New to the scene. Where does one begin?

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3159 Views 6 Replies Latest reply: Dec 23, 2010 6:43 PM by Runpals2010

BetaReject

3 posts since
Sep 6, 2010

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Sep 16, 2010 7:51 PM

New to the scene. Where does one begin?

Hello!

As the title says am new to this marathon thing. I just signed up tonight after procrastinating for weeks about whether or not I could do it. Its been a dream of mine since I was a young teen to run one of these but after giving up competitive X-country in highschool I never imagined I'd ever find the courage to give it a go.

Its been years since I've ran much less done anything even close to this but as of recent I've been getting back into running and decided the time has come to realize my dream.

So on that note I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on how to go about training for a marathon? How does one work their way up to a 20+ mile run and on that note how to incorperate doing 20+mile training into an already busy daily schedule? Also how do you set up a schedule for something like this? I mean is it like run every other day and do other sorts of training in between? How do you go about it?

What sort of other related training do you suggest? Is circuit training the way to go? Or would yoga be a better answer? What about weights??

Am a completely n00b so any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Tags: training, new, question, beginner, marathon, newbie, beginning, advice, c25k

ShelbyinMontana
56 posts since
Aug 16, 2010

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1. Sep 18, 2010 6:54 AM (in response to BetaReject)
Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?

Wow! A 20 plus marathon is incredible! I can't really help with the training past C25K, but I've found that putting a day in between your run/walks are helpful. On my days off I either- go for at least a 20 minute bike ride, or condition(sit ups, push ups, planks, and a little weight lifting) Just enough so that I feel like I've at least accomplised something that day. Also I found out that when I take too many days off in between jogging it's more difficult, like my body has gotten used to resting and doesn't want to start right up. I'm sure you a little ways into the program by now since the post was from Sept 6th. How has it been going for you?

Shelby

"Through it all, each morning has patiently asked me, 'Why do you run today?' And over the course of the years, one simple answer has quietly become more clearly heard than all others: because I must."

-Dagny Scott

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flamomof 4
1,916 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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2. Sep 18, 2010 7:37 AM (in response to BetaReject)
Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?

http://marathontraining.com has a training guide to get you there. Good Luck!

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BetaReject
3 posts since
Sep 6, 2010

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3. Sep 18, 2010 2:07 PM (in response to ShelbyinMontana)
Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?

Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?
You know I wasn't even aware that there was a 25k race. I wonder if there is one where I live? I only signed up for the marathon because it was the only one I was aware of in the city I'm in (Winnipeg).

Thank you so much for your advice. I haven't been working out in the past week because of a work-related injury (buggered up my right knee and lower back) but had signed up for this as motivation not to give up. Its something I've wanted to do since I was in gr.7.

I admit I'm not too far ahead into the program at all though I have started running back in the early summer. I'm only at the 7mile mark so I have a very long ways to go *blushes*. Though am worried my stupid injury will set me back ¬__¬;

I don't suppose you have an advice for someone whose trying to ease back into the training while healing from a bum knee and back would you? Is it possible to go easy so as not to lose progress or will I only be worsening matters? Would yoga perhaps be worth a try until I can go full out again?

Anyways thanks again for tips and the advice and best of luck to you too on your goals and training!
You know I wasn't even aware that there was a 25k race. I wonder if there is one where I live? I only signed up for the marathon because it was the only one I was aware of in the city I'm in (Winnipeg).

Thank you so much for your advice. I haven't been working out in the past week because of a work-related injury (buggered up my right knee and lower back) but had signed up for this as motivation not to give up. Its something I've wanted to do since I was in gr.7.

I admit I'm not too far ahead into the program at all though I have started running back in the early summer. I'm only at the 7mile mark so I have a very long ways to go *blushes*. Though am worried my stupid injury will set me back ¬__¬;

I don't suppose you have an advice for someone whose trying to ease back into the training while healing from a bum knee and back would you? Is it possible to go easy so as not to lose progress or will I only be worsening matters? Would yoga perhaps be worth a try until I can go full out again?

Anyways thanks again for tips and the advice and best of luck to you too on your goals and training!

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BowieLinda
136 posts since
Jul 8, 2010

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4. Sep 18, 2010 4:03 PM (in response to BetaReject)
Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?

I'm confused. What is it that you signed up for? Do you mean you signed up for the CoolRunning forums, or do you mean you have a marathon event you are registered to run in coming up, or ....?

I wasn't running back then (rather, I was doing strength training, walking, and probably some aerobics or something like that), but I injured a knee fairly badly over ten years ago. I would not have wanted to start running very seriously at that point. I think exercise can be good rehabilitation, but I'm not so sure that for back and knee injuries, a marathon training program would be a first choice. But then, I am new to running, too.

I'd be sure and okay it with your doctor or physio. I know that many of these folks are not sports oriented, so you will probably want to consider their advice alongside how you actually feel and some advice from runners and other active people, probably here on the forums. But I'd be careful of making an injury worse, depending on technique and workload. Have you considered getting in some Pilates sessions? Pilates was INVENTED as a therapy for injuries, including back injuries, and the core work it involves definitely can't hurt any runner, or would-be-runner! I have done Pilates mat work and some equipment work, and I can enthusiastically recommend it to help with movement!

Some yoga poses can be great, some can be dangerous for your knees and back. Work with a good instructor who will warn you how to modify poses like that. Swimming can be good conditioning too, and I notice you can also do water exercises of other types, that probably can keep your muscles active without as much risk. Bicycling always seems to be mentioned as an option, for cross-training, but again, whether it's good for bum knee and back situations, I'm not so sure.

A lot of the people I "know" here, have used a training program like Jeff Galloway's, or the Couch to 5K (C25K) training regimen, to get into running or get back into it, but these progams all seem to assume that you're healthy and injury-free to start with. You have time, so if it's a question of pushing too hard and hurting yourself seriously, versus giving yourself time to heal and then resuming training, I don't know that I'd be too gung-ho.

Linda

C25K Training begun (Treadmill) 6/1/10); restarted 7/11/12

First run OUTDOORS - Club Fun Run 1.75 mile circuit time 26:06:72 on 7/29/10

Proud C25K Grad, 8/7/10

College Park Cares 5K Sponsored by Vecna Technologies, Inc. 9/25/10 44:04.4

Fell off of the regular running routine, experienced the DC Derecho Disaster, and now aiming to get back on track!

Future:

Jug Bay Run for Wildlife 5K 11/3/12

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BetaReject
3 posts since
Sep 6, 2010

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5. Sep 18, 2010 4:51 PM (in response to BowieLinda)
Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?

Oh sorry I meant signing up for the marathon (well cool running too I guess ^^).

Yeah that's what is confusing me. I really want to get back on track before my body falls back into the old habits and I lose all my progress but am uncertain what will help and what will make matters worse.

You know I never considered taking pilates. To be honest I actually thought it was a variant of yoga *blushes* I'll definitely look into it for sure -same with the water exercises. Though I think I'll take your advice and speak to a doctor about it first I'm actually heading in next week for a check up...

Thank you so much for the advice and information!

Jody

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Runpals2010
105 posts since
Dec 14, 2010

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6. Dec 23, 2010 6:43 PM (in response to BetaReject)
Re: New to the scene. Where does one begin?

Here's a link to a 18-week running program to help you prepare for your marathon.

Good Luck & Happy Running!

Believe you can do it. Think no other way but “Yes you can.”

The human body is capable of considerably more physical endurance than most of us realize.

(Let's be friends on Facebook!)

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