Training for a Marathon

6.9k rep

MemberDaphne, AL

Any ideas, references, or tips? Thanks!

692 rep

MemberPortland, ME

When is your marathon? What distances have you raced before and what are you goals for this marathon. I joined Anytime Fitness today to supplement my running and to lose more weight. I am a back of the pack runner and have already completed two marathons and seven half marathons. I am hoping joining Anytime Fitness will be a way to get me back on track.

371 rep

MemberAbingdon, VA

There is a lot of information out there. I have run 15 marathons but I'm slow. I usually run 5 hours+. I love them thou. I have used Jeff Galloway's training program. Do a half first to get the feel of a race. Good luck!! Which one are you doing?

6.9k rep

MemberDaphne, AL

Thanks for the responses. I am planning for the Crescent City Marathon in NOLA this March. I have done three half-marathons with an average time of about 2 hours. My goal for this marathon is to finish without stopping in under four hours. I'll do some searching - thanks for the feedback!

3.5k rep

AlumniPlant City, FL

Go on line to Chirunning.com /consider buying the book Chi Running

26k rep

Trainer

Hi CGnextdoor-
Are there any local running clubs or groups in your local area that you could join and then train with? I've lived all over the country and I've found that each place where have I lived there would be a local running group that met a few times a week- sometimes at a high school track in the evenings after work or early in the mornings before work and then met at a park or general meeting place for a long run on the weekends. They are free to be a part of and "join." You can use these people as resources to ask lots of questions about training for a marathon. They are all ages, sizes, shapes, speeds, etc. They also serve as social networks too. I made lots of friends this way and we would meet outside of running at restaurants, movies, etc.! Good luck on your marathon! I used to live in NOLA so I am very familiar with the Crescent City Marathon!

371 rep

MemberAbingdon, VA

A running club is a great idea. It helps with the training. We have a great one here in SWVA.

217 rep

O₂i | OwnerPeru, IL

I just ran my first marathon about a month ago...Chicago Marathon. I had taken 19 yrs off from running. Used to run track, cross country , and steeplechase in HS and College. I also did 50 or so triathlons and got pretty heavy into bike racing (100-500 miles). I then graduated from college and, as they say, life got in the way! I decided in Oct 2010 that I was going to run the Chicago Marathon before I turned 40 and started my training in April 2011 and 6 months to the day, I ran the marathon! My goal was 5 hrs and my official time was 5:12 (most likely due to the 27 degree temp rise from start to finish!) I also happened to lose 17 pounds along the way!!

In any case, I used a training program by one of the "Marathon Masters", Hal Higdon. You can find his training programs online for free but he also offers a paid program in which he is in communication with you during the whole thing. I thought it was awesome. The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) entire program is based upon Hal's programs. I believe it was stated that over 2/3 of the 45,000 runners in the Chicago Marathon use his program in one way or another! When I started, I barely was able to run 1.5 miles without being really winded. With your solid base you should be able to ramp up to your goal with no problem.

I also second the motion for ChiRunning!!! It has changed the way I was trained to run all those years and it is SO MUCH easier and better for your body. I took a full day intense ChiRunning seminar on the north side of Chicago about 3 months before the marathon. I could feel the difference in my running the very next day! I have now combined the ChiRunning info and the info from several other barefoot running books and seminars I have attended and am working towards running barefoot but I digress.

I wish we had running groups in our area but since we live in the country all my runs were me and nature. Occasionally my wife would drive the kids (4 ages 6-10) out so they could run a few miles with me and bring me more water.

Key points...your running cadence needs to be 170-180 bpm. Use shorter strides and land mid foot. Keep your arms moving as they are your tempo setters...they slow down so does your cadence.

Good luck!!

2.1k rep

H₂i | ManagerGig Harbor, WA

invest in a good pair of running shoes. do NOT buy them from a payless, wal-mart, khols, etc. - make sure you go to a running specialty store where employees are knowledgeable runners themselves and can recommend the right shoe for your gait, training, and personal circumstances! they will be expensive and if you are doing distance training, they will need to be replaced often, but trust me, investing in your shoes is the single most important part of long distance training! get involved in a local running club and find as much support as you can! if you have any friends or family in the area that aren't running the marathon with you but want to show some support, have them be your "crew". they can meet you at different check points along the course with signs of encouragement, food, water, gear, high fives, etc oh, and one last piece of advice - never, never, never give up! good luck and HAVE FUN!!

692 rep

MemberPortland, ME

Remember as you train for your marathon you need to do your long runs at a 10 to 20% slower place than your expected race pace. Your training should be about developing endurance not speed. You can do speed workouts on your shorter runs. Limit the speed work to once a week or your legs will not be ready for your long runs. Always take a day off after the long run.

You also have to be ready for that mental challenge. Most people have to battle through a least one point in each marathon when they have to fight through the urge to say enough is enough. You can't really train for that but you need to be ready for it. In bigger races you can draw from runners around you to keep going. Runners are for the most part a friendly and encouraging bunch.

Good Luck and as Anya said above have fun.

Roger RRCA Certified Running Coach

19 rep

I dont really have any tips because im still trying to work my way up to do a marathon. I have only done a 5k. I just wanted to tell yougood luck, youcan do it!