To think there is no way my SIL will manage to run the marathon?

[edsheeransgingerbeard]

This will probably make me sound like a horrid unsupportive cow, which I'm not, honest!
We were all hugely surprised yesterday when SIL revealed that she has secured a charity London Marathon place. She currently does zero exercise, refuses to walk anything other than short distances as she finds it too much hard work, and is fairly unhealthy generally. She hasn't done any kind of running / jogging for over 20yrs (and never a marathon)
It is obviously fantastic that she wants to start training, and has a goal to aim for. But to go from zero to 26 miles in 4 months is madness, is it not?
I'm a huge lazy glutton right now. I have run a few half marathons over the last few years and I think I could probably get round a half marathon course by the end of April if I started training next week. But not a whole marathon.
AIBU to think that a very unfit person who does not exercise in any way at all can successfully train for a marathon in just over 4 months?

Well, I think hats off to anyone who does the London Marathon, whether they run, walk, or a bit of both. She's unlikely to run it all but so what? It's still a bloody long way to hobble around and if she does it (from doing nothing) then it's still a massive achievement. Get behind her OP.

I did the London Marathon in 2016 with zero training, not a runner at all. Just over six hours and I raised 5k.

(DH had died of cancer in 2014 whilst I was pregnant so people were keen to donate and I soon realised that training for marathon as a lone full time working parent with small DC was basically impossible).

I was fit-Ish and 35 years old. Bloody mindedness got me round. So yes, it's possible. You need the mental strength though.

I’m slightly fascinated by this actually.

If the aim is solely to finish - what is the best tactic for the SIL? Is it to start with couch to 5? Or would the SIL be best to focus on being able to walk 26 miles?

You have about 8 hours I think before the cut off point so would need to be just less than 20 minute miles (20 minute miles is a nice amble if walking on a pavement). So should be doable but 26 miles is just such a long way!

Yikes.

I think it's a terrible idea, because it's basically the Three Step Plan to Getting A Serious Injury.

It's not like everything heals all the way. Sometimes, you have a weak joint or something for the rest of your life, and this sounds exactly the way to get one.

Get her decent shoes and on that parkrun, pronto.

No chance, I’ve run countless half marathons, she doesn’t stand a chance.

Why don’t you encourage her and offer to go on some training runs with her?

OP, have you thought that training for this even if she doesn’t do it/doesn’t finish is still a good thing. You are trying to convince a lot of people here that you are not judging her or mocking her, but you really are.

If you weren’t judging you would wish her luck and move on, but instead you are calling her an unfit fool on the internet. At the end of the day, it has nothing to do with you or your fitness level, and quite frankly you sound a bit bitter about her goals.

Maybe you should put that energy into some goals of your own, instead of mocking other’s.

If she was 30 I'd think 50/50 chance of not doing herself permanent injury but aged 50? That said if she does gentle training from now until then who knows...

VLM is mostly a massive charity fund raiser, so good on her if she raises lots of £ for a good cause.

I doubt she would be able to get up to this distance to run it, or even pootle around, but maybe a walk/jog method would work AND get her training and fitter. Eg jog 1 mile, walk 1.

For the poster that said their partner had tried to get a ballot place for years - is he in a running club? My club gets given 2 places each year (we are a big club) which significant increases the odds of getting a place.

I did it 4 years ago. I am not a marathon runner (1/2 is my best distance) but I loved it. London at its very best.

Would people sponsor her though if they know she's just going to bluster her way around? I love sponsoring people but only the ones who put all the effort in as the training is the hard part.

Every year now it seems someone dies at the end or just after doing a marathon. I presume most of them are very inexperienced. Utterly ridiculous.

Jesus- my husband did it and started training in the September it takes a massive strain on fitness and what you eat. He did 4.57 on his first one and 3.40 for his second

My mate did it. We started training together, got up to 5k. I dropped out and went bk to the cake and she did the bloody marathon. Mental.

If she was 30 I'd think 50/50 chance of not doing herself permanent injury but aged 50? That said if she does gentle training from now until then who knows...

Frankly, I think this is one of those where it is better not to try than to try and fail! I know that's not fashionable these days, but sometimes you do have something to lose by having a go.

Meh, have a look at the K2B. That's a 40 mile walk mainly uphill........some run it In a couple of hours.

They also have a smaller walk, on the same day that joins half way. The C2B which is 21 miles of uphill, Cumbrian terrain. This one is very popular with children and families. I myself completed it when I was 22 stone and whilst used to walking I'd be lying if I said I was fit. It took me 9 hours in total. I don't get why they make such a thing of the London marathon, it isn't that arduous in all honesty. And I don't see any reason why your sil won't complete it.

Good on her! Post the fundraising link please when you get it

If she was 30 I'd think 50/50 chance of not doing herself permanent injury

The point that most posters on this thread are missing is that it doesn't matter one bit what other people think. If the OP's sister believes she can do it, then she can. The person I know was in a very similar situation (she was very obese) but she wanted to do it enough and she succeeded without any injuries!

I've done London a couple of times. In fact it was my first marathon. And I was the same - sofa to marathon distance in 4 months.

So to everyone saying it's not possible? I beg to disagree. She'll not exactly be setting the world on fire timewise and giving the elites a race, but she'll be in there and has every chance of finishing if she does some training.

Like I said, London was my first and of all the races I've done it remains a great love affair for me - it's the best party in the world and the crowds are immense.

Just support her in her journey - if she's doing it for charity then there's usually an element of 'personal underwriting' for the fundraising too so she needs to be aware of that - she can't just suddenly decide she doesn't want to do it.

@bee222, @TheOrigFV45

It's something like 1 marathon place for every 100 UK affiliated members. So better odds than the ballot but still not fantastic. Having said that, our club has certain criteria to be considered that not all members will meet, e.g. being able to run a half marathon already and having applied for the ballot that year.

Some smaller charities have a lower amount that you need to raise. The big boys are always in demand so can set the bar a bit higher.

I found it really helpful to have someone to train with. Those long runs can be pretty dull otherwise. It requires a lot of dedication. Sounds like you are genuinely worried OP rather than just being judgy. Best thing you can do is be supportive for now though.

I don’t think it sounds possible either. You’re only supposed to increase your distance by 10% (I think) each week to prevent injury so I definitely wouldn’t go from nothing to 26 miles. Well I couldn’t as my knees wouldn’t be happy and I get bored well before reaching 5k.
There would be a few people that could do it so fingers crossed!

@FoamingAtTheUterus I just Googled it. The record was set in 1982 at 3hrs and 59mins, so no one has completed it "in a couple of hours"! I know what humans are capable of. The Inca trail is the same length as a marathon but is super hilly and at significant altitude, and porters run it in sandals in three hours. I think you're being disingenuous by saying the London marathon isn't that arduous.

Is it possible to defer to next year? 16 months would be more realistic for someone with such poor starting fitness.

Justontherightsideofnormal Why doesn't your husband just run a sub 2:45 marathon. He'd get an automatic championship place negating the need to deal with the indignities for vying for a ballot place with lesser mortals.

Rowena, ligaments, muscle-tears, joints, and long-term tissue inflammation don't care what anyone thinks.

I wish this unknown woman well, as I'm sure most do; it won't profit me if she develops an injury. Nevertheless, slow training starting now for a marathon in 2021 would still be lower risk for running injuries.

ligaments, muscle-tears, joints, and long-term tissue inflammation don't care what anyone thinks.

The same can be said of someone who trains and runs marathons frequently. I know one marathon runner who has run over fifty marathons and has all the above issues. I know one person who went from zero to a full marathon in months who didn't sustain any injuries. Pain yes and a tremendous high afterwards but no injuries have come to light to date.