Gulp... First full marathon booked

[runningdad]

So after much deliberation, I've gone ahead and booked my first ever full marathon for next year. The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is my local event, where I've previously done the 5k, 10k, and half marathon. The full marathon always felt like a far off goal, but having run many half marathons over the last couple of years, and a metric marathon (26.2km) a couple of months ago, the time feels right for tackling the big one so long as I can stay fit and healthy, get my nutrition right and find a training plan that works for me.

[Cmoi Marathon]

Good for you runningdad ! Allergic-to-training fly-by-night me cracked the distance, so I've no doubt that you, a serious runner, can do it. 👍😀

[runningdad Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Lol... a serious runner. But thanks, I'm looking forward to the challenge.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to runningdad]

You're way more experienced and faster than I am runningdad . See also:

You - "get my nutrition right." 👍

Me - fuels this afternoon's run with a cup of tea and a mini packet of Smarties. 🤣

[Fran6500 Half Marathon]

Edinburgh is such a beautiful city it must be great to run around. What month is it in? You have done the training so you must be looking forward to the challenge.

[runningdad Marathon in reply to Fran6500]

Thanks. It's the last Sunday in May, so plenty of time to prepare and ensure the training plan stays on track! Edinburgh is pretty spectacular to run around. It starts in the Old Town and makes its way through part of the city centre, eventually heading along the coast in East Lothian. Spring weather is usually pretty good here, but hopefully if it's not blazing sunshine or driving rain or worse, then I'll be grand.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

How exciting runningdad. It’s more than likely too far for me to ever contemplate, but I love to hear success stories (which yours will be), so I’ll be watching your progress with interest! Have fun training. 🏃‍♂️

[misswobble Marathon]

How exciting 😃🤗🤗🤗🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

Good luck with your training 👍💪

[RunWillie Marathon]

That’s awesome! runningdad 👍🏻

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Best of luck to you.

You've got plenty of time to train up if it's in late May.

I'm not contemplating doing a marathon distance any time soon myself. I'm comfortable doing solo halfs for the moment.

[Frenc Half Marathon]

Well done runningdad, my eyes are watering just thinking about it! A great run in a great city 🤩.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done! Exciting! Good luck with your training. 😀

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Hi Runningdad

It seems to me that these longer distances are achievable provided you do the training and set a suitable pace. You’ve plenty of time to prepare so you should be fine.

I suggest taking a look at the Nike Run Club Marathon Plan. It comes in the form of a PDF and suggests training runs from the NRC App. I liked it because it’s flexible and it did wonders for my pace.

You’re likely to need to refuel on the run for that distance and your training runs are a good time to experiment with what works for you. A lot of people use gels but I prefer flapjacks.

[runningdad Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely try a few things out as you suggest. Still considering training plans so I’ll definitely check out NRC.

[Madge50 Marathon]

Fantastic 👏 and good luck, me and OH did the half in 2019, absolutely loved it, great course as you say.....although the weather was not so great, I always love running near the sea - I remember thinking, where it was wet and there was sand blown on the path it might be slippery....😱

My only disappointment was there wasn’t a piper, piping me into the finish! 🏃‍♀️think he’d gone for a tea break.....😂

Fab event and great city! As for the marathon, personally I slowed my pace and found getting the magic 20 miles under my belt in training a great confidence boost - at that point, I began to believe I really could do it.....

Oh and after all the jelly babies/gels (sugar) etc., something savoury 18-20 miles worked for me.....hula hoops.....just ask misswobble .....🏃‍♀️😄

All the best

Mx

[runningdad Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Brilliant tips. Thank you. Really looking forward to the challenge.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Being confined to the house 🙄 I ordered online shop yesterday. The Hula Hoops we’re top of the list 😃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😋

[Macrun Half Marathon]

Good on you what plan you going to follow🤔