9 replies to this topic

[thelazyrunner]

Hi everyone,

        I am new to this site and fairly new to running.  I am 31 years old and have only been running for about 12 months or so.  I have a wife and two kids 6 year old boy and 4 year old girl.  A friend of mine has suggested I run next years Melbourne Marathon which foolishly I have decided I will give a try.  I am currently running about 6 ks at 6 min per k.  I am hoping to run the marathon in about 4.00 to 4.15.  My plan is build up to comfortably running 20ks (40k's in a week over 3 runs) and then start a dedicated program in about June, which will give me 12 weeks to go from 20k's to 42k's.

If there is one tip that anyone would give me what would it be.

I have also started a blog about my running as I thought it may get someone else who doesn't think they could do it give it a try and also because I think that lots of my trials and tribulations along the way will make funny reading.  Feel free to chcek it out Lazy Mans Marathon

Anyway I hope to read lots of good stuff on here and use it as a great resource going forward.

Thanks and happy running

[SpecBGT]

Hi thelazyrunner,

Welcome to CR. You have set yourself a sterling task. I would rethink the 12 weeks to go from 20 to 42.2. You have given yourself 9 months to do the 20 and 3 months to do the next 20. From what I can gather the second 20 is the hardest and you'll need more time. Hal Higdon has a program of 18 weeks and the Gold Coast Marathon proposes a 20 week program to prepare. At this stage I wouldn't be thinking about times, distance is the aim. You'll need to be careful about your training as there is little time to lose through injury. So good luck and remember, enjoy your running.

[Bellthorpe]

thelazyrunner, on 16 October 2011 - 11:35 AM, said:

If there is one tip that anyone would give me what would it be.

My tip is "don't".

In my view, you're going about it the wrong way. I would suggest that you should ease into running, increasing your distance bit by bit, until it's comfortable. You should enter some 5k/10k races, to get used to racing. (Keep in mind, a marathon is a race). Persevere with the 10k races until you believe you're doing them justice. I won't try to define that, you'll know it when it happens. By then you'll be mixing longer distances, up to 15-20k, with some speed work, drills and so on.

Then enter some half marathons. Persevere with the half marathons until you believe you're dong them justice. I won't try to define that, you'll know it when it happens.

Then see if you want to enter a marathon. That might be next year. Or the next. Or the one after that. It doesn't matter. Trying to race a marathon with little running under your belt can destroy you. And surely you would like running to become a healthy habit, so that you have many, many years of enjoyment and competition ahead of you?

[sfGnome]

Bellthorpe, on 16 October 2011 - 04:09 PM, said:

Trying to race a marathon with little running under your belt can destroy you.

It is possible to work up to a Marathon in one year, but I'm not sure that it is wise. I have a friend who just ran his 2nd marathon in Melbourne, 10 years after his first. It took him that long to overcome the mental scarring that came from doing the first one too soon.

Don't get me wrong. It's fantastic that you've taken the most difficult step in the marathon - deciding to do it in the first place. Most people don't even get that far! Keep the enthusiasm, keep the blog, keep reading and learning, and most of all, keep building your training, slowly. Like they say in the ads, "it won't happen overnight, but it will happen". Just don't be in too much of a hurry.

[Edit - and lest you think that what I'm saying contradicts the quote in my signature below, just remember that the blokes going to the moon 'dared greatly', but it still took 'em 10 years to do it!]

Edited by sfGnome, 16 October 2011 - 04:39 PM.

[lyricnz]

I would agree with an earlier poster, in that you should start your "real" marathon program a lot earlier - the last 20 are much harder than the first 20.  Don't worry about speed, just work on the distance. Do some research, find yourself a nice long marathon plan, to reduce the chance of injuries etc.  Start by running no more than 10% more each week (to minimise change of injuries).  This will require about 18 weeks to get to 30km sessions.  That's your long run, once a week.  Really, go find a sensible program.

FWIW, I just did my first MM, after taking up running 12 months ago, at 110kg and 37 years of age.  Regarding the blog - you can't be a lazy marathon runner  (not to do 4 hours, anyway).

Edit: GOOD LUCK!

Edited by lyricnz, 16 October 2011 - 04:48 PM.

[GrantWholey]

Hi Lazy runner, I say go for it! I think it is a realistic goal to achieve in 12 months. Same as what has been said already, build up slow. The old 10 percent increase in klms each week. If you start feeling a bit sore just back off for a bit. Keep it fun, that's why most of us run.
find a training partner, especially for the long runs.

Best of luck, looking for to reading the blog.

[thelazyrunner]

Thanks for all the great replies and advice.  I am thinking I will now start my actual marathon program in about April/May and give myself another 6 weeks to prepare.

My friend who has run a few before said that if you have a base of 20k's at a steady easy pace then you can get to 40 in 16 weeks or so.  He said any longer and you get a bit of burn out before the race.

Thanks to those that have checked out my blog.  A new post is on the way.

Quote of the Day today "Inspiration comes in many forms.  What some people would take as advice others will use as motivation to prove the 'advisor' wrong"


Happy running.

[MikeLikeRun]

I tried going from almost nothing to marathon in 6 months.  I might have made it, but I was getting worn down quite badly, pulled out to do the half marathon instead and felt much better about my running.  I then did a slow gradual build up to this year's Gold Coast Marathon over 12 months and it felt much better.  Since then I've gone back to training levels close to the peak before the marathon and still no sign of burnout.

[plodder42]

thelazyrunner, on 16 October 2011 - 11:35 AM, said:

Hi everyone,

        I am new to this site and fairly new to running.  I am 31 years old and have only been running for about 12 months or so.  I have a wife and two kids 6 year old boy and 4 year old girl.  A friend of mine has suggested I run next years Melbourne Marathon which foolishly I have decided I will give a try.  I am currently running about 6 ks at 6 min per k.  I am hoping to run the marathon in about 4.00 to 4.15.  My plan is build up to comfortably running 20ks (40k's in a week over 3 runs) and then start a dedicated program in about June, which will give me 12 weeks to go from 20k's to 42k's.

If there is one tip that anyone would give me what would it be.

I have also started a blog about my running as I thought it may get someone else who doesn't think they could do it give it a try and also because I think that lots of my trials and tribulations along the way will make funny reading.  Feel free to chcek it out Lazy Mans Marathon

Anyway I hope to read lots of good stuff on here and use it as a great resource going forward.

Thanks and happy running

Hi Lazy Runner,
As a newby who has only been running for 2 1/2 years,and who has recently completed my first marathon(melbourne,10 days ago),I was in your situation not long ago.
*Firstly are a "tad "older started at 43,now 45.
*Had a baseline of Zero fitness,think "blobster",but have managed to shed 15kgs.
*Like yourself have two kids,but mine are teenagers,who rode with me on long runs for support (and financial gain),and occasional runs over shorter distances.)
*Ran five half marathon and two city to surfs before even daring to dream that a marathon was possible for me.
  *Signed up with a mate,the very day entries for Melbourne opened,then booked my airfares,accomodation etc so I wouldn't change my mind.
  *Read every marathon book I could get my hands on,Runners World etc,Cool Runnings Blogs to learn everything possible that could help me.
  *Experimented with about four different shoes till I found the "running bedroom slipper".
  *Melded several 16week training programmes to find one that was challenging,but not lethal.
  *Stuck to the programme OBSESSIVELY.Did every long run,medium run and short run.My only compromise was the absence of intervals which I hated with a passion.I endured my pain in other forms!
  *Fine tuned hydration and nutrition on the run (only after crashing and burning on my 20km long run when I collapsed and needed an ambulance.)
  *Annoyed my family intensely with above obsessionism,including running in Hawaii on our family holiday just before the marathon. (Thank god for the taper!!!!! )
  *Having the perfect marathon- cool weather,flat course,two friendly runners I ran with (Cheers Cameron and Paul),great crowds etc etc
   *Running the first 32KM with no problems,As yet no red lights on the dashboard.
   *Someone then turning the fatigue switch on,but being able to limp home with just enough time up my sleeve to break 4HRS  (3:57:14).
   *Realising that the marathon is really a formality,the 4months+ of training,and long runs (in my case 3 over 30km,)are the basis of getting there.

   Sorry Lazy Runner,forgive my sermon,but bottom line is your goal is VERY POSSIBLE,but your chances of a good result are hugely dependent on adequete training
  and getting your confidence up doing shorter distances first.
   Wishing you all the best,It's worth it ,definitely a memory for life.

Edited by plodder42, 17 October 2011 - 08:44 PM.

[thelazyrunner]

Thank you everyone for your advice.

I have done some further research and have set my short medium and long term goal as follows.

Short- Train 3 days a week with on long run every week which I build up by 10% till I reach 20ks

Medium-Comfortably be running 20k's once a week by end of march start or april then begin a approx 16 week marathon program

Long-Melbourne Marathon 2012

My first long run is 6k then add 10% each week with every fourth week or so a step back week.

I also have a few weeks spare in my program allowing for minor injuries and set backs.

For the first few weeks what should my other two runs for the weeks be.  I was think one should be an easy run at about 1/2 the distance of the long run and then maybe interval training or something similar for the third.

I am still pretty motivated and have run 5 times in last 8 days.

Should be a new blog post tomorrow.

Happy running.