I'm training for my first full marathon in August, something I never imagined a couple years ago. But after seven half marathons, I feel like I can take this challenge on now. I also have half marathons in May, June, July, and October, plus other shorter races. My training plan starts May 2. Is anyone else on a similar timeline this year? Feel free to add me!

@JustSomeEm - I've been where you are, running longer than needed for a half but not sure when I'd run a full marathon. Funny thing, when the training runs got up to 16 miles the last 4 miles of the half stopped being the mental challenge they were when I was only running 13 to 13.5 miles in training.

JustSomeEm wrote: »

MobyCarp wrote: »

@JustSomeEm - I've been where you are, running longer than needed for a half but not sure when I'd run a full marathon. Funny thing, when the training runs got up to 16 miles the last 4 miles of the half stopped being the mental challenge they were when I was only running 13 to 13.5 miles in training.

@MobyCarp - that's really good to hear... After my last half, I swore I'd never do another one because the last couple of miles just absolutely sucked... and here I am, probably going to do it again. Do you recommend going that route, or is there a reason or two I shouldn't?

Everyone is different, and you may find that what worked for me doesn't work the same way for you. THBS, I can give you a summary of 2 runners' thoughts.

A guy I talked to before a shorter race doesn't do any races longer than a half, but trains to 16 miles. He sees a benefit from training to 16, but no need to train any longer for a half.

My experience was that running all the long runs easy, having multiple 16 mile long runs and one 18 mile long run before my January 2015 half made the distance No Big Deal. There were other issues that were inconvenient, like the single digit temperature, the 25+ mph wind, and having the nozzles on my water bottles freeze up; but distance wasn't a problem.

If you enjoy the long easy runs, I can't think of any reason why stretching them to 16 or 18 miles would hurt you for a half marathon. Most training programs are designed to get you to peak out at the target race distance; if you run longer, you're training for more endurance than just running one target race half as fast as you can. You're training for being able to run multiple half marathons without time for a full training cycle between them. That's where I was when I started running longer distances, because I signed up for a package of 4 half marathons in January, April, July, and September 2015. It was just kind of an accident that I ended up running the 2015 Buffalo Marathon when I hadn't planned on running a marathon in 2015 at all. My running buddies talked me into it after a 20 mile run in March.

But the January and April 2015 halfs weren't a mental challenge at the end like the April and September 2014 halfs had been. The major difference was, I was doing more miles on my long runs.

I'm recovering from a broken shoulder, so I'm just building up mileage again after 3+ months off and too many extra pounds packed on.

I'm registered to run the SF Marathon on 31 July. I'm not racing it, but using it as a base-builder and proof to myself that I can run a full without walking. (I walked some of my first marathon and wish I hadn't). The real target is CIM this December, where I'll actually be going for speed. I have a friendly competition with a coworker for that race and he's targeting his BQ time, so we'll see what happens!

My husband just registered for Chicago and I need to decide if I want to join him. We are both time-qualified, so I don't have to worry about the lottery, but I have <2 weeks to figure out what I want to do.

I just decided to train for my *first* marathon! So 'cited! I'll be running the Richmond marathon ("the friendliest marathon") in November!

Daisy471 wrote: »

I have two half marathons coming up. Gazelle Girl (Grand Rapids, MI) on 4/17 and Casper, WY on 6/5.

How was Gazelle Girl? I did Sly Fox in St Charles IL on 4/23, and am going to do Sunburst half in South Bend on June 4.

Hey everyone! I'm new to the group and find the posts very motivating, and helpful. I've recently started running again after not really running at all for 2 years. I'm scheduled to run a 10K in Ottawa on May 28. It's coming up quick! I mainly signed up to help motivated me to stick to a training plan. While I'm certain I can handle the distance, I worry that I'll be very slow. I know that people that run 10K races are usually working on their pace, whereas I'm just working on creating a solid base. Still, I'm staying positive that I can manage it in 60 minutes or less

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum, considering that I'm also new to running-- right now I'm working on a run/walk program to get me to a point where I can run 30 minutes straight without having to stop and walk, which is big for me because a few weeks ago I could only run for three minutes without having to walk. (I got very out of shape during my first year of college, but this week I'm at just under six minutes!)

So anyway, I hope I can find support here, even though I may not be running as far or as long as running veterans.

I have my second half tomorrow morning! It's a Boys Chase Girls challenge, so the girls start 30 minutes earlier and try to finish before the first boy. Then I my second full in September. Hoping to PR on both races!