Marathon training
 

Anyone else out there training for a long-ish race? I'm training for my first marathon right now (Marine Corps Marathon in October). I'm only in my 5th week, but it's seriously wearing me out! I've been a runner for about 11 years now, but this is by far the longest race I've ever even contemplated.

I'm just hoping right now that my recovery time for the long runs gets better, so I won't have to spend all of Saturday afternoon and most of Sunday recovering from a Saturday morning run.

Is anyone else in PPOT stupid enough to be running a marathon this fall?

I've done four previous but nothing in the last five years. Getting going again on training has been difficult but I think I've finally got something resembling a regimen down again. Might do Long Beach this fall, might not. We'll see how ready I am.

Most important thing is the long runs. Don't skimp. Trust me. If you can do three 20+ mile long runs in the two months leading up to the marathon, you'll be fine. Other than that, enjoy your "bread & butter" daily ones. My typical routine (that I'm trying to get onto again) was 10k runs every day with one rest day and one long run built in during a given week. Worked well.

Train like a pro. Epo, testosterone, clomiphene and a touch of decadron. ;)

Same kind of advice here. If you want to do (i.e., finish) a race in an OK time, you don't need the crazy training hours some of the magazines quote for people who hope for a certain time or place near the top of the podium. A really long run a couple of times should do it - after all, you're only racing the full distance once. I figured if a couple of my training runs could get over 20 miles, my heart/mind/soul would take me the last 10K.

My only marathon was during an Ironman Triathlon in 1999, but if my experience translates, you can do a couple of longish runs and be OK. I built up slowly to a 90 mile bike followed the same day by a 21 mile run, and did the race fine (2.4 mile swim, 112 bike, 26.2 run).

Don't get hurt during the buildup is the main thing, or you may need to take 6 weeks off to recover....

He said running, not cycling..:)

Burritos, pizza, whiskey and plenty of couch time. I'm not sure what kind of time I'de turn in, but I've finally found a program I can stick with.:D

check out current (August) Runners World, 18 week training course for the "slacker" first time marathoner (their words not mine). Looks like a good plan...... but its 100 degrees here in the afternoon, and I dont do mornings well.

Yeah, I've got a training plan. Hal Higdon's website provided that for free. I only have one 20-miler in the program, but it ramps up to that and then back down a little. So there are a few 18-ish mile days too. Mostly I was just posting to complain that week 4 sucked. I'm hoping that it gets better (even as the mileage per week goes up). The 100-degree days don't help. The LOW this morning in DC was 85 degrees!!

I have been running for 40 years but am just a mere "miler." That said, don't under estimate the effect of this heatwave on you and your training. Build up to the 18 -20 mile run prior to the 26 miler. Gatoraide, lots of gatoraide. And patience. Lots of patience.

THAT"S a program I can work with!

OLD thread, but I thought I'd update. I ran the MCM on Sunday and finished in 3:34. Not too shabby, but I do know left some time on the course. I averaged 7:40/mile for the first 23.5 miles, and 12:58/mile for the last 2.7. Hell of a dropoff! :)

I would guess the last 5 miles is what seperates the men from the boys, huh?

Good job finishing with a respectable time.

Hell, if I drive 26.2 miles, I gotta stop and rest.

but I do know left some time on the course

Try not to brake as much, and get back on the gas sooner...

I am new to running and I just got to 8 miles this OCT 3rd. I cant even imagine a 26 mile run.

Pretty impressive!!!

For inspiration, there are japanese monks that run 40Ks every day for 100 days straight-and not on flat land. I visited there last fall and the history is impressive.
http://www.runpunxsyrun.org/marathonmonks.html
http://www.trailrunnermag.com/features/feature%2019.html

:eek: I need to get away from this desk and do some more training

Keep it up and be patient. Running is great. Overdoing it and injuring yourself isn't.

I just ran my first 5k last weekend - I can't imagine running 26 miles...

Mike

My hat is off to you sir:eek:

I've been a runner and cycler since HS, currently do 20-30 mi a week on foot, but wouldn't dream of trying to do 26.2 all at once.

My longest pre-marathon run was 13 miles and i paid for it by walking most of the last 5 miles ended up a little over 4 hrs.
But I beat Oprah and Al Gore's times.