anyone run in/trained for a marathon

[tranzformer]

i want to run one in like 2-3 yrs and I am starting to get back into shape. I am up to running about 3-4 miles a day, 5 days a week. Just curious what you did to get to the level you were at.

[powstash]

2-3 years? Dude, why not later this fall. It's not as hard as you think. Everyone can run one, especially if you call yourself a skier and are in marginal shape. You'd be surprised what the body can endure.

Just keep runnin', building up to 5-8 miles on mellow days and 13-18 on training days and you're set. Sure there's a lot more to it but I'm sure a google search will give you all the articles and training sites you'll need.

Do it in November and you'll be dialed for the best ski season of your life!!

[Baconzoo]

Get a coach:
www.endurancefactor.com (http://www.endurancefactor.com)

My Brother-in-law's site, he's maybe to serious a trainer for you but just in case.

When I went to the Iron Man Hawaii to watch him, me and another "Out-Law" had our own compitition...
The Iron Liver Man
It's hard to drink all day while those guys are suffering!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

There are others here who have more marathon experience than me (I've attempted 2, completed 1 last December), but it seems like you're on your way to a good base with your current level of 15-20 miles a week.

How long have you been at this mileage level?

Depending on your ambition level and what you can realisitically fit into your daily life, training for a marathon doesn't have to be a 2-3 year process. Again, others with more experience will comment hopefully, but last year, I picked a marathon 6 months out and followed a training program and finished.

edit: what powstash said.

[Cosmic Bandito]

Tranzformer,

I do not know where you live, but I would bet that there is a local running club with members who are planning on running in a fall marathon. Try to hook up with the club. Much like the Maggots, you will be meeting like-minded individuals who will inspire you onward. Long runs are much more fun when done with a friend.

Remember - rest is your friend. I now train for marathons by running hard on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The other days are throwaway days. If I run or exercise, great. If not, no big deal.

Good luck!!

[dubu]

Not nearly as hard as you make it out to be, I trained fo 3 months to do a half marithon, I really did not train that hard ran like 3 times a week. However when I started I was barely able to run 3 miles without stopping.

2 years plus is way to long of a schedule just to run an marithon I think you will get vey sick of running by then. Givne about what you said about your running now I say do in in late fall.

[The AD]

Check out the Leukemia Society's "Team in Training" program:
http://www.teamintraining.org/hm_tnt

It's a great way to train for a marathon. In return for raising money for the society, you get free training and a trip to a marathon. Not to mention it's all for a great cause.

[Stoysluttie1]

Running sucks. Marathons are stupid. Paying to run that far....even more stupid.

Seriously...you should start upping your weekly mileage by about 10%..if you run 20, next week run 22 total miles.

Mix your runs with long, slow tempos...and short, fast runs.

Keep a strong core. Very important becaue many people often begin to slouch over, hampering their running style which could eventually lead to injury.

Keep a strong frame of mind. DO NOT focus on the outcome of 26.2 miles. Instead, focus just finishing. When running, DO NOT focus on large intervals or distances as goals. Keep the goals short so you have more victories to keep you going. For instance, do not focus on running to mile marker 22...focus ona tree or some other figure closer and use that as a goal. Then do it again. And agian and again.

Running the marathon is more mental than youwill ever think it is. You will learn more about yourself in 26.2 miles than your parents could probably ever teach you...figuratively speaking.

Run light! i repeat..run light! Do not stomp your feet. Picutre your legs as wheels rolling on feathers. Minimize impact.

eat and drink as you run..practice practice practice. I've spilled a good amount of gatorade and water all over me. Sucks running all sticky. If you can, remember to fold the paper cup. you'll know what I mean.

Read all about running a marathon at Road Runner magazines website.

know the course and if its close, run segments of it.

Lastly, if you can and I think you can, try and work your mileage high enough and run a full marathon on your own to see how your body holds up. I've seen people who have run 20 just nail the wall, which you will, and never recover, nor, finish the marathon. I know people who never ran more than 18 miles and finish...because they were mentally prepared to just "go out for a long run."

oh shit...i think i'm confusing myself.

[tranzformer]

Originally posted by Tyrone Shoelaces
There are others here who have more marathon experience than me (I've attempted 2, completed 1 last December), but it seems like you're on your way to a good base with your current level of 15-20 miles a week.

How long have you been at this mileage level?

Depending on your ambition level and what you can realisitically fit into your daily life, training for a marathon doesn't have to be a 2-3 year process. Again, others with more experience will comment hopefully, but last year, I picked a marathon 6 months out and followed a training program and finished.

edit: what powstash said.

i have been running at this mileage for about 2 months. This week I am planning on going to either 4 or 5 miles

[Viva]

I'm too tired to be posting, but this is running-related- No choice.

The advice so far is solid. If you want to run 26 miles you will eventually have to run that distance (or near that) in training. the 3-4 milers you're currently doing will only make you a better 5K runner. Strive to increase the length of your longest run gradually- say a couple of miles every 2-3 weeks. This can be hard to do when you're starting out.

Here's what's cool: at some point you're goiung to be out on a run thinking maybe your usual 6 or 7 miles, but then something wonderful happens; you hit 6 miles and feel great. then 7, 8 miles pass by, maybe 10 miles. You go way beyond your previous best and you'll never look back. You hit that zone where physical and mental are in harmony and you just can't stop.

I concur with Powstash- why not in the near future? When I finally decide to race I went from an 8K (Bastille Day 8K in Irvine) in july to a 1/2 marathon in August (Santa Monica Half) to a full marathon in December (San diego). Between the half and the full marathon I even had to take a month off because of plantar faciitis.

Stoysluttie1's brings up a good point. Eventually you're going to be running long enough to warrant carrying water or electrolyte. Don't let yourself get dehydrated during training! Well, you will and it will be funny when you're pissing small amounts of stinky orange-red liquid, but don't let it happen again. Start looking into a pack-bottles or bladder, it doesn't matter (hey, that rhymes)- and practice using it. trust me, you'll need it when you start banging out those hot summer night 10-15 milers.

Stay away from Runner's World. That shit is crap. Absolutely no training advice of any value has ever come out of that magazine and none ever will. If you are into reading, however, I can suggest just two running books: The Lore of running by Tim Noakes and some new book that I can't remember the name of. It's definitely worth looking into getting one of these.

[Oopsie Daisy]

Well, it's been a bazillion years since I ran my one and only marathon, but here are the training mistakes I made:

1. Overtraining. Or, to put it another way, not timing my training program correctly. Once I got in optimum condition, physically and mentally, I got cocky and kept pushing it. Ended up running a 24-miler too close to the actual race. Sort of took the wind of out my sails, and reduced my mental motivation somewhat. ("What's another 2.2 miles?")

2. Skimping on the footwear. I was a poor teenager, so I didn't have much choice. Spend good money on good shoes and good socks (surprisingly important).

3. Ignoring knee problems for the sake of running the damn race. You can push too hard, and do some longterm damage. Not cool when you want those knees for snowplay!

4. Burnout. I guess this is related to point #1, but specifically, I just started training too early. I think a six-month lead time is ample.

Anyway, hope your training goes well. It's an interesting challenge to take on.

--Liz

P.S. Which marathon are you considering?

[Oopsie Daisy]

Oh yeah, one more thing. As stoy said, keep the core muscles strong, and don't neglect the upper-body workouts. Those arms need to be strong, too.

EDIT: And...if you've not discovered this already, establishing a good, rhythmic breathing/stride pattern really helps.

[xyz]

i finished a marathon a few years back with no training what so ever. it hurt and hurt bad. but with a consistent training program, an athletic background I'm sure you'll have no problems.

[flanker769]

Completed my first marathon this past May. Training consisted of skiing a 60 day season with lots of uphill boot packing and three 5 - 10 mile runs a week starting in April.
I had no problem cardio wise but my legs, feet and joints were not conditioned at all as I had not put in the long runs.
Good luck!

[half-fast]

a buddy of mine just asked me to run a 32.5 mile trail run a year from now. I run for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week, but I've never run a race of any distance since high school. haven't decided if I'm going to do it yet-but if you'd care to share whatever training program you come up with-I'll do the same...

[Viva]

Half-fast, are you talking about a 50K race? If yes, which one? Finger Lakes?

For any trail run/race you need to spend some time on trails. Kinda obvious, really. Most of your training can be on streets, but at least do one long run run a week on trails. If you hit nasty-steep uphill sections, walk it. I know people who can power walk uphills faster than they can run 'em.


Liz brings up a good point- invest in good quality shoes. When I started out, I bought whatever I could find on sale at one of the chain stores. Not good. Go to a running store and be prepared to spend a couple of hours there while they figure out what works best for you. You'll learn a lot; it's worth it. Also, don't be concerned with trail-specific running shoes. those things are only worth while in extreme conditions...maybe.

[half-fast]

wakely dam ultra (http://www.wakelydam.com/)
don't even know for sure if we could get in-they limit it to 45 runners

they try their best on the website to scare you out of entering

Due to the remote location and difficult access, there will be no emergency or medical personnel on the trail and cell phone reception is not available. In case of emergency or debilitating injury, it is best to leave one person with the injured party and send another to contact the Wakely Crew or phone the Rangers. If you are alone and become ill or injured and cannot make it out, stay on the trail or at a lean-to so you can be located. Help could be a long time coming. Emergency officials will be notified in the morning if a registered runner does not make it to the finish & sign out before nightfall.