Too late to run?

crazy days

Is it too late to start training for the Dublin Marathon in October?

Odysseus

Your leaving it very late mate, it depends on your current fittness as well as how much time you can put in, if you work hard and don't pick up any injuries its possible, but will be tough. Check over the last few pages of posts, that question has been asked a few times over the last few weeks.

irlirishkev

I would say no, it's not too late, if you're not an absoloute beginner.

If you're used to running, and can put in the work, and can build up your distance relatively quickly, then you should be able to do it.

On the other hand, if you're a beginner, and haven't run much, and still need to buy actual running shoes, then I'd say think twice about it.

Check out http://www.dublincitymarathon.ie

Kev.

crazy days

Thanks for the replies

I've been thinking about it over the weekend and have decided that i'm up for the challange. I think there's 12 weeks to go so i suppose i should really break up the time left into a training scedule and work out some goals. If anyone has any idea of the sort distances i should be covering each week let me know. I'm getting some great advice from other threads on this too.

I'm gonna do a 5 mile run today and try gauge where i am at the moment.
Would love to hear from other people running a marathon for the first time...

Black Swan

If you are just dieing to run, then you may want to visit another thread on this forum called "Training for Marathon." There are some good points there.

Odysseus

crazy days wrote:

Thanks for the replies

I've been thinking about it over the weekend and have decided that i'm up for the challange. I think there's 12 weeks to go so i suppose i should really break up the time left into a training scedule and work out some goals. If anyone has any idea of the sort distances i should be covering each week let me know. I'm getting some great advice from other threads on this too.

I'm gonna do a 5 mile run today and try gauge where i am at the moment.
Would love to hear from other people running a marathon for the first time...

Good stuff mate, I love to see someone push themselves, just make sure you push yourself without killing yourself. Off the top of my head I would suggest aiming for 10 mile runs by end of the month, 15 by end of sept, and get a 20 miler in a couple of weeks before hand. Personally, no matter what I'm training for, i rearly run more than 3 times a week, two 10-12k and then my long run which varies. Let us know how your getting on and best of luck with it.

marathonic

I've been running and slowly building up my mileage since the start of May. I ran just over 9 miles 2 weeks ago. Didn't time myself on that run. Felt ok after it. Then I went on the beer for two weekends with only minimal excercise between the two weeks - one 6 mile run and one 20k cycle.

I ran 6.5 mile on Tuesday and 7.6 mile yesterday (in 1hr 3 mins). I was totally wrecked after yesterdays run (more than the 9 mile run two weeks ago) - it's funny how much the beer messes with your routine.

Anyway, I run a half marathon in America in two weeks time which I should, hopefully complete in under 2 hours. I am thinking of doing the Dublin marathon in October. Would it be reasonable to expect to double my distance from 13.1 mile in September 3rd to 26.2 mile in October 30th?

Do any of you know if it's still possible to apply and, if so, when the closing date is?

dermCu

Yes its too late.

You might make it around but it will not be nice. (yea none of them are that relaxing but there is a difference between being really tired and being destroyed)

I dont want to knock your efforts but building up from 5 to 26 miles in 12 weeks is crazy. Its an injury waiting to happen. How about picking a marathon next spring and working towards it.
Paris / London / Connemara! All on around April, take your pick and work towards it. Your first marathon is one you wont forget. Looking back it will be a better memory if you know you were prepared for it.

crazy days

dermCu wrote:

Yes its too late.

You might make it around but it will not be nice. (yea none of them are that relaxing but there is a difference between being really tired and being destroyed)

I dont want to knock your efforts but building up from 5 to 26 miles in 12 weeks is crazy. Its an injury waiting to happen. How about picking a marathon next spring and working towards it.
Paris / London / Connemara! All on around April, take your pick and work towards it. Your first marathon is one you wont forget. Looking back it will be a better memory if you know you were prepared for it.

Thanks for the words of caution it's good to get all perspectives to form a balanced decision, I maybe throwing caution to the wind however i'm enjoying pushing myself and i'm feeling the benifts of training hard, if i get an injury so be it, i may not be able to run but to be honest the way things are going so far, i think i'll be ok.:)

Transform

Put in for 3-4 days off after the marathon then as walking will be a problem

crazy days

Transform wrote:

Put in for 3-4 days off after the marathon then as walking will be a problem

You sound like you've had a bad experience?

Transform

Not at all- its what its going to feel like if you do not get your milage up asap

You need to have done at least a 20mile run 3 weeks before the marathon as you will be doing NO long runs (over 10miles) 3 weeks out.

dermCu

You need to have done at least a 20mile run 3 weeks before the marathon as you will be doing NO long runs (over 10miles) 3 weeks out.

True, and thats the bare minimum.
The rule of thumb that I live by is that your last 5 long runs should add up to at least 100 miles. Otherwise you are not ready. It can be done on a lot less but that doesnt mean that you were ready for it. You seem to be up for it so best of luck.

Odysseus

Personally mate, I respect your ambition if you do this. I understand that there are exteremely knowledgable people posting on this forum, all I would say is go for it, but at the slighest injury, seek professional advise. Best of luck with it mate.