Marathon Ready in 12 weeks?

[concernedforthefuture]

I've been offered a last minute charity place in the London Marathon. I have 12 weeks to train - is it do-able?
I consider myself reasonably fit (I go to the gym 3x week for strength / HIIT training). The furthest I've ever run is a half marathon (I last ran a half marathon in the autumn) and since then have run around 5K twice a week with the occasional slightly longer (5-6mile) run. So, I'm not a complete novice but still...

I wouldn't be aiming for a specific time and happy to walk-run if necessary. Am I mad to consider this?

No, not mad as you have a decent level,of fitness to work from. The step up,from half tomfull marathon is significant, but it can be done.

There are loads of Marathon plans out there. You need to spend the next month building your running fitness - look for running 3 times a week, with long runs at 6, 8 and then 10 miles over the IRS to month, one run with challenge (hills, intervals, and one just running. Plus one cross training/general fitnes first month.

In March, build up to the really long ripens (try not tomadd more than 10% a week, and enter a Half. First week a bit in April, have a really long run (by ime distance) then taper.

Run/walk is a really good approach- experiment with how you swop, so you have a plan for the day. Also plan how you will refuel during the event - gels are really useful, but make sure you have a brand that doesn't give you the runs! Find that out in training, not on the day.

And have fun!

When I saw the title I thought NOPE but having read your post I'd say you'll be fine. If you were completely new to running I'd say don't do it but it sounds like you already have a decent base level of fitness and you say you're happy to be sensible and walk/run it if needed so I would go for it - London Marathon is an amazing experience and once in a lifetime for some people!

Excellent advice above from AuntieStella - very good point about testing out your fuelling! (Don't do what I did during my first London Marathon when I took a bottle of their lucozade they were handing out, having not tested it out in training - I had an awful stomach ache the rest of the way round and it was not fun). I've found that High5 energy gels really work for me but everyone is different.

Build up your distance in your long runs now but equally don't try to do too much too soon as that's when you'll end up injured. I'm not sure if you do Facebook but there's a great training group on there called 'London Marathon Training & Support'. Don't get too hung up on getting up to 20 miles in your training - if you're planning on run/walking and not going for a PB it doesn't matter so much anyway - I only trained up to 18 miles for my last one and a friend trained up to 15 miles and still had a good experience.

Most importantly - enjoy!

What the others said - my gut response was "NO!" but, having read your post and seeing you're just focused on getting round rather than going for a time, you should be ok.

IMO your biggest challenge will be not getting injured in training. The jump from a half to a full marathon is considerable. So make sure you step up your mileage sensibly and, as Stella said, think about time on feet rather than distance. IME most first time marathoners get injured when they get obsessed with covering 18 or 20 miles in long runs, spend four hours on their feet, and then get surprised when that results in injury.

Plan your fuelling, rotate your training shoes, and race a half at the end of March. You'll be grand!

Also - what's your latest half marathon time, and roughly how far are you off that level of fitness now? Will help people advise you on the best plan for long runs.

Some fantastic advice- thanks everyone. I'm particularly concerned about fuelling - I've always run on a empty stomach but realise that this won't be possible for this distance, especially as the race doesn't really get started until late morning. I can't bear the gels (fruity snot) but will try a few brands and see how it goes.
@Runningonempty84 my last half marathon (late September) time was 2:20. I'm not sure I could step out and do this distance at all right now and almost certainly not at that pace . I think my cardiovascular fitness could cope, my legs probably couldn't without a bit of training.

Agree - most gels are rank!

You could also try Blox (nicer texture, still have useful electrolytes), dextrose tablets, favourite sweeties (good for morale), and small salty snacks like pretzels

(PS: sorry for all the typos in previous post - iPad screen is, I think, dying and not every keystroke registers, which means predictive text has a field day. I know I need to check more carefully, but sometimes I forget)

@concernedforthefuture 2:20 is a great time, sounds like you have a great base fitness.

Haha fruity snot - yes I thought that about a lot of the gels! However have you tried High5 ones? I really like those, they're a lot thinner consistency so they're not as disgusting as some others also have a look at Tailwind, a lot of people who don't like gels use that, it's a powder you add to your water.

I REALLY appreciated a bit of real food after about mile 20 as well. The squeezy baby food pouches, as disgusting as it sounds, worked a treat along with some salty crisps and soreen/malt loaf is always a winner too!

With food, I think you need to test out your options in training, as what works for one person won't necessarily suit another.
There's no way, for example, that I could've stomached Soreen or crisps on any of my marathons - it was all I could do to swallow a gel. But DH, for example, swears by bags of peanuts.

Ditto gels. When I'm in a state after mile 18 or so, Hi-5 ones make me spew them straight back up as they're so watery, whereas I can keep SIS ones down. Other people will be the total opposite though, so it's trial and error.

Also, OP, it's good that your aim is just to finish! Don't be under any illusions- the marathon is far more than double as hard as two halves. It can chew you up and spit you out. As you're quite steady, factor in walking sections from the start - don't run to, say, 18 miles and then blow up, as it'll be a long slog home. Take your time, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy it, even if it takes 5 or 6 hours.

Perhaps think about doing very long hill walks as part of your training, just to get used to that length of time on your feet, without the impact and injury risk that comes with running for 3-4 hours when you're not used to it.

In terms of how tough it can be, I speak from bitter experience. I've had marathons that have gone really well, and one that was an utter disaster, despite decent training. In my worst race, for example, training was fine - I'd done a 20 week plan, with a good long run of 20 miles and a few 18s - and I'd started from a good base of running halves in sub 1:40. But I was utterly unprepared for how much tougher a marathon is. I blew up, hobbled the last few miles, and threw up and up and up once I crossed the line
Sonehow, though, I keep coming back for more, and have got my next one lined up in early April...!

Thanks everyone- lots of really helpful advice. I really appreciate the time you've taken to write such detailed responses. Wish me luck!

How's the training going, OP? What's your long run plan for this weekend?

If your half time was 2:20 and you've not done that sort of distance recently then you're going to be looking at probably 5:30 or more. It's a lot of time on your feet so I would walk to anywhere you can as it all helps on the day! Maybe consider jeffing as a quicker way to build your miles up. My standard marathon plan is 18 weeks and starts from 8 miles so you've got a fair way to go.