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Runner's Training Tips: Do I have enough time to train for a Marathon?

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    ceningolmo

    Hello all...  I just finished my first Triathlon this past weekend.  It went well, though it was HARD.  I finished in 1:39:02 (500m, 14miles, 5K) which wasn't too bad for a fat guy doing his first triathlon.

    Ideally, I would love to do another Tri this fall.  But, the only other Tri in my area this year is this coming weekend.  Sadly, I have prior obligations that will prevent me from participating in that tri.

    On the plus side, my local marathon is being held on October 27th.  So, I was thinking I might try to build on the training I have been doing to get ready for the marathon.  This would leave me about 7 weeks of preparation.  My question is...is this enough time?

    At the moment I am routinely running 5 miles, and have peaked out with as much as a 10 mile run (about 3 weeks ago) during my traning.  I also have been commuting to work via bike which is a 15 mile trip each way (about 50 minutes).  Finally, I am participating in a Tuesday evening group ride on my bike...we typically cover 25-30 miles and speeds range from 17-24 mph as an average depending on the group I ride with.

    Is 7 weeks enough time to get to a fitness level that would allow me to complete a marathon?

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberlsb
    • CommentTimeSep 5th 2007 edited
     
    lsb

     

    The key is to get your body used to a long slow run.Your longest one was 10 miles. Since it's strongly advised to take at least 2-3 weeks off from long runs prior to a marathon you actually have only 4-5 weeks of training left. You can try to add 2 miles to your weekly long run and do a slow 18 miler 2-3 weeks before your marathon. Based on how you feel you might try to do a slow marathon. Although in my personal opinion it's not a good idea and 7 weeks is not enough time. I usually do 12-16 weeks to get ready for a marathon.

    See some training programs below: 

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/130.shtml

    http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/marathon.html 

     

  3.  
    dsouth-essex

    seems you have a reasnable level of fitness, if non runner can go from zero to marathon in 12 weeks, i cannot see why you could not run a marathon, but dont run for a time.

     

    I would suggest you run the following.

     1 x 5m at race pace to improve V02 max

    1 x 5m normal

    1 x long run eg start with your 10 then increase by 2/3 miles a week eg  5 long runs of 10 - 12.5 - 15 - 17.5 - 20

    1 x 5m recovery

     Leave out the long run the week before, and drop the race pass run the week before.

    Also listen to your body - dont push the training, keep the cycling up but keep hieght cadence low effort on rides so that you are not straining your leg muscle, also you could drop the recory run and use a swim set if your legs are feeling it.

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberPatro
    • CommentTimeSep 6th 2007
     
    Patro
    It depends, theoretically you could look at your tri training as a foundation for your marathon training.  if you took some time off (mainly this weekend) with some very light runs sprinkled throughout the week you could try picking back up next weekend with another 15 miles but at a slower pace obviously.  then run a good pyramid throughout the week building to a good 20 miler a couple of weeks before the marathon, then taper back significantly the weekend before the race (7-8 miles?) and then spend the last week before your race doing some shorter, lighter runs while focusing on your diet.  I think it is possible, but if your body is saying "no" loudly, listen to it.
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberZikon
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2007
     
    Zikon

    Ceningolmo, 

    I have run 6 marathons, dozens of half marathons and numerous other intermediate distance races on a program of very low training mileage.  However, based upon your current training and fitness level, I honestly  think that trying run a marathon on such short notice is not going to be an enjoyable or gratifying experience.  IT SHOULD BE. 

    You stated in your first sentence that completing your first triathlon was "HARD".  If you are an AVERAGE, trained runner, it will likely take you 4 HOURS or more to complete the marathon.  That's a long time.  Your triathlon was less than half that time.  Think about it.  If you really want to run a mathathon - DO IT - but train for it and do it next year.  In the meantime, try doing a half marathon instead.  MOST marathons these days have a companion 1/2 marathon with their full marathon race - check your local marathon registration description.  And GOOD LUCK.      

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    jhgalbraith
    I was able to do a marathon with only 8 weeks of hard core training.  I had been running all summer, but had not done a run longer than 10 miles when I committed to running a marathon in October.  I downloaded a training schedule from Runner's World and within a few days was doing my first 16 mile run.  Once I was able to complete that run, I had confidence that I could do the marathon.  I was 40 at the time and had not run a race since I was in high school.  I was able to finish with a very respectable time and had a very positive experinence.  I'm assuming you're already pretty well conditioned with your triatholon training.  Good luck.

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