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Runner's Training Tips: Considering running a marathon - I need help!

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorshiggsyo
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008
     
    shiggsyo

    Okay, so I have not been running for very long (about a month and a half), and the New Jersey Marathon is in early May. The course is supposedly incredibly flat, and recommended for first-time marathoners. I have run longer distances (15K, half marathon), and they weren't a problem for me, but I know that running a marathon is incredibly difficult and requires a lot of devotion and training. I've seen schedules for marathon training, and they are 18 weeks long, so I have time to complete the training.

    I really want to run a marathon, but I don't want to get myself into anything that is going to really hurt me. Should I run this marathon, or wait until I have trained for longer?

    • CommentAuthorwpgabriel
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008
     
    wpgabriel

    When did you run your longer distances?  Was it during this month and a half?

    I think most coaches recommend that you have a good year of running consistently before you train for a marathon, but if you can already do a half you might be ready to start training.

     There is a ton of difference between a half marathon and a full--something happens to your body somewhere between 18-22 miles, so no amount of half marathons would really prepare you for the full marathon.

     I would be willing to bet that you can do it, and I would even go so far as to recommend going for it as long as you are faithful to complete an 18 week training program. My guess is that you will get a much better time next year once you've gotten your body used to running more. 

    • CommentAuthorshiggsyo
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008
     
    shiggsyo

    I ran the long distances during the past month and a half. Thanks for the encouragement!

    • CommentAuthorkls19111
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008
     
    kls19111
    Go to Hal Higdon's website, and look at the beginner marathon training program - I completed (and I emphasize completed) the Chicago Marathon following his program - my first marathon.   I personally believe that you may be pushing yourself to run a marathon in May, if you have only been running for 1-2 months, but that is up to you - the Hal Higdon site is very helpful.  Best of luck to you, and welcome to running!
    • CommentAuthordruehler
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008 edited
     
    druehler

    I agree a bit with 'kls1911'...  you may pushing yourself a bit...BUT Hal Higdon's site and programs are great...I have trained for marathons using the beginer, novice, intermediate 1 and 2 ...they just plain work...but you've GOT TO stick to a program to have a fighting chance.  'wpgabriel' is correct in saying that a full marathon is all together different than a half...your body is physiologically  effected VERY differently (as they said between mile 18 - 22).

     However, depending on the shape your in to start...you could/should try it...there is NO SHAME in walking part of the 26.2 (we've all had to do it at some point).

     GO for it... train hard...have fun

    • CommentAuthorshiggsyo
    • CommentTimeJan 6th 2008
     
    shiggsyo
    Thanks for the support! I got a training schedule off of the ING New York City Marathon website, with a base of 20 miles a week and a peak of 40 miles a week.
  7.  
    KenKunsman
    Hi shiggs. I'm guessing you came here looking for encouragement to "go for it" and not a bucket of cold water. However, running your first marathon is like many other "firsts" in your life, and doing it incorrectly has huge consequences. I'm more concerned that you have run a half marathon within your first 6 weeks of running. Putting this much stress onto your body before you have conditioned it is a recipe for a serious injury. Like you noted, the NYCRR guide (as does Hal's) requires a "base" of 20+ mpw, usually for a few months. If you are 18-24, your young body can better handle that shock than would an "old" one like mine. If you want to proceed, follow all the guidelines, including a gradual building of your base. Read Higdon! Lastly, I strongly recommend a really fun and populated marathon for first timers. 1) You'll be citing it as your "first" for the rest of your life; 2) You want lots of support (runners, spectators, food/water stations) to get you through. For example, Philly is *not* a good first-timer marathon, NYC or Marine Corps are. I see only 1500 people completed NJM last year. Talk to people who ran it. Better yet, find 5-10 people you can legitimately run with.
  8.  
    changingground

    Shiggsyo-

    Something that I had not appreciated before my current training efforts is the long term effects training can have on the development of ligament and cartillage tissues. As I understand it, there is a significant change that your connective tissues undergo as you train. Apparently, this effect can take up to a year or more to have significant positive effect in terms of protecting you against running related injuries, and this is the reason many trainers recommend that you wait a year.

    I too am eager to run a marathon, and am training for one in May, which will be (nearly) a calender year from when I started running. At that I feel like I may be pushing it, but, like you I've chosen a flat, flat course, and am planning on a "get it finished" approach.

  9.  
    dan.keeler
    This has me curious about my future. I am looking to run the Chicago Marathon (OCT 12, 2008). I used to (a few years ago) run a LOT when I was in the military, but kinda stopped all together for a few years. I started training again (slow and steady) on Oct 14, 2007, with no time or speed goals (I just want to finish my first marathon). Is a year long enough for someone of average fitness to prepare for a marathon?
    • CommentAuthorkls19111
    • CommentTimeJan 7th 2008
     
    kls19111

    to dan.keeler -

     I believe a year is enough.  When I decided to run Chicago in 2007, it was my first marathon - I started running again after a few year absence, such as you did, in July, of 2006.  I am 46 years old, not a youngster!  I am a strong supporter of Hal Higdon's programs - I live in Northern Illinois, so started his 10k program in March, ran a 10K in May, and then started his Novice marathon program.  I also ran a half marathon in late August.  As emphasized above by DRUEHLER - you have to follow the program, and really work at it.  In the 18 week marathon program, I missed only one midweek run.  If you are confident and determined, you will be able to do it.  I also have a very supportive non-running spouse, which definately made getting up at 5 a.m. to run much easier.  Even with all of the issues at 2007 Chicago, it was an awesome experience.

  11.  
    changingground

    Dan-

    I too am aiming at Chicago this September, as a group of dads from our adoption trip are running it together.

    As for training for 'only' a year, I spoke with my internist, who has also run 3  marathons (I think), and she said to go for it. I suspect she see enough of the alternate case (middle-aged guys who are overweight, have high colesterol, high blood pressure types) that the "harm" that might come from pushing your marathon traiing seems minor to her.

    Slow and steady, consistent, do your long runs, don't push speed. That's my plan. So tonight it's back out into the snow.

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