Advice for a newbie

FootyFan24

Hi,

I'm thinkin of running my first marathon next year (may 09). Started running again about 2 months ago, at the mo I run about 15 miles a week. Any advice on good training practice to get myself ready for the day?

Peckham

Would recommend maybe buying a book about marathon training, as it will go into a lot more detail than can be provided here.

The one I used for my first marathon is this one. Higdon is a very respected within the sport, and the book provides details on training, inlcuding training plans and info on nutrition, race preparation, motivation etc.

Most importantly - just get out there running and enjoying it!

FootyFan24

Peckham wrote: »

Would recommend maybe buying a book about marathon training, as it will go into a lot more detail than can be provided here.

The one I used for my first marathon is this one. Higdon is a very respected within the sport, and the book provides details on training, inlcuding training plans and info on nutrition, race preparation, motivation etc.

Most importantly - just get out there running and enjoying it!

cheers for the info. would you recommend outdoor running as opposed to indoor/treadmill?

Running Bing

Peckham wrote: »

Would recommend maybe buying a book about marathon training, as it will go into a lot more detail than can be provided here.

The one I used for my first marathon is this one. Higdon is a very respected within the sport, and the book provides details on training, inlcuding training plans and info on nutrition, race preparation, motivation etc.

Most importantly - just get out there running and enjoying it!

Would the Hal Higdon book be much use after your first marathon?

I want to keep up the training after Dublin (my first) and I was looking to get a decent book to help me push on after it (assuming the Pfizinger stuff would be a bit advanced).

Im using this: http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/370701/The-Non-runner-Marathon-Trainer/Product.html

In hindsight I dont think its the best way to approach the marathon but its a nice introduction and it should get you to the finish plus its a nice programme if you cant devote a huge amount of time to training (its four days a week, and peaks at 36 miles in one week). I knew very little about the marathon before I got this book and it did help me get my bearings. Its very American though in that its full of over the top "you can do it" type stuff.


As someone approaching the last few weeks of training for my first marathon the best advice I can give is start out slow and gradually build it up. Dont do anything mad like deciding one week you can train like a Kenyan olympian and decide to double your mileage or add in crazy hills or intervals..you'll just get injured. The key is to slowly and steadily build up the mileage at a comfortable pace.

hunnymonster

Footyfan24, The two best bits of advice I got before my first marathon were
1. enjoy the first one, otherwise you won't come back for more. It's a big experience, enjoy the day and atmosphere as much as you can.
2. set yourself a time goal. Even if that goal is 6 hours, have a target in mind. After all, noone goes out to not finish a marathon so "just to finish" is a bit pointless. Having a time goal will help with motivation during training.


In terms of training, read about it. Most important for a beginner is time on your feet running. Never increase (a) the total weekly distance (b) total weekly intensity or (c) distance of long run by more than 10% in any given week. You may not get injured if you ignore this but your chances increase dramatically. A training log will help you keep track of things. When you start a training plan the log will also help you keep track of how you are doing. Depending on how much time you have, record as much of the following information as possible
1. planned run
2. actual run (distance, time, route, time of run)
3. weather
4. diet
5. how you feel before, during, after run
6. HR (a heart rate monitor is a very useful way to quantify your progress)
7. cross training
8. sleep
....(I'm sure I'll think of a few more)

I've not read the non-runners guide to marathon but it generally gets great reviews, Higdon is another great book for beginners. People here will have answers to any questions you might have.


Babybing, I would nearly recommend you get a more serious book at your stage. You're soaking up as much information as we throw at you so I would look at something like Noakes Lore of running. If nothing else, you won't ahve to do bicep curls any more from carrying it around :-)

plodder

FootyFan24 wrote: »

cheers for the info. would you recommend outdoor running as opposed to indoor/treadmill?

Didn't see a reply to this. Outdoor running definitely, as they aren't the same. That's not to say there's anything wrong with treadmills per-se. But you certainly couldn't compare distance run on a treadmill with distance run on the road for example.

--amadeus--

The Lore of Running is a blindingly good book, probably the best there is (alongside P&D's Advanced Marathoning). BUT it is a monster and teh early chapters (the biochemestry of running) are a tough slog. If the non-runners guide is Junior Cert then Higdon is Leaving cert, Glover's Competitive Runners Handbook is your degree, P&D your Masters and the Lore is your PhD!