The ugly of marathons. I'm juuuust toying with the idea of mayyybe running one later next year. So give it to me straight. Everything good bad and horrible about it. I have a goal race in mind, but also any suggestions on nice, flat, cool temp marathons anywhere would be appreciated too! Training plains, eating, body maintenance, etc....
So the bad: its more than twice as hard as a HM. Training will take over your life and kill your weekends as you get closer to peak. Youre going to hurt, youre going to be tired, youre going to have chafing in fun and new and surprising places. Everyone around you is goong to get sick of you talking about it. At some point during the race youre going to question your own sanity for why the fuck you thought it was a good idea and youre going to be convinced,you never want to run again, not even a 5k.
The good: most of the bad really only applies to your first one, it gets easier after that, its not as scary the second time around.myou know what to expect, you know your body can handle it. In the end, you will have run a freakng marathon and thats !!!!!!!!! You know? Its worth it a million times over, imo.
Go into your first one with just the goal of running it, and finishing it uninjured. Dont put the pressure of any sort of time goal.
Are you looking to travel? Of the four ive done, id redo wineglass and bob potts (i plan to rerun this next year, actually).
So the bad: its more than twice as hard as a HM. Training will take over your life and kill your weekends as you get closer to peak. Youre going to hurt, youre going to be tired, youre going to have chafing in fun and new and surprising places. Everyone around you is goong to get sick of you talking about it. At some point during the race youre going to question your own sanity for why the fuck you thought it was a good idea and youre going to be convinced,you never want to run again, not even a 5k.
The good: most of the bad really only applies to your first one, it gets easier after that, its not as scary the second time around.myou know what to expect, you know your body can handle it. In the end, you will have run a freakng marathon and thats !!!!!!!!! You know? Its worth it a million times over, imo.
Go into your first one with just the goal of running it, and finishing it uninjured. Dont put the pressure of any sort of time goal.
Are you looking to travel? Of the four ive done, id redo wineglass and bob potts (i plan to rerun this next year, actually).
Yay!!
Thank you. This is what I need to hear. The raw of it all.
My h is 1088765445% supportive and knows during training this will be my 100% focus and nothing can deter it. He's great at understanding that.
I don't mind traveling for it so any suggestions would be great.
All I want to be able to say is, I'm a marathoner. After that I can work on goal times. The first one I just need to finish even if I crawl across that finish line.
Post by chitownbelle on Jul 13, 2014 10:12:02 GMT -5
You CAN and you SHOULD! If it's later this year, I assume training needs to start ASAP. Just be prepared to give up Saturday or Sunday mornings, and the nights before those long runs. As long as your hubby and friends are supportive, you'll be able to find the motivation to train. Like PP said, you'll hurt, you'll be exhausted, you'll question your sanity, but crossing that finish line for the first time will be the most rewarding thing of all!
You CAN and you SHOULD! If it's later this year, I assume training needs to start ASAP. Just be prepared to give up Saturday or Sunday mornings, and the nights before those long runs. As long as your hubby and friends are supportive, you'll be able to find the motivation to train. Like PP said, you'll hurt, you'll be exhausted, you'll question your sanity, but crossing that finish line for the first time will be the most rewarding thing of all!
I'm thinking if I do this it would be later next year maybe?
Post by Wines Not Whines on Jul 13, 2014 10:15:34 GMT -5
You can do it! I think al320 covered it very well.
The biggest con for me is how much time training takes, compared to a half. It's gotten easier now that I've done a few and my body has gotten more used to it, but for my first marathon, I felt drained and exhausted after my longer runs. I just wanted to nap and eat for the rest of the day.
The biggest pro for me is that the race itself (not necessarily the training) is a lot of fun. It also gives me a big goal to focus on.
Post by chitownbelle on Jul 13, 2014 10:27:55 GMT -5
Apparently I can't read . You can definitely get in condition to run one next year!!! So much time to build a good base and work on staying injury free :-).
Apparently I can't read . You can definitely get in condition to run one next year!!! So much time to build a good base and work on staying injury free :-).
Right now I run about 40 miles a week. Is that a good base? What is typical base before a marathon training? Thank you
Post by foundmylazybum on Jul 13, 2014 10:54:23 GMT -5
Okay--well...
I'll say the good, the bad and the ugly of my own experience then..b/c I've basically had the exact same words as you--and failed at training for a marathon--twice. I'm not saying we are the same but maybe it will help.
The good. It gave me focus and concentration. I ran longer long runs than I've ever run before
The bad... Meh, it really wasn't that much fun. I found the long runs boring, the pounding on the roads exhausting and the payoff to just say "Wow I did this" really wasn't worth it.
I also got physically ill a lot on the longer runs. As in shit cramps that would never really end with a nice satisfying poo--but tons of trips into the side woods to try. It was awful.
You have to get ready to be able to mess around with your overall nutrition. Eat more, eat the right things, eat on a schedule and drink, drink, drink. I also found that exhausting...
The Ugly.
People are going to tell you that you aren't a real runner until you do a marathon. Hell, people tell Lauren Fleshman that on planes after she wins international races lol. That isn't true and if your only reason for doing this is b/c you need a "goal," then look around and see what you REALLY want to do. Because this isn't some bs thing you can half ass. What everyone said is true--it takes a lot of time and commitment, physically and mentally. Be prepared to get pissed off, or upset on a long run, be prepared to be tired and grumpy and ask yourself WTF you are doing this--and then be ready with a strong answer as to "WHY." If "B/c it's a goal," is really strong for you--then do it.
BUT If there is something else you think will be awesome--another goal--doing super fast 5k or 10k which is hard--doing an amazing trail race somewhere--then do that--b/c this is a commitment.
Don't be afraid to set a time goal if you are going to do this. At 40 MPW you already have a base set of miles to work from. Setting a time goal is so much more strong than just finishing.
Do it!! I've only run one, years ago, but have a goal within the next couple of years to do it again now that I'm back into running. The only "bad" for me was the time devoted to the training, and that was even with the goal of just to finish. I was shot on the days of my long runs- it wasn't like "oh run for 3 hours and then come home and clean, do errands like a normal Saturday". I wasn't expecting that part. Then again I was not in the best of shape, did not cross train properly and ate pretty much anything that wasn't nailed down without the focus on quality calories.
You will be awesome- and there is no feeling at all like that feeling of crossing the finish line.
Do you have a LRS running group near you? I joined a "run a marathon" plan and the group long runs were very helpful/motivating.
Post by chitownbelle on Jul 13, 2014 11:11:22 GMT -5
40mpw is a great base. I only ran 55ish during my longest week last training cycle. If that's your base, then train to not only finish, but finish with a time goal, like PP said. Where do you live? Can you train in the winter and do a spring race?
I don't know if it's such a bad thing to try it once just to do it. I think it's a big enough jump from a half that it's really hard to say if you'll love it or hate it until you try, so why the hell not, unless you already know you hate running long.
40mpw is a great base. I only ran 55ish during my longest week last training cycle. If that's your base, then train to not only finish, but finish with a time goal, like PP said. Where do you live? Can you train in the winter and do a spring race?
Apparently I can't read . You can definitely get in condition to run one next year!!! So much time to build a good base and work on staying injury free :-).
Right now I run about 40 miles a week. Is that a good base? What is typical base before a marathon training? Thank you
Shit, I've never run 40 miles a week and I finished one marathon. My plan calls for me to hit 50 this training cycle. You can do this.
The most difficult part of marathon training for me is training in the heat. Today was the first time I've done a long run in the heat and, I'm not going to lie, it was tough. I may complain about shorter runs in the heat, but it is a entirely different ball game for me.
Right now I run about 40 miles a week. Is that a good base? What is typical base before a marathon training? Thank you
Shit, I've never run 40 miles a week and I finished one marathon. My plan calls for me to hit 50 this training cycle. You can do this.
The most difficult part of training for a marathon is training in the heat. Today was the first time I've done a long run in the heat and, I'm not going to lie, it was tough.
That's my worry. My 14 miler today ( just bc, I'm not training for anything. Lol) was tough. Doable cuz I've been trying to keep my base up this time around and not give out in our summer heat, but it's tough. Anything more is going to be rough lol
I think, based on your normal schedule of workouts, it's a great next goal for you. You already run longer than 13 to train for hms.
The heat is brutal. It is more than twice what you put in for a half. It requires more time outside of training - for nutrition, rolling, more sleep. IMO it's totally worth it.
Shit, I've never run 40 miles a week and I finished one marathon. My plan calls for me to hit 50 this training cycle. You can do this.
The most difficult part of training for a marathon is training in the heat. Today was the first time I've done a long run in the heat and, I'm not going to lie, it was tough.
That's my worry. My 14 miler today ( just bc, I'm not training for anything. Lol) was tough. Doable cuz I've been trying to keep my base up this time around and not give out in our summer heat, but it's tough. Anything more is going to be rough lol
It isn't fun, but you can do it, you just have to slow down. Or you can do a later marathon. Obviously we don't have FL heat, but I don't remember the heat being as bad training for Philly vs. MCM and Philly is only three weeks later. If MCM wasn't so close I would have picked a later marathon so I can get some of my long runs in when it is cooler. The good thing is training in the heat makes you strong and well prepared. I refuse to sign up for a spring marathon, because training in the cold and racing in the heat is horrible.
That's my worry. My 14 miler today ( just bc, I'm not training for anything. Lol) was tough. Doable cuz I've been trying to keep my base up this time around and not give out in our summer heat, but it's tough. Anything more is going to be rough lol
It isn't fun, but you can do it, you just have to slow down. Or you can do a later marathon. Obviously we don't have FL heat, but I don't remember the heat being as bad training for Philly vs. MCM and Philly is only three weeks later. If MCM wasn't so close I would have picked a later marathon so I can get some of my long runs in when it is cooler. The good thing is training in the heat makes you strong and well prepared. I refuse to sign up for a spring marathon, because training in the cold and racing in the heat is horrible.
Every long run when I see shitty pace I try to remind myself I'll be speedy this fall. Lol or that's what I hope. It's all that gets me thru!! Lol I agree. Training cold to run a hot race is rough. Training in heat to run a cool or cold run is so much easier to adapt to. At least for me!
It isn't fun, but you can do it, you just have to slow down. Or you can do a later marathon. Obviously we don't have FL heat, but I don't remember the heat being as bad training for Philly vs. MCM and Philly is only three weeks later. If MCM wasn't so close I would have picked a later marathon so I can get some of my long runs in when it is cooler. The good thing is training in the heat makes you strong and well prepared. I refuse to sign up for a spring marathon, because training in the cold and racing in the heat is horrible.
Every long run when I see shitty pace I try to remind myself I'll be speedy this fall. Lol or that's what I hope. It's all that gets me thru!! Lol I agree. Training cold to run a hot race is rough. Training in heat to run a cool or cold run is so much easier to adapt to. At least for me!
You will be speedy and think how glorious those runs will be!!!
Good advice & stuff above! With a base of about 40/week I really think a marathon is a logical goal & next step for you. As some above have already said, I barely ran 40 miles per week once before my first marathon! (Not that it's ideal, but it's true.)
I do think having a strong idea about WHY you want to do this and picking a meaningful or exciting race to you will help you focus when training gets tough. I ran for a charity with my first, so that's something to consider.
Honestly, when I look back over my part marathon training cycles I feel overwhelmed and wonder how I ran all the miles. But -- when you're in the thick if it you just take it day to day and do the best you can. You work hard, you miss a few runs, you give up some free time, but you still remain human.
I don't think there's any reason anyone "needs" to do a marathon, but it sounds like you want to and I think you absolutely can!!
Based on your location & climate, I think you might most enjoy training through winter and picking an early spring (March - April) race in a more northern area. Maybe look at the Pacific NW, Northern California, or New England? I'll also put in a shout out for Fargo in May. I know North Dakota doesn't sound super exotic, but it's a great race with a TON of community support & flat course. Usually still cool weather too. It was my first & I really liked it. I also loved Grandma's Marathon, but it's late June which may be hard for FL training.
The first marathon I did, I trained twice a week. It was ugly.
That's similar to how I went into my first half. Ran too much only 2 maybe three times a week. I tried to cram my runs into too few runs a week. It was rough by race day lol