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Is anyone training for a marathon?

108 replies

imamearcat · 27/03/2021 20:55

I'm training for a marathon in July, got a couple of halves coming up too.

Anyone else? It's my first so would love to get any tips?

OP posts:
fellrunner85 · 28/03/2021 10:10

Of course, @wingbingo - happy to help! Is it your first marathon?

Firstly, your training at the moment sounds good, but I'd suggest adding in an extra run; a 3 or 4 mile recovery run, the day after your long run. Make it easy pace (at least as slow as your long run) and flattish. The aim is to ease out those muscles and stop you stiffening up, while getting some more all-important mileage in.

Second tip really depends on what your aim is. If your aim is just to finish, then disregard this. But if you're aiming for a certain time, then make sure you incorporate running at that marathon pace into your long runs (5 miles in the middle will do!) That's because, as I've learned myself in the past, you cant expect to do all your training at, say, 9 min miles and then run 8 min miles on the day. You'll blow up and it will hurt Grin

Next tip is a key one - the Big Five. Make sure you do at least 5 training runs of 18 miles or longer. You're getting your body used to spending a lot of time on feet. If your long runs are at 10 min mile pace then that's around 3 hours, which is a good length of time to also experiment with fuelling..

...which brings me to the next point. Fuel! Experiment on your long runs and see what works for you. Most people can get around a half marathon on no extra fuel, but a marathon is an entirely different beast. You need to get used to taking on fuel while you're moving, so try various options and see what suits you best. Then, most importantly, do this on race day! Again, I've fallen foul of this before as I thought it would be easier to have the gels provided at the event rather than the ones I wad used to. I threw up everywhere and ran a terrible time. Would not recommend!

Finally - do not underestimate the distance. In my experience, a 10k is roughly twice as hard as a 5k, and a half is roughly as hard as a 10k. A full marathon is 3 or 4 times as hard as a half. They say the race starts at 20 miles and, when you get there, you'll know why. You learn things about resilience and strength at miles 22/23 of a marathon that you never knew you had in you. This is a good thing! But it needs prepping for - hence the (at least) 5 long runs , and the organised approach to fuelling.

I've run several marathons, some slow mountain ones and some fast road ones. It's truly an amazing experience. Good luck to everyone doing their first!

WingBingo · 28/03/2021 09:44

@fellrunner85 I often notice you on running threads and you give good advice. Any to share?

I am doing two 5 miles in the week and incorporate speed work then a long run at a steady pace, 10 minute miles, sometimes slower as it is very hilly where I am.

fellrunner85 · 28/03/2021 09:26

Sounds like you are both on track

I'm not sure tbh - after a year off from proper speed training, I think I'll find it hard to hit the pace I want. I know I've got until October but I do struggle to train fast on my own, and have missed the structure of a running club.

What are your goals - a certain time, or just to finish?

WingBingo · 28/03/2021 09:08

I am in October. I’m currently on 10 miles for my long run. Going out to do 11 today

I run 20 -30 miles per week so a good base to start from.

It’s tempting to run further today as I have done 15 miles before but I’ll stick to to plan and only increase my long run by 10%

I can recommend the book How to Run a Marathon by Vassos Alexander. There are some really good tips that have helped so far.

Investing in proper running socks was a worthwhile investment.

Good luck to all training.

Wildlynx · 28/03/2021 09:06

I'm contemplating to keep on going and doing a 'virtual' marathon just for the hell of it. I'm doing a virtual lejog challenge and have run nearly 400 miles so far this year, longest being 15.5m. This is way more running than I thought I'd ever do and think may monopolise on it and keep going! But currently feeling it with shin splints I think so need to be careful, I'm also loosely following intermittent fasting on 4/20 which doesn't really work with long run fueling... I've got 2 trail halves booked in for June which should be fine albeit they're very hilly ones!

imamearcat · 27/03/2021 23:42

Hi guys! Sounds like you are both on track!

I'm doing good, I'm comfortable at 1/2 distance but never really gone much further. Just trying to get the balance of pace/distance etc.

OP posts:
fellrunner85 · 27/03/2021 22:32

Yeah, I'm in marathon training - I'm doing one in October. At the moment I'm not doing any formal training but generally run 5-6 times a week, one of which is a long run.

GoWalkabout · 27/03/2021 21:15

Hi, I registered for the virtual London Marathon in October - I have done lots of half's many years ago and it's been on my bucket list so I thought maybe this was the year. I don't really care that it's virtual, as I had been thinking of doing it that way. My plan is to do a 16 week Marathon training plan starting in June, so at the moment I am just concentrating on running three times a week and building back up to a 10k weekend run. I did 4 miles today. I do three Les Mills half hour workouts a week too, for strength.
How is your training going? How many runs a week are you doing?
My main thoughts are not to increase distance too quickly so as to avoid injury. I struggle to increase pace anyway so increasing pace too quickly is not an issue for me!

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