I want to do a marathon - Spring Marathon

Bugmond

11/09/2002 at 17:57

I currently class myself as a "casual runner", I can run 10k and am relatively fit (cycle everyday to work etc.) but would like to do the Flora Marathon.
Firstly, how long do I need to train to be able to finish a half-marathon (I believe you have to have one of these under your belt first), and then how long to be able to finish a marathon comfortably (I'm not aiming for a brilliant time, just want to enjoy it).

Plodding Hippo

11/09/2002 at 20:47

You dont need a half marathon, but i expect it helps
Id only really done a 10k before mine, though did maybe 12 miles in training
Apparently 16 weeks i=s long enough

Iron SwissBobby pirate

pirate

12/09/2002 at 07:20

Latt year I started training 11 weeks before the FLM and completed it in 4:18:59 Hope to see you at the start. SB

snailpace

12/09/2002 at 13:29

Hi - I am trying to decide whether to enter the ballot for the marathon in 2003 - I know there is only a limited chance I will get in, but I wanted some advice on whether it is achieveable. I have done one 10k and am doing the Nike one in a few weeks - I have also done a couple of 5k runs this year. Other than that, I am pretty much a beginner and when I have mentioned the idea of marathons to friends/colleagues they have reacted as if I must be mad. Do you think that someone like me should attempt to do a marathon?

cougie

pirate

12/09/2002 at 14:03

Go for it Karen - it's really not as hard as people think. Just build up your miles progressively, and get a few 20 mile runs in beforehand.

See you there !

running blade

12/09/2002 at 22:00

my best suggestion is to use the runnersworld pacers

zoeyboey

13/09/2002 at 09:14

Leading on from Nigel's comment about runners world pacers - i heard they are really fast so for those people who are likely to do the marathon slowly there isnt a pacer slow enough. Is that true? the same applies to the GNR

Zoe

Mr A

13/09/2002 at 09:40

Zoe,

They do have a "Get You Round Group" which aims for around 5 hours in the FLM. I know - they overtook me last year!

Peter Gray

13/09/2002 at 17:49

Try to do a LDWA Challenge Event or two during the Winter as a build up for your first marathon. They are great fun and well organised with plenty of refreshment stops and they do not seem like training
Full details can be found on WWW.LDWA.ORG.UK
Events are held every weekend and all over the country

Trogs.

pirate

13/09/2002 at 23:06

I started running from scratch in Jun01 with the aim of completing FLM 02. In Oct01, with a previous maximum distance of 6miles, I completed the Great South Run (10miles).

Didn't do a great deal of running Oct-Dec then got rejected in ballot and went for golden bond place.

Started loosely following RW training schedules in January (which include a half marathon in around Feb/Mar)and successfully completed FLM in 4.58.01 AND enjoyed it.

I was training three to four days per week, mostly steady runs, no fancy speed work or anything, just 4-5 miles three times per week and one steadily increasing long run.

I read that if you can do 10miles by Christmas you can be ready for FLM in April.

Go for it and enjoy. Hope to see you there.

Oh and by the way, you'll get massive support on this forum which I suspect will get increasingly busy from December onwards!

Dangly Spice

14/09/2002 at 14:35

Some people don't even start to train for the FLM until January as a new year resolution, so if you are starting now, you have a head start. Take it easy and you will be able to do it.

Plodding Hippo

14/09/2002 at 16:29

I WALKED at least half my marathon and still finished in 6 hours
You can do it!

Morris

14/09/2002 at 18:03

Go for it Karen,negative comments from those doubters around you should be all the incentive you need. Try following one of Runners Worlds schedules.
Are there any running clubs near you,can be a big help on those long runs at the weekend.Best of luck, you can do it.

Fluffa

15/09/2002 at 10:53

totally agree with everyone....you can do it....also the atmosphere in a race like flm is so good you'll probably end up doing a lot better than you think...it's a real shared experience....
i ran my first marathon a year after starting running, and the longest run i'd done before it was only about 14 or 15 miles.....i got quite an ok time and all i had at the end were sore knees and orange feet! you'll have to get used to eating and drinking whilst out training, and also get mentally used to the idea of how far it is....

Deb Bunt

15/09/2002 at 21:39

I agree! Go for it! I re-started running in March for a local 5K and am now about to do my first ever half marathon (Guildford if anyone wants to wave to me!) and have applied for the London marathon. Just build those miles up and you'll be there!

Chaos

16/09/2002 at 09:28

Others always say you're mad when you mention the marathon!

I always point out that 80+ year olds & people with one-leg manage it when they say they could never do it.

Plodding Hippo

16/09/2002 at 11:13

Noone tells you about the toenails though
My big toenail is now an attractive shade of blue

Mr A

16/09/2002 at 11:59

Now I'm confused. I ran the FLM in '01: Fluffa got orange feet and benz got blue toes. I feel like I'm missing out - I had none of this.....

Bugmond

16/09/2002 at 12:06

Ha, ha..you are all crazy, giving me a good giggle but loads of encouragement too. I'm so inspired now that I know it is within my reach (she says until those rainy cold mornings when it doesn't seem so heroic after all). Thanks for all the info and help, all I've got to do now is buy some orange socks and blue nail polish (for camouflage) and I'm away.

Plodding Hippo

16/09/2002 at 14:45

Cos when you do a marathon youre in rainbow land------