Adopting a different mindset for the marathon attempt.

[Bazza1234]

I am currently up to week 20 of a 52 week "Couch to Marathon" training plan that I have created - I do a 10 mile longrun next week and have entered a 10 mile " race" in a few weeks time. I decided to incorporate 10K, 10miles and HM races into the training programme along the way of the journey to the marathon starting line. I have done 3xHM's so far over the past 5 years - but have to admit to being EXTREMELY daunted by the marathon distance. The HM's that I have done have involved training and racing using run/walk principles - but I have to admit to having "Goal times" for these HM's which basically caused me to train and race too hard. Being daunted so much by the M distance, I had previously decided to do two things - train and race using run/walk principles and have a goal time of 6 hours 20 minutes which is the cutoff time for this event. I have now decided to "walk" the event - but realise that I cannot walk at fast enough pace to achieve the cutoff time ( 9 mins per K) but have been experimenting lately with a changed mindset of supplementing the walking with the minimum amount of running possible to achieve the required pace. So basically I will be using a walk/run strategy - rather than run/walk. What's the difference? - I hear you say. Turns out that it means that I can walk for 3 times longer than I run and achieve the pace. Over shorter distances, it really feels like a "doddle" , so easy - but of course over 42.2 klms it won't seem that easy. But this change of mindset has really comforted me and I am looking forward to doing my 10 mile longrun next week (at 9+mins per K - no need to run at race pace ) ) I already know that only 18 months ago I could run 21.1K at 6:50 mins per k pace - so the pace doesn't worry me, it's the distance!!!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Good luck Bazza1234 for your marathon training, not sure if slow and steady applies to marathon running but it could regarding some of the training runs.

[marc_read Marathon]

Wow huge challenge and huge effort..I am unbelievably proud to have completed a marathon and can tell you it is well worth the effort..I did mine in just under 6 hrs..I hit the wall at just after 20 miles.. and walked most of the way after that..I'm injured at moment so feeling a bit down...marathon running in particular is to me 50 mind 50 body...if you think you can or can't do it you generally correct.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

I did a full walking marathon a few years ago in 6 hours 5 minutes so it is possible, but in order to walk that fast you need to shift the focus to increasing your cadence and doing speed intervals in training (sounds familiar, doesn’t it 😆). Because we were registered for a walking marathon, any running resulted in disqualification. What I didn’t like about the training was you look pretty goofy in training trying to speed walk that fast, arms a- pumping, hips a wiggling 😂 but when it was all said and done, we were very consistent throughout the race and passed many a runner, I’m proud to say. So anyways a long way of saying, you got this! I would recommend working on picking up your walking pace though if at all possible. It will give you some leeway on your cut off time and a walk/run sounds perfectly logical.

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Sounds like a good plan Bazza, look forward to hearing how it progresses.

[Irish-John Marathon]

Best wishes for it Barry. I too am rather uneasy at the quest for a Marathon. I admire your 52 week commitment, I'm more a "blitzkrieg" type.

I'm hoping to get the HM knocked off in March or April, then just run a lot more hills as I build distance - hopefully then the "more level" route through DC will feel more manageable on the day.

I'm glad I'm not doing "kilometers" - I know it's a bit silly but "26.2" SEEMS less horrific than "42.2"

I thought to my self when I did my fyten mile that "a HM is only a single 5k added on to this" and it suddenly didn't seem quite as forbidding.

Anyhow, best of luck to you - we'll be doing these FMs separately but together! ☺

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

do the training. Don’t skimp!

[misswobble Marathon]

I think you’ll be fine Bazzer! Your idea to pull in some races mid training is a good one! I pulled in a half marathon about a month before the full marathon,which I did yesterday

You train for the distance, and if you do all the training runs/walks, then come the day, you know you are ready. Don’t fear the distance! Once you do a 20 mile training run, towards the end of your training plan, then that’s it done. You’re ready, and race day adrenaline will get you round the additional 10k. You have already got a lot of miles on your legs!