Revelations & a question.

[Jay_Gee]

Over the last few weeks, some posts on this community have proved a revelation to me!

Revelation 1. Low HR runs. These are amazing, and I enjoy them so much! I find myself checking my Garmin more to just check the HR.... 137bpm average on my 18k run today. Roughly 50:50 time split between Garmin zones 3 (aerobic), and 4 (threshold).

Revelation 2. There are more than 2 ways of lacing up shoes!! Having googled lacing up running shoes, both pairs have now been re-done to good effect!

So onto my question. Having not got into the London marathon in the ballot, I am looking at other events.

I have never done any type of event before... not even a park run. So do I go big, and enter a marathon - even though I have not run that distance (or close to it) yet, or do I enter a Half - knowing that I can do that distance & just enjoy the occasion??

Would welcome any advice on this!

Thank you everyone for your posts, they always make good reading!

[Tasha99 Marathon]

If you can do 18k, you will be capable of training for a marathon. It is however VERY hard! Like a COMPLETELY different kettle of fish to a half marathon. Maybe a half first? Where are you?

[Jay_Gee Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Milton Keynes. We have the MK half / marathon in May....

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Jay_Gee]

You haven’t got enough time to marathon train for May anyway. Marathon training takes about 5 months. 2-3 weeks are tapering. They may very well not go ahead. Unless virtual. I’m booked on a marathon in October and we’re not even sure about that one.

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

I remember Irish John saying that a marathon "is a beast" compared to a half marathon, so as you say a marathon is very hard.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Very! Maranoia is already setting in 🤣

[Hidden]

Have you thought about going down the virtual route Jay_Gee do london in your own area perhaps?

[Jay_Gee Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I’m not sure if I can do a marathon virtually... Have done a virtual half, and the virtual vitality 10k last year. Have been looking at virtual events though!!

[Hidden in reply to Jay_Gee]

Well hmmmm until you try 👍

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Gosh - impossible questions Jay_Gee ! I love big and small events - however, you can’t beat the buzz of being part of a big event! Of course if you do decide to train for a marathon, theres no reason why you can’t enter a Half (or even a 10k) as part of your training schedule. I have yet to nail my colours to the mast and train for a marathon I’m afraid but if I did, I would want it to be a big one - other runners and a good crowd can make a huge difference to how you feel and perform! I have so much respect for all those who ran the virtual London marathon last year because of this.

Not sure any of this really helps but good luck and well done on today’s 18k!👍🙂

[Jay_Gee Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thankyou. Sort of along my feelings, if I’m going to do it, make it a good one!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I only like little ones. Logistically easier. I like a local race where I can walk there, race and walk home Lovely jubbly

My fave marathon is so tiny as to be invisible No crowds of spectators though 😃. That doesn’t bother me I ran one on my own so it’s a good job it doesn’t 😁🏃‍♀️

[a_in_gsr Half Marathon]

Ahhh I feel this! I too have never done a race; but maybe its nice to do a smaller one first so you're not overwhelmed on the day / know what to expect? On the other hand I think a big event just be so exciting!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to a_in_gsr]

Big events mean lots of people and loo queues. I like homespun, local affairs. Better cake 😁🍰☕️😋

I do an annual marathon which involves a hotel stay, and taking more clothes etc than usual, just because of the weather possibilities in winter. Having more stuff than I need “just in case” is twice the hassle and does my head in.

So, for a first race a small, local affair might be easier all round. Park run would be a good start perhaps. Fabulous supportive atmos guaranteed 🙂👍

Racing is such fun. I love it. I don’t take it at all seriously though. I train properly but for me the day is about having some fun Oh, and cake! 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

This is not an either/or question! Yes do a half. Yes do a marathon. Do a 10k too!!! The atmosphere is amazing whatever the distance. Autumn is likely to be a better bet for live events, so you have plenty of time to be marathon ready by then if you fancy it. Entering a smaller/shorter event on the way would be a good way to get your head round the logistics of a race so that when it comes to the long one, all you have to focus on is the magic distance.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I’d say a half is your first option. Personally I would just focus on that for now. Some people blend their half race into training for the full mara race, but they are very different types of running, mind sets, training and pace sets, and multi races is adding a lot of pressure too. So if it were me, I’d focus on mastering half this year and perhaps mara next year. As for big or small, that is really up to you, and I guess the larger aspect of whether big races will come back any time soon. I’m pretty sure they wont be happening here in Canada until next year but I could be wrong.

[Jay_Gee Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks for the advice!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I suspect that the MK Marathon will not happen in May this year, but fingers crossed they will still be around for 2022, and that things will be better by then. As you are not happy with the idea of a virtual marathon I think you might be wise to plan for a marathon next year instead, and for the rest of this year concentrate on your half marathons, and maybe going a bit further 😊😊😊

All that said, it wouldn't hurt to enter the MK marathon this year and see what happens! There will be deferral options available if they end up cancelling.

The fact that you live in MK is a gift! I really recommend the MK Winter Half, which happens in December. They managed to do it really well last year, with very good Covid measures in place, so I see no reason why it shouldn't happen again this year. It's a lovely circular route, and it will set you up really well to start your marathon training for May 2022!!

[Jay_Gee Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

👍 thankyou! Will look up the MK winter half...

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I chose to do races progressively. Parkrun, 5k race, 10k race, 10 mile race. But that was all pre-coronavirus . If you’ve already done half marathon distance do sign up for one in the summer/autumn but if you get the chance to do a shorter race before then, it’s worth trying so that you get to know the routine and experience those butterflies before the big one. 🦋 🦋🦋

[Jay_Gee Half Marathon]

Thankyou! Appreciate all the advice from everyone!