Running a Marathon....

[TimmyBoston]

I've decided I want to run a marathon or at least a half marathon. Indy has a great half marathon, but there's no way I'll be ready by May when it takes place.

I have a lot of past running training, but I was solely a sprinter so the vast majority of it doesn't exactly transfer over.

I have a solid cardio base being an avid recreational cyclist. I started cycling last summer and in that time I have logged about 3400 miles to give you a base of my fitness level. However I have done little running in that time and with the way we've been hit by snow this winter, I haven't run at winter up until yesterday when I jogged 3 very slow, mildly agonizing miles a few hours after a 30 mile ride.

There is a Half and Full Marathon here in mid October. I want to compete in it. I'd love to do the marathon, but the Half is much more realistic.

I'm lost though on where to start. I need a training plan to get myself in decent running shape and then another plan to train for the specific race I'll be running in October. I have a tendency to over-train and get hurt if left to my own devices so I want to do this the right way.

Where should I start? All help and advice is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Check RunnersWorld.com and Yasso800's

Hal Higdon has a great book on marathoning.

Finally become a Dead. A Dead Runner that is, by joining the Dead Runners Society.

http://storm.cadcam.iupui.edu/drs/drs.html

Good Luck!

 

[saltypete]

Emil Zatopek is quoted as saying 'if you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a whole other life, run a marathon'.
Good luck mate. I would start small and work my way up. First goal should be to put in some solid 10ks. Once you can run 10ks easily then try running 15ks.
When I ran half marathons (many years ago), I would run 5ks twice a week. 10ks 3 times a week and do a long run of 15-17ks once a week. The only time I ever ran half marathon distance was on race day.
It is all about building a solid base of endurance and then expanding upon it.

Pete

 

[Obsessed]

No advice (my wife's the marathoner), but good luck! It's an awesome achievement.

Also, I know that the New York City Road Runner's Club has these programs online:

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/event...-new-york-city-marathon-training-program.aspx

 

[TimmyBoston]

Hal Higdon has a great book on marathoning.

!

That's funny you mention that, I was playing around on his site before I posted this thread and I was looking at the book at B&N this afternoon.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Tim,

Got six marathons under my belt and #7 is this year (Marine Corps 2010). I'm about a 4hr marathoner.

I train with one program and one only...it works everytime. Its not meant if you want to get a screaming time...but the first marathon should be about finishing...not the time.

This book will get you to the finish line:

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener and Tanjala Kole.

It covers all the basics...a training schedule, proper stretching, diet and what I've come to believe is most important...mindset.

This book made me a marathoner...and it will make you one as well.

I'll guarantee it.

 

[SpeedyB]

Hi Tim,

If you're looking for a training methodology that incorporates more short intervals, weight training, and overall variety, check out CrossFit Endurance.

http://crossfitendurance.com/page/index.php?menu=about&page=gettingstarted

The general idea is "constantly varied functional movements performed at a high intensity."

This approach to training is certainly controversial, as it removes most of the "long slow distance" miles. However, you can see that many who use this methodology have success. I haven't raced any marathons, but I've run a half-marathon distance and competed in numerous Sprint and Olympic triathlons using a program based on CrossFit Endruance.

Even Chris Carmichael's new book states that the traditional "long slow distance" approach is effective only if you're a professional that can put in 20+ hours per week going really long, and really slow.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

BTW, make sure you pick one with no hills as your first one.

Always check the course elevations, and from experience, even a small incline at mile 24 feels like Everest.

 

[TimmyBoston]

BTW, make sure you pick one with no hills as your first one.
.

I live in Indiana, that's not a problem!

 

[TimmyBoston]

Tim,

Got six marathons under my belt and #7 is this year (Marine Corps 2010). I'm about a 4hr marathoner.

I train with one program and one only...it works everytime. Its not meant if you want to get a screaming time...but the first marathon should be about finishing...not the time.

This book will get you to the finish line:

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener and Tanjala Kole.

It covers all the basics...a training schedule, proper stretching, diet and what I've come to believe is most important...mindset.

This book made me a marathoner...and it will make you one as well.

I'll guarantee it.

I was looking at that book at the bookstore today. Thanks! I'm off to amazon to check prices!

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Tim,

You might find this site very helpful - http://www.marathonguide.com/index.cfm?SRED=1&

 

[TimmyBoston]

Tim,

You might find this site very helpful - http://www.marathonguide.com/index.cfm?SRED=1&

Thanks that looks very helpful. Do you use the forums there?

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Thanks that looks very helpful. Do you use the forums there?

No, I mainly use the site to get information about different marathons, and reviews. Of course I am way out of shape now, but I can still dream, hope, and train.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Even Chris Carmichael's new book states that the traditional "long slow distance" approach is effective only if you're a professional that can put in 20+ hours per week going really long, and really slow.

Guess I professionally disagree with this comment. In all my training I've only had to do 4 days a week at most. No cross training in between was necessary.

I've only had what I would call "serious" time committments towards the end of the 16 week program. And those didn't go over 20 hours. During the 18 mile long run weeks (longest of the program) I put in 7-8 hours tops....the WHOLE WEEK. Those weeks saw two five milers, one eight miler and one eighteen miler...thats it.

And I am not a superfast, super athletic runner. I'm Average Joe from Average Joe's Gym..

I'm the "Hey Peter...going to wail on the glutes after I hit my Pecs" kinda guy...without the headband and wife who's giving me the "L for Love" of course

 

[SpeedyB]

Guess I professionally disagree with this comment. In all my training I've only had to do 4 days a week at most. No cross training in between was necessary.

I've only had what I would call "serious" time committments towards the end of the 16 week program. And those didn't go over 20 hours. During the 18 mile long run weeks (longest of the program) I put in 7-8 hours tops....the WHOLE WEEK. Those weeks saw two five milers, one eight miler and one eighteen miler...thats it.

And I am not a superfast, super athletic runner. I'm Average Joe from Average Joe's Gym..

I'm the "Hey Peter...going to wail on the glutes after I hit my Pecs" kinda guy...without the headband and wife who's giving me the "L for Love" of course

Our of the 7-8 hours, was all the training at sub-threshold (i.e. marathon / conversational pace)?

I think the point Carmichael is trying to make is that for the average athlete with a full-time job, your time is better spent doing some tempo and interval workouts instead of just slogging out slow mile after slow mile.

Here's two links to Carmichael's book:

http://www.trainright.com/articles.asp?uid=4629
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Crunched-Cyclist-Fast-Powerful-Hours/dp/1934030473

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Our of the 7-8 hours, was all the training at sub-threshold (i.e. marathon / conversational pace)?

I think the point Carmichael is trying to make is that for the average athlete with a full-time job, your time is better spent doing some tempo and interval workouts instead of just slogging out slow mile after slow mile.

Here's two links to Carmichael's book:

http://www.trainright.com/articles.asp?uid=4629
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Crunched-Cyclist-Fast-Powerful-Hours/dp/1934030473

Interesting...been awhile since I read a training book but I may reach out to this one. I'm always open to reading new techniques and ideas...taking the leap to try one when I've personally got one with a growing data sample is a bit tougher There are many paths which will lead a runner to the finish line...no single tried and true method...peace...no arguement with that.

Having said all that, I still state that The Non-Runner's guide is an excellent beginner's option, that has worked well for this B&Ber as well as 99% of the test subjects (I can't recall the data sample the authors used...but it was in the hundreds and they all finished save one for dehydration issues).

And to answer your question...yes, the 7-8 hours a week was all conversational/marathon pace, which for me is anywhere between 0830-0930 min/miles.

Cheers!

 

[Stain]

Tim,

I ran my first marathon this past October. I found out about it 3 weeks out, and didn't participate in a real training program. Like you, I am pretty fit, and ran about 3 - 5 miles 2 to 3 times a week. In the 3 weeks leading up to the marathon, I ran about 6 - 12 miles 3 times a week. I ended up running (and walking) the marathon in 3:59 and was ecstatic as my only goal was to finish. It didnt help that the altitude was at 8,000 feet.

With you being fit and having good cardio due to cycling, you should be able to finish. A first time marathoner's goal should be to simply finish. You'll have plenty of time to train for October. I know its still winter, but maybe you train for the half marathon in May then build up to the full in October.

There is no feeling like finishing a marathon. Sure there is the pain (it hurt to walk for 2 days), but I'm talking about the sense of accomplishment. I think i read somewhere that about 5 percent of people in the world have run marathons.

Just a warning, once you finish a marathon, you may be addicted to distances races. I have run a half marathon trail run and a 15k in the few months since, and have just signed up for an 10 hour endurance race (biking, running, rowing, challenges) on 1 May.

I say go for it!!

Cheers,

 

[Ru4scuba?]

"A first time marathoner's goal should be to simply finish."



Well put Stain! Well put!

 

[A-Man]

I would check out RunnersWorld website, and ask questions in there forums. Tons of info to be had.

My own personal advice would be to start out small. Do some 5k, 10k, and so on. Mix in some speed work. You start out too far/fast too soon, and you'll end up injuring yourself and you'll be right back where you started.

 

[Will P.C.]

I ran the Atlanta marathon 2 years ago.

I trained with my neighbor who is 40 im 25 right now and he had already done the Chicago, and New york ones.

We had 3 months to train. The Atlanta marathon had a ton of hills. The cool thing was that every neighborhood tried to out do the other neighborhoods by handing out drinks, powerbars, cheering.

I will never run one again. I was 23 when I ran it and it good shape and heath, but it took a toll on me. It was really hard on my knees.

Check out the internet because their is a ton of info out their to be learned.
Shoes are very very important. Make sure you find a place in your city that caters to runners and knows how to fit and give you advice on what to get.
Dont get to a place like Dicks for shoes.