Active Community: Message List - 2 months lapse in training for first marathon

Re: 2 months lapse in training for first marathon

guest — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:35:32 GMT

20 is the most you need to do. I only do around 18 these days but I have a strange plan. You will increase your chance of injury more than any benefit you would gain going over 20. 20 is all you need!

Re: 2 months lapse in training for first marathon

guest — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 13:10:28 GMT

20 is usually enough. Your training runs are slower paced, so time spent is comparable (not identical though) to the time you'll spend on the marathon. Also the training benefit of going farther is not worth the increased risk of injury as you tire for most runners. Of course, getting to the marathon depends on these other runs going reasonably well. Don't expect them all to be fantastic. Some may not. If you get through all of them in reasonably good shape, you'll be OK for the marathon.

Len

Re: 2 months lapse in training for first marathon

guest — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 03:56:25 GMT

Ohhh lenzlaw I like your style. Wasn't looking forward to running 18 miles this weekend (as per BOSNPM's advice). I will definitely try your method.

I'm so glad neither of you told me not to bother. My husband was trying to deter me because he's the only one that see's that I'm not properly training, but I really wanted to attempt this particular marathon because it's in my home town and I'm usually always busy the weekend they have it. I'll let you know how it goes.

One other question if you have the time, is it not necessary to complete anymore than 20 miles when training for a marathon? I've seen that here and there but just wanted to clarify.

Thanks again so much.

2 months lapse in training for first marathon

guest — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:08:57 GMT

You could try something like this. Do 10 this weekend (Aug. 25). Then do 12, 14, 10, 16, 18, 10, 20. The 20 will be Oct. 13, leaving a 3 week taper. This is a bit of a rush schedule, but if you complete it OK, you should be good to finish the marathon. No records, mind you, but finishing.

Len

2 months lapse in training for first marathon

guest — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:00:36 GMT

You should not go from 5-6 to 18! You need to look at the plan and add say 10% for two weeks then go back down to where you started, then repeat. Long road ahead!

2 months lapse in training for first marathon

guest — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:55:05 GMT

Hello and thanks for taking the time to read this.

I've completed 3 half marathons since 2010 (my last one was this past April with a finishing time of 2:30). I'm obviously not a competitive runner.

I've been training to complete my first full marathon which takes place the first weekend in November. The program I was following is a run/walk method. I'm not looking to break any records, just finish it. Last years slowest runner for this particular race came in just over 7 hours. I can't imagine it would take me that long.

My last long run was back in June (16 miles and it took me 3.5 hours). After that my weekends got consumed with other life events and here I am with the marathon just a few months away. I continued to run but no more than 4-6 miles at a time, and of course I've had (and will have) a few 5/10k's in-between.

My question is this, should I continue where I left off? My next long run needs to be 18 miles, or should I scratch it and start from the beginning and set my goal for a later marathon. I have until the end of September to make this decision.

Also, I'm getting ready to sign up for spinning classes as my cross-training (I'll be doing this regardless if I continue to train for November). Not sure if this info. is needed or not.

Thanks for your advice.

~ M.I.M.