Marathon first timers 2024

[LittleLize]

Hello! I thought I’d start a marathon thread for those of us signed up for our first marathon.

I’m running Manchester for Cancer Research. I did a couple of half marathons this year, and am 55, so thought it’s now or never!

Had minor surgery a few weeks ago, so today was my first run in 5 weeks. Just going to slowly build up the miles over the next few weeks

I did Manchester as my first this year and loved the whole process of training and doing it. It's a great event and very first-timer friendly.

This time last year I'd just cracked a post-injury 10mi having spent 2022 recovering and working up from C25k although I am an experienced HMer. I plateaued for a while at the 10-13mi zone to get comfortable back at that distance again before picking up the high milage training.

I customised from a Jeff Galloway plan where I did the long run every other week alternated with a mid-distance (10-13mi) to not over load, kept speed up with regular parkruns (running all rather than Jeffing) and a couple of short, light runs plus my usual strength work. I came out of it injury free, and after a couple of weeks went for a 5k improvers plan to have a change of direction. As a result it's been my furthest and fastest year of running!

What I like about tweaking a plan is deliberately working around awkward times like Christmas, and adding a bit of buffer time in so I can accommodate disruption from the inevitable colds!

Hello 👋🏽

I am running London in April! I have a charity place so have the added task of hitting a high fundraising target.

I did royal parks in October which I loved (when I wasn't hating it) however didn't do as well as I wanted due to unexpected heat and an injury in the lead up that scuppered training a bit.

I'm now doing the Runna marathon base plan before starting their 16month plan in Jan ...am really enjoying so far although long runs aren't that long yet so when they ramp up it may be a different matter ...but I love seeing my endurance improve as I move through a plan!

I'm a slow runner so am in for some long times on feet for long run (I am hoping to train for a time between 5hr 30 and 6hrs - but really want to get under 6!)

Hello @DreamingofGinoclock . I applied for a couple of charity places for London but didn’t get them, so I’m very jealous!

Hi 👋🏽

I feel very lucky...I didn't initially get a place for the charity I applied for but someone else pulled out and I was top of the reserve list (is worth emailing the charities you applied for saying you are keen if someone pulls out).

It still feels very surreal that I'm doing it and I'm just keeping everything crossed that I get through training without any injuries!

Good luck for the Manchester training ! I here that is also a great one.

I'm doing the Brighton marathon in April. I have done lots of half marathons and one 25k race but always said I would never run a marathon. But I turn 50 next year and thought fuck it, lets do one before I hit 50. It may be the first and last or it may be the first of many 😂

I’ve got a charity place for the London Marathon too. I’m running it with my daughter who will turn 18 in March.

Ive never run a marathon before and am pooing myself!! But, like Wehadabetamax, I’m 50 next year also, so felt now or never!

DreamingofGinoclock - I’m a slow runner too and looks like I’ll be in the same pen as you as hoping for 5:30-6hrs!

I did the Cardiff Half in October as a prep (running with others). Despite training up to the 13miles and tapering etc, I crashed on the day and struggled. I’ve no idea why other than maybe the adrenaline of it all? I ran the entire way though without stopping and got 2:24.

id be interested to hear all about your training plans etc.

For the Cardiff Half, I used a simple one I printed off from their site, and loved it.

I’ve downloaded Runna app and am not enjoying the pre marathon plan so not sure if I’ll switch to an online printable one that I can tick off.
Hal Higdon looks a great one!

When do you all start? Mine is end of December. I’m currently nursing a poorly ankle so need to take it easier. Currently doing a 10K and a couple of 5k’s a week, although have only done one 5k in the past week due to my ankle.

good luck everyone.

I can’t decide about a plan. Lots of people have described runna plans as brutal (for different distances!) so I’ll probably steer clear of that.

I’ll probably use the Cancer Research intermediate plan as my base, but work around it, as I’ve got a 10k and a half booked in ahead of Manchester.

Gradually building up the volume at the moment- my difficulty is trying to build in enough runs in the week. I did my half’s based on 3 runs a week, but don’t think that will be enough for the full.

Manchester is the week before London so my 16 week plan starts on Christmas Day!

Week 1 of my 16 week plan, but it’s impossible to follow a plan this week!

Had Covid just before Christmas so at the moment I’m just pleased I CAN run.

Going to try to do a bit of speed work this morning. I don’t like speed work- I like plodding on long runs.

I'm on week 5 (final week) of my baseline plan ...it's a de load week so works well with the festive period! ....start my 16 week plane the first week of January!

The “official” Manchester plans are for 15 weeks starting on 1 January- probably because no one is going to want to train this week!

I started HalHigdon training plan this week. Week one completed. I’m on holiday and have managed to run every other morning but feel I’m coming down with a virus so am worried now.

What happens when you get struck down with illness? As in do you skip the week you were missing? How do you catch up on training?

No idea re coming back from illness/injury ...I think it depends how long you are out ...

No idea re coming back from illness/injury ...I think it depends how long you are out ...

I think the answer broadly is don’t push yourself if you’re really poorly, and when you restart focus on volume not intensity. So easy runs not speed work. Someone on another thread said they have walked their longer runs when they’ve felt really rough.

I had Covid before Christmas so took a week off completely, then did a very easy 5k, then have been gradually increasing my volume (but I’d done 9 miles the day before I tested positive so I’ve been getting back to where I was).

Where are you all
at with mileage currently?

I'm currently averaging 48km per week, but I am in the last few weeks of a half marathon plan for a race on 21st January. I will start following the TCS London Marathon Improvers Plan from around week 3.

I'm currently only on 35km per week ...but was only doing a 10km plan before I started my baseline plan so was starting from a low base

I'm using Runna which I am loving and can really tell the difference in my base fitness ...it sounds to my Garmin so love how I don't have to remember what I'm doing!

It has got me adding in tempo / intervals and hills and is helping a lot with making sure I actually run my easy runs easy rather than pushing every run.

I’ve done 25 miles this week.

Am following the Cancer Research improvers plan but with longer long runs. I read Sam Murphy’s “how to run your best marathon” and found her argument about building long runs early persuasive, although surgery in October has ruled out the plan she recommends!

Hello. I’m doing London Marathon next year having got a place through the ballot. First time doing proper running training (well, second time if you count C25K!).

I am currently running about 15km a week at the moment, at a slow chatty pace with friends. The increase in speed and distance (and training on my own) is pretty daunting. I’m starting a Runna plan next week.

I’m doing London next year as well - seems scarily close now Christmas is over! Training ok so far, struggling a bit to include conditioning.

Hello! Also running london- I’m a regular half marathoner but rarely go further. Already worried I’m have to drop out as an old hip injury has reared its head again over the last couple of weeks. Seeing the physio on Tuesday.

Another one for London too. Scared! Feel it’s creeping up too quickly.

Currently doing 2-3 short runs in the week and a long run on a Sunday. The long run is 7 this Sunday and then increase a mile each week.
Some weights and rowing thrown in. I just feel so naive to the whole process and would like someone to take me under their wing lol.

anyone else feel a bit overwhelmed?!

I certainly can’t imagine myself running 26 miles at the moment! But then I remind myself I don’t need to run that today, I just need to do the run on my plan, and trust the process.

I did 12 miles yesterday, which wiped me out for the rest of the day, but I don’t feel too bad today. No runs until Monday now.

@Bananaandmarmite I think @LittleLizeis right- 1 run at a time. I’m daunted when I think of the whole process but always ok once I start running.

That’s a good strategy.

Just got back holiday abroad where I’ve run every other day.
Due a 7 mile run tomorrow but forecast is for 55mph winds. Not sure what I do now!