First Marathon Prep

I did my first 1/2 marathon this past weekend. I started training 4 months previously. I found a training routine online, and modified it. (It was 12 weeks, I had 16 to prepare so I repeated some weeks.) I started by running 60-90 seconds, walking 60-90. And each week I increased my run times. Previously I was not doing any consistent running. I'd do treadmill walking several times a week, but any running was short and inconsistent.

I think most plans have a long run day each week - and that long run gets longer each week. I did find that running outside got better - and my first outdoor run honestly was a local 5k for an elementary school. There is something different about running in a group, and in a 'race' atmosphere. After that I enjoyed outdoors more than treadmill. Having a place to go helped.

I am NOT an expert. And I honestly can't see me putting in the time, commitment to prepare for a marathon. But if I can do a half - then anyone can run. Assuming its something they enjoy, and want to do.

AlciaMode wrote: »

So I have decided that I need a fitness goal and agreed to run a marathon in July with a buddy.

*clang* "Bring out yer dead"


Start with reading this discussion.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1217573/so-you-want-to-start-running#latest

I ran my first marathon in October with only 3 months of training.
The biggest tip I can give you for your training is to run for distance, not time. Don't say, I'll do a 30 minute run on Tuesday and a 40 minute run on Thursday, etc. Instead you do 7 miles on Tuesday and 10 miles on Thursday, no matter how long it takes to complete. Also try to avoid walking when on these runs if at all possible.
I would map out different routes on google maps to make large scenic circles of varying distances for my runs.

briebee7 wrote: »

Wait - do you run at all right now? Or is this a "start from scratch and run 26.2 miles by July" type thing. If you are truly starting from scratch I would strongly suggest signing up for a 10k or half marathon rather than a full.

I agree. When I ran my first marathon and passed the one hour mark and realized that I had at least 3 more hours to run, it was sobering. Can you run for an hour at this point?

The marathon you are considering might have training plans or affiliations with a training group that you could work with. Training with others, especially for the long 3+ hour runs can make all the difference.

AlciaMode wrote: »

I just looked it up and the race I agreed to is a 5k so I should be fine

Just so you know for future reference...

5K = 3.1 miles
marathon = 26.2 miles

HAHAH. *ahem. okay sorry.* I'm laughing at your conflating a marathon and a 5K in part because I did a ton of 5Ks in 2013 (then none in 2014, hence why I'm here and tracking/losing/exercising again)... and my mom always called them marathons. And I'd be like "if I did what I did about eight more times, THAT would be a marathon...."

Alcia, I went from couch potato to 5k in 8 or 9 weeks with a couch to 5k app. There are lots of them on the smart phone and it even can mix in your own playlists, then ding as you go back and forth between walking and jogging.

The key-- JOG SLOWLY. You shouldn't be out of breath.

I started May 8 2014 and by labor day weekend I was up to 6miles w/no walking. You can do it!

I was able to go from 0 to 10k in 10 weeks. Granted, I had not planned on running the full 10k, but on race day I started running and planned to run until I absolutely could do nothing more than walk...and I made it the whole way.

You should be fine.

You can handle a 5k, for sure! Look up the couch to 5k program. Or depending on where your fitness level is, block out 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week, alternate with 30 seconds running then 60 walking. And week by week gradually increase: 60 seconds running/60 walking; 90 running/60 walking and so on.

Ab work and strength training will also help you - don't skimp on that. Oh and invest in a foam roller or the 'stick' for your post workout rubdown.
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There are several training programs out there to get you in marathon shape. But most of them start with the assumption you can do a 5K. I’d start with a c25K program, bust it out and then work on the longer runs (they’ll actually come easier once you get past the pace/breathing issues and get your “second wind.”). You won’t have to run 26.2 miles in training to do it for the race, but you’ll want a couple of runs in the 18 to 20 mile range, race adrenaline will push you to finish if you want it.

AlciaMode wrote: »

I just looked it up and the race I agreed to is a 5k so I should be fine

those 5k marathons are the WORST

I have been quiet because I didn't want the OP to feel like I was saying anything negative towards them (I am not)...

But this is the second time in just a couple days that a thread was created here discussing a "marathon" that was really only a 5k.

How is it that anyone, runners or otherwise, could not understand what a marathon is? And how could they ever confuse it with a 5k? I can never recall a point, ever, where people casually referred to races of any length as "marathons".

This is very perplexing to me. I will probably regret asking. But this has really been gnawing at me.

That makes sense. I have a half marathon coming up in April that is part of an event called "The Garmin Marathon". It has a marathon, half marathon and I think a 10k even.

So, I am running in "The Garmin Marathon", but running the half marathon. I had to go out of my way to clear that up though.

grimmeanor wrote: »

I have been quiet because I didn't want the OP to feel like I was saying anything negative towards them (I am not)...

But this is the second time in just a couple days that a thread was created here discussing a "marathon" that was really only a 5k.

How is it that anyone, runners or otherwise, could not understand what a marathon is? And how could they ever confuse it with a 5k? I can never recall a point, ever, where people casually referred to races of any length as "marathons".

This is very perplexing to me. I will probably regret asking. But this has really been gnawing at me.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A PLACE FOR POSITIVE SUPPORT