Novice Runner looking for advice

menoscemo

Hi Guys, I have been lurking on the forum a while and decided to ask your advice.
I have been going to the Gym for the last 5 months and in January took up running on the threadmill. I have never been a long distance runner (used to do the sprints in school) and at first was doing 2-3km at 10 kph. Just back tonight having done my first 10km in 57 mins. I am doing about 3 runs a week at the moment, a long one in the gym (like tonight) a shorter one (3-4km at a much higher pace about 12kph) and a medium distance road run (last week I did a 5.5km stretch in around 30 mins). I also play an hours 5- a side soccer a week.
I am a male, 31 y/o 1.75cm 76 kg and about 18% bodyfat. I am planning to run the Dublin marathon in october and just want a bit of general advice, specifically I ghave the following questions:

1. Am I making good enough progress, is the Marathon possible. What time should I be aiming for (was thinking 4hours?)

2. Any specific training schedule I should be aiming for, or am I doing ok at the moment (building up distance and speed gradually).

3. I do a bit of weight-training in the gym also, will this slow my progress?

4. Any equipment I should invest in? I have a pair of Nike Dart VI runners http://www.shopping.com/xDL-shoes~DN-Nike-Dart-VI-Leather--~DI-iGYrdZBbIaLaKhCZv9l5SQ== I get sore feet especially on the road. A lot of friction on the insoles. I have just bought some running socks, will these help?

5. Am I too bulky for a runner, should I concentrate on weight loss or will this happen naturally as I up my training (BTW I lost about two stone last year, but have been constant for the last 3 or 4 months)

6. Any other advice you might have would be much appreciated.


Thanks in Advance

rainbow kirby

Put it this way - if you're too bulky I should hang up my running shoes altogether. I'm shorter than you and only about 3kg lighter.

If you're having problems with your feet in those shoes, then it's possible that they're not the right shoes for you. Head into a proper running shop (Amphibian King etc) and get a proper gait analysis done. They should be able to recommend you the right kind of shoe for you - and this may be drastically different from what you're wearing.

I'm in a similar boat to you in terms of current level of fitness, and I'm hoping to be able to run Dublin this year too. Most novice marathon training programs seem to start off with a long run in the first week of about 10k, so sounds like you're at the right sort of level to start one. However there are plenty of people here who know more about this sort of thing than me! :pac:

menoscemo

Cheers rainbow, where is that running shop? i am in south Dublin.

rainbow kirby

Amphibian King is in Bray.

RoyMcC

menoscemo wrote: »

Hi Guys, I have been lurking on the forum a while and decided to ask your advice.
I have been going to the Gym for the last 5 months and in January took up running on the threadmill. I have never been a long distance runner (used to do the sprints in school) and at first was doing 2-3km at 10 kph. Just back tonight having done my first 10km in 57 mins. I am doing about 3 runs a week at the moment, a long one in the gym (like tonight) a shorter one (3-4km at a much higher pace about 12kph) and a medium distance road run (last week I did a 5.5km stretch in around 30 mins). I also play an hours 5- a side soccer a week.
I am a male, 31 y/o 1.75cm 76 kg and about 18% bodyfat. I am planning to run the Dublin marathon in october and just want a bit of general advice, specifically I ghave the following questions:

1. Am I making good enough progress, is the Marathon possible. What time should I be aiming for (was thinking 4hours?)

2. Any specific training schedule I should be aiming for, or am I doing ok at the moment (building up distance and speed gradually).

3. I do a bit of weight-training in the gym also, will this slow my progress?

4. Any equipment I should invest in? I have a pair of Nike Dart VI runners http://www.shopping.com/xDL-shoes~DN-Nike-Dart-VI-Leather--~DI-iGYrdZBbIaLaKhCZv9l5SQ== I get sore feet especially on the road. A lot of friction on the insoles. I have just bought some running socks, will these help?

5. Am I too bulky for a runner, should I concentrate on weight loss or will this happen naturally as I up my training (BTW I lost about two stone last year, but have been constant for the last 3 or 4 months)

6. Any other advice you might have would be much appreciated.


Thanks in Advance

Welcome to (1) the madhouse and (2) the mad world of running. My 'off-the-cuff' input -

1. You are making fine progress. The DCM is possible but I doubt you realise what a big ask this is. At least get a 10k and a Half in before you even think about it.

2. Look at the beginners' training schedules out there and choose one that suits you. If you are determined to do DCM then at least follow a schedule. Hal Higdon/Runners World UK are examples.

3. No.

4. Kirby has pointed you in the right direction.

5. Crikey, if you are too bulky then there's no hope for a lot of us :pac: Put the weight loss thing towards the bottom of your priority list but eat healthily and appropriately.

6. Enjoy your running, don't compare yourself to anyone else. Keep checking in here.

Good luck.

henryporter

Great to see the consensus on height/weight ratio - I'm about the same stats and was feeling down about carrying too much weight, but this gives me hope! Best of luck in the DCM - I'm hoping to give it a go this year myself. Hal Higdons online programs and his book are what I'm relying on. I'm training for the half in Connemara at the moment and his program has kept me injury free thus far.