How soon is too soon?

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Hi everyone, I just signed up for my first marathon, the Disney Full in Jan, and I am terrible at training, I know I can not "just wing it" like I do with all the other races (5k, 10k, 15k & 1/2 marathon) but how soon is too soon to start training, if I start now will I peak too early? Or is it better to start now and take it really slowly? What have you found has worked best for you?

Thanks Kirsty

 

[mkymsehi]

Kirsty,

I train year round, but that's just me. I do the Honolulu Marathon in December, as a tune up for the Goofy or Dopey in January each year.

I'd say check out a few books at your local library. Marathoning for Mortals, Jeff Galloway's two books, or John Bingham's books.

I'd recommend a minimum of 12 weeks of training, but 16 to 20 would be even better.

Check with your local running store, to see if they have a training club. Some are free, and others have a small fee to participate.

Good training!

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thanks, I have a lot of races in the winter time, so that should keep me going through the long training, I am fairly fit now so it seems silly to just sit on my butt all summer then start training again, i was thinking I might keep going out slowly during the summer to keep my fitness up then do a 16-20 week training schedule.

kirsty

 

[Duanerice]

I start training in September. Use an 18 week schedule I think it is, Higdon Intermediate II.

Since I don't really have but 1 more short race scheduled, I am pretty much winding down my running for the summer and will start cross training more and a lot more bicycle. You know how the summers get down here. Probably add some swimming too.

I'll still go out at least once or twice a week but won't run more than 6 miles at a time. I say probably because I start to get anxious for a long run every now and then.

Take it easy over the summer, work on core and just keep a good base. then you can ramp up in September. I am doing the Goofy, actually Dopey, again and it seemed to work OK last year. Just my thoughts.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thanks duanerice!

Yeah that sounds kinda the same as I will do, its just to hot to be training like crazy during the summer, and knowing me I would injure myself or something just before the real training would start swimming sounds like a good idea I might add some of that into my summer, I think I just need to find the right balance between full training schedule and sitting on the couch all summer eating watermelon

Thanks and good luck with the dopey