? for Marathon'ers

[gidget1978]

I am thinking about biting the bullet and doing my 1st marathon. I have never done a HM but if I have to pay for a plane ticket to run, Im going to do the whole thing.

Many times I have told myself that I couldn't do it. For one, my knees have a tendency to act up but last year when I was training for a 20k I took glucosmine regularly and I never had any problems.
Another reason, I just don't think I had the faith in myself to do it. But after seeing pics on FB of one of my friends and then last week at the end of the biggest loser seeing Dane cross the finish line, I thought...if they can do it..then so can I. I am a runner, he wasn't! I have already ran races, he didn't! Not to mention that I am not carrying around a extra 100 lbs!

1)I know I can print of training guides on line but what is a realistic time to train?
2)How much of my free time is this going to take up? I work full time and have two kids.
3)Do you take anything to help along the way? Energy wise?
4)What about recovery drinks...anyone take those?
5) How long did a FM take you to do? According to my other races I should be able to finish it in 3:25 but I know my speed will slow down as I get tired.
6)AND did you walk at all or run the whole thing? If I stop, I find it hard to get going but Im not sure I could do 26 miles without a breather.

Thanks!
Lori

 

[gidget1978]

Bump!

 

[RunninTeach]

Hi Lori [FONT=&quot]—[/FONT]

1) Most standard training plans are 16-18 weeks, but some novice plans I've seen go as high as 30 weeks.

2) A lot.

3) During long runs, I experimented with a number of different energy drinks and bars, not all of which agreed with me. I ended up liking Cytomax, Sharkies, and Power Bars, but I think you'll have to figure out what works best for you through trial and error.

4) My recovery drink is always a glass (or more) of skim milk.

5) A long time! Here's a calculator: http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm

6) My plan was to run a mile/walk a minute throughout the marathon, but I did a little bit more walking than that for two reasons: 1) the timing of the water breaks wasn't always in sync with that, and I chose to walk through the water stations (I'm not one who's ever really mastered the art of running and drinking simultaneously) and 2) during the second half of the marathon, it became way hotter than anticipated.

Here are some links of interest:

Runner's World marathon guide (including training plans):
http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-238-244-255-0,00.html

Hal Higdon's site:
http://www.halhigdon.com/

Jeff Galloway:
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html

Marathon Rookie:
http://www.marathonrookie.com/

HTH[FONT=&quot]—[/FONT]

 

[buckeyegirl]

Cathy,

I'm not the original poster, but as a runner thanks for the great links! I especially thought the McMillan's one was interesting.

Hopefully I'll be back in running form soon...I miss it! Just waiting for my legs to recover from varicose vein surgery.

Thanks!
Heidi

 

[juliem]

I think you should go for it!

Hi Lori,

I ran a full marathon in October - it was my first one and I felt alot of the same things you are about being able to finish and train. If this is something you really want to try then you should!! I am glad that I did a FM but I really don't think I would do another one unless I have someone to train with me.

I used Hal Higdon's training guide for the novice runner. It is a workable schedule but be sure to really commit to the long runs.

I also work full time and have two kids. Sometimes it was hard to work in the training but like anything else you just set your priorities. My family knew I was training and they understood this was time I needed to prepare.

I used Hammer gel packs to help fuel my long runs. I also used Accelerade drink mix as a recovery drink and mixed it in with water on my long runs.

I finished in 4.5 hours. I did walk some - especially during the last half of the marathon. I really needed to take stretching breaks and it did help to keep me going strong.

Good Luck to you!!

 

[farmgirl]

YOU CANT DO IT!!!

I'm in the middle of training for my 2nd marathon...looking forward to a flatter one! I use a plan by Hal Higdon...he has a great book out too but I just use the internet resources. I really liked Carboom-fruity and not too sweet with a slug of water-for my gel of choice (I need to order more now that I think of it).
I finished the Des Moines marathon in 5 hrs 24 min...I twisted my knee at mile 18 and ended up power walking the last 8 miles...but I finished so I was OK with that!
(BTW the biggest loser guy Dane didn't really actually complete the entire marathon as stated, I just read on www.runnersworld.com that he had gotten a ride for 3miles..too bad that he mislead people)

The amazing thing about marathons, you see people of all sizes, shapes and abilities participating...believe in yourself and you will succeed!
take care and good luck!
julie

 

[lcobb2]

Hi Lori,

I've done 6 marathons, but don't run much anymore as I burned out on it. I've trained for marathons (and trained many clients to successfully complete their own) and successfully completed the training on as little as 40 miles a week up to 70 miles a week. My biggest feedback is that you don't have to be fast to finish a marathon and folks of ALL sizes run them. Everyone here has given you great feedback, so here's mine:

1) A realistic time to train? It depends on your current base and goals and work/family commitments. That is, do you want to "just" finish (this is my suggestion for a first-timer), finish strong, or finish with a great time? All of this will depend on your training schedule. PM me if you need help setting up a program. I'm happy to help. At least 4 months if you have a very strong base (30+ miles) or at least 6 months if you've never done one and want to slowly improve. It just all depends.

2) How much of my free time is this going to take up? A LOT! Figure up to 4 hours for your long runs (plus recovery during that day) and at least 1 hour per day during the rest of your regular run days (again, depending on how many miles you want to put in). That doesn't include any extra workouts you put in during the week (I strongly suggest keeping the weight training as this will help with upper body fatigue...and yoga, yoga, yoga!). I found that I was fairly wiped out the rest of the day that I did my long run and took a nap in the afternoon.

3) Do you take anything to help along the way? Energy wise? Yes on the long runs for sure, but not on anything less than 75-90 minutes. I experimented with everything--gels, energy drinks, frozen/cut up protein bars, jelly beans, fig newtons, etc. You have to find what works best for you. What works for one person won't for another. I hated bringing drinks with me as I wanted to focus on speed/pacing. So, I'd set up loops so I could run past my house every few miles and get a drink of energy (and make a pit stop if necessary).

4) What about recovery drinks...anyone take those? Rarely. I used real food/drinks (milk) unless I knew that it would be quite some time between the end of my run and a real meal. I love to eat, so I'd rather have my calories in real food than a drink.

5) How long did a FM take you to do? Here were my times/dates for each of my marathons:

1999 Chicago: 4:20 (wanted to finish and made 4 pit stops) and enjoyed every minute of it. Nice, flat course.
2000 Chicago: 3:40 (wanted to only best my time from 1999). Had a blast!
2001 Frankfurt, Germany: 3:38
2002 Vienna, Austria: 3:23 (PR'd; trained with LOTS of speedwork, which is key to a faster time). Injured for 1 year after.
2005 Frankfurt, Germany: 3:28
2006 Munich, Germany 3:35 (not so pleased with my time, but a GREAT course and got to swim/recover after the race in the pool where Mark Spitz won 7 gold medals).

6) AND did you walk at all or run the whole thing? I ran a little in 2005 Frankfurt, but that was because my ITB acted up, I took too many meds during the race and ended up with the Red Cross afterwards (bad bowels--sorry for TMI).

Good luck!

 

[cindi1]

Another resource I've been following to prepare for an upcoming half is Run Less Run Faster. The programs in the book are based on running 3 times a week and crosstrain 2 times a week. You may find this approach easier given your other commitments.