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Original poster

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

272 replies

54321nought · 19/08/2021 21:36

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?

OP posts:
LactoseTheIntolerant · 19/08/2021 22:01

I think as you've run a marathon before you know what your letting yourself in for. I just wouldn't push it too hard and accept my time might not be great but soak up the atmosphere, and then book yourself a massage for the day after!

Wnikat · 19/08/2021 22:02

You might finish it but it will be agony.

rainbowloveyou · 19/08/2021 22:03

To be honest, what's the point? It's unlikely to be an enjoyable experience. The event itself will be long and uncomfortable at best, with a very high chance of getting an ongoing injury.

It's a distance that really needs respecting and taken seriously. If it was a half marathon, i'd say to give it a go, but with a full marathon you're asking for trouble, even if you don't get an actual injury you'll be sore for a week and likely feel run down, on top of chafing/blisters etc.

Sorry to be harsh, but if you really want to do one, enter one in at least 3-4 months away and do it justice.

KohlaParasanda · 19/08/2021 22:03

It's unlikely to be the fastest or prettiest marathon performance that you're capable of, but if you're running 10k in 55 minutes twice a week in training I reckon you can do a marathon in under 6 hours. It will go from feeling comfortable to feeling horrible at some point and you'll hurt afterwards, but provided you're starting off fit and uninjured it's not a ridiculous idea. I hope you have a good race.

BananaPie · 19/08/2021 22:04

What age are you? I think the advice about injuries is worth listening to if you are over 40. Hip or knee injury from this could knock you out for months.

SomethingToldTheWildGeese · 19/08/2021 22:10

Yes it's doable if it's a flat course.

However, you must not run continuously from the start - if you do, you'll injure yourself.

Perhaps after each half hour, force yourself to walk for 10 mins, even if you feel okay. This should mitigate the chance of an injury.

fellrunner85 · 19/08/2021 22:12

Just no. You'll most likely injure yourself and have a terrible time, so why do it?

If it was a half marathon, yes. A 20 miler, yes. But there is a huge difference between even a 20 miler and a full marathon. To go from such a low base to a full marathon on 2 weeks would be reckless.

Yes, you might get round in less than six hours. Might. But at what cost?

Original poster
54321nought · 19/08/2021 22:12

@BananaPie

What age are you? I think the advice about injuries is worth listening to if you are over 40. Hip or knee injury from this could knock you out for months.
late 50s
OP posts:
GoWalkabout · 19/08/2021 22:15

If you have run them before then I guess you can judge? But remember that you are five years older! I think blisters and chafing will be issues, and I think your joints will not be sufficiently used to the continuous impacts and flexions. What's in it for you, really? Maybe go and support and train for one if you fancy it.

rookiemere · 19/08/2021 22:17

What time did you do your last marathon in ?
Do you have any repetitive leg injuries?

ReviewingTheSituation · 19/08/2021 22:19

Why would you even want to do it? What's the draw with this particular event? If you want to run a marathon, do one later in the year and train. 2x10k a week is not sufficient.

I've been offered a place for London on 3rd Oct (by my charity - I have a place for 2022, but it's just been moved to Oct, and my charity said they could fit me in this year if I wanted), but despite running 30 miles a week and regularly doing 12-14 mile runs, I think 6-7 weeks is nowhere near enough time to do the distance justice. Yes, I could get round, but it wouldn't be enjoyable and the chances of injury are high.

As a PP said, it's a distance to be respected.

Frazzled2207 · 19/08/2021 22:20

I think you’d get round but it really isn’t a very good idea
I’ve not done marathons but have done halfs and each time it took me several months training to get there and that was up from being able doing 10k fairly regularly

I just don’t think you’ll enjoy it and could end up injured

SusieBob · 19/08/2021 22:23

You'd probably get round, albeit not very quickly, but as others have said why would you want to? It's going to hurt like hell on the day and afterwards. Do a marathon when you have trained properly and actually enjoy the experience.

LizziesTwin · 19/08/2021 22:25

What is the point in doing this? There really isn’t any is there? Yes you could get round but you wouldn’t be running it. Why bother?

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 19/08/2021 22:31

You can 100% do it. I did similar and escaped with no injury at all!

i did a half marathon one week out (overtraining is the worst) and when i ran it i practiced eating as i ran (i went for wine gums, chocolate melts)

Tips

  • walk the inclines dont run the hills
  • focus on form and reset your posture regularly so you aren't running hunched over
  • run in the centre of the road (it has a camber so if you run on the edge its sloped and will turn your ankle if not careful)
  • buy lube/glide put it anywhere that rubs feet / pits / seam of running shorts
-suncreen yourself even if shady!
  • aim for 9-10km average and pace yourself

Good luck!!!

TheWholeWorld · 19/08/2021 22:31

I wouldn't tbh. If 10k is the longest distance you run recently it will start getting very hard before you're even halfway. You could get round if you run walk say 5 min run 1 min walk from the very start but what's the point - if you've run marathons before it's not even as if the distance will be a new challenge, you're just making it extremely hard for yourself.

PickleKing · 19/08/2021 22:32

My husband is currently training for the London marathon and says that the last two to three weeks are supposed to be the "tapering" phase where you run less and focus on resting your legs and muscles and focus on food and rest. So he thinks you're crazy, sorry!!

Original poster
54321nought · 19/08/2021 22:33

@LivingLaVidaBabyShower

You can 100% do it. I did similar and escaped with no injury at all!

i did a half marathon one week out (overtraining is the worst) and when i ran it i practiced eating as i ran (i went for wine gums, chocolate melts)

Tips

  • walk the inclines dont run the hills
  • focus on form and reset your posture regularly so you aren't running hunched over
  • run in the centre of the road (it has a camber so if you run on the edge its sloped and will turn your ankle if not careful)
  • buy lube/glide put it anywhere that rubs feet / pits / seam of running shorts
-suncreen yourself even if shady!
  • aim for 9-10km average and pace yourself

Good luck!!!

thanks for all of this!
OP posts:
shrodingersbiscuit · 19/08/2021 22:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

Starstar7 · 19/08/2021 22:38

Is it Brighton?

It's totally doable but it will hurt.😀

bettyboodecia · 19/08/2021 22:40

I'd say no. You're probably fit enough if you do 30k a week, but you'll injure yourself for lack of conditioning. Unless you walk a lot (in which case, just go for a long walk and don't clog up the race).

Original poster
54321nought · 19/08/2021 22:51

@LizziesTwin

What is the point in doing this? There really isn’t any is there? Yes you could get round but you wouldn’t be running it. Why bother?
Its a team event for a charity I support. I was just going to go along and cheer, but one of the runners has dropped out and I've been offered his place
OP posts:
Original poster
54321nought · 19/08/2021 22:52

I'm going to try run/walking 13 miles tomorrow, and see how that goes

OP posts:
Therehavetobeadjustments · 19/08/2021 22:57

To be honest, what's the point? It's unlikely to be an enjoyable experience. The event itself will be long and uncomfortable at best, with a very high chance of getting an ongoing injury.

Totally agree, I wouldn't even consider it. Last two weeks you should be tapering not jumping distance massively. I think you'd regret it enormously tbh.

Cam2020 · 19/08/2021 22:57

You need to be really careful if you do this. The state some runners get themselves into as early as the 15 mile mark is quite distressing. You're nowhere near where you need to be to run a marathon, but you could probably walk it.

It's very easy to get swept up in the race day atmosphere and run too fast.

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