Talk me into a marathon

[melmel48]

After watching my friends complete their first marathon and crying like a fool because they worked so hard in their training, I decided I want to do one too! I used to get so nervous before a 5k and now I sign up for halfs like its NBD. 

Do I want to do a full? I feel like if I sign up for a half without even thinking about it, it is time to go bigger. Then I think about the training and I am like WTF?!  

I asked my friend to join my running club friends and I to do a marathon he has done before and he asked me to do a different one with him. So, basically we both said no to each other. I want to be with my running club friends when I complete my first ( and him), but he doesn't want to do the marathon I want to do. I don't want him to be the only friend I have at my first marathon. The struggle is real, friends! Lol. 

I am super excited to do one with all of my running club friends, but I am the slowest one in the bunch. So, talk me into it. Tell me how awesome it will be! Running! Friends! Yay!  I need the push, please! 

[bostonmichelle]

Don't rely on your friend. He can be a big selfish dick do the one in the fall that I did with everyone else. But the training is a lot so remember that and the long runs sucked during the summer.

[melmel48]

Nov 23, 2015 18:38:29 GMT -5 bostonmichelle said:

Don't rely on your friend. He can be a big selfish dick do the one in the fall that I did with everyone else. But the training is a lot so remember that and the long runs sucked during the summer.

Change of plans.... It's in May......

[atlas]

Spring marathons are HARD. Training through the winter can suck. Like thoroughly suck. (Also, I think at least 40% of my marathons were spring marathons. So I'm speaking from experience of disregarding the last time I decided to do this )

However, you should def do the/a/any marathon. Marathons are awesome. And the training is hard, but finishing is so much fun and the beer is good. And you get a really pretty medal. And people think you are a badass.

[melmel48]

Nov 23, 2015 18:54:52 GMT -5 atlas said:

Spring marathons are HARD. Training through the winter can suck. Like thoroughly suck. (Also, I think at least 40% of my marathons were spring marathons. So I'm speaking from experience of disregarding the last time I decided to do this )

However, you should def do the/a/any marathon. Marathons are awesome. And the training is hard, but finishing is so much fun and the beer is good. And you get a really pretty medal. And people think you are a badass.

I think training through the summer will be even harder for me. Winter training sounds glorious. Summer training is the suck for me. I trained for fall halfs and was miserable in the heat. Cold doesn't bother me!    I know I will bitch and moan no matter when I do one... I just need the push. Thanks for your advice. Your reasons are the best.. Hehe. I run for bling!

[melmel48]

Nov 23, 2015 18:38:29 GMT -5 bostonmichelle said:

Don't rely on your friend. He can be a big selfish dick do the one in the fall that I did with everyone else. But the training is a lot so remember that and the long runs sucked during the summer.

He may be a little selfish dick... who really knows?!     It's a mystery.

[clseale]

Oh, hey! You've come to the right place. Ask yourself these questions.

1) Are you being realistic with your expectations?
2) Is you body handling your current training/distances/goals well?
3) Do you have the time to commit to training?
4) Does the idea fill you with more excitement than it does dread?

If the answer to those questions is yes, run a marathon. (And pick the one that excites you the most.) You know we'll be here to cheer you on!

[juliabug]

I'm not a marathoner, but would your friend (the one who is a dick) come out to cheer you on along the course? That might be even better than running the same race since you don't run the same pace.

[al320]

Look, the answer here is always yes.

So just do it.

Youve done a bumch of HMs. You can do a full with training.

[chw57]

Nov 23, 2015 22:23:29 GMT -5 al320 said:

Look, the answer here is always yes.

So just do it.

Youve done a bumch of HMs. You can do a full with training.

Alllll this. And honestly, if you can bust out a half no problem, the training won't be THAT much more than you're used to (if you pick a mellow plan, which for your first is probably the way to go anyway)

[G22]

Do it! I've train through the winter for a June marathon, and through the summer for a fall marathon. Both come with challenges, but are doable. And you know we will support you along the way

[melmel48]

Nov 23, 2015 22:04:29 GMT -5 juliabug said:

I'm not a marathoner, but would your friend (the one who is a dick) come out to cheer you on along the course? That might be even better than running the same race since you don't run the same pace.

I don't think so because he would have to travel. He said if I did one near home he would definitely be there, but since he would have to travel and get a hotel, most likely he would not if I do the one in May. 

[melmel48]

Nov 23, 2015 21:03:58 GMT -5 clseale said:

Oh, hey! You've come to the right place. Ask yourself these questions.

1) Are you being realistic with your expectations?
2) Is you body handling your current training/distances/goals well?
3) Do you have the time to commit to training?
4) Does the idea fill you with more excitement than it does dread?

If the answer to those questions is yes, run a marathon. (And pick the one that excites you the most.) You know we'll be here to cheer you on!

So far my body is handling things well as far as running half marathons. If I did a May full, it would be easier to train as opposed to training over the summer. Summer is very busy for me. Training for a half fit in nicely over the summer, but training for a full I would have to make changes to my life style.

The idea of a marathon thrills me, I think I am just terrified!      Thanks for everything!

[melmel48]

Nov 24, 2015 4:41:10 GMT -5 G22 said:

Do it! I've train through the winter for a June marathon, and through the summer for a fall marathon. Both come with challenges, but are doable. And you know we will support you along the way

Awesome! Thanks!!  I think it will also help if my friends are training for marathons too, even if I can't keep up with them and train along side.

[melmel48]

Nov 23, 2015 22:23:29 GMT -5 al320 said:

Look, the answer here is always yes.

So just do it.

Youve done a bumch of HMs. You can do a full with training.

This made me laugh! 

[scm1011]

Do it! And I agree with Michelle that you should do the fall one with everyone else. Even for someone like me who loves running alone, having people to train with on the really long runs is invaluable. Your run club seems to have a lot of people who do Baystate, and having that support will be really helpful.

[al320]

Nov 24, 2015 8:12:41 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

Nov 23, 2015 22:23:29 GMT -5 al320 said:

Look, the answer here is always yes.

So just do it.

Youve done a bumch of HMs. You can do a full with training.

This made me laugh! 

I speak the truth, yo.

[gt7301b]

Nov 23, 2015 22:23:29 GMT -5 al320 said:

Look, the answer here is always yes.

So just do it.

Youve done a bumch of HMs. You can do a full with training.

So very true.

I also think winter marathon training is much more difficult than summer marathon training.  But as long as you are aware of it going in you'll be fine.  The hard part for me was coming to terms with 1) running in the dark or 2) treadmill running.  I don't mind running in the cold, but with the lack of daylight sometimes it is hard to just get in the runs.

[al320]

Nov 24, 2015 8:17:36 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Nov 23, 2015 22:23:29 GMT -5 al320 said:

Look, the answer here is always yes.

So just do it.

Youve done a bumch of HMs. You can do a full with training.

So very true.

I also think winter marathon training is much more difficult than summer marathon training.  But as long as you are aware of it going in you'll be fine.  The hard part for me was coming to terms with 1) running in the dark or 2) treadmill running.  I don't mind running in the cold, but with the lack of daylight sometimes it is hard to just get in the runs.

I cant decide which is worse. I dont mind running in the cold, but cant run if its icy. Then again running in the summer always sucks. Always.

I need to start doing like december marathons in other places, exclusively.

[gt7301b]

Nov 24, 2015 8:19:00 GMT -5 al320 said:

Nov 24, 2015 8:17:36 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

So very true.

I also think winter marathon training is much more difficult than summer marathon training.  But as long as you are aware of it going in you'll be fine.  The hard part for me was coming to terms with 1) running in the dark or 2) treadmill running.  I don't mind running in the cold, but with the lack of daylight sometimes it is hard to just get in the runs.

I cant decide which is worse. I dont mind running in the cold, but cant run if its icy. Then again running in the summer always sucks. Always.

I need to start doing like december marathons in other places, exclusively.

Obviously training in the heat can be miserable and demoralizing because it is cold, but the thing I love about fall marathons is you train in the heat so a nice fall day feels fabulous and is great for racing.  You can have a hot day, but even then it still usually better than what you trained in.  The worst part about spring marathons is that you can get a hot day, which is so much worse if you've been training in the winter.  With all that said, I've never actually run a spring marathon.  I got through about six weeks of mid week 8-10 milers on the treadmill and gave up.

[wambam]

you won't get any other answer here other than "do it."

I'm doing it by myself and it's fine. I don't know any different because I've never trained with someone else, but it's totally fine.

[libbygrl109]

Nov 24, 2015 8:11:22 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

Nov 23, 2015 21:03:58 GMT -5 clseale said:

Oh, hey! You've come to the right place. Ask yourself these questions.

1) Are you being realistic with your expectations?
2) Is you body handling your current training/distances/goals well?
3) Do you have the time to commit to training?
4) Does the idea fill you with more excitement than it does dread?

If the answer to those questions is yes, run a marathon. (And pick the one that excites you the most.) You know we'll be here to cheer you on!

So far my body is handling things well as far as running half marathons. If I did a May full, it would be easier to train as opposed to training over the summer. Summer is very busy for me. Training for a half fit in nicely over the summer, but training for a full I would have to make changes to my life style.

The idea of a marathon thrills me, I think I am just terrified!      Thanks for everything!

This is what has me ready to sign up for one next week. I have never had a feeling of excitement about doing one until recently.

[mrshandy]

Go for it!!

I'm doing my first winter training this winter and not looking forward to it. It's so much easier to get out of bed for an early morning dark run in the warm weather than in the cold. But as long as you're prepared for the suckage, then you'll be ok.

[melmel48]

Nov 24, 2015 8:14:06 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Do it! And I agree with Michelle that you should do the fall one with everyone else. Even for someone like me who loves running alone, having people to train with on the really long runs is invaluable. Your run club seems to have a lot of people who do Baystate, and having that support will be really helpful.

Everyone is doing the May one I told you about this morning! I don't know about Baystate now.   We haven't talked that far yet. At first it was Baystate... then it changed to the May one. 

[melmel48]

Nov 24, 2015 8:29:12 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Nov 24, 2015 8:19:00 GMT -5 al320 said:

I cant decide which is worse. I dont mind running in the cold, but cant run if its icy. Then again running in the summer always sucks. Always.

I need to start doing like december marathons in other places, exclusively.

Obviously training in the heat can be miserable and demoralizing because it is cold, but the thing I love about fall marathons is you train in the heat so a nice fall day feels fabulous and is great for racing.  You can have a hot day, but even then it still usually better than what you trained in.  The worst part about spring marathons is that you can get a hot day, which is so much worse if you've been training in the winter.  With all that said, I've never actually run a spring marathon.  I got through about six weeks of mid week 8-10 milers on the treadmill and gave up.

Very good points I had not considered. Now my head is spinning and I don't know what to do! I will figure it all out. At least I know I have support both here and with my friends no matter which marathon I decide to do.

[melmel48]

Nov 24, 2015 10:16:10 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Go for it!!

I'm doing my first winter training this winter and not looking forward to it. It's so much easier to get out of bed for an early morning dark run in the warm weather than in the cold. But as long as you're prepared for the suckage, then you'll be ok.

If I decide to do May, we can complain together!

[scm1011]

Nov 24, 2015 17:05:26 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

Nov 24, 2015 8:14:06 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Do it! And I agree with Michelle that you should do the fall one with everyone else. Even for someone like me who loves running alone, having people to train with on the really long runs is invaluable. Your run club seems to have a lot of people who do Baystate, and having that support will be really helpful.

Everyone is doing the May one I told you about this morning! I don't know about Baystate now.   We haven't talked that far yet. At first it was Baystate... then it changed to the May one. 

Oh perfect! Then def do it!

[shauni27]

Nov 24, 2015 8:41:23 GMT -5 wambam said:

you won't get any other answer here other than "do it."

I'm doing it by myself and it's fine. I don't know any different because I've never trained with someone else, but it's totally fine.

WAIT!  Did I miss that you are training for a full???!?!11!!!

melmel48 I have not run a full, but I have run 6 halves.  Please run the full so I can run one vicariously through you!!

[melmel48]

Nov 24, 2015 21:34:35 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Nov 24, 2015 8:41:23 GMT -5 wambam said:

you won't get any other answer here other than "do it."

I'm doing it by myself and it's fine. I don't know any different because I've never trained with someone else, but it's totally fine.

WAIT!  Did I miss that you are training for a full???!?!11!!!

melmel48 I have not run a full, but I have run 6 halves.  Please run the full so I can run one vicariously through you!!

I just saw this! I am thisclose to saying screw it! and signing up. I will take one for the team.. the team being me and you.