Any runners training for a half or full marathon?

Technically any race over 26 miles and 385 yards. They commonly start at 50K (about 31.5 miles) and then jump to 50 miles, then 100K (around 61 miles) and then 100 miles, and then really crazy stuff.

Go for it! I've run a marathon before, but I like ultramarathons now. You can do it! You have alot more experience than the average person who runs a marathon for the first time.

Thanks! Ultramarathons? What's the distance on those?

I'm currently training for my second City 2 Surf 14km in less than 5 weeks - running it all the way 30kg(66lbs) lighter!

I haven't registered yet, but planning to enter the Half Marathon in May 2012.

ME!

I ran on my cross country team in high school. At my best I was running 7 min/mi for 5K and 8 min/mi for 10K events. I always considered myself a "runner" even though I only ran for the bus in the 20 years since! LOL So in January, 20 years and 90 pounds later, I joined a local run/walk group. I don't think it is an "official" Jeff Galloway group, but the coach does teach to Galloway's philosophies.

In six months (two three-month "seasons" with my group) I have gone from walking 2 miles at 20+ min/mile to interval run/walk for 7 miles at 15 min/mile. I don't know if I'll reclaim my high school glory days, but I am just so excited to be out there doing it. I look forward to seeing where I will be in another 6 months! :happy:

I did a 10K on 4th of July. I want to get faster and fitter before going farther, so I plan another 10K in October at the end of this "season" with the group. I will train for the 13 miler in the Spring 2012. The "big" spring one around here is Race to Robie Creek, up and over the mountain. However, I think I want to do a flat course for my first Half!

I just finished reading "Born to Run (A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen)" by Christopher McDougall and that has planted a little seed of interest into ultra-distance running. But I'm in no hurry. I'm just going to keep on trucking and see where it leads.

Also, there are a couple of documentaries available on Netflix instant play that you might find interesting: "Spirit of the Marathon" and also "Running the Sahara".

It's encouraging to hear all of you-guys' plans. I'd be interested in a thread/group dedicated to long-distance running talk!

I'm running my first half this Sunday in SF! And then the Nike Women's in October (haven't decided on half or full yet... will determine after Sunday!), and then the Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll full in December. I'm very excited to see so many MFP folks going to Vegas—I wonder if we should start a forum/group for those of us going, and we can maybe meet up in person then :-)

I started thinking of doing it back in Jan/Feb, and finally committed to doing it in April.

I am training for a half in January. I have completed several marathons and two ironman triathlons and a long list of shorter races. Doing a marathon is a great accomplishment! I highly recommend seeing if there is a USAfit group in your area. It's very beginner friendly and you get the support of a group for your long runs! You can easily run a marathon on 20 miles a week. check out www.usafit.com and see if there is a training group near you!

Good luck in your quest at 26.2!

Me! I'm training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon right now, which is in San Francisco in October. My best friends from high school and I are running it together and having a reunion/girls weekend (the three of us haven't been in the same place at the same time since 2009) in SF that weekend. It'll be my second half (I ran the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras Half in New Orleans in February) and their first. And then after that, I'm planning to run Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans again in March, and maybe another race between now and then!

I haven't run in a week and it's pissing me off. I pulled some tendons in the top of my foot last year and was in a boot for 3 months. Last week, that same spot swelled and was a little sore. So, I'm taking off until it feels better. Hopefully it won't be too long - but I'd rather not run for a week (or 2 god forbid) than be sidelined for months.

I just posted about this a couple nights ago! I'm training for my first half!! I'm terrified! I started my training late too. But I think I can do it. I can walk about a 17min mile average right now. Not including any running. I start my running intervals tonight to see how I do. I'm hoping that my race day I'll have my average to under 15min mile. My goal is to finish under 3.5 hours. I think I can do it, I'm confident. The thing that makes me nervous is will I start to get bored and focus on my aches and pains, and tired joints and muscle?! lol Then I'll be groaning!! But I keep telling myself I'll be able to push through any time I start to doubt myself. Once I'm in the race, there is no turning back, right?! So might as well keep going!

Good luck to everyone!!!

I just posted about this a couple nights ago! I'm training for my first half!! I'm terrified! I started my training late too. But I think I can do it. I can walk about a 17min mile average right now. Not including any running. I start my running intervals tonight to see how I do. I'm hoping that my race day I'll have my average to under 15min mile. My goal is to finish under 3.5 hours. I think I can do it, I'm confident. The thing that makes me nervous is will I start to get bored and focus on my aches and pains, and tired joints and muscle?! lol Then I'll be groaning!! But I keep telling myself I'll be able to push through any time I start to doubt myself. Once I'm in the race, there is no turning back, right?! So might as well keep going!

Good luck to everyone!!!

Hey there -- you sound alot like me. I started running last year ... with literally 30 seconds of running for 4 minutes of walking. The best part about the half marathon is the training ... I know I know I sound crazy ... but the most crucial thing for the training is the long run. You need to start with a long run of about 3-4 miles and progressively increase it. Its during those 10 mile runs when there are no crowds that you learn how to deal with everythin that goes on in your head.

I have tried naming miles for people... and I also always bring my Ipod and have certain songs that get me through.

I know I am having a great run when I can just listen to whatever comes on ... and I know I am struggling when I started skipping songs and jumping around on songs...

Anyways... my point.. you can do it!

I've done four full marathons (PR 4:03 Milwaukee) and six halfs (PR 1:46 Green Bay), all over five years ago. Gained a bunch of weight, started smoking, then quit smoking again, lost a bunch of weight and now training for another half.

Advice...don't worry about pace at all on any long run, do them at least 45 sec to one minute per mile slower than your target finish time pace. Just put time in the shoes. If you want to finish in four hours, get your body used to running at least three and a half to four hours, regardless of pace. Have fun. The last 10K is an experience you'll never forget, even if you want to.

Just saw this message board. I'm training for my first half marathon in November and couldn't be more excited. I graduated from C25K in October and have been running ever since. I'm going to take the rest of the summer to get faster (goal = 9 minute mile) and then start Hal Higdon's 12-week novice half marathon training plan at the end of August when I go back to college.

Marathon #23 is now in the books at 3:43:01.

Not quite the time I shooting for, having tweaked my knee while running down a steep hill at mile 21 or so. After that I could no longer run fast. Oh well, we'll get 'em next time.