Planning ahead.

[UnfitNoMore]

I have long term running goals and am now starting to think through this little one “run a marathon”

The one I want to do will be September 2020 and my current 5k race plan ends in August, which gives me 2x6 month plans that I can follow. I’d appreciate any advice on how to spend the first six months of the year.

I will by then have a long run of 10 miles, and I’m running 3/4 days a week (pretty much running every other day) and covering a peak of 30 miles of week. On my rest days I spend at least 30 minutes a day in brisk walk, and do some cross training.

Part of me is thinking I could fit in two marathon plans back to back... and as I started each one I am in a position where I could add a day. I’ll have been running 14 months at the start of my next plan. The other part of me is aware that marathon training is a massive commitment and not to be taken lightly, so possibly the first plan should be HM? I’ve also noticed that most marathon plans recommend taking on HM during them... is this something that would be recommended regardless of if I go for HM next spring?

Thanks for any advice... I know a lot of you guys were once in my position, having come through C25K after years of not running, so I’ll value it above advice from people who have always been runners.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Why not just set yourself a shorter term goal of training for a HM? You will know when you are near the end, or have completed this whether you want to push on to a marathon.

If so, you are already half way there without putting the weight of expectation on yourself.

If not, you have still acheived a HM.

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Good point... I’m assuming it will go over 13.1 on the long run too, and I’ll have a little more of an idea. My planner takes 5k long run to 10 miles, 10k goes to 12 miles, but I haven’t looked at 15k, or HM ones... marathon goes to 20 or 21, which I believe is the norm.

[Lordi Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

I agree. The HM as a first goal is enough. Don't worry, the marathon goal will lurk in the back of your mind. It can't be un-thunk once thinked

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon in reply to Lordi]

It’s been calling for a while!

[BaddieThePirate]

Good luck 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Start with a half...If I manage mine, sorry... WHEN I complete mine...... you will fly yours

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Not likely to fly it... think that’s frowned upon anyway, don’t they make you run?

Wasn’t sure on the half as I’ll only be 3 miles short, but I guess running it as an event will be helpful.

At junior parkrun another nutter and myself were coming up with more and more ridiculous runs we could have a go at... so this will be just the beginning it seems!

You’ll be fine on your HM and then you got time to train and come to the Medoc next year... how would that be for a meet up???? 😂

[misswobble Marathon]

I think it’s the norm here that folks here have not always been runners, and are C25k peeps.

Marathon training takes 4 months minimum I’d say (being older😃) 4 runs a week is good 🙂. Running legs take 18 - 24 months to build so I’d avoid adding another run day. You can do cross training 💪.

I pull in a half marathon race during marathon training but I’d completed some half marathons before that. just go carefully and pace yourself. You want to achieve your goals so go carefully

It goes without saying but healthy grub and sleep are a feature of training 😃💪👍

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I’m looking at six month plans, so should have plenty of time. 4 a week is gonna be the aim I think, so only the occasional back to back runs, and making sure one is a recovery run for sure. Think my food is decent at the moment... apart from planning a run to end at the chippy the other day 😂. It had been a long time since I’d visited though.

You’re right... six months of training is no good if I get myself injured out of the race, or even worse my long run training. I’m looking forward to the challenge, which would be a huge shock to the me that was sat on the couch this time last year.

My only goal is to finish the race, so I’ll possibly not worry too much about the speed sessions... I’ll run them, but not as I would if I was going for a time.

Thanks

[misswobble Marathon]

Yeah keep the speed down Save leg slamming for now 😃