Marathon Training Advice

nycdesi
nycdesi Posts: 5 Member
edited November 20 in Motivation and Support
Hi:

I got accepted to run in the NYC Marathon due to a corporate sponsorship. I have never run a race before. I started training and have been running 3 to 4 miles every day for the past 2 weeks. I am somewhat overwhelmed and realistic about my chances of completing the race. On the other hand, it has been a great motivator for me to start training and getting in shape.

Anyone else who has been in the same boat ? Any advice

Replies

  • MsNeumann
    MsNeumann Posts: 75 Member
    I signed up for the Brooklyn rock n roll half marathon and was a complete non-runner up until 2 months ago. I would suggest reading online or getting a book about how to train for it. In fact, I think the runners world magazine website has training plans out there for the different distances. I'm running a 5k this weekend just to get some race experience but I am doing Jeff Galloway's interval training approach because my number one priority is to train and finish the half without getting hurt. Good luck to you in November! I've worked at that race giving out medals and it is an amazing day for the runners, the spectators and the city!
  • nycdesi
    nycdesi Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks much for your post
  • nycdesi
    nycdesi Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks much for your post
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Well. You don't have a lot of time at all. Normal marathon training programs are 18 weeks, but those assume a comfortable base of about 20-25 miles per week. Basically, this is a 'doable but not wise' plan. But if you want to go ahead:

    Step one - stop running every day. You will only tire yourself out sooner. You need time for repair and recovery.
    Step two - if your goal is just to finish and not to get any sort of time, check out run/walk plans, like the Galloway method.
    Step three - long runs. You will need to start a long run every week, probably Sunday (I assume NYC is still on Sunday). Start increasing by a mile every week. Ideally you'd want to hit 20 miles three Sunday's before, to allow for a decent taper. you are right at the edge of even being able to do that.

    Also, make sure you have the right shoes, and maybe invest in a foam roller.
  • dawnna76
    dawnna76 Posts: 987 Member
    How long do you have before the marathon? are you doing 13.1 or 26.2? what is your history of running? are you going from a non runner to a marathon? I took 20 weeks to work up to a healthy 26.2 and when i started the trianing plan i was already 15 -20 miles a week plus crosstraining. I finished my marthon healthy and injury free. thats best case senario for you it sounds. running everyday is a bad idea and a quick way to take your self out of the running (pardon the pun)
  • whirlygig60
    whirlygig60 Posts: 37 Member
    I am also training for the NYC Marathon. It will be my first. I am following Hal Higdon's novice supreme plan.
    A couple of suggestions:
    1. Get in a few races before the big day - 5k, 10k, whatever. Just get a feel for the race experience and running in a big crowd of people.
    2. Look for a running group. Doing long runs with a big group of people at different pace levels can be helpful to get through the sometimes grueling longer runs.
  • nycdesi
    nycdesi Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks all. This advice is very helpful.
  • nycdesi
    nycdesi Posts: 5 Member
    @whirligigs : How many races have you run so far. I am running my first 5k this saturday. I am in reasonably ok shape and using the Marathon training as motivation to loose weight and get in shape. I want to give another 4 weeks to see if I really want to run the full marathon this year or whether i should defer it
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