Marathon novice - looking for help and advice!

[scarylooker]

I'm so pleased and excited to have a charity place in a marathon next spring (not London! Brighton). I'm a month in to a 26 week training programme, and it's all fine at the mo. I've been a regular runner for some years, but never run more than a half marathon.

So ...... just looking for ANY advice or help really. My priorities are a. avoiding injury and b. getting round on the day.

My programme is based on one long run a week, one short run, a cross-training day and a speed session - the speed session is killing me at the moment, so any help with that would be really useful.

Oh and anyone want to join me? Let me know how you're getting on with London/Brighton/Paris/Edinburgh?

I've used to be a keen runner pre-kids and ran the london marathon a couple of times. I'm sure you'll have a great time on the day. I found at first the idea of doing say a 17 mile run seemed impossible but when you gradually build up to it it's fine. Same with the 26 miles I guess.

Speed sessions are supposed to kill! The idea is that you really push yourself so when you get fitter you will just go further or faster but it will still hurt!

Probably the most important thing for avoiding injury is getting new shoes although if you're a regular runner you probably know that. if you do need new ones then go to a proper running shop for them so they can see which ones suit you best. Hope that helps. Enjoy the training and the race

Thanks runnervt, glad to hear the speed sessions are meant to be like that. I was wondering if I was pushing it too hard as it's not feeling any easier - but to be fair it IS making the slower runs feel easier if you get me.

Sorted for shoes at the mo - unfortunately my gait is pretty bad so I've been faithful to the same brand for ages.

Sounds like a good and sensible training plan.

One key thing (for me) for marathon training is to give yourself plenty of time to build up to it and to make sure you find time in particular to build up the long runs to 20+ miles. Time on your feet is really important from a psychological as well as physiological perspective.

Secondly, interval and hill training make a big difference to your performance. I hate them - I'd always take a leisurely 12 mile run over a tempo 4 mile run - but it does absolutely make a difference to your performance. And if the last half mile/ couple of intervals aren't killing you then they should be...!

Thirdly, listen to your body. If something is hurting, get it checked out and don't push it. Too many people (including myself) have run on injuries cos they're terrified of getting off the training plan. All it does it make it worse and put you out of action for longer.

Hope that helps!

Thanks cestlavie, that's really helpful. The plan I have "only" goes up to 20 miles (which is intimidating enough) 4 weeks before the marathon, do you think this is OK? Just a bit worried about finding the extra oomph to do the next 6 on the day? My usual route is pretty hilly, which again I don't much enjoy but I guess it has to help.

I have to say, I think the speed stuff is going to help - I'm not bothered about the time, but I'm happy to stick to it if it gets me round easier. In fact I'm hoping the speed stuff will get me through the last 6 ....

I think my training plan only went up to circa 20 - 22 miles. Certainly, the longest run I did before the day was 3.5 hours and the run itself was 4.0 hours which meant I was running was 15% longer than in training.

Personally, I think you'll be fine at 20 miles in training - it's much easier on the day when the first few miles fall away with the crowds and general bedlam and the last couple of miles see the crowds back again. Very different to the lonely runs in training!