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Click to view mdhc500's profile Rookie 7 posts since
Feb 15, 2006

Oct 3, 2007 2:14 PM

Train to "finish" a Marathon in 30 days....

Hello,

Dont laugh, or make fun of me, but I have a question that I almost know better than to ask...

I am an avid runner, I have been a runner for several years. My last 5K was less than 20 minutes, and I have completed (1) 1/2 distance Marathon, and several sprint and off road triathlons this season. My question is;

Can I train sufficiently to complete a Marathon at the end of November? My goal would be to finish, so long as its less than 4 hours... 3:58 would be okay, but if I could not run a sub-4, I just as soon not run...

I am used to running 5+ miles 4 days per week, with an 8 or 10 miles on weekends, plus I cross train heavily on the bike and in the water...

Am I just dreaming, or is this possible?

Thanks,
MD
Click to view mrinertia's profile Legend 1,356 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
1. Oct 3, 2007 2:16 PM in response to: mdhc500
Possibly, although probably a bad idea. What was your training like leading uo to your half? What kind of time did you turn in on your half?
Click to view IceStorm213's profile Legend 354 posts since
Nov 1, 2005
2. Oct 3, 2007 2:18 PM in response to: mdhc500
Anybody can finish a marathon in 30 days. That's less than a mile a day.
Click to view Kevin E. Stroud's profile Legend 512 posts since
Oct 27, 2007
4. Dec 26, 2007 6:40 AM in response to: mdhc500
mdhc500,

So how long ago was that 5K? And how long ago was that HM?

The last weekend in November is 24/25 - which is 7 1/2 weeks from now - so I gotta tell ya, buddy - I give it very thin odds that in those weeks you can ramp up the distance to not finish in a death march - which almost assuredly puts you over 4 hours - unless you've got QUITE a base and some very good very recent race results.

RESPECT THE DISTANCE!

Whatever your choice - have fun though - and don't let somebody telling you can't, deter you from trying!!!

kestrou

http://This message has been edited by kestrou (edited Oct-03-2007).
Click to view mrinertia's profile Legend 1,356 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Oct 3, 2007 3:27 PM in response to: mdhc500
I think it's a bad idea.
Click to view jingchunyu's profile Pro 66 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
6. Oct 3, 2007 3:41 PM in response to: mdhc500
A person told me that he run NYC marathon and finished it and he never run longer than 5 miles before that.
Click to view mrinertia's profile Legend 1,356 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
7. Oct 3, 2007 3:46 PM in response to: mdhc500
quote:<HR>Originally posted by jingchunyu:
A person told me that he run NYC marathon and finished it and he never run longer than 5 miles before that.

<HR>


I know someone who told me he had an uncle who had been hit by lightning 7 times.

Lance ran NYC after running up to 14 or so miles. He finished in excruciating pain, saying "never again"

Can it be done? Possibly, I just don't think it's a good idea.
Click to view VictorN's profile Legend 406 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
8. Oct 3, 2007 4:30 PM in response to: mdhc500
So why do you want to run this marathon instead of waiting till you can train properly?

Yes, it is possible. You would need to ramp up your mileage rapidly. That would put a lot of stress on your body and increase your chance of injury. Assuming you make it through training, you also have a increased chance of injury while running the marathon.

Is it worth the risk? Do you want to risk getting ITBS or some other injury that takes you out for a few months?

Victor


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www.competitiverunner.com[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view oguzkesimli's profile Pro 79 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
9. Oct 3, 2007 5:44 PM in response to: mdhc500
I agree that it is not a good idea, but I managed it taking the risk.

I've done that in 2004. After 3 months of complete lay-off, I started training for a fall Marathon 40 days later. I had gained weight while inactive and the first day I felt like a turtle, covering only 10k in 1 hour with difficulty.

My plan was to run a LR every 3 or 4 days; increasing duration 15 to 20 minutes each time. I started with 90 min and at the end of 30 days, I was able to run 40k in 4 hours easily. In between days, I ran for recovery, 30-60 min, doubling if feeling strong. My only objective was the duration of the long runs, I have paid no attention to pace, just easy running. I ran mostly on soft surface, like dirt roads.

I ran 3hr40min, with decent pacing. It is possible.
Click to view ATLrunner's profile Pro 159 posts since
Sep 4, 2007
10. Oct 3, 2007 6:57 PM in response to: mdhc500
It's definitely possible. I know a guy who's almost 50 and ran a 3:15 last year on a peak of only 45 mpw. So you're used to doing 10 miles? Try 16 this weekend. You'll have a much better idea afterwards.
Click to view figbash's profile Legend 620 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
11. Oct 3, 2007 7:01 PM in response to: mdhc500
If you can run a sub 20 minute 5K, you can run a sub 4 hour marathon, but not with only six weeks of training. What's the allure of this particular marathon? There are many out there to choose from. Why not pick one a bit farther out so you can properly prepare for it? Most people who do a marathon never do another so you may as well give your first one your best effort.

Tom

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My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">
My Running Log[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view ATLrunner's profile Pro 159 posts since
Sep 4, 2007
12. Oct 3, 2007 7:03 PM in response to: mdhc500
I should probably also add that one of my buddies got it into his head to run Boston as a bandit this past year just a month before the race. He ran 35-40 mpw but had never run more than 9 or 10 miles in a single run. So he went out that weekend and did 20 at a solid pace. He had no lingering effects, and even kicked my a$$ in a workout 2 days later when I was sure his legs would be dead. The next weekend I ran 14 with him to help keep him going. That was enough for me, but he did another 7 miles at under 7:00 pace. Still felt great. The next weekend, he had a bad case of ITBS.
Click to view FatHappyRunner's profile Pro 168 posts since
Sep 22, 2005
13. Oct 3, 2007 7:10 PM in response to: mdhc500
Shoot, forget the marathon. How bout one of them 100 milers. I'm sure you (or your friend) can train for that in a couple of months.

I say, GO FOR IT.
Click to view RunnersHigh's profile Legend 259 posts since
Nov 24, 2006
14. Oct 3, 2007 7:13 PM in response to: mdhc500
Like others have said before me, yes it is possible. But I think that given your fitness level with biking, swimming and a long run of 12miles on the weekend that YOU CAN DO IT and without getting injured given your time goal and probable good aerobic base. If you truly are fit and you HAVE TO do a marathon the last week of November because your life depended on it, I would do this schedule:
Sundays
10/7- 14 miles
10/14- 16 miles
10/21- 18 miles
10/28- 20 miles
11/4- 10 miles
11/11- 20 miles
11/18- 8 miles
11-25- Race

Don't increase your weekly miles at all. That will only contribute to your chance of getting injured. Keep up your biking, the low impact cardio will help. Your goal would be to finish the marathon, not race it. I've done it MANY times. Now I'm not saying that it's going to be easy, but it is possible and I believe you can do it without injury since you are already in great shape. You are aren't you???