Does this sound achievable? Marathon in 6 months

[Spottythedog]

Im signed up for Manchester marathon in April, I’ve run it 3 times before the last being in 2019 when I finished just under 4 hours. For these few years running about 1000 miles per year. I also did all the training for 2020 but then it was cancelled and I just lost all motivation. Since then I’ve averaged about 15 miles per week, no real long runs and just feeling a bit sluggish. I’ve also moved house to a super hilly area where I’m much slower due to hills.

Is it totally ridiculous to think I can attempt the marathon in April? I’m trying to build up to a long run around 10 miles by Christmas. I’ve already deferred once as well so can’t do it again. Any reassurance or advice is welcome!

Perfectly doable. I'd suggest you start upping your mileage now so you can be on around 25 a week by Jan. Make sure you are comfy doing a 10 miler by then too. That will be a great place to start. Keep the easy runs easy and add in one harder run, tempo or interval session too. Good luck!

Assuming you are relatively young and in good health including no lingering injuries I'd think you'll be fine.

Hope you enjoy it.

I’m 34 so fairly young, my only real problem has been my hips which get tight if I don’t stretch properly so I guess something to bear in mind. I think it’s more a lack of confidence as going into a marathon training block previously I’ve been running a lot more regularly than I am currently!

6 months before I ran a marathon I don’t think I’d ever run more than a half marathon before. Only ever did 1 (long) run a week in preparation too as that’s all I had time for! (I did also play netball multiple times per week so had good base fitness.) I got round but not in 4 hours!!

you’ll be fine!

Plenty of time.

Enter a half marathon in Jan/Feb and download a training plan for that.

@Spottythedog I'm doing Manchester too.

How is the training going?