Can one run a marathon straight from Couch to 5K?

[Julesyl]

A mom of two who works from home, so I definitely must get off my butt more to keep my metabolism higher and fit back in my size 10/58kg body mass. I love pies, and chocolate...I am also a Social Media Manager and Pinterest Expert and account manager, so I can and do help small business owners use pinterest for more brand visibility and increased customer base. I am a Speaker. Coach. Author. Entrepreneur.

Right now the Couch to 5K has given me a hunger to keep running, its working. I feel fitter, more nimble and run 5km in 30 mins...I am looking for that next challenge...And to loose those spare tires for sure I celebrate the completion of the 9 weeks run...Yipee, I didn't think I could, now to the next challenge....

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

First paragraph: Er, hello!

Second paragraph: Take the time to train for it, maybe try a 10k, half marathon, along the way, why not?

[Katie204 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I second this - I suggest consolidating what you've achieved with a 5K run, then work up to a 10K, then try 10 miles and a half-marathon before the full thing.

I started C25K last March and got from nothing to running 10K in 14 weeks. It can be done - but slowly and steadily!

[Julesyl in reply to Katie204]

Wow 14 weeks would be amazing...10K woot. I am just getting my head round 5K seriously I thought there must be some 5K Marathons to run lolol

[Julesyl in reply to roseabi]

Lol at Er , I hear you Rose

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Julesyl]

Will you go for it, then? I must say it is a lot of fun!

[Millsie-J]

Well perhaps not directly after C25k. Maybe try walking a marathon distance and get a better perspective of the distance required.

And then train, train, train, train.

[Julesyl in reply to Millsie-J]

Sure thing

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Hi... and not really.... lots if training as the others say!

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

No. You will knacker yourself and end up on the injury couch.

However, you can of course train to run a marathon! It sounds as though you are fit and healthy and really enjoying running - great! You do have to build up, though. You need the miles on your legs, as others have said, and not only that, you need to do the cross-training as well, and you need to take your rest days to allow the muscles to rest and to build back up again. I'm afraid I don't know how long it would take to run a marathon - sensibly - from starting to run, but it's definitely a good idea to start with some shorter distances and see how you go with those. Don't forget the 10% rule, and once every month or so have an easier week. There are lots of people here who will give great advice who have run marathons and ultras, so I'm sure they will help you too.

[Julesyl in reply to Anniemurph]

Okay Annie, I gotcha...Tell me more about the 10% rule? I know the Pareto rule, but have never heard of the 10% rule...so am all ears

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to Julesyl]

Hi Julesyl ! The 10% rule is about making sure that you don't do too much. Basically, never increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% over the previous week. This means that if you are running 10k - total distance of all your runs added together - this week, next week you can increase by 10% to 11k - again, total distance. If you do two 5k runs one week, the next week you might do a 5k and a 6k. Or split it up however you want to, but stick to it. It's slow but sure, and especially at the start of your running journey, it works. 26.2 miles is a long way to run, and you need to get your muscles well-conditioned before you arrive at the start line. You can do it though!

[Tomas Marathon]

Welcome! And as others have said, do give yourself the necessary time. I ran my first marathon 18 months after graduating, and that was probably too soon (based on the number of injuries and aches and pains).

[Julesyl]

I hear you Tomas, And I take your Advice on board thanks

[ju-ju- Marathon]

yay well done you

I suggest aim for a 10k next.... one step at a time. However if a marathon is what you want, work out how long a 10k, HM then marathon training will take. Add in some 'rest and consolidate' time and go for it. I did my first marathon exactly 1 year after graduating from C25k.

[Julesyl in reply to ju-ju-]

Woohoooo you are definitely a alien Ju-ju coz ater this weekend I feel like I bit off too much with a 7k run lol