If I regularly run 10k, can I prepare for a marathon in 2 weeks?

[54321nought]

I've been offered a place in a marathon in 2 weeks time, which I want to take, but realistically, I am not sure I can finish it within the time limit ( 6 hours)

Any advice on diet and training to give myself the best shot?

Have you run longer distances in the past?

I used to run regular half marathons, at around 1.50 pace, and it took me another three months to prepare for a full marathon, which I did in 4 hrs 7 mins.

You are definitely pushing it to want to quadruple distance in a fortnight. Marathon running is very different from 10k running.

You might get round but whether in 6 hours? How fast do u run 10k? Have you ever run further?

What do you count as "regularly"?

I would think you would struggle to run it all but maybe a combination of walk / run? Have you ever done that sort of distance before?

@MacavityTheDentistsCat

What do you count as "regularly"?

a couple of times a week

What's your general fitness like, do you do any other sports? What's your 10k time usually?

That might help decide whether you can actually finish, or within the time.

It's definitely not a great idea and has a good chance of ending in injury unless you're generally pretty fit.

Forget about training or diet at this stage though - realistically there's not much you can do

@iloveruby

I would think you would struggle to run it all but maybe a combination of walk / run? Have you ever done that sort of distance before?

Yes, I have run marathons before, but the last one was more than 5 years ago.

I am intending to walk/run and am very open to suggestions about how to structure this

@Dogscanteatonions

What's your general fitness like, do you do any other sports? What's your 10k time usually?

That might help decide whether you can actually finish, or within the time.

It's definitely not a great idea and has a good chance of ending in injury unless you're generally pretty fit.

Forget about training or diet at this stage though - realistically there's not much you can do

10 k time around 55 minutes

No other sport

How fast do you run 10k?
Its relevant because if you say run at 9.30 min miles you might find running at 12 min miles easy even if you've never run a long way and as such you might be able to run half, or even more before you need to walk.

But to be honest, running a marathon with no training is not only a BIG ask but a bit stupid as you'll likely injure yourself and lose your mind on route.

Most important things are training, fuelling right and being very hydrated.

Maybe try and run a very slow flat half- i.e. just under 3 hours this weekend and see what you think.

If you think I could never do that again x2 next week you have the answer. If yiu think you can don't run more than 2 times before the M 3 or 4 miles only.

Even proper plans take weeks to build up to big long runs.

I know someone who ran 10ks a few times a week and swam, who literally just ran a marathon with no prep — this was a long time ago, when race ID stuff was a lot less uniform and tight, and his friend dropped out the night before the Paris marathon, so he took his place. He got round — can’t remember his time, but pretty respectable — but ended up with a stress fracture and a horrible recovery that involved huge amounts of physio.

I think it would be technically feasible if you did walk run, but you would almost certainly end up with knee or hip injuries. And that would knock out the 10ks too.

I personally wouldn't do it. Any chance you can run for those offering at another time? When you have the time to train for it adequately and safely

Sorry cross posted.
Run walk is possible but that distance i think you be better running as long as you can then run walking.
If you slow it right down yiu may have capacity to finish in time. Don't be fooled into doing your 10k pace - it won't work

Generally speaking, a marathon runner would be tapering in the last two weeks before a race and not ramping up so at this late stage I think what you actually need to consider is your best race strategy to get you round in the available time with as little trauma as possible. I think I would look at a deliberate run/walk approach right from the start of the race so as to "eek out" your running capabilities over the whole race. If later in the race you find yourself holding up better than expected, you can always ramp up the running contingent.

Maybe try and run a very slow flat half- i.e. just under 3 hours this weekend and see what you think.

I'll try that

If yiu think you can don't run more than 2 times before the M 3 or 4 miles only.

can you explain what this means please

It's really really not a great idea if you only run up to 10k and do no other sport, your base fitness isn't going to be near what it needs to be and the chance of injury very high. There's loads of races out there - just pick another one.

If you're adamant then consider adopting a run/walk strategy early on

@MacavityTheDentistsCat

Generally speaking, a marathon runner would be tapering in the last two weeks before a race and not ramping up so at this late stage I think what you actually need to consider is your best race strategy to get you round in the available time with as little trauma as possible. I think I would look at a deliberate run/walk approach right from the start of the race so as to "eek out" your running capabilities over the whole race. If later in the race you find yourself holding up better than expected, you can always ramp up the running contingent.

Thank you

Sorry speillng errors

If you can manage a slow half and feel you will give the marathon a try, only run once or twice in the week before the marathon and only 3 or 4 miles each time. There is no need to do big milage the week before.

But, honestly, I think you should think carefully about potential injury. Its not just feeling achy, it could be serious with a long recuperation.

And when I say run walk I mean something like run 60 walk 30 (seconds)

An alternative viewpoint - if you have at least a base level of fitness / running experience you’ve not a massive amount to lose by giving it a spin. You’ll be sore afterwards but no more likely to be actually injured than a fit runner running hard and what’s worse case if you have to walk off the course at 20 miles as long as it’s somewhere with sensible bailout options.

Training wise a few 10ks will help running conditioning wise a bit but won’t get you marathon fit. I’m might be tempted to try to fit in one run / walk 10 miler before if that’s your plan for race day.

@Boomboomboomboom

Sorry speillng errors

If you can manage a slow half and feel you will give the marathon a try, only run once or twice in the week before the marathon and only 3 or 4 miles each time. There is no need to do big milage the week before.

But, honestly, I think you should think carefully about potential injury. Its not just feeling achy, it could be serious with a long recuperation.

ok, thanks

@Dogscanteatonions

And when I say run walk I mean something like run 60 walk 30 (seconds)

thanks

@CCSA

An alternative viewpoint - if you have at least a base level of fitness / running experience you’ve not a massive amount to lose by giving it a spin. You’ll be sore afterwards but no more likely to be actually injured than a fit runner running hard and what’s worse case if you have to walk off the course at 20 miles as long as it’s somewhere with sensible bailout options.

Training wise a few 10ks will help running conditioning wise a bit but won’t get you marathon fit. I’m might be tempted to try to fit in one run / walk 10 miler before if that’s your plan for race day.

yes, its a very well organised event, so plenty of support for drop outs

lots of ideas and suggestions here, thank you