Revelations & a question. : Over the... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Revelations & a question.

Jay_Gee profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathon
โ€ข20 Replies

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!

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Jay_Gee profile image
Jay_Gee
Half Marathon
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20 Replies
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Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Marathon

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 profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toTasha99

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

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Marathonโ€ข in reply toJay_Gee

You havenโ€™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. Iโ€™m booked on a marathon in October and weโ€™re not even sure about that one.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toTasha99

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 profile image
Tasha99Marathonโ€ข in reply toAlMorr

Very! Maranoia is already setting in ๐Ÿคฃ

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

Jay_Gee profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply to

Iโ€™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!!

โ€ข in reply toJay_Gee

Well hmmmm until you try ๐Ÿ‘

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

Gosh - impossible questions Jay_Gee ! I love big and small events - however, you canโ€™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 canโ€™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 Iโ€™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 todayโ€™s 18k!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‚

Jay_Gee profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toSandraj39

Thankyou. Sort of along my feelings, if Iโ€™m going to do it, make it a good one!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toSandraj39

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 ๐Ÿ˜ƒ. That doesnโ€™t bother me I ran one on my own so itโ€™s a good job it doesnโ€™t ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

a_in_gsr profile image
a_in_gsrHalf 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 profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toa_in_gsr

Big events mean lots of people and loo queues. I like homespun, local affairs. Better cake ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿฐโ˜•๏ธ๐Ÿ˜‹

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 โ€œjust in caseโ€ 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 ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ‘

Racing is such fun. I love it. I donโ€™t take it at all seriously though. I train properly but for me the day is about having some fun Oh, and cake! ๐Ÿ™‚

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

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 profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

Iโ€™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, Iโ€™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. Iโ€™m pretty sure they wont be happening here in Canada until next year but I could be wrong.

Jay_Gee profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toDecker

Thanks for the advice!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

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 ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

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 profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

๐Ÿ‘ thankyou! Will look up the MK winter half...

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles

I chose to do races progressively. Parkrun, 5k race, 10k race, 10 mile race. But that was all pre-coronavirus . If youโ€™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, itโ€™s worth trying so that you get to know the routine and experience those butterflies before the big one. ๐Ÿฆ‹ ๐Ÿฆ‹๐Ÿฆ‹

Jay_Gee profile image
Jay_GeeHalf Marathon

Thankyou! Appreciate all the advice from everyone!

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