work to be ready for a full.

I have done one full marathon. To say that I "ran" it would be a gross overstatement. I crawled, scraped, cried, whatever, but I did cross the finish line. In seven hours...

If you've never done a half marathon, do that first. And realize that a full marathon is a hell of a lot more than two half marathons. If you can just about do a half, then it will take some work to be ready for a full.

Wow what a commitment!!

I hope to do a half along my training..

Well obviously you'll have to run that distance in training eventually. You don't have to run an official race but skipping that distance is impossible if you're planning on doing double that in a race. I did two half marathons last year and I had the worst luck with weather both times. I haven't done one this year at all but I'm planning on doing my first marathon in December. Of course I do a 13+ mile run nearly every single weekend now. Even if I'm not racing that distance I'm doing in in training.