Realistic time frame to prepare for a first marathon

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Tammy38

6 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Aug 29, 2005 12:40 PM

Realistic time frame to prepare for a first marathon

Currently, I'm a "jogger" I suppose. I run about a 10 min mile on the treadmill for 30 min as part of a cross training workout at the gym a couple times a week and on a good week I might get out and jog 2 miles in the neighborhood a couple times a week also.

So, with that type of current jogging regimen, what would be a realistic time frame that it would take to prep for a marathon? 4-6 mos? longer? I also deal with a past IT Band injury so I need to take things slowly.

Joe_H1

1,091 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

1. Aug 30, 2005 7:33 AM

in response to: Tammy38

maybe 1 or 2 months pre-training then a long run every weekend bumping up the distance 10% every week. check this site, runnersworld.com and halhigdon.com for some training plans to give you some ideas. good luck and have fun

coxwithane

97 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

2. Aug 30, 2005 8:53 AM

in response to: Tammy38

I did my first marathon back in March. I used Jeff Galloway's method, found on www.runinjuryfree.com. His philosophy of scheduled walk breaks isn't for everyone, but it's the only way I can go as far as I go without hurting myself. I have knee and back issues to watch out for and it sounds like you and I run at about the same speed, so you might want to check it out. Even if you don't use the walk breaks, he's got good mileage plans listed for all sorts of goals, from finishing a first marathon to specific time goals.

To answer your main question, I would say six months total, using Galloway's mileage plan for finishing. DO NOT plan a specific time goal for your first marathon.

Good luck!
Amy

shornke

138 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

3. Aug 30, 2005 9:09 AM

in response to: Tammy38

Take it slow.

I would set a half-marathon as a goal with a training schedule of 3 months. See how it goes. If all is well, set a date for a marathon 3 weeks from there.

Regards,

Stefan

coxwithane

97 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

4. Aug 30, 2005 9:18 AM

in response to: Tammy38

3 weeks??? Don't you mean 3 months? I can't see spending three months getting ready for a half marathon and then doing a full marathon three weeks later.

beerpace

120 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

5. Aug 30, 2005 11:06 AM

in response to: Tammy38

Can I assume you have not run any other races yet? Throw in a couple of 5k , 10k's fun runs or whatever, to get a sense of the preparation needed. These will give you an idea of what to do in the morning of the race in regards to transportation, breakfast prep, getting psyched up, etc. Good luck.

Tammy38

6 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

6. Aug 30, 2005 11:17 AM

in response to: Tammy38

Thanks for the responses.

I'm 38 now and will be 40 in Nov 2006, so my goal is to do a marathon prior to 40 and the Portland Marathon is Oct 2006.

in my early 30's, I ran several 5 and 8 k's when I lived up in Seattle, then developed some pretty severe IT band soreness and basically put jogging on the backburner for about 7 yrs. I'm now in So. Oregon and there just aren't organized fun runs like that here. There is absolutely NOTHING in my town and the only thing I can locate that is close is the Pear Blossom Run in Medford OR which is April. They have a 5K and a 10 mile run. I'm wanting to do the 10 mile run in April.

I do have Galloways book on Running that I have picked up after dusting it off! LOL So, it's great to hear a recommendation on his approach to training.

Thanks again for the input!

shornke

138 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

7. Sep 2, 2005 1:29 AM

in response to: Tammy38

mea culpa! Of course I meant 3 MONTHS.

Aug 29, 2005 12:40 PM

Realistic time frame to prepare for a first marathon

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