Can I train for a marathon in 6 months?

[Omarama]

Evening ladies
Can you give me sone advice?

I'm on the reserve list for the VLM with a charity that means a lot to me.

Thing is, I only decided I wanted to do it a few weeks ago.

I have been put for 3 runs this week so far, 1.5 miles, 2 miles and 2.5 miles. This is the first exercise I've done properly for 3 years but I was fit before that. It's def getting easier and I've been running 10 min miles, and didn't feel like I was dying.

Is there enough time to train do you think or am I mad?? Would like to do it in 4 and half-hours or less

Arrrgghhhh

Ah sorry typos. Posting from phone
Sone= some
Put=out

I did it. Went from zero to marathon in 6mo. Loved it. Go for it!

Really? Great! Good on you.

After some Internet searching had almost decided it was impossible, as loads of sites seem to say you need to be running 25-30 miles a week 6 months before

Thanks for reply. It's amazing how much better I feel after just 3 runs. Off out now trying to fit one in before question time!

You can do it.

Go to runnersworld.co.uk and download one of their training plans. Build up gradually, try to run three times a week if you can.

I went from being a non-runner to doing a marathon in (just!)under five hours in 6 months, so it's definitely achievable.

Yes you can, but you need to increase the mileage slowly so you reduce the chance of injury. Many beginner marathon plans will focus on time spent out running rather than distance covered. Don't be tempted to do too much too soon, I think it is generally recommended that you don't increase your mileage by more than 10% a week and make sure you have a couple or rest days a week to give your muscles a chance to recover. Enjoy!

Yes, absolutely enough time. I trained from January and ran it in 4 hours. Prior to that I was only running about 6 - 7 miles per week.

The key things, as others have said are:

• follow a sensible training plan which builds up week by week (Runners World has great plans for beginners as others have said);

• make sure you find time for one long run a week and a couple of shorter runs per week (I think 4 runs per week is optimal but I did fine on just 3);

• try and build some hill and speed variation into your training so that one run per week is one of these; and

• get yourself a decent pair of running shoes for the increased mileage!

Have fun!

Can I suggest that you go to a running shop to buy your running shoes, not a generic sports shop. If you ask for help they will look at how you run and suggest a selection of shoes that will suit your running gait.

Late coming back to this as have been out all day.

Thanks so much for replies, really really useful. Very impressed with those who have done it, I am inspired.

Can I ask: I've seen some training schedules but they ten to start about 4 months before when you can run 5-6 miles comfortably. what would do before that? I did 3 miles last night in half an hour. maybe i'm looking in the wrong place

thanks again

You can definitely do it. You certainly won't win but you'll finish.

Good luck!

cestlavie thats amazing. you must have beeen pretty fit though and runnign those 6 or 7 miles pretty fast??
i havent done any exercise since the birth of ds 3 years ago, and had another dd since.
although i do wonder if pregnancy makes you fitter as it has seemed easier to get back to it

I used the NY marathon beginners training schedule which involved 5 days of running and 2 rest days per week. I only ran 3 days a week and on the other 2 did cycling and rowing just to break it up a bit. FOund the cross training really improved my running as it strengthed all the non running muscles. Also borrowed a book from the library for the whole six months written by the Penguin (Runners World writer) called something like Marathons for Beginners - it was fab.

..and if you haven't already, get a decent sports bra! There's nothing worse than seeing women running with their boobs wobbling all over the place - and it causes untold damage too!

(If I didn't wear a good sports bra, I'd knock myself out!!)