Any marathon runners on here?

[BreakfastBurrito]

I'm trying to determine whether or not I should try a marathon in about a month. My training hasn't been the strongest thus far. I've done pretty much no long runs except for a half marathon race a few weeks ago and it wasn't the best experience but I did get through it. I do have pretty strong willpower in these races though and will pretty much never quit once I start something.

So the question is, do I squeeze in a couple long runs over the next few weekends, show up on race day and run until I finish or die, or just say to hell with it, there's no way I have enough time to train properly, I'll just hurt myself?

I will do whatever OOT recommends.

[asofel]

If a half marathon wasn't the best experience, but you got through it, I doubt a month is adequate preparation. Imagine getting through it only to find you're halfway done. I'm sure you could physically finish it, but do it the right way and train properly.

[asb165]

I've done 4 marathons with little training. They have not gone particularly well, but hey, you get a medal and that makes it all worth it. Just don't stop moving. Or, you could "do it right". But that takes much more time that is better used drinking.

[tbach24]

How many miles per day and per week are you doing?

[tbach24]

this might help] (http://www.coolrunning.com/)

[M2d]

[ QUOTE ]
But that takes much more time that is better used drinking.

[/ QUOTE ]
the proper term is "advanced carbo-loading"

[chaas4747]

[ QUOTE ]
I've done 4 marathons with little training. They have not gone particularly well, but hey, you get a medal and that makes it all worth it.

[/ QUOTE ]

If they have not gone well, what is your motivation here?

[Emmitt2222]

Seriously, it will be quite painful but you can do it if you are determined. I dont know what age you are as that could have a large impact but I know my friends who are 20 only trained for a few months and it was pretty lousy training. They only ever did one long run that wasnt even 20 miles before the marathon. If you are OK running 10 miles without feeling dead you can run a marathon even though it won't be easy. They all finished under 6 hours too. Its definitly possible, just don't stretch yourself thin by putting in too many long runs before the actual race, you only need a few at the most and make sure your last week is mostly resting. You can do it, I believe in you.

[BreakfastBurrito]

[ QUOTE ]
How many miles per day and per week are you doing?

[/ QUOTE ]

I probably only run 3-4 times a week, usually 4-6 mile runs. I'm at the point where these runs are pretty easy and I really try to step up the pace on them. I've been meaning to add at least one 8-9 miler per week but never seem to do it.

I said the half marathon wasn't a great experience because my previous two (a year and a half ago) were good experiences, where I was able to really pick up the pace in the second half of the race and finish strong. The most recent one was the La Jolla half marathon though, which I guess is known as a hilly and challenging course.

[asb165]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've done 4 marathons with little training. They have not gone particularly well, but hey, you get a medal and that makes it all worth it.

[/ QUOTE ]

If they have not gone well, what is your motivation here?

[/ QUOTE ]

By well, I mean particularly quick. The NYC Marathon is something that everyone with any desire to run a marathon should do.

[protocol]

In addition to your normal training, you need to start doing one serious long run per week. You should try to work up to at least 18 miles. It will be very difficult to finish the marathon without walking a good deal of it if you havent done at least one 18+ mile run.
You want to leave around 2 weeks between your farthest long run and race day, so obviously you're cutting it a bit close here.

[ QUOTE ]
I probably only run 3-4 times a week, usually 4-6 mile runs. I'm at the point where these runs are pretty easy and I really try to step up the pace on them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't worry about stepping up the pace on your normal runs, you should be more concerned about stepping up the milage. For marathon training, quantity over quality.

If you decide to do the marathon, buy Power Gel, and take it twice during the race.

[BreakfastBurrito]

So I did one 16 mile run the week before the race, other than that just kept running about 3 times a week, 3.5-8.5 mile runs depending on what I felt like.

The day before the race I hydrated and carbo-loaded like a champ, brought two power gels to the race, took in a little water or powerade at every station, and was generally having a great time before my calves started cramping on mile 20.

For the next two miles I was able to run through the small cramps without slowing down until major cramps started on mile 22. For that mile I would walk a little, then run some more until my next major cramp. At first I was able to run for about a minute in between major cramps, but by mile 23 any attempt to jog was met with an immediate incapicatiting cramp.

I accepted that I would just have to walk it in, and walked as fast as I could until on mile 25, I was rendered immobile by a massive cramp in which my entire right leg locked up in the pointed toe position. I was unable to force my foot flat to relieve the cramp, which also spread into my quad. I was actually a little bit scared at this point, and when a cop walked over and asked if I needed help I said yes. He called for medical assistance but while I was waiting over the next couple minutes I was slowly able to the flatten out my foot and cancelled the help and limped to the finish.

On the way in several spectators heckled me. I was called lazy by a few, a few others told me I shouldn't be there. I thought that was pretty cool. Of course a lot of people tried to encourage me as well. I managed to finish in just under 4 hours, the last 4.2 miles took me an hour and one minute.

I guess overall, proper training would probably have been a good idea.

[turnipmonster]

good job finishing, but marathons are way more fun when you've done the proper training, which for me was like 6 months long. I highly recommend running the nyc marathon, although you have to sign up for the lottery well in advance.

[jakethebake]

If you've run a half marathon, this is doable. Just run a couple of 5-milers during the week and extend a long run on the weekends over the next three weeks. For example:

Week 1 - Mon: 5 mi. - Wed: 5 mi. - Sat. 15 mi.
Week 2 - Mon: 5 mi. - Wed: 5 mi. - Sat. 18 mi.
Week 3 - Mon: 5 mi. - Wed: 5 mi. - Sat. 22 mi.
Week 4 - Mon: 5 mi. - Wed: 5 mi. - Sat. Marathon

[kyro]

The only word that comes to mind to describe the hecklers is "pathetic." Honestly, those people ought to be beat to a pulp.

Congrats on the finish.

[OtisTheMarsupial]

don't do it. you will hurt yourself.

if you do it, take lots of walking breaks. they will reduce your chance of injury. Run Injury Free (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/) and Walk Breaks (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html)

[jedi]

[ QUOTE ]

On the way in several spectators heckled me. I was called lazy by a few, a few others told me I shouldn't be there.


[/ QUOTE ]

Good bet that those hecklers haven't done anything in their life. I walked most of the marathon when I did an Ironman. The people of Madison, Wisconsin were nothing but supportive. Of course, most of them were drunk, but that's ok.