Where to start?

streaker

Hi,

Apologies if a stupid place to put this and a stupid post!!

At some point over the next few years i would like to do a marathon, its something i have always wanted to do, and i want to take the bull by the horns.

I just dont know where to start, i know i cant just train for a few weeks and then hope for the best. I have been trying to look around for guides, tips etc but am finding it hard.

To be honest, i am very unfit, i never have been. I used to play a good bit of sport when i was younger, but now only a game of soccer once a week if im lucky. When i hit college i went into the smoking, drinking, eating poorly regime and to be honest havent really come out of it.

Soon to be starting first career job and seems like a good time to start properly getting in gear with giving up fags, getting healty and eventually doing a marathon.

I just dont know where to start, I am thinking of maybe working towards a 5 mile in Feb/March time then to see how i get on there maybe a 10 mile in Sept/ Oct and so forth.

So pretty much just looking for help as to wear to start! From the basics, and I mean complete basics!I almost literally do not have a clue where to start!Thinking about joing a local gym and just getting on the treadmill.

Or if people have any good places to look, any links, books etc?

Thanks very much for any help.

Just seen the other athletics thread. Apologies as the other place is probably better, but would still appreciate any advice if people were willing to give any.

Lila

I find Hal Higdon's plans great for beginners - www.halhigdon.com. He has everything here from 5km up to ultramarathon plans. You can actually train to complete a marathon in about 18 weeks but it would be far better to give yourself a year and build up gradually. Try to take part in some 5km or 10km events in the meantime. There are a few on in December - check for the threads already posted.

You could aim for the Dublin marathon in 08? Come out on Monday and cheer on us first timers and it might spur you on.

Good luck!

Clum

streaker wrote: »

I just dont know where to start, I am thinking of maybe working towards a 5 mile in Feb/March time then to see how i get on there maybe a 10 mile in Sept/ Oct and so forth.

The marathon is a great mass-participant event. Very enjoyable (honest!). An event with a similar number of participants, and much much easier is the Bupa 10 (although this may become the Quinn Health 10 or something). It's a 10 kilometer run in the Phoenix park around April time. It does have a competitive field to it but also has a huge 'fun runner' element. You've loads of time to prepare for that.

A lot of people use events like this as a target to get fit but find themselves staying with it afterwards, moving on to greater things such as marathons...

streaker

Yeah, as stupid as it sounds i will didnt even know it was on on monday, will definetly go for a look.

I know it would probably take me best part of a year to train for it, i went to a gym last night and struggled to run a mile and a half and thats pretty much where i am starting from!

I would definetly conisider the Bupa run. Im not the tyoe of person who is looking for a specific time, i would just like to finish that race and then maybe a marathon

Lila

How about aiming for a 5km in December. The Donore Harriers are having the annual Jingle Bells run in 5 weeks (www.donoreharriers.com) and you'll easily complete that. Nice fun run atmosphere too so you won't be intimidated.

Then work towards the Bupa in April. You can register at www.greatrun.org. Quite a large crowd complete this event, maybe 5,000, but people of all levels of fitness so you can just take part and enjoy it!

streaker

DO you think i could realistically make it though? Whats the best way of training? Just keep running what i am confortable with and then keep increasing deistance?

I am just incredibly unfit, i am going to gym now again to see how i get on and give myself a bit of a test

(thanks for your help by the way)

Lila

Without a doubt you could complete a 5km event! There are no secrets really - just get out there and run.

> Start off with intervals of walk, jog, walk etc. You'll gradually build up and be able to run for longer periods. Walking breaks are OK!
> Start off with 15 / 20 min sessions and stay out for an extra 5 or 10 minutes every week.
> No need to run at a mad pace, better to jog and stick at it for longer periods. (Jogging = you can hold a conversation, Running = difficult to hold a conversation).
> Try to mix it up - sometimes outside & sometimes on the treadmill.
> Check out Hal Higdon's 5km plan for a novice & you'll see how achievable it is.

Anyone you could buddy up with? A training partner at a silimar standard to you would really help.

Oh and definitely give up the fags!

K2

Hi
the cool runnings website have a couch potato to 5K program which is really good for starting off. I did it two years ago, kept on running since and I am now attempting the big one next Monday for the first time :eek:

streaker

Thanks for your advice, i appreciate it

Went to the gym there, could run about 3km. Found it difficult enough, but was able to finish and didnt collapse or anything at the end!

Yeah, giving up the fags will be the first step, easier said than done unfortunetly.

Have one friend that could come with me, but he is a fitness fanatic and could run 9/10 miles regularly, so i dont know if he would appreciate coming with me as i struggle to 2 miles!!

Also, best luck to people running on Monday

megapixel

Using the gym to start off is a good starting point. But do some cross training and leave the threadmill to last as your leg muscles are the largest muscles in your body. Use the bike and cross trainer and even the rowing machine to help you build up your fitness and stamina.
When you feel your up to it start getting in some run's outside. You might find this a little difficult as running on concrete is hard on you joints. Take your time and if your finding it difficult, walk for a few minutes and then run for a few minutes. Don't go increasing your distance until you have managed to complete a fixed distance without stopping. Even then you should do this run for a week or two and then increase the run. Incorporate some hills as this is good for your legs and lungs..i.e stamina.

Have been running for a while on and off and it is hard to start. As every muscle in your legs ache so much when your starting off. Ensure you stretch well before and after you start running.

Definetly give up the cigarettes, cut down on the alcohol, but don't have to give it up. Cut out the rubbish and you'll do fine. Mind of matter when it comes to running. You'll find your mind telling you to stop before your legs tell you to stop. This also gets easier.

Hope this can help but good luck in your training.

locteau

if you send me an email, through runireland.com I will guide you for free until you succeed in finishing a marathon.

Genuine offer, fully customisable... support by email and phone.

Seb at runireland.com and sebfitness.com

you make the choice :-)

streaker

locteau wrote: »

if you send me an email, through runireland.com I will guide you for free until you succeed in finishing a marathon.

Genuine offer, fully customisable... support by email and phone.

Seb at runireland.com and sebfitness.com

you make the choice :-)

Thanks very much for the offer!
I will take you up on that!

hunnymonster

streaker wrote: »

I know it would probably take me best part of a year to train for it, i went to a gym last night and struggled to run a mile and a half and thats pretty much where i am starting from!

[start self indulgent spiel]
I was once even worse than that. In August 2004 I went to the gym with a friend who was too intimidated to go on his own. We tried the treadmill's and both feel off into red, puffing heaps after 5 minutes. 12 weeks later I ran the Dublin marathon in 3:50. Whilst not breaking any records, it was a perfectly respectable time. Mind you, I didn't walk properly for a week afterwards but the sense of achievement on crossing the finish line was worth that and more.

Apologies to those who have heard this bit of soppieness from me before. A few years ago, I couldn't walk properly. My body was so weak that, like a newborn, it could not support the weight of my head. I weighed less than 25 kgs, I had repeated pneumothoraxae and suffered mrsa, my skin was like paper and I lost most of my hair. Everyone, including myself, assumed I would die at some stage. I didn't, I recovered and I ran that marathon. Crossing the line was the point where I knew I was a healthy woman again. I've gone on since to run much faster marathons, to run ultra marathons, to learn to swim and do ironmen triathlons. Somehow though that first Dublin marathon in 2004 remains a very special memory.

For everyone running the marathon this weekend, be it your first or your 100th, good luck and enjoy it. You're doing something 99% of the population never will. Be proud of yourselves. This will be the first Dublin I have missed since starting to run in 2004 and although I'll be en route to Florida for a very different type of race, I'll be thinking of everyone standing on nassau street and more importantly running back long it to the finish line on Merrion Square.
[/spiel]

Odysseus

Hunnymonster, I was unsure of the date of your event, so the very best of luck with it, hope it goes well for you. Incidently, Dublin 2004 was my first marathon as well, and yes even then you were quicker that me;) Best of luck in Flordia.

locteau

Is that the IM Florida ? did not check the date but look around oct/nov did it years ago....

what ever it is good luck

Seb