Considering First Marathon

[elynne2012]

I'm considering signing up for my first marathon but have a lot of anxiety about it.  I've only been running two years now; before that I could run a mile.  Now I've done two half marathons, a few 10ks and a lot of 5ks.  I run 3-4 times per week and also do yoga, weights, etc. 

I think I'm having more a mental fear than anything.  Any advice? I also work full time and have two young children.

[gt7301b]

Just do it, sometimes ya gotta face the fear head on.

[Wines Not Whines]

You can do it! If you can run a half, you can train for a marathon. There are several marathoners on this board who work full time and have kids.

Is your anxiety about something in particular?

Are you considering a particular marathon? Maybe someone who has run it can give you some information about it.

[G22]

You can do it! If you had zero fears about doing your first marathon, I'd says that is nuts.

As long as you put in the time and training, its totally something you can do.

[al320]

Nov 18, 2014 15:18:52 GMT -5 G22 said:

You can do it! If you had zero fears about doing your first marathon, I'd says that is nuts.

As long as you put in the time and training, its totally something you can do.

This is totally true. Literally no one decides to run there first marathon and thinks it will be unchallenging.

Pick one and commit to training. You can absolutrly do it.

[elynne2012]

Thank you for the replies! I think I just need to sign up and go for it. I live in New England so training in the winter scares me but maybe I'll look for a late spring?

[sassystace]

I did my first marathon last month. I have two young kids and work full time and have been running 3 years. I did a 20 mile race in the Spring of this year to kind of feel out the longer distance before I made the leap to sign up for my marathon. I also studied training plans to determine if I could really commit to a plan and train right. Then I made sure that my DH was on board with supporting me when I was away doing all those long runs and longer mid-week runs. I also picked a flat and well supported race to run. I live in Ohio and it had to be a Fall race for me. You need those longer summer days to get all those runs in. I feel like with the weather and darkness, a Spring full would be tough.

[nichelobe]

Nov 18, 2014 16:14:19 GMT -5 sassystace said:

I did my first marathon last month. I have two young kids and work full time and have been running 3 years. I did a 20 mile race in the Spring of this year to kind of feel out the longer distance before I made the leap to sign up for my marathon. I also studied training plans to determine if I could really commit to a plan and train right. Then I made sure that my DH was on board with supporting me when I was away doing all those long runs and longer mid-week runs. I also picked a flat and well supported race to run. I live in Ohio and it had to be a Fall race for me. You need those longer summer days to get all those runs in. I feel like with the weather and darkness, a Spring full would be tough.

Can I ask what race the 20 miler was? That sounds really really tempting.

[mrshandy]

Do it. I work full time and have two young kids and just completed my second marathon. It's hard balancing everything, but totally worth it when you cross the finish line!

[1confused1]

Do it!!

I completed mine last year, I'm a single mom to 2 and work full time. Training takes a lot of time, but it is well worth it.

Check out www.amazon.com/Train-Like-Mother-Across-Finish/dp/1449409865/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416352538&sr=8-2&keywords=another+mother+runner&pebp=1416352542579

[bostonmichelle]

Nov 18, 2014 15:34:21 GMT -5 elynne2012 said:

Thank you for the replies! I think I just need to sign up and go for it. I live in New England so training in the winter scares me but maybe I'll look for a late spring?

FWIW - I'm in NE (MA specifically) I'm looking into a fall marathon next year as my first.

I've been running about a year, have done one half and training for my second. I have days that I'm like yes running a marathon is an awesome goal and other days I wonder what is wrong with me. I had the same feelings before signing up for my first half.

[sassystace]

Nov 18, 2014 16:39:17 GMT -5 nichelobe said:

Nov 18, 2014 16:14:19 GMT -5 sassystace said:

I did my first marathon last month. I have two young kids and work full time and have been running 3 years. I did a 20 mile race in the Spring of this year to kind of feel out the longer distance before I made the leap to sign up for my marathon. I also studied training plans to determine if I could really commit to a plan and train right. Then I made sure that my DH was on board with supporting me when I was away doing all those long runs and longer mid-week runs. I also picked a flat and well supported race to run. I live in Ohio and it had to be a Fall race for me. You need those longer summer days to get all those runs in. I feel like with the weather and darkness, a Spring full would be tough.

Can I ask what race the 20 miler was? That sounds really really tempting.

Hi nichelobe - it was a local race in its first year...it was called the 20 Mile Drop...and it looks like they are doing it again on April 20th (it's about a half an hour east of Cleveland).  A lot spring marathoners use it as one of their long runs.
lakehealthrunning.com/RaceInfo_20Miler.aspx

Post-race pancakes made it totally worth it!

[carilyn]

I also say go for it! I was in the same boat last winter. I picked a late June marathon on the coast where I knew it would still be cooler (WA) and the bulk of my training was in April and May. I also work full time and have two young kids. I picked a training plan that had me running 3-4 days a week, which worked perfectly for my first and I felt sufficiently trained come race day. Well, after the race I felt sufficiently trained. Right before I was questioning everything including my mental stability for deciding a marathon was a good idea lol! If you're fully committed and have a partner willing to support you, dive right in.

[shauni27]

Nov 18, 2014 15:34:21 GMT -5 elynne2012 said:

Thank you for the replies! I think I just need to sign up and go for it. I live in New England so training in the winter scares me but maybe I'll look for a late spring?

I'm with you--I am REALLY tempted to run my first full.  I have done 6 halves after never having run before 2010.  I am not speedy and sometimes running is REALLY hard for me.  It is scary, tough and overwhelming to think about running a full--sometimes running 3 miles makes me miserable, how can I run 26.2???

I also live in New Engand, so winter training is daunting, but I think better than summer training.  There is the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon on May 24th in Burlington VT that I am considering...want to be virtual training buddies and run it together??

[elynne2012]

Nov 19, 2014 8:25:57 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Nov 18, 2014 15:34:21 GMT -5 elynne2012 said:

Thank you for the replies! I think I just need to sign up and go for it. I live in New England so training in the winter scares me but maybe I'll look for a late spring?

I'm with you--I am REALLY tempted to run my first full.  I have done 6 halves after never having run before 2010.  I am not speedy and sometimes running is REALLY hard for me.  It is scary, tough and overwhelming to think about running a full--sometimes running 3 miles makes me miserable, how can I run 26.2???

I also live in New Engand, so winter training is daunting, but I think better than summer training.  There is the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon on May 24th in Burlington VT that I am considering...want to be virtual training buddies and run it together??

[elynne2012]

Not sure my other reply posted - but that would be great!! I'm thinking of looking for one witha fundraising aspect. I have had a lot of friends and family touched by pediatric cancer lately...

[gt7301b]

Nov 18, 2014 15:34:21 GMT -5 elynne2012 said:

Thank you for the replies! I think I just need to sign up and go for it. I live in New England so training in the winter scares me but maybe I'll look for a late spring?

I'm all about fall marathons. I don't mind running in the cold and snow, but it is just hard to fit everything in during the winter without running in the dark or on the treadmill.

[shauni27]

Nov 19, 2014 8:46:14 GMT -5 elynne2012 said:

Not sure my other reply posted - but that would be great!! I'm thinking of looking for one witha fundraising aspect. I have had a lot of friends and family touched by pediatric cancer lately...

Here is a link to the page for this race about joining a team and fundraising.

www.vermontcitymarathon.org/community/miles-for-a-mission/

If you are serious about this, lets PM!

[nichelobe]

Nov 18, 2014 21:49:02 GMT -5 sassystace said:

Nov 18, 2014 16:39:17 GMT -5 nichelobe said:

Can I ask what race the 20 miler was? That sounds really really tempting.

Hi nichelobe - it was a local race in its first year...it was called the 20 Mile Drop...and it looks like they are doing it again on April 20th (it's about a half an hour east of Cleveland).  A lot spring marathoners use it as one of their long runs.
lakehealthrunning.com/RaceInfo_20Miler.aspx

Post-race pancakes made it totally worth it!

Nooooooo!! I decided I was in, hurried to the website to register before I changed my mind, and saw the date is actually 4/12. That's my husband's birthday. Womp womp.
This is I think the third awesome-sounding race I've found that's scheduled for 4/12. COME ON RACE DIRECTORS - THIS DATE DOESN'T WORK FOR ME.

[sassystace]

Nov 19, 2014 9:06:36 GMT -5 nichelobe said:

Nov 18, 2014 21:49:02 GMT -5 sassystace said:

Hi nichelobe - it was a local race in its first year...it was called the 20 Mile Drop...and it looks like they are doing it again on April 20th (it's about a half an hour east of Cleveland).  A lot spring marathoners use it as one of their long runs.
lakehealthrunning.com/RaceInfo_20Miler.aspx

Post-race pancakes made it totally worth it!

Nooooooo!! I decided I was in, hurried to the website to register before I changed my mind, and saw the date is actually 4/12. That's my husband's birthday. Womp womp.
This is I think the third awesome-sounding race I've found that's scheduled for 4/12. COME ON RACE DIRECTORS - THIS DATE DOESN'T WORK FOR ME.

Oops, sorry I had the date wrong--that must be from last year...

The race and distance was good but it is a pretty lonely race, meaning nobody is out there watching/cheering (especially compared to the Columbus marathon).