Want to run/jog/trot/crawl a marathon....

S

sblordita

Cathlete
Hi everyone :)

I've been around here for a few months now enjoying the forum silently :). I usually sneak a peak at work and can't really participate often. I am wondering if anyone here can give me some help or advice of any sort. I'm 21 and have been exercising pretty faithfully since I was about 15/16. I started out by running faithfully and doing a couple of Firm tapes (My family and friends laughed hystarically when they saw me doing them, by the way). Anyway... my point :D ... I have been seriously considering doing a marathon the last couple of years and saw someone's post about the non-runner's guide to marathon running the other day... i bought within minutes and decided that I would do it. I'm sorry I don't remember who posted it :( I am not quite a beginner... though the last three weeks I haven't worked out due to a trip and an illness. I work out with Cathe's tapes mostly and when the weather is good I run quite a bit also. I also live in the laziest town in the world, where I am literally ridiculed on the streets for running, so finding a partner is nearly impossible. Can anyone out there tell me how you started, how you did it, whether you'd do it again ;), where you've raced... anything would be wonderful. I haven't received the book yet and I'm just looking for any kind of information and advice Oh.. nevermind.. book came to my door this instant :7 Would still love anyone's input

Thanx
Sara
 
If I were you I would start with a 5K, then a 10K, a half marathon, and then the full marathon. I think that running a marathon would be awesome, but this busy mom only has one hour a day to work out, so the most I ever run is a 10K.

I had a running partner a few years ago, and it really motivated me. She moved, and my running slacked. My running has increased because I am training for a 10K. It is motivational to have a race to train for. I got a treadmill in January. It is the best purchase fitness wise I have made (except for my new Cathe DVD's)
 
Check out runnersworld.com & like fitkansaschick said set a goal. I'm running in the 5k (3.2? miles) Race for the Cure (Susan G. Koman Foundation for Breast Cancer) on Mother's Day in Philly. Then a full 5 mile run on Memorial Day. A 10k is in my future after that. It helps to motivate you & inspires you to be among those that have the same goal in site.
 
Sara, I know how you feel! It is hard to find a good running partner!
None I mean NONE of the people I know run, and hardly exercise.. and then you have to find someone who is along the same speed/level as you, otherwise, there wouldn't be so much of a challenge!

I know the feeling of a town that is lazy and almost ridicule's you.
I hate HATE when guys go by and stare or whistle, so this hinders my running alot. I would love a running partner, and my friend actually was mine for one summer, but she ended up quitting :(

I also agree it would be good to at least start with a 10k (or lower) as a starting point. That way you can judge your training , and what you need to do to prepare for the bigger races. I myself only have done 10k, but I bet it makes a difference to see how it feels racing (which is different, and it scared me a little the first time since there were SO many runners, and side watchers and bands playing!)

Also, I have just gotten some running books from the library, since I am gonna run in the 10k Boulder Bolder with some co-workers this year, books really help! I have learned some good techniques!
HTH! Jaime
 
Jaimie is totally, totally right...it definitely hinders my running, too, knowing that there are going to be people screaming, whistling, yelling insults, and all the like. I have over the years been avoiding the streets as much as I can to run in the hills (though by myself, not always my favorite thing to do) On the flip side, there are those few people who will stop me in the store and tell they see me running and think it's wonderful, that I'm doing well, etc. Those few people make me feel so good! And make me want to try harder.

I also have tried running with a few friends here and there. I have friends or acquantances who almost insist that I become their "trainer" and run with them. But, honestly, most of them are not willing to push themselves, and I end up spending 4 days a week walking for an hour. It's not really fair to me, I don't think, because I don't have time to do that and then do my own work outs. I had a few guy friends over the years who ran with me, and they were great, because they were usually better than I and more than willing to push me. Most of them have left for school, though :(

All of you are right about starting with shorter races. I did run cross country back in high school, and did not enjoy the experience much. But that was a totally different world, and a totally different time in my life. I'm ready to start over. I was thinking I would like to start with the slighly longer races than a 5k (10k perhaps) because I'm not a very fast runner, and am afraid that the shorter runs might be more furious and intimidating. Am I wrong about that? I also live far from any city that holds any races. There is a half marathon in San Diego (13 hours of driving away) that I wanted to try in April or May, but I'm afraid that's too soon.

Thank you so much for replying everybody, it's so nice to finally have people with similar interests to talk to.

Sara
 
Hi Sara,

I just ran the Los Angeles Marathon (my first), so I am still high from the experience.

A lot depends on what you want to accomplish. Do you want to feel good during the marathon, or do you just want to finish any way you can?

If you want to just finish, you can do the Jeff Galloway method (example: run 7 minutes, walk 3, repeat), walk the hills, etc.

It is, however, strongly recommended that you have at least 2 years of running 25 miles per week before you attempt a marathon.

I know people who have not trained very hard, or hardly at all, and managed to finish a marathon.

However, they were miserable during the marathon and for a long time afterward.

I trained hard and I felt great until mile 25 (I hit the "wall", but that's another story) and I was ready to run the next day.
 
I am getting ready to sign up for an 8K here in Phoenix. Just did a 5K for the police memorial with my husband, and am thinking of doing a 25 mile skate in April. All sounds fun!!

I don't really "train" for these races, but I guess I would have to start if I was running a 10K. Sometimes I run/hike 10+ miles on the weekends and that tends to peter me out towards the end..you start getting that horrible leg ache...I am probably hitting my "wall" then. I am going to start taking some simple sugars with me and taking them in after 60 min and see how that helps...

Sorry I don't have any other helpful advice, but I do understand what you are saying with your friends not wanting to push themselves..really sucks...
Janice
 
RE: If you reallly want to get motivated....

Have you considered hooking up with Team in Training to raise money for Luekemia or the Diabetes foundation or Joints in Motion for Arthritis Foundation? They'll guide you along and you'll get to help someone out while running those 26.2 miles! Whatever you decide, you CAN do it! I ran the Tucson Marathon in 1999 and loved it! Good luck and keep us posted!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
Hi Sara,

If you can do Cathe workouts, you can run a 5K. If you can run a 5K, you can run a marathon -- successfully! Do not worry about time for your first marathon. Find a schedule that works for you. I have the NR guide to marathon running, and it was okay. I spent 5 months kinda learning to run and then 4 months (16--18 weeks is usually considered the ideal amount of time to train for a marathon) training for the actual marathon. I am a 32-year-old non-athlete, although I had been working out with Cathe's tapes and doing some bicycling for just over a year (6 days a week) before beginning "learning to run."

I ran a 4:27 at Baltimore in October, and I am currently training for my second marathon which will be in Pittsburgh. I am training for time this time around -- I'd like to run a 4-hour time... but I will be happy finishing 4:30 or better. The effort of training for the 4-hour time have pushed me into better shape than I would have been in had I not decided to work for that time -- so I'll be content no matter what happens.

Hal Higdon has some great schedules you can follow.

Also... try making every run have a purpose:
Interval Run
Recovery Run
Marathon Pace Run
Faster than marathon pace run
Long Slow Run
Hill Work

These are all runs you will do -- see-- there's variety even in running!
:)

You'll find yourself putting these types of runs together into your training schedule.

If you have a schedule and you stick to it, you will finish a marathon. It will be a blast. It is an AWESOME thing to do.

Take care,
Zoelda
 
Hi Sara.....love the name, that is my oldest daughters name.....I have not ran a marathon yet, I would love to some day though. I have a friend who has ran several. He told me if you can get through the trainning, you can run the marathon. He said the most important thing when trainning is sleep. You need alot of sleep when trainning for that distance.

I always get Runner's World mag and they have had some articles about trainning for a marathon. I have always thought they were way to short on time. I can't imagine being able to run a marathon after only 4 months of trainning. I agree with what someone stated above...It takes a long time to get your endurance up.

I have been running for about 2 years now and have done several 5Ks, a few 5 milers and one 10K. I was trainning for a 15K race this summer, but I just couldn't handle how tired and fatigued I was. I haven't given up though, I just put that race on hold.

I personnally would give myself 2 years to train for a marathon. That may seem like a long time for some people, but when I run a race, be it a 5K or full fledged marathon, I want to do it well and finish strong. I think for me it would take about 2 years before I could accomplish this. I also do not want to burn myself out trainning for one. I am in no hurry to run one, so why push myself.

I have heard it is a great experience crossing that finish line.....it has been compared to giving birth...don't know if you have kiddies or not, but that is quite a comparison. I want to do one just for that reason....that feeling when you crossed the finish line.

I think anyone who runs, walks, crawls, a marathon is nothing sort of a super hero. Running 4+ hours, now that takes some real courage, strength and will power. Good luck. I envy you and hope to be in your shoes some day in the future.

Kim
 
Hi MadnNatsmom :)

I have to first say that if you were at mile 25 before you hit the wall, I am very much impressed, and I'm sure most everybody else would have to agree! :)

So exactly what kind of training did you do for your race and how many months before the race did you begin? Another thing I'm curious about is how much cross-training is acceptable without sabatoging my running. I love to lift weights and do Cathe's tapes...particularly in the winter time when the weather is terrible. I haven't been running much the last two months, but previous to that, I was running about 20 miles a week. It's been about a year since I've averaged 25 a week or more. Have you been a runner for long?

As far as HOW I want to run this race, most important is feeling good. I want it to be an enjoyable experience. And the goal for me is to get myself into good enough shape where it's not a traumatic experience, and, like you, be functioning the next day :) or very soon thereafter. If you have any other tips for me, I'd absolutely love to hear it.

Thanx

Sara :)
 
I agree with the others- running a marathon is really tough and not to say it can't be done, but you should probably start with smaller races first. Then you'll be better at training, timing, nutrition, injury prevention, etc. There's a lot to go into it.

I was training for a half-marathon years ago and it was tough on my body. I'm small framed so that probably had something to do with it, but I think I did too much too soon. My knees would ache, but I'd still run. So listen to your body and don't overdo it because an injury can occur. I've also heard from people who overtrained- after the race, their body was in bad shape- aches, pains, injuries- and they couldn't workout for months!

Do a lot of research. Some personal trainers have experience in training for races. Good luck!
 
Hey Kim :)

Thank you so much for your words :) I, too, have heard that finishing that finish line is fantastic. My initial interest, and motivation, has come from my ex-boyfriend, who, in many ways, is my hero. He is on a full-ride scholarship to Stanford, and has run several marathons himself and races almost every weekend. He has qualified for Boston twice now, and is just absolutely amazing. Well, as a runner, I've become jealous wanted to do those fantastic things myself. I know I am capable, I just have to reassure myself that I am :) It is sometimes very very difficult without a support group. My ex is not very helpful, because he doesn't have time to talk to me or help me out. My current boyfriend is all of the family/friends I have behind me, but he is not a runner, or exerciser himself. He does everything he can though, and I appreciate it very very much.

As far as taking two years to train for a marathon, I was thinking about time requirements myself. I do not want to burn myself out or get sick of running. That is what happened when I was in cross country in high school. I finished the season HATING the word "run". I don't ever want to feel that again - it was a big part of my life until that point. On the other hand, I'm afraid that if I don't set myself up with a schedule, I might not be disciplined enough to get myself into racing condition. It's truly amazing how much planning goes into these things.

I believe you'll be in YOUR shoes very soon some day training for the marathon:) You're already way ahead of me in experience from doing all of those races.. I wanted to ask why you were feeling fatigued over the summer? Just burnt out on running or have you been ill? I go through periods of time (like right now, for example) where I just don't have the energy any more, and there doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong with me. I can't lift weights, do tapes, or run. It's frustrating, and always seems to happen about the same time every year. This year it was aggravated by a cold/flu thingy and school.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing :) Especially when you start training for your marathon.

Sara
 
Hi l23 :)

I am beginning to agree with you and others about running smaller races first. I have the experience with them, but that was several years ago. I actually sustained two major hip injuries in my running career. One about 5 years ago where I dislocated my hip and tore a muscle. Unfortunately, nobody showed me how to run correctly, and I began cross country just a few short months after the injury. My last injury was my hip flexors, and ever since then I've been MUCH MUCH more conscious about listening to my body and training correctly. I've just subscribed to Runner's World and I really want to do this right. I want to feel great after my marathon and be willing to do another...and another :) My only problem is that there are no races in my town. I have to travel and with school and work, that is so difficult. BUT!! and a wonderful BUT, I am moving to San Diego in about 8 months to go to UCSD, and there should be a trillion opportunities there :)

Did you ever finish your half-marathon? Or did you injur yourself too badly? I would like to do a half-marathon very much, too. Are you still running?

Sara
 
Hi Janice

Do you have any friends that have tried to run with you also? I think that is one of the most frustrating things about people to me is complete lack of discipline.

That 25 mile skate sounds wonderfully fun! Could you send me information about that for next year? I'm not a particularly great skater, but it's a blast, and I could work up to it. And it would be a great excuse for a vacation ;)

How much to do you run? Do you race all year round, or do you take breaks for awhile?

Sara
 
RE: If you reallly want to get motivated....

Hi Bobbi :)

Do you think you could give me some information about those groups? I'd love to try participating in one of those :)
My e-mail address is [email protected]

Thanx,
Sara
 
fitkansaschick:

I used Hal Higdon's novice runners' training which requires 3 midweek runs plus a long run on the weekend.

The longest MIDWEEK run was 10 miles which for me, was a little over 1 1/2 hours.

I know people who only ran 4 or 5 miles midweek and did a long run on the weekend.
 
Hi, Sara,

HAH! I may never have hit that wall if I hadn't (1) been waving at everybody (our bibs had our first names which was cool) (2) stopped to take pics with my friend's family and then with my DH and children; and (3) if I wasn't encouraging people running alongside me who were pooping out around mile 22.

I only started running about 2 1/2 years ago. And, I used to HATE, HATE running. But, it was the only time I had for just myself, away from my kids. Running was cathartic for me. I soon grew addicted to it, and now can't imagine my life without running.

I trained for about 5 months following Hal Higdon's novice runners' schedule and I realized after posting that I'd misread it: It is recommend that you have about six MONTHS of running experience and about 10 - 15 mpw for this schedule. So, you're ready to go! They key to successful training is the long runs.

I did no cross-training (although it is recommended to keep up the upper body strength - your upper body gets tired after 3+ hours) because I was pretty strong going into training. Heavy lower body training is not recommended since you want to develop your ENDURANCE muscles.

(A funny story about cross-training w/ Cathe: One very rainy day when I was feeling under the weather, I couldn't run, so I popped in PowerMax: Not an EASY tape for me, but I used to finish without problem. 10 minutes into the workout and I literally passed out on my step! My heart rate went up too high too quickly. Boy! was that scary! So, substituting a Cathe tape will certainly NOT hinder your training.)

I think I ran well and recovered so quickly because I have very strong legs. My two friends who ran with me didn't and we lost one at mile 18 and I lost the other at mile 22.

As for comparing the marathon to child-birth - yes, it's very comparable. Both the exhileration AND the pain!!! I was SO fatigued during the last mile, much more so than after pushing my son for 4 hours!

With proper training, rest and nutrition, you'll do great.
 
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