Newbie training for marathon in October?

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Question:

I have recently begun running, and I enjoy it so much that I would like to run a Marathon. The Portland Marathon is in October, so I was thinking that could be my first. I am in OK shake, and I am getting to the point that I can run for 20minutes without stopping. Is this enough time to train for a Marathon starting from almost nothing??

Response:

Yeah, you’re all set there numbnutz! (christ sakes, two idiots in one night) Bill R.

Response:

Nice,…you sound just like I did last September or late August. I started to run and then quickly lost focus due to not really having a good reason to do it, at least on days when I didn’t really feel like it. I saw a local group was starting up a Marathon training program which lasted for 5 months, so I figured I’d set myself a lofty challenge (something I rarely had done) and, at the same time, I made a tangible goal that I could strive for over a long period of time. I went from being in "ok" shape last fall (10k in about 56 mins, wanting to die) to recently just running a 20 mile training run (fairly hilly), with a nasty cold, at a 9 minute per mile pace, with very low effort, not even tired afterwards…it’s an awesome feeling! (I was somewhat athletic and quite trim before even starting, for what it’s worth) You got about 9 months to go,..plenty of time if this is really what you want to shoot for. Probably a good idea to spend the first 3-4 months building a solid base of easy running, mostly just to get your body used to the new activity, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to drop a few pounds, if you need / would like to at this time. It’s harder on your body than many people realize. After that, plan on following a good beginner’s marathon training program for the remaining 5-6 months or so. Get some good running shoes, preferably professionally fitted from a true running store early on! I picked out some shoes on my own early in my training,…I loved them to death, but they were bad for me, and caused some scary injuries…lacking pronation support that I needed and I had no idea when I bought them. Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com – Still Only $9.95 – http://www.uncensored-news.com <<<<<<< The Worlds Uncensored News Source <<<<<<<<

Response:

Do you have any experience running races ? Are you planning on making a marathon your first race ? Why not instead spend some time building up to a good level of fitness, running some shorter races, and then preparing for a marathon once you already have a solid foundation (race experience, weekly milage, and general fitness) ? The problem with preparing for a marathon as a beginner is that most beginners want to run fast all (or a lot of) the time, have fun, and inevitably run a lot of PRs — which is at odds with the goal of preparing for a marathon. On the other hand, entering short races more frequently is more likely to be fun, as well as satisfying the need of the curious beginner to push him/herself to see what s/he is capable of. Cheers, — Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

Response:

Without knowing your fitness history and considering your stated running fitness level, I’d say it’s doubtful you have enough time to train to do much more than "finish" the marathon through a combination of walking and running. There are exceptions, but there’s a reason that word exists. If you’re determined to do it, do so with your eyes wide open: you have an above average chance of injury during either long-run training or the marathon itself. It just takes–for most people–some time, often more than a year, to build the endurance and physical toughness that you’ll need to "run" a marathon. Nothing wrong with setting such a goal for yourself–I can relate. Get some good running shoes. Read as much as you can–about the marathon, not just about running in general. Have you thought about setting some interim goals, such as running a 10K race or two in the spring, maybe a half-marathon next fall, and then if you’re still interested a marathon sometime in early 2004? Good luck. You might consider providing additional info here about your age, fitness or athletic history, and any factors that bear on your ability to devote time to training. Chris

Response:

Theoretically, yes. In reality, who knows. You’ll need to gradually increase your weekly mileage over the next 6 months or so. Your longest race distance should be one that you can "jog" continuously, albeit slowly in training, and still be recovered enough to run again in a couple of days. If you can only do this for 13.1 miles, then you’re longest race should be a half-marathon. If you can’t get to the point where 20+ mile runs are something you can easily do on a weekly basis, then you have no business entering a marathon. If you can barely walk the day after doing doing 20 miles at a 10 minute per mile pace, then your condition can only be far worse the day after you do 26.2 miles at a 9 minute-per-mile pace.

Response:

listen, nobody.. and I mean nobody can tell you (accept for yourself) if you can or can’t run A Marathon at all. What I want to say to you is that the only person who must find out and feel for himself is you? Confused? Talk to people who already ran some(in real life) see how they live, run, eat, work train ect, ect. Running a Marathon has nothing to do with "just running one" , it is a way of live and you must find out for yourself if you are willing to do that, and than you come back to this place and tell us if you are able (or not ) to run one. I want to apologise for my bad english because it is the first time i wrote something in this forum. Jur – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have recently begun running, and I enjoy it so much that I would like to run a Marathon. The Portland Marathon is in October, so I was thinking that could be my first. I am in OK shake, and I am getting to the point that I can run for 20minutes without stopping. Is this enough time to train for a Marathon starting from almost nothing?? Theoretically, yes. In reality, who knows. You’ll need to gradually increase your weekly mileage over the next 6 months or so. Your longest race distance should be one that you can "jog" continuously, albeit slowly in training, and still be recovered enough to run again in a couple of days. If you can only do this for 13.1 miles, then you’re longest race should be a half-marathon. If you can’t get to the point where 20+ mile runs are something you can easily do on a weekly basis, then you have no business entering a marathon. If you can barely walk the day after doing doing 20 miles at a 10 minute per mile pace, then your condition can only be far worse the day after you do 26.2 miles at a 9 minute-per-mile pace.

Response:

Wrong. He obviously does not have the running experience to make this decision. That alone says he is not ready. Bill R.

Response:

Thank you for all the suggestions. I guess i’ll just continue to train at my current pace, and hopefully I will be ready for a Marathon come next October. If not, then I will do the half and plan on another in January or February. Thanks again! -Jacoby

Response:

Both much better options than getting permanently hurt. Cheers! Bill R.

Response:

Let me take the long view here. You’ve just started running. You really enjoy it. Natural human tendencies are to think about the possibilities and potential of your new found endeavor. You think big. You think Marathon. While these thoughts have merit and demand respect, statistics show of new runners (less than 12 months running) who run a marathon, 12 months after the race most are not running at all. I know, you’ll ask me to site the sources but I don’t have them here but I could find them (I’m not though). I’m just recalling what I’ve read but let me say it this way: There are generally two types of runners, life style runners and goal runners. Many times these people are one and the same (I’m one for example) but most of these became life style runners and THEN became goal runners. Some of these do this in a short time. Goal oriented runners run hard, reach there goal, and most (but not all) are on to other things. Life style oriented runners have running as part of a lifestyle and then incorporate goals within that lifestyle. With that said, sure, you could train for and run marathon by October. But I would recommend spending this year running 15-20 miles per week, enter 5 or 10k’s. Develop a life style, where after a while a week seems strange without at least 12-15 miles (and believe me, these happen, vacations, work, real life stuff, etc). In a few years, go for the big one. By that time after the euphoria of the race has subsided, you’ll still be out there, maybe preparing for another 26.2 but almost certainly doing 20 miles for that week. It’s a great sport to mature in. Don’t take it too fast. It’s a little bit like us adults telling a 14 year old to enjoy the teenage years but they all want that drivers license, an apartment, independence, etc. Just take the adventure slow. But good luck no matter what you decide. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have recently begun running, and I enjoy it so much that I would like to run a Marathon. The Portland Marathon is in October, so I was thinking that could be my first. I am in OK shake, and I am getting to the point that I can run for 20minutes without stopping. Is this enough time to train for a Marathon starting from almost nothing??

Response:

For some bodies half that time would be enough, for other bodies twice that time would not be enough. Build up your training gradually and find out what your body’s capabilities. My personal advice would be to put some effort into losing weight early on, unless you are already thin. I reckon this must increase your body’s chance of coping with training. Andrew Taylor

Response:

Dear Mr R, You are "obviously" right, but my answer is not wrong. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – listen, nobody.. and I mean nobody can tell you (accept for yourself) if you can or can’t run A Marathon at all. What I want to say to you is that the only person who must find out and feel for himself is you? Wrong. He obviously does not have the running experience to make this decision. That alone says he is not ready. Bill R.

Response:

It’s called the "fever." While these thoughts have merit and demand respect, statistics show of new runners (less than 12 months running) who run a marathon, 12 months after the race most are not running at all.

Right on. The stat that sticks in my mind from some years back is approximately 50% of the runners that start training for a marathon do not make it to the starting line. Injuries and burnout(long runs)are the two big hitters. I can’t site the source either but 18 years of running experience says it right on. When you slice these numbers even closer, the percent of runners that attempt a marathon in their first year, the failure rate is even higher. [good observations snipped for brevity] With that said, sure, you could train for and run marathon by October. But I would recommend spending this year running 15-20 miles per week, enter 5 or 10k’s. Develop a life style, where after a while a week seems strange without at least 12-15 miles (and believe me, these happen, vacations, work, real life stuff, etc). In a few years, go for the big one. By that time after the euphoria of the race has subsided, you’ll still be out there, maybe preparing for another 26.2 but almost certainly doing 20 miles for that week.

Agree 150%. The most aggressive I would suggest would be to aim at 10 miler. Spend a year or so to find out your running strengths and weaknesses. The D & D school of start slow and last forever. — Caveat Lector "the further you go outside, the further you go inside" – B. McKibben Doug Freese

Response:

You are "obviously" right, but my answer is not wrong.

True. Bill R.

Response:

Jacoby, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/index.html check out the above link. There are many more sources on the net, so read everything here then keep looking. If you want to do a marathon you can’t "guess I’ll just continue to train at my current pace" You must train differently for different kinds of races. To stay motivated, participate in shorter races between now and then. see how you like it. Let us know what you decide and look back here often for motivation and help! jojo

Response:

Hey jojo: Haven’t heard form you in awhile. How’s the world of tri’s, running and architecture going? Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank you for all the suggestions. I guess i’ll just continue to train at my current pace, and hopefully I will be ready for a Marathon come next October. If not, then I will do the half and plan on another in January or February. Thanks again! Jacoby, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/index.html check out the above link. There are many more sources on the net, so read everything here then keep looking. If you want to do a marathon you can’t "guess I’ll just continue to train at my current pace" You must train differently for different kinds of races. To stay motivated, participate in shorter races between now and then. see how you like it. Let us know what you decide and look back here often for motivation and help! jojo

Response:

Well said Doug. "Start slow and last forever" is a very good way to put it. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me take the long view here. You’ve just started running. You really enjoy it. Natural human tendencies are to think about the possibilities and potential of your new found endeavor. You think big. You think Marathon. It’s called the "fever." While these thoughts have merit and demand respect, statistics show of new runners (less than 12 months running) who run a marathon, 12 months after the race most are not running at all. Right on. The stat that sticks in my mind from some years back is approximately 50% of the runners that start training for a marathon do not make it to the starting line. Injuries and burnout(long runs)are the two big hitters. I can’t site the source either but 18 years of running experience says it right on. When you slice these numbers even closer, the percent of runners that attempt a marathon in their first year, the failure rate is even higher. [good observations snipped for brevity] With that said, sure, you could train for and run marathon by October. But I would recommend spending this year running 15-20 miles per week, enter 5 or 10k’s. Develop a life style, where after a while a week seems strange without at least 12-15 miles (and believe me, these happen, vacations, work, real life stuff, etc). In a few years, go for the big one. By that time after the euphoria of the race has subsided, you’ll still be out there, maybe preparing for another 26.2 but almost certainly doing 20 miles for that week. Agree 150%. The most aggressive I would suggest would be to aim at 10 miler. Spend a year or so to find out your running strengths and weaknesses. The D & D school of start slow and last forever. — Caveat Lector "the further you go outside, the further you go inside" – B. McKibben Doug Freese

Response:

I actually prefer Hal Higdon’s novice training program. Find it here at: http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm …and I second jojo’s advice: read everything you can and you can determine whether you are ready or not to begin training. I’ve been running for 15 years and am training for my first marathon. Late bloomer.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank you for all the suggestions. I guess i’ll just continue to train at my current pace, and hopefully I will be ready for a Marathon come next October. If not, then I will do the half and plan on another in January or February. Thanks again! Jacoby, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/index.html check out the above link. There are many more sources on the net, so read everything here then keep looking. If you want to do a marathon you can’t "guess I’ll just continue to train at my current pace" You must train differently for different kinds of races. To stay motivated, participate in shorter races between now and then. see how you like it. Let us know what you decide and look back here often for motivation and help! jojo

Response:

Super program. I followed it to the letter and ran my first half in Oct in Toronto. I will be following his program for the novice full for the run in Toronto in Oct again. Jacoby you will find that the advice here is very helpful but the bottom line is you are the one who will decide. I never ran a race in my life and jumped into the 1/2 and was totally awe struck, it was a total rush, thousands of people all as nervous as you will be but a great group. Find your groove and enjoy the race.

Response:

In a few years, go for the big one. By that time after the euphoria of the race has subsided, you’ll still be out there, maybe preparing for another 26.2 but almost certainly doing 20 miles for that week. Agree 150%. The most aggressive I would suggest would be to aim at 10 miler. Spend a year or so to find out your running strengths and weaknesses.

To add a beginner’s point of view to the wise, experienced ones: What I found in my first 2 years of "structured" running (as opposed to casual run after work for many years), is that there are many kinds of running – beyond the track and marathon things you see on tv. Each has their own thrills, challenges, and training requirements. Different people get turned on by different things. I spent most of last year just exploring things besides normal road running – like trail running, snowshoe running, orienteering, duathlons, etc. The other thing I found is that "experience" is something that is achieved not just through building time on legs (TOL), but running different courses, terrains, weather conditions, experimenting with food/fluid, and carrying food/fluid or emergency gear (most of our trail races don’t have aid stations so we need to carry our own supplies; most others here don’t need to worry about that – but then you need to experiment with what’s supplied by your race). Enjoy the journey It’s a blast! Dot

Response:

Hi Doug, missed you! I realize I dropped off of the newsgroup for a while! My partner and I had a baby! He was born in September and his name is Joshua! I have been totally focused on baby ever since and have done nothing at all physical! Now that he is started to sleep through the night 3 out of 7 nights a week, I’m starting to dream of dragging out my running shoes again. I have only run a few times since he was born, so I’m starting all over again! I’ve set a goal to run a 5K on May 10th, so I’ll have 12 weeks to get my act together for it. I had much grander dreams for 2003, including running my first marathon, but taking the last 5 months off means that marathon will have to wait another year. No regrets of course, time with my son has been awesome, but now he is big enough to sit in a jogging stroller and I’ve a terrible itch to get back on the road! No Tri’s till next year. I’ll do some basic swim/bike crosstraining, but nothing competitive. Architecture? Slow, slow, slow. Me, I’m blown away! Every person we have to lay off, I get their responsibilities. So, it’s: Production manager, cad manager, draftsman, accounts payable, inventory clerk..yada, yada, yada. You get my drift! How are thing there? Catch me up on what’s going on in your world! Your in Virginia right? Thanks for remembering me! Hugs, jojo

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey jojo: Haven’t heard form you in awhile. How’s the world of tri’s, running and architecture going? Doug Burke Thank you for all the suggestions. I guess i’ll just continue to train at my current pace, and hopefully I will be ready for a Marathon come next October. If not, then I will do the half and plan on another in January or February. Thanks again! Jacoby, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/index.html check out the above link. There are many more sources on the net, so read everything here then keep looking. If you want to do a marathon you can’t "guess I’ll just continue to train at my current pace" You must train differently for different kinds of races. To stay motivated, participate in shorter races between now and then. see how you like it. Let us know what you decide and look back here often for motivation and help! jojo

Response:

I recommend increasing long runs at the rate of one hour per year, which puts you in marathon distance around the 3rd year. Not all body organs adjust to running at the same rate. Many younger people find their hearts & lungs to adapt the fastest. Shin splints, diarreha, and bloody urine, lower-sugar irritability, are common complaints of other organs of the body not adjusting fast enough.

Response:

Hey jojo: Things are great here in Virginia. It’s great about Josh. If you think you aren’t sleeping now though, wait until about exactly 16 years from now, when you’ll get in the habit of having him do a 10kbefore each date…..wink. Good luck on May 10. Take it easy though. Ya know, I saved a copy of your "I’m a runner now" post and gave it to someone I know who is new to running and entering her first race. Like me she was impressed with your story. You should send it off to one of the mags. If you don’t I just might, with your permission (and credit) of course. Who knows, 30 years form now, Josh may be holding it up saying "Look what my old lady wrote. Ain’t it great?" Like this note, I sent my last one to you outside of the group but deleted the anti spam stuff. Either way, I hope you get it. Take care girl, Doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Doug, missed you! I realize I dropped off of the newsgroup for a while! My partner and I had a baby! He was born in September and his name is Joshua! I have been totally focused on baby ever since and have done nothing at all physical! Now that he is started to sleep through the night 3 out of 7 nights a week, I’m starting to dream of dragging out my running shoes again. I have only run a few times since he was born, so I’m starting all over again! I’ve set a goal to run a 5K on May 10th, so I’ll have 12 weeks to get my act together for it. I had much grander dreams for 2003, including running my first marathon, but taking the last 5 months off means that marathon will have to wait another year. No regrets of course, time with my son has been awesome, but now he is big enough to sit in a jogging stroller and I’ve a terrible itch to get back on the road! No Tri’s till next year. I’ll do some basic swim/bike crosstraining, but nothing competitive. Architecture? Slow, slow, slow. Me, I’m blown away! Every person we have to lay off, I get their responsibilities. So, it’s: Production manager, cad manager, draftsman, accounts payable, inventory clerk..yada, yada, yada. You get my drift! How are thing there? Catch me up on what’s going on in your world! Your in Virginia right? Thanks for remembering me! Hugs, jojo Hey jojo: Haven’t heard form you in awhile. How’s the world of tri’s, running and architecture going? Doug Burke Thank you for all the suggestions. I guess i’ll just continue to train at my current pace, and hopefully I will be ready for a Marathon come next October. If not, then I will do the half and plan on another in January or February. Thanks again! Jacoby, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/index.html check out the above link. There are many more sources on the net, so read everything here then keep looking. If you want to do a marathon you can’t "guess I’ll just continue to train at my current pace" You must train differently for different kinds of races. To stay motivated, participate in shorter races between now and then. see how you like it. Let us know what you decide and look back here often for motivation and help! jojo

Response:

..and he’s past curfew from a date. Maybe you’ll get in the habit of having him do a 10kbefore each date…..wink.

Naw, just use natural birth control. Before each date you serve up a HUGE plate of Garlic spinach (sautee garlic in oil, then add spinach). Bill R.

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