Can “anyone” really do a marathon?

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

I can do 5K in 35 mins and am doing a 10K next month. Having watched the marathon today it just looks so amazing and I’d love to think I could do London. However, can anyone really do a marathon? I know you can walk for bits and it’s about the finish line not the finish time, but is it realistic to think that an overweight menopausal woman can go from 10K to 42K (with training??) I can’t imagine mentally being able to go out for 4+ hour training runs 😵‍💫

can I be a formula one racer

Also this is different in that it is externally judged. It's an equivalent of saying 'Can I be an elite marathon runner'.

My take on this is yes most people probably could but whether or not it's a good idea is another matter!
I think running is a brilliant form of exercise but there is a sweet spot in terms of the amount you do, after that the downsides may start to outweigh the benefits. That said some people can do loads and loads of running with no problems whatsoever!

The point wasn't external judging but cost as a barrier to entry. Also possibly location. As I elaborated on in that post.

Thanks for clarifying what you'd clearly said.

My point was another point. As I said in my post...

But your point wasn't really related to minew. Which waas that anybody can start training for a very low cost. So no need for all this back and forth. Unlike these other things.you talking about external judgement is irrelevant.

Nobody has got anything to lose by getting up and running.

If you give yourself time and commitment, yes. However, if you are just doing your first 10k, I would give it another year before entering the ballot to gradually increase your distance - both in individual runs, and in the amount of running you do across the week. You will enjoy marathon training a lot more if you're already up to running half marathons and regularly run over 20 miles across the week before you start a 20 week marathon training plan.

I do understand the feeling that if you're only going to do one marathon in your life, then London has to be it

I really don't - it's a very London-centric view that it's the only marathon worth doing.

If I were going to do a marathon I'd pick a different one. Jersey or Loch Ness for example.

not everyone's body is suited to it which is why certain people end up with chronic injuries as a result

yes exactly. I've never had an injury that has stopped me running for more than a few days, but I suspect if I trained for a marathon that would change.

OK, my point wasn't much related to yours, @dollahsains. Thanks for stressing that, it's massively important to everyone here, I'm sure.

It is which is why you keep replying to me :)

Sorry for the derail OP!

I keep meaning to reply to this thread but withdrawing my response, because it's too simplistic to answer the original question with just a "yes" or "no".

Last weekend I ran the London Marathon for the first time, after achieving GFA at my first marathon in Manchester the year before.

I don't think I'm alone in saying that I never thought I'd run a marathon myself until last year. The reason was because I never had to try, therefore I didn't think I could. My running partner, who I usually do my long runs with, was the one who spurred me on to do my first marathon at Manchester. With the bigger races, a 12-16 week training plan for each level is provided.

Yes, the months of training is intense and you need to be dedicated to doing at least 4 runs a week including a long run, and maybe one or two speed workouts if you're aiming for a time. All this is preparation so that your body can handle the demands of the marathon on the day.

I say if you are able to cope with training in all weathers, sometimes getting up at 5:30 in order to fit a run in before work, then the marathon itself will feel a lot less intimidating.

The cut off time is generous, and there are participants of all shapes and sizes. Don't write yourself off yet op, if you haven't tried.

I say if you are able to cope with training in all weathers, sometimes getting up at 5:30 in order to fit a run in before work, then the marathon itself will feel a lot less intimidating.

I hate mornings and I think the only time I've contemplated getting up at 5.30 is marathon day itself! 🤣 (although that's not really a problem because I generally don't sleep well the night before anyway)
But agree you do have to sometimes shoehorn the training in at times that you'd far rather be doing other stuff!

This. When I agree that most people could run one, I mean complete one in a reasonable time IF they wanted to or in some strange situation had to complete one. Having run numerous marathons as not a particularly fit person it’s more about time differences rather than completion.

Anyone who is healthy is without chronic illness or disability could complete London within the cut off times if they wanted to. If they trained (sensibly) it would likely still be tough. If they didn’t train it would hurt a lot but they could physically compete it if they wanted or needed to. Without the training they’e unlikely to complete it in 4 or 5 or 6 hours but they could do it.

I run a lot further with a chronic autoimmune illness, 2 kids, a busy job etc because I want to do it. That means doing a lot of stuff I don’t want to like getting up early to run, splitting runs into two or even three a day, going without other things, running when I don’t want to, running in awful weather, doing the same routes over and over. Some friends who run choose not to do that - which is absolutely their choice! A logical choice at that 😂🫣 but could they train if they wanted to? Absolutely.

Of course many things get in the way of training - work, kids, caring responsibilities, exhaustion. But that’s not the same as not being able to complete a marathon. You absolutely could - it’s circumstances that prevent it not your innate physical ability (in most cases, barring health problems etc).

When I started this thread I’d just finished watching the London coverage, which always reduces me to tears. When DH ran it, it was so emotional spectating. I’ve got friends who get male and female GFA places and I know people who’ve done it in nearly 7 hours, having only covered 12 miles in training.
I do tend to overthink things when I could JFDI eg “but what if I train for it and find that mentally and physically I can’t do it. What will happen?” Well, Avon, nothing will happen, no-one’s going to “tell me off” 🤣
I know no one here can tell me categorically either way, but I have really enjoyed reading every response so thank you.

Good luck OP! Come here and update us so we can watch the coverage and cheer you on :) we won't know which one you are, but that's a small detail!

Haven't RTROTT (read the rest of the thread ) but I was googling maintenance running and found a really interesting link for you. www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196%2815%2900621-7/

The article tells you not only how lazy you can be ad still maintain health (pretty lazy actually - 6 miles a week) but also some stuff about cardiotoxicity in marathon/ultra running. Basically it does exist but is probably overstated and much less problematic than not doing anything.

Thought you'd all find it interesting.

I know what you mean, nobody will tell you off, but even so! I still get nervous at the start of a big run, and when people ask me what I am nervous about it is hard to say. I think I am nervous about going home feeling I have not done my best. I wouldn't mind being a did-not-finish but only if I had done my best