Running a Marathon ...

[supercity88]

I wanted to get fit and lose some weight so applied for the London Marathon 2016 and got a place. I wasn't running at all so had no base mileage or fitness and then had about 6 months to try and go from 0 miles to 26.2 and it messed me up injury wise a lot. I managed to get into good shape even over Christmas last year, and then did a half marathon in Feb in under 2hrs.

Upping mileage took its toll though and injuries set in. I managed to complete the marathon, it was one of the best and worst experiences of my life! Injury set in at 16 miles and the pain in my hips was excruciating. I held on to finish it and the relief of doing so was amazing. It's such a great crowd and atmosphere and the feeling of completing it is incredible.

I'd recommend finding a training plan - there are plenty online for free. Don't over do it. I raised mileage too quickly and ruined my knees and hips. You also need to dedicate time to it. Missing the odd run doesn't matter but you want to make sure you get miles in your legs.

The plan I followed had three different types of training. One would be sprint exercises i.e run 400m in a certain time 8 times with a rest inbetween. Another would be to run 3 miles quick and then a long run. Those three would differ every week but focus on building speed, endurance and mileage in the legs. There's so much science behind marathon training it's ridiculous.

Good luck with it though, it does become an obsession and I did enjoy the training. It's tough in the cold, dark, wet winter days but it's a huge achievement. Only increase mileage 10% a week and that's a rule not to be broken or you'll end up ruining your joints like I did!

 

[jimharri]

I can barely manage to run a bath these days.

 

[Helmet Cole]

Not sure if having a mid-life crisis but I've signed up to do a Marathon - anyone done one on here ? Any tips and advice would be welcome.

You really need the thick end of a year to prepare. Recovery is not as quick as when your younger so you have to train clever rather than hard. Keep flexible to stay uninjured.
Perhaps most importantly don't fill your iPod with any of that shit in your CD collection - four hours is a long time to listen to that rubbish.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

I'd question anyone who feels the urge to run 26 miles. Leave a bit earlier and walk or try public transport.

 

[BlueHammer85]

You really need the thick end of a year to prepare. Recovery is not as quick as when your younger so you have to train clever rather than hard. Keep flexible to stay uninjured.
Perhaps most importantly don't fill your iPod with any of that shit in your CD collection - four hours is a long time to listen to that rubbish.

Ha, well if I can listen to a Justin Bieber for a week, I surely have the mental stamina for any challenge!

 

[moh]

I've done quite a few ultras (30 and 40 miles) and would agree 100% with comments about getting a solid base - if you can get out before Xmas as a routine and don't worry about distance or pace but just get some miles in then it will be easier when you start in anger after Christmas. Follow a programme like others have said - it will have got hundreds of others through it before you so save yourself the bother of making it up yourself and worrying about whether you have done enough. Getting experience of races before is going to help - takes the pressure off on the day itself if you know how the whole thing works - even Park runs will help you feel at ease in the environment

And I know you won't want to hear it but the most important thing of all is your diet. If you can get some weight off it will have more effect than anything you can do before now and then. 1% decrease weight - 1% improvement in performance (be that speed or distance)

 

[BlueHammer85]

I've done quite a few ultras (30 and 40 miles) and would agree 100% with comments about getting a solid base - if you can get out before Xmas as a routine and don't worry about distance or pace but just get some miles in then it will be easier when you start in anger after Christmas. Follow a programme like others have said - it will have got hundreds of others through it before you so save yourself the bother of making it up yourself and worrying about whether you have done enough. Getting experience of races before is going to help - takes the pressure off on the day itself if you know how the whole thing works - even Park runs will help you feel at ease in the environment

And I know you won't want to hear it but the most important thing of all is your diet. If you can get some weight off it will have more effect than anything you can do before now and then. 1% decrease weight - 1% improvement in performance (be that speed or distance)

Thanks mate

 

[Wrighty Wrexham]

My mate did the London one, stopped for a shit at the 20 mile mark, took him another 2 hours after to finish. Top tip, never stop. His muscles seized up.

Good advice that same happened to me. Ran the London in memory of my daughter was doing well just over half way then saw a lot of youngsters pulling up and some even lying down got me worried as I had a lot of sponsorship money riding on me so I eased up worried I would not finish it and walked,. Worst thing I could have done I ceased up and the rest of it was hard going. Great sense of achievement when I finished it and very emotional.

Could not run none stop for 5 mins when I started training the September before the marathon but soon got up to speed with a mixture of running swimming and circuit training.

 

[SuperKevinHorlock]

I've started reading a book called the non runners marathon trainer which is a 16 week plan to run a marathon, quite inspiring and something I will start in the New Year. I did my first half marathon in October and have my second one in January but my real goal is to do one full marathon. Good luck with your training mate.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Best advice I can give: Put the training miles in, and expect it to hurt. 26 miles is a long way. I was running up to 50 miles a week before I did mine in 2014.

Time on your feet is more important than miles when you start out. Once you get going, you will find that you put in more distance over the same amount of time; so maybe when you start, you will cover 5k over half an hour, but over time that 5k will become 6 and so on.

Good luck!