A marathon before I'm 30!!!

adelcrowsmel

Hey guys,

I am just looking for some realistic advice on how long it would take me to go from scratch to running a marathon. I've kinda had this thing in mind for ages that I'd love to do a marathon at some stage in my life and decided 30 was the target. So i have just over a year before I turn 30, so its now or never!! I'm fairly unfit and as I've said I'll be starting from zero - but how long would I want to be running for before attempting a marathon - I don't care how long it would take me to actaully finish it- I would just like to complete one as an achievement!!

OBWON

I reckon if you are dedicated stay injury free and all you want to do is complete it, with no time in mind.
6 months should be enough

Woddle

I'm doing Paris in 4 weeks to celebrate my 30th
but I started running last year and it took me 6 months to get ready for Longford but I now wished I had never bothered with Longford and just concentrated on building myself up for Paris. So my question to you is why not just start now and don't bother leaving it till the least possible time, start now and build up strong and you'll do a very good marathon.

eden_my_ass

A year is plenty of time, but you should take the advice above and start now...especially since we're coming into the summer which is the nicest time to be out running, trust me you may struggle training next winter, but at least if you've the groundwork done it'll be easier to face into!

rovers_runner

Start now and you'll make Dublin in the last week in Oct.
Loads of time if you are up for it.

Highway_To_Hell

Plenty of time to get fit enough for the 30th running of the Dublin City Marathon. I have a good few years on you age wise but last year I went from been unable to run more then a few hundred yards in January to completing the Dublin Marathon in October. I wasn't too fast, 3hrs 54mins, but I ran all 26.2 miles and enjoyed most of the 1000 miles I ran in training :-)

Between now and October there are plenty of shorter races to help with training and give you belief that a marathon is possible.

enjpy and gool luck

plodder

Do it in two stages, using two programs . First find a "couch to 10K" like this one. Though this one seems to be quite ambitious (0 - 25 miles per week in 10 weeks). You could drop a run or so, from each of the last 3 weeks.

Then find a beginners "get you round" marathon program. There is one on the Dublin city marathon site. Assuming you don't run into any problems,you could easily do the Dublin marathon this year.

daveyrovers

You won't really know how your body will respond to running until you start doing it. You could move up the distance easily enough without getting injured or your body may take more time to adapt so start running with Dublin in mind but don't make it your sole goal until you can comfortably do 10 miles.

RoyMcC

daveyrovers wrote: »

You won't really know how your body will respond to running until you start doing it. You could move up the distance easily enough without getting injured or your body may take more time to adapt so start running with Dublin in mind but don't make it your sole goal until you can comfortably do 10 miles.

Wise words. I think we forget how difficult this running lark can be when you start out. Some take to it naturally but others struggle. A marathon from scratch can be done but it is some commitment, and it's not for everybody.

I would go against the general view on this and, like daveyrovers, take it in easy stages. Learn to run first, let the body adapt. Then see if you can build your distances slowly. Only when you have completed a Half in reasonable comfort should you contemplate training for a full Marathon. If you don't manage it within your timescale then they will always be there in the future for you.

knuckshee

I used a book called The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David A. Whitsett, Forrest A. Dolgener, and Tanjala Jo Kole to train for the marathon from scratch.
It starts with an 11 week pre-training program which basically builds you up from walking to being able to run non stop for 30 mins.
Then there is a 16 week marathon training program.
It also has lots of good mental tips and tricks that will help you along the way.
It's not for everyone I'd say but worked for me.
Good Luck.

shels4ever

RoyMcC wrote: »

Wise words. I think we forget how difficult this running lark can be when you start out. Some take to it naturally but others struggle. A marathon from scratch can be done but it is some commitment, and it's not for everybody..

+1 good advise there.

Set yourself a 10k program first and see how you go , Once you get into regular training you will see progress and then can decide on the marathon but it is possible in 7 months.
How is your general fitness are you over weight ?

For now just get out running 3 days a week and enjoy it, worst thing you can do is not enjoy yoruself..

Have fun.

m3llowship

I have a thread open in this forum called "No time like the present".

I started it at the end of Jan. I, like you, am planning on going from 0 to 26.2 miles.

I'd love to answer any questions you have, I have learned so much in the past two months.

Being honest this board is daunting with so many highly experienced runners, it'd be nice to talk to someone with the same goal!

makker

I started running a year a go and am doing my first marathon less than 4 weeks.
There original aim was to complete a sprint triathon last Summer but I decided to stick with the running for the Winter.
After watchin the Dublin marathon this year my mind was made up that i wanted to complete one. A year ago I would have laughed at the thought of doing a marathon
At Xmas the furthest I had run was 10k. I've stepped up my training since then and am going to give Rotterdam a crack.
There is a good chance I could crash and burn but at least i will learn a lot about my phsical and mental toughness and can recify it for Dublin in October.
I'll let you know how I get on.
BTW i turn 30 in two months time

RoyMcC

makker wrote: »

I started running a year a go and am doing my first marathon less than 4 weeks.
There original aim was to complete a sprint triathon last Summer but I decided to stick with the running for the Winter.
After watchin the Dublin marathon this year my mind was made up that i wanted to complete one. A year ago I would have laughed at the thought of doing a marathon
At Xmas the furthest I had run was 10k. I've stepped up my training since then and am going to give Rotterdam a crack.
There is a good chance I could crash and burn but at least i will learn a lot about my phsical and mental toughness and can recify it for Dublin in October.
I'll let you know how I get on.
BTW i turn 30 in two months time

Wow, you youngsters have no fear :pac: Good luck and be sure to report back how it goes.

Eoin0603

I went from no physical exercise - to starting to run last January - to finishing dubin in october, I am now doing connemara on sunday week.

It is certainly achievable. I would strongly recommend you get your training program from www.halhigdon.com and order his book and read it early in your training.

According to Hal Higdon 26% of the people surveyed on his site who completed their first marathon started training only 3 months before they started his 18 week pre-marathon programme.

Go for it, enjoy it, but take it easy and stick to a plan that suits you, if you get injured early on you'll loose interest.

makker

RoyMcC wrote: »

Wow, you youngsters have no fear :pac: Good luck and be sure to report back how it goes.

Will keep you updated.

May have forced\overdone the training since Xmas and setting myself up for a major mare but feel I cant start training for the tri season until i complete it so trying to box it off sooner than later.

Feels like a bit of a monkey on the back that needs rid of in a good kind of way.

Not quite chomping at the bit yet but hopefully that will come in the next couple of weeks

adelcrowsmel

Hey guys,

Thanks a mil for all the help, advise and encouragement. I'll just have to get out there and get running and see how it goes so. I was thinking of aiming for the half marathon in dublin thats in sept/oct - the one that goes through the phoenix park and then see how it goes from there. No I definitely don't want to leave it until the least possible moment - I just wanted to see if I was being totally unrealistic with the target with not knowing alot about this running lark!!

My general fitness is not good, but no I'm not overweight. I used to be very activate in the gaa when I ws younger but haven't done anything in a good 5 years. But I'm going to give it a fair go!!!

Thanks m3llowship I'll have a look at your thread now and be prepared for many questions I'm sure!!

--amadeus--

I often get slated for saying that *anyone* can complete a marathon. Take your time, build into it slowly, follow all teh good advice above, be realistic in your expectations and enjoy as much of it as possible and you'll be fine.

m3llowship wrote: »

Being honest this board is daunting with so many highly experienced runners

There are a lot of very experienced runners out there and on here. But every single one of them started exactly where you guys are at now, with a head full of questions! I know it can be a bit off putting when you read about people who's easy run pace is faster than your 10k speed and who do more miles in a day than you do in a week. But - without exception - every single person on here will bend over backwards to help out any new runners. Please don't feel at all intimidated or daunted by anyone on here and ask, ask, ask!

hunnymonster

--amadeus-- wrote: »

There are a lot of very experienced runners out there and on here. But every single one of them started exactly where you guys are at now, with a head full of questions! I know it can be a bit off putting when you read about people who's easy run pace is faster than your 10k speed and who do more miles in a day than you do in a week. But - without exception - every single person on here will bend over backwards to help out any new runners. Please don't feel at all intimidated or daunted by anyone on here and ask, ask, ask!

+1

Stupid_Private

--amadeus-- wrote: »

But every single one of them started exactly where you guys are at now, with a head full of questions!

When I started out...
- I puked crossing the line of my first race while training for my first marathon (5 mile race - I'd love to see the time for it but I'd guess somewhere between 35 and 40 minutes)
- Tuesday and Thursday scheduled speedwork were replaced with punching a heavy bag and skipping at boxing training!
- I remember being out dying hungover in the Phoenix Park on a Sunday morning trying a long run, being passed by numerous others all around the place, thinking "bet they weren't out until 5am trying to score an English bird, I'm the real winner here!".

Good times - we all started out somewhere...

hunnymonster

Stupid_Private wrote: »

...
- I remember being out dying hungover in the Phoenix Park on a Sunday morning trying a long run, being passed by numerous others all around the place, thinking "bet they weren't out until 5am trying to score an English bird, I'm the real winner here!"...

That is class. So did you score and was "I'm fit, training for a marathon..." part of the chat up pattle?

shels4ever

Stupid_Private wrote: »

When I started out...
- I puked crossing the line of my first race while training for my first marathon (5 mile race - I'd love to see the time for it but I'd guess somewhere between 35 and 40 minutes)
- Tuesday and Thursday scheduled speedwork were replaced with punching a heavy bag and skipping at boxing training!
- I remember being out dying hungover in the Phoenix Park on a Sunday morning trying a long run, being passed by numerous others all around the place, thinking "bet they weren't out until 5am trying to score an English bird, I'm the real winner here!".

Good times - we all started out somewhere...

That is one of the things I like about the boards you see how far people have come , give me real hope of improving furhter.. I hope.

Stupid_Private

hunnymonster wrote: »

That is class. So did you score and was "I'm fit, training for a marathon..." part of the chat up pattle?

No idea what my patter was like back then. More than likely it was god awful. On that basis I would've mentioned the marathon!

--amadeus--

Stupid_Private wrote: »

No idea what my patter was like back then. More than likely it was god awful. On that basis I would've mentioned the marathon!

Nope! the best chat up line apparently is "It's hot today, isn't it? It's the best weather when you're training for a marathon.". It says so in the Daily Mail, so it must be true!

uglyjohn

shels4ever wrote: »

That is one of the things I like about the boards you see how far people have come , give me real hope of improving furhter.. I hope.

Its true, i never would have done my first marathon if not for all the people like me who come on and talk about their progress and how they never thought they would get this far. I especially love the posts where people complain about missed sessions, injuries and setbacks; not because i like to see others it trouble....but because they always end the post saying how they'll stick at or work harder next time. It reminds me that im not the only one in my situation.
People like amadeus, hunnymonster, tunny and so on are great for advice and experience and i really admire them for the mad crazy stuff they do....but i think the input from people just sarting out is equally important for someone like me who is still slightly shocked i'd ever think of doing something like a marathon :eek:

in summary, ask away.....the people here are great and you will always find someone in the same situation.

adelcrowsmel wrote: »

Hey guys,

Thanks a mil for all the help, advise and encouragement. I'll just have to get out there and get running and see how it goes so. I was thinking of aiming for the half marathon in dublin thats in sept/oct - the one that goes through the phoenix park and then see how it goes from there. No I definitely don't want to leave it until the least possible moment - I just wanted to see if I was being totally unrealistic with the target with not knowing alot about this running lark!!

i think the general concensus is that the half marathon this year is a little too late to decide if you want to do the full or not. it all depends on your expected time and all that but i'd say to avoid over training and injury you want to make sure you build things up slowly and i dont think there is time between the half and the full to get the miles in.
I did it that way last year but looking back i overtrained and this year there is even less time.