Training for a marathon (first timer) - Training

Body Talk

27/09/2011 at 22:15

Hi, this is my first post on this forum, and I would appreciate any form of advice you can give me.

I have never run a marathon before, and I am thinking of running my first one next year. Possibly the Edinburgh Marathon in May 2012.

In terms of my running background, I have been running regularly over the past 3-4 years but only over the past 12 months have gotten more serious. My PB for a 10K was 47 minutes (Marwell 10K, May 2011) and just this past Sunday I did my first ever half marathon, and my time was 1 hr 45 minutes (New Forest Half).

With this information in mind, do you think it's realistic for me to aim to run a full marathon by May next year? I try to run at least 3 times a week, and this is normally interspersed with regular weight training (whcih I do 3 times a week as well.)

Thanks.

Mr Puffy

27/09/2011 at 23:18

Very realistic, go for it!

Juggler234

27/09/2011 at 23:51

Absolutely! Take the challenge.

Also, if it's May 2012 and you can get a place, you still have plenty of time to build the necessary mileage -most first time marathon plans are about 16 weeks, and that's a good rule of thumb for preparing when coming off a decent running base. Also, you'll find plenty of advice on here if you do take the plunge and decide to go for it.

Well done on the half, btw!!!

Ghostrider

28/09/2011 at 06:44

I think i am of the same position as you Body Talk. Should i do a full marathon next year, having done half marathons, etc. I am going to leave it 12 months though, since in theory, anything is possible. Yes could train for a full marathon, but i want to repeat some of my halfs. It really is dependent on your determination, and what you really really want to do.

Body Talk

30/09/2011 at 11:04

I did it! I've now registered for the Edinburgh Marathon.

Si48

30/09/2011 at 21:38

Hi, I thought I'd join in on this discussion as I'm sort of in the same position too. I've applied for the London Marathon the last few years without any real expectation of getting a place so I thought about something different and am considering the Bath Beat which is a small walking / running event in April. Between now and then the only thing in plan is the Great South Run

young cowboy

30/09/2011 at 22:00

im in a similar position myself and aim to do loch ness marathon 2012,although at the moment i am recovering from sciatic problems in my left leg.

spoke to the physio again yesterday and she reckons i should be able to resume training again in 3 weeks.so my plan is to build my base fitness up again over the winter months,then target a few springtime half marathons,all going well after that and i can comfortably run 18 miles on a long run then i will enter loch ness 2012.

my reason for this is i wouldnt just be aiming to get round my first marathon,rather i would like to aim for aspecific time"sub 4 hopefully".

Body Talk i would say go for it ,you seem to have a decent running base to work from and if you really want to do it you will.

best of luck

legend777

08/10/2011 at 16:02

Anyone in a similar position to Body Talk should definitely go for it imo.

I did my first Marathon in April this year and at this point last year I hadn't run more than 10 miles and was only just about to attempt my first race (half marathon). Plus I was only running twice a week. Admittedly I really worked hard for 5/6 months leading up to the marathon but it sounds like most on here are in a very good position to go for it with just mileage increasing rather than number of runs.

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