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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
54321nought · 23/08/2021 20:18

I've spent some time with a personal trainer, and have a plan. We tried out the first 16 miles of it, but I'm now just doing shorter runs and hill sprints until the actual day.

Its a slow pace, with lots of walking, it should get me in just before the 6 hour limit, if all goes well.

My orange juice belt is now famous all over Mumsnet! I'm going to be what people use to prove they are long time posters.

Naice ham

Penis Beaker

Orange juice belt

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 23/08/2021 21:07

My orange juice belt is now famous all over Mumsnet!

It really isn't. Just people calling BS on your other cracked post, and using it as an identifier.

SusieBob · 23/08/2021 21:08

"Never been a serious runner" and yet claims to have done ultras.

Sure. Sure.

SusieBob · 23/08/2021 21:09

And if you've found a PT who is having you do hill sprints 2 weeks out of a marathon, he/she is a shit (fictional) trainer.

stopgap · 23/08/2021 21:11

I ran a club marathon when I was 26 without training. Well, I was doing 15 miles a week. I ran it in 3:45. When I trained a bit more (20 miles a week) I ran a 3:28. So, it can be done, but there are obvious downsides: you could get injured, you could fail to finish and feel a bit regretful.

EarringsandLipstick · 23/08/2021 21:15

@SusieBob

And if you've found a PT who is having you do hill sprints 2 weeks out of a marathon, he/she is a shit (fictional) trainer.
YY.

I couldn't be bothered addressing the crazy any more. I've never seen a more Walter Mitty type poster!

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 23/08/2021 21:31

Christ, a PT who doesn't know that you need to rest for a couple of weeks before a long race? Really?

Clearlyunhinged · 23/08/2021 21:46

stopgap

Yes but you were 26, the OP is in her 50's

Clearlyunhinged · 23/08/2021 21:47

SusieBob

Tbf, she's done Endure which is just laps until you quit. Not claimed to have done The Arc of Attrition or such like!!

SusieBob · 23/08/2021 21:51

Even if it the race was laps, nobody runs 26.6+ and remains as clueless as the OP clearly is. You don't put yourself through that and not learn a thing or two about, say, why you don't run a marathon on 10 miles a week and a couple of half-arsed hill sprints.

fellrunner85 · 23/08/2021 22:08

What, you ran 16 miles with a PT after only doing 10ks in training so far? How long did that take you?

Original poster
54321nought · 23/08/2021 22:12

@fellrunner85

What, you ran 16 miles with a PT after only doing 10ks in training so far? How long did that take you?
no, I did 13 miles a few days ago, quite slowly.

The 16 miles was faster, it took just under 3 and a half hours

OP posts:
MrsDThomas · 23/08/2021 22:13

There is no way you’ll be able to do it. Ive ran tough hilly marathons and it takes a lot of training. Weeks of building up. Doing it on the back of a couple of 10ks a week is not possible.

Unless you fancy keeping the tail runner company. But hey ho.

Good luck if you go ahead

Original poster
54321nought · 23/08/2021 22:14

@Clearlyunhinged

stopgap

Yes but you were 26, the OP is in her 50's

I think old women can have a lot of stamina. I think I do, anyway, and I'm not particularly unusual.

I can't run as fast as a lot of the younger runners, but I can often run a lot further, so can many of us, retired or near retired runners

OP posts:
Original poster
54321nought · 23/08/2021 22:15

@MrsDThomas

There is no way you’ll be able to do it. Ive ran tough hilly marathons and it takes a lot of training. Weeks of building up. Doing it on the back of a couple of 10ks a week is not possible.

Unless you fancy keeping the tail runner company. But hey ho.

Good luck if you go ahead

Thanks, its not hilly, its quite flat.

I'm hoping to stay a bit ahead of the tail runner, until at least mile 18 or so, but after that, yes, I might well be one of the last

OP posts:
Shopgirl1 · 23/08/2021 22:23

I think you are mad to risk this. It could go fine, but you could get injured. I run 4 times a week, usually around 7km, with a 10km -12km longer run at the weekend. I would not even consider a marathon. Even a half marathon I would build up to over 6-8 weeks.
Two weeks doesn’t give your body time to benefit from fitness gains from extra training.

Original poster
54321nought · 23/08/2021 22:47

I'm not running it, I am mixing running and walking

OP posts:
donkey86 · 23/08/2021 22:52

I saw this and thought it might be relevant for you, OP It’s from the Brighton Marathon organiser’s official account. Basically saying that you can still manage a marathon even without long training runs.

Original poster
54321nought · 23/08/2021 23:16

@donkey86

I saw this and thought it might be relevant for you, OP It’s from the Brighton Marathon organiser’s official account. Basically saying that you can still manage a marathon even without long training runs.
That's really great, thank you very much xx
OP posts:
ReviewingTheSituation · 23/08/2021 23:51

No PT worth their salt would ever recommend hill sprints in your situation - not one that knows anything about running anyway. And 16 miles 2 or 3 days after 13.... Something else a decent PT wouldn't
have recommended, I'm sure.

SusieBob · 23/08/2021 23:57

No PT would have anything to do with it. It's utter horseshit.

Clearlyunhinged · 24/08/2021 00:15

And 16 miles 2 or 3 days after 13

Hello shin splints.

DobieGrayshark · 24/08/2021 06:44

@donkey86

I saw this and thought it might be relevant for you, OP It’s from the Brighton Marathon organiser’s official account. Basically saying that you can still manage a marathon even without long training runs.
Love Nick. He’s a very good coach.
Odisia · 24/08/2021 07:21

I did the London Moonwalk which is marathon distance with no training. I completed it in about 6 hours, but it's walking, not running. I was reasonably fit although I've never run further than 10k and never in less than an hour.

I think you can do it but it will be painful and you risk injury. Personally I wouldn't do it.

Indoctro · 24/08/2021 07:53

I ran the London marathon 3 stone overweight and pretty much no training and had only just started running

It was a roasting hot day and it took me 5 hours 18 minutes

It's definitely doable especially if you have done the distance before

When I did it I didn't even actually know what a marathon was Confused

Young and stupid

You will be fine