Too scared to Register!!

[minn]

I have to register for the Marathon I've been thinking about by tomorrow to get the cheapest price...

I've never done more than a sprint tri. I run almost every day though, never more than 5 miles.

Anyone ever trained for a Marathon with very little experience?

[beccaB]

I trained for and completed a marathon doing less weekly miles than recommended, but they were very hilly miles in the kittatawny(sp?) mountain range in New Jersey. I think a lot depends on whether you want to just finish, or achieve a certain time.

[eclectic]

I have to register for the Marathon I've been thinking about by tomorrow to get the cheapest price...

I've never done more than a sprint tri. I run almost every day though, never more than 5 miles.

Anyone ever trained for a Marathon with very little experience?

I am not a marathoner, nor even a runner for that matter (although I was told I had better start calling my self one - but I won't until I start to like it a little

But I thought i would throw in my thoughts anyway.

Being the conservative person I am I would start w/ the 1/2 marathon. But like Syndirelah said you already have a good base so a full would be w/in reach

My questions too are the same as hers "how much time do you have to train and are you wanting a specific time or to just be one of the 'glad to be here and finish' types?

Is there a running group in your town to hook up w/ so the training miles aren't as long?

With that being said I say GO FOR IT! ! ! there is no time like the present to risk and meet a challenge

Good luck
(let us know if you registered

[Di bear]

I've done two with very little experience. It took me about 6 hours for both. Don't be afraid to walk.

[Tri Girl]

With your base you should be fine. When I did my first marathon 4 years ago I had little experience and had only planned on doing the half. A month into training I realized I could go the distance and did the full with no problem. I only ran about 20 miles a week because of bad knees and I had a great race, but I wasn't looking to qualify for Boston or anything either. You have a good base, so you should be just fine. The long runs will come with time and training. Just pick a good program and only run what it tells you to and take time off when it tells you to. www.halhigdon.com has good plans. I always follow his when marathon training (I've done 6 now).

[michelem]

Hi minn,

I had the same question this summer regarding a December marathon (although I had previously run a 1/2). Well, I'm happy to say that I completed the marathon and learned A LOT from the experience so that when I do it again next year (yes! I still want to do another one!) I'll be better prepared.

Not knowing when your marathon is scheduled, I strongly advise against signing up for anything less than 16 weeks out. In fact, if you can stretch out your training to 18 weeks, all the better. Personally, I agree it might be wise to have a 1/2 or two under your belt BEFORE starting to train for a full, but that is just my opinion.

I used the FIRST method of training, which includes 3 quality (hard) run workouts per week (1 speed interval, 1 tempo, and 1 long run per week). On the off days, you either rest or cross-train (cycling, swimming, yoga, or the like). This worked really well for me and my schedule.

Although I had some mishaps and whatnot, overall I really enjoyed the marathon experience and look forward to doing it again next December.

Let us know what you decide!

[minn]

I am signing up right now for the Madison Marathon in May.

Thanks a bunch for the tips and training schedule advice- I found a plan on Runnersworld.com that I might use.
But...
Tri Girl- That training plan looks even better, is it in any of his books or do you just read each day on the internet?

I'm sure I'll be posting closer to the date with many questions and fears!!

Thanks!!

p.s. I do plan on doing a 1/2 before the Full (maybe end of March or April).

[Veronica]

Most excellent! So glad to see you bit the bullet.

Veronica

[katluvr]

Congrats for signing up!
Yep, lots of plans out there. And it being your first your goal should be just to have fun and finish. Then again, it is always good to actually "train" for it so it is "fun". As fun as running 26.2 miles can be.
I have 5 (or 6) 1/2's under my belt. I swore I would never run a full...I never wanted to. Until this year. When completing my last 1/2 marathon I finally felt the bug to do a full one. That being said 2009 is for yet another 1/2 marathon, some spring and fall biek rides and my first Tri! So 2010 is the year of the marathon. It may even be EARLY 2010, but it will be!
I'm excited for you. Completing any goal or major event is a really boost!

[Kelly728]

Just take it slow and easy. Don't increase your total mileage by more than 10% each week. Learn that you can slow down your long runs to increase your mileage but you can add in intervals during the week if you do have a time goal for the marathon. You seem to have a good fitness base, so increasing your long run each week should come with a lot of hitches (I say that hesitantly because things happen).

I have not yet made it to running a marathon. Apparently being stubborn leads to more injury, which is why I'm here trying to take up cycling!