To run marathons if not in goal shape?

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L Train

18 posts since
Oct 14, 2007

Jun 21, 2007 3:53 PM

To run marathons if not in goal shape?

Without trying to make this too long, earlier this spring I posted "BQ in 2014" which is my current running goal. People look at me funny and laugh, and a few here said this was a very conservative goal, but that's what it is (unless I surpass it). That's the year I will be 45 and 3:30 (8:00 pace)will qualify me.

Over the last year, I've been both building (and then maintaining) mileage and focusing on shorter races (10 mile, 1/2 marathons and a 5K). My times have improved dramatically (for me), and I'm pretty confident I can run 10 miles at the 8:00 pace, which I couldn't have dreamed even a year ago.

I am at about 40 MPW, and before people post to increase my mileage, I doubt I will ever really run over 50 MPW (for several reasons) except at peak marathon training.

Because I have been training hard (for me) I'm getting the itch to test (and reward) myself with a fall marathon. However, I know I'm nowhere near my goal time (goal would probably be a 3:55 or so).

My question is this. If my long term goal is still several years away, and I'm nowhere near my goal time, is it beneficial for me (in regards to the long term goal) to train and run a marathon at this point? Or, am I better off (risking less injury, less recovery time after, etc) just logging my miles, running up to 15s in my long runs every other week or so until I build my fitness to closer to goal pace?

joev9

490 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Jun 21, 2007 4:35 PM

in response to: L Train

interesting question. IF your only reason to run a marathon is to qualify for Boston, then wait. run races up to 1/2s, get fitter and when you are ready go for it. IF you think you might like running marathons, then give one a try.

personally, i don't see myself running more than a few marathons, so my goal is to BQ (first try would be a dream come true), run Boston then that might be it. so, i'm finally running my first marathon this fall after running shorter races and building fitness (my equivalent times are right around my BQ time) for four years. i know i could have finished a marathon in year 2, but that's not what i really wanted to do.

who knows though, maybe i will really like the marathon distance and run many of them...

DAVIDR262

46 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

2. Jun 21, 2007 4:48 PM

in response to: L Train

quote:<HR>Originally posted by joev9:

personally, i don't see myself running more than a few marathons, so my goal is to BQ (first try would be a dream come true), run Boston then that might be it. so, i'm finally running my first marathon this fall after running shorter races and building fitness (my equivalent times are right around my BQ time) for four years. i know i could have finished a marathon in year 2, but that's not what i really wanted to do.

who knows though, maybe i will really like the marathon distance and run many of them...[/B]<HR>

I ran my first Marathon 3 years ago and said that would be it. In fact I have said that after all 5 of my marathons. My last being Boston of this year. I will be running one this fall and Boston again next year. For sure that will be my last (Yeah, Right). Good Luck

RunForFun001

776 posts since
Jan 25, 2007

3. Jun 21, 2007 5:57 PM

in response to: L Train

I would say yes - Run one a year - the experience you gain will be priceless. 40-50 MPW is plenty of mileage to run a marathon - Its just how you package that mileage in training.

If you goal is revolving around a marathon - even far out - why not get the experience.

milkbaby004

464 posts since
Jul 28, 2003

4. Jun 21, 2007 7:10 PM

in response to: L Train

Yes to running a marathon! Nothing can ever take the place of hard-won experience. Nothing that you can read or any advice you can receive will be more valuable than the personal experience you gain from running the race.

Also, who knows, maybe you will just enjoy running marathons and running them will become more important to you than achieving a BQ.

L Train

18 posts since
Oct 14, 2007

5. Jun 21, 2007 8:08 PM

in response to: L Train

Thanks for the responses. I neglected to post and should have written that I have run 2 marathons already, both great experiences but poor results. 4:59 in the first where I was completely undertrained and 4:28 in the second when I was just a little bit better than completely undertrained. Like I said, I'm pretty comfortable with a sub 4:00 goal at this point, but not sure if it gains me anything in the big picture.

RunForFun001

776 posts since
Jan 25, 2007

6. Jun 21, 2007 8:15 PM

in response to: L Train

If in shape its easy to run a marathon - The hard thing is to figure out how to run a good marathon. My definition of good is if you are in physical shape to run a 3:45 marathon - How close to 3:45 can you come. If you are physically able to run a 3:45 marathon and run a 4:15 you might not learn much.

RunLongVT

163 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

7. Jun 22, 2007 12:57 PM

in response to: L Train

Definitely! Run one or two a year whenever you can! You will learn very valuable things about your body in regards to its response to training, the milage, food, chafing, and the like. Moreover, while Boston may be your long-term goal, other marathons are wonderful experiences,too! How will you know how truly special Boston is if you don't run other races, too?

Dana Becker

392 posts since
Nov 20, 2007

8. Jun 22, 2007 1:25 PM

in response to: L Train

If you really can run 10 miles at an 8:00 pace, then with proper conditioning (which, if you are at 40 mpw, wouldn't be a lot more generally speaking) then that equates to a 3:44 marathon pace on McMillian's calculater.

I say run a marathon or two. The experience from the 2 I've run this year will help me tremendously when going for my BQ this fall. Plus you will learn more about recovery, fueling, and what it really feels like to race 26.2 miles.

But really....I don't think you are giving yourself enough credit. You aren't that far from your goal time at all. If you continue to put in 40 mpw and then train for a marathon or two, you might qualify much sooner than you think, even with the faster required time.

Life is too short to wait that many years to at least run your first marathon. You might hate it, and then wonder why you had this goal for 6 years. Or, you might discover you love it, and begin running them for other reasons besides just a BQ.

Jim Sullivan032

516 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

9. Jun 22, 2007 2:16 PM

in response to: L Train

quote:<HR>Originally posted by RunLongVT:
Definitely! Run one or two a year whenever you can!<HR>

Well, let's not overdo it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to discourage anyone from attempting the distance. But, if you end up doing multiple marathons every year, you risk falling into a trap where you're always either training for a marathon or recovering from one.

Aside from the possibilty of injury or burnout, you may miss out on a lot of other valuable racing experiences, or never explore your full potential.

People should go for it, but hopefully without becoming obsessive.

spankee

421 posts since
Nov 4, 2005

10. Jun 22, 2007 4:15 PM

in response to: L Train

I would run one marathon a year or every 18 months to continue to give your body the challenge that training for that distance brings. During the first running boom, the majority ran only one marathon a year. I agree with Jim S. that running too many could get you into a training--recovery--injury trap. One every once in awhile might avoid that...but give you the knowledge that comes with running more. You could always set interim goals to bring the gap between PB and BQ down a bit. There is nothing wrong in my mind in training and running a 4 hr marathon. You finished two marathons---neither of which you trained adequately for. Your mileage is plenty to run a marathon---shape it into a training plan with critical runs etc... and then run a marathon. You will get a lot more than the finishers t-shirt out of that experience. I also like the half-marathon idea to give you some interim goals. Not sure I would be running in 2014 if that was when my next race was scheduled. I need the races to motivate...and they give you great ideas regarding pace and race management.

Good luck.

------------------
The longest journey starts with a single step

L Train

18 posts since
Oct 14, 2007

11. Jun 23, 2007 7:47 AM

in response to: L Train

Thanks everybody. It seems the consensus is that it is beneficial to run the marathon even if not in goal shape. I can see the logic in giving my body the experience of running that mile 22 and up, since I wouldn't be training at that distance anyway.

It would definitely not be more than 1 marathon per year, and I have some standard other races; 2 or 3 1/2's, a 20 miler, a 10 mile, 7 mile and some 5Ks, so I still get to race to test myself.

It sounds silly, but I just wasn't sure that running a marathon would necessarily make me a better marathon runner.

As far as shaping my training into a plan, a typical week is something like 10,5,8,13,5, with the 10 being a partial tempo run, the 8 being either tough hills or tempo and the other miles being easy. I've lost about 20 pounds in 5 months without really trying (203 to 182), though I seem to have leveled off now. My body feels much different than a year ago. A 10-13 mile easy run really is easy now versus a year ago, which makes me feel like I'm moving in the right direction.

Brian McN

240 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

12. Jun 25, 2007 5:42 PM

in response to: L Train

I hope you do it. I don't even know if I'll be alive in 2014 so I'm training for a Marathon this Fall. I have a better shot at being around for that one. Give yourself a break and go for little goals in the meantime. Focus on getting a little faster for each one.

Jun 21, 2007 3:53 PM

To run marathons if not in goal shape?

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