Marathon

[paul1960]

Am thinking of doing a marathon BUT it sounds impossible it would be the ultimate run not to sure if I am ready I know it will be next year but can I do it this time last year I struggled running a bath never mind a marathon need a really good training plan and lots of advice and a miracle so what do you think o should do really confused

[SlowLoris]

Go for it Paul. I’m going to have a go as well.

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

It's a really big run not sure not made my mind up yet

[SlowLoris in reply to paul1960]

Keep gradually extending the long runs and see how you feel. It might be easier to decide when you can run further.

[Tasha99 Marathon]

I’ve scrapped my marathon training plan. It was too much mid week and my legs weren’t recovering. I ended up doing 2 weeks low mileage to recover and not back to my penultimate long run this Saturday. If I were to do another one (considering Manchester if I don’t get in London) I’d A) do a spring marathon as summer training is brutal, B) add in 2 extra low mileage weeks to add recovery - maybe around week 8 and 14 or something, and C) I’d stress less about sticking to a plan. Fuelling has been a case of trial and error. I’ve tried most gels - can’t really see the difference in then except SIS are repulsive. Going to try tailwind this weekend as it’s been highly recommend on here. You can do it - this time last year I was only on 10k still.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

You can do it if you decide to do it. The issue with most plans is you don't hit the bigger miles until a month before the day but after reaching 30k I am now much more confident about running 12k more! I would highly recommend heartrate training, although investing in finding out your max heartrate would be beneficial. I've followed the Polar plan, which downloads to my watch and adapts based on my data. It has not asked me to run longer than 2 hours in any session and yet my endurance is impressive. Zone 2 running is tough as you go sooo slow but it certainly helps train. I decided to add the distance into my plan for my own reassurance and to test fuelling and water etc. Polar could start a training plan for you now as it has a base training plan and then a 16 week build up. My main reasoning for heartrate training was to avoid unjury and it seems to have worked. Ironically I avoided any injury until I ran my 30k, which was off plan lol. It is a mindset thing as much as a physical challenge. I started thinking about Bournemouth last year after my half marathon and signed up in January. Most of my year has been about training my brain to believe that I can run a Marathon and refusing to allow doubts in. I have wobbled. Hugely! And I had a major panic a few months back but now with 3 weeks of training left, I am quietly confident, even with a niggly heel, that I will run this Marathon.

The training itself is most of the marathon journey. If you are thinking of it you will do it. 😊

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Hi Claire. It's great to see your confidence growing!

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thank you. I'm just trying to stay positive and believe lol

[Irish-John Marathon]

I had hoped of doing one Paul, and I do believe if you can do a HM you probably have a FM in you, maybe not a non-stop FM but potential is high for covering the distance. Also I figured it would be worth trying even if I "failed" ultimately.

However - I now have zero interest in doing one.

Time. Lack of it along with - for me- the sheer "drudgery" of having to rack up all those long runs in training. It really does take a huge chunk of time and not having a "burning desire" to do a FM....well, I prefer to just enjoy challenges that are more practical for my comfort and satisfaction level.

Of course, this is just me. You are probably made of sterner stuff However, I really was surprised at the "jump" in time training between a FM and even a HM.

Whichever way you decide, I wish you many happy miles in your future

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks mate it's just a thought at the moment am not 100% yet like you said alot of hard training and long runs am happy at the moment doing

3x5ks aweek weather permitted and a long run on Sunday so I will let you know what I decide

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to paul1960]

I did my first 5k in ages last night - all those 8 mile plus or at least around - for weeks.

It felt so nice and fun just to trot along without a care about the HM This "tapering" part is a relief lol

Best wishes with your quest Paul, happy miles Pal

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Hi Paul. You don't need a miracle, you need training time! If you put the time in and build up gradually, I'm sure you can do it.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Paul, it’s going to happen isn’t it? 😀🏃‍♂️ Everything else you’ve set out to do, you’ve smashed. 👊

There are lots of experienced marathon runners on here who will give you fantastic advice. Go for it. You’re a star! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I dont know if I can honestly am thinking there is a lot of training, and long runs its something I would like to do but not made my mind up yet but I will keep everyone updated on my decision

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to paul1960]

(You will run a marathon!) 😈😈😈

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

We will see😣

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

It is a big commitment, and one I haven't taken on myself. I find the time and effort of training for a HM is currently enough for me and I have no burning desire to move up to a full marathon.

However, there is another side of me that knows I will feel a bit unfulfilled if I never do one. The HMs are fun, but the excitement of training for my first, when I was venturing into the unknown is no longer really there anymor eas I am more comfortable and I think a full marathon will be the only way I can recapture that. But all in good time!

[GeorgiosA Marathon]

Go for it!! You have done a half, and if you give yourself enough time to train it is certainly doable. My one suggestion would be to take your time and build up the distance slowly, and go slow on your long runs.

Best of luck - you can do this!

[backintime 10 Miles]

It's on my bucket list - I would love to do one, hopefully next year if I can maintain motivation after my HM next year - and allergies permitting

[misswobble Marathon]

I’m currently in training for my third one. If you give yourself plenty of time it’s do-able

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

I found a huge part is purely mental. If you can grow to enjoy long runs it's so much easier. I like nothing more than spending a whole afternoon out on the hills.

That's the other big one... decide if you want an on or off road route. I'm not sure I could do an on road, it's just too dull but off road there's so much more distraction and fun.

I'm planning a marathon (distance, as I don't do events) a month until early spring then I'll look at a bit more...