Any runners here, marathon or otherwise

[Tiggeroo]

I have recently begun a walking/running program. I want to work hard, get in shape and run a marathon. I have looked at several programs and see the level of fitness I need to have before I start one. I won't be like P.Diddy with 8 weeks of training and then a marathon.
How long did you train before you ran your first marathon? Did you have alot of years of running under your belt?
I am thinking I will run for one year, then choose a marathon to register for. Since most of them you are registering 8 months in advance, that would give me at least a year and a half.
How cautious were you in your early running. Some programs think it would take you a year to get to 10 miles a week. I want to be cautious but not that cautious.
I loved watching the NY Marathon. I am envious of anybody who can do something like that.

 

[solotraveler]

HI there Tigger-

I am in your exact shoes, basically. I just started my training program for the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon last week!! I was going to do it in 2002, but things happened (as they are apt to).

I have honestly never run more than 5 miles at a stretch-- and that was just once!! And although I was an elite athlete when I was younger, I'm not very good at running. Not good at all really. (Hence the marathon challenge)

I am budgeting training 15 months. I need to increase my overall fitness level before I get to serious mileage, so I figure that's just enough time.

I am being very cautious right now, running 3x a week until I get more comfortable with it-- also wight training and other cardio 5x a week as well. I want to push myself to be able to run 6 miles comfortably by June (6 miles at 10:00 pace or 1 hour of solid running) and then condition until I start my "marathon build up" in September.

I too am envious of the marathoners. I was in WDW for the marathon in 2001 and saw people, just like me running 26 miles!! And I thought I just HAD to do that some day!! I figure if I can run 26 miles at a stretch I can do just about anything!

Best of luck to you!
Solotravler

 

[Indyman]

Congrats on setting your fitness goals. Depending ou your current fitness level, it's very possible to build up to a marathon in a year, but it takes an incredible commitment. I've been running for for a little over 2 years and have run some 10k races and a half marathon. I have not run a marathon yet as I have not been able to commit enough time to the training. My suggestion is to enter in some shorter races and build up to the marathon. Many cities have 5k, 10k, or half marathons.

There are also many training programs for all different levels of runners. Try Coolrunning, and Hal higdon .

 

[Deb in IA]

This site also has some great info:

http://www.marathonguide.com/index.cfm


I also echo Indyman's comments about the time committment.

DH has run about 15 to 20 marathons, with various levels of preparation.

Ideally, to prepare for a marathon, if you are going from a low level of baseline fitness, you would need at least 6 months, with increasing time requirement as the training progresses. By the end of your training, you should have a base of about 40 to 50 miles a week, with at least one long run of at least 22 miles 2 weeks prior to the marathon.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I used to run in and distance bike in hs/college but am completely out of shape. I am planning more then the required time because of this. I feel I need to be comfortable with 35 mpw at a minimum. And I would feel better doing a once a week long run much more then once before the race.We have a great local running community that I could plug into when i feel more comfortable. I will probably do this when I hit 15mpw. We have a large number of 5 and 10k races in our area. Some of the marathoners run these at a slower pace as practice.
Indyman I've been meaning to ask you about your avatar. Good for you. I understand about the time commitment. I am a teacher so I have afternoons free, and could devote summers to high mileage. Sometimes I feel so old and wish I had started some of my goals much earlier.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I've always enjoyed distance cycling. I think I'd like to try a marathon, if it wasn't for the running. .


This is what I've often said about doing a triathalon....if it wasn't for the swimming, and the running, I'd love to do it...

 

[Tiggeroo]

Steve here in NJ the MS Assoc. does a biking equivelant of a marathon. It's from Phila. to Ocean City called City to Shore and is I believe right now 92 miles (from time to time they change the route). Some people bike back to Philly. I biked this several times in hs and college. Back then average folks knew less about distance biking. My bike was nothing special and I had an old fashioned seat. What I remember most was the bike ride up the Walt Whitman bridge and a super sore butt, for days afterwards. But very cool.