Dublin marathon next year......training advice please

lycopodium123

Hi all,

I'm just back from watching everyone in the marathon at the half way mark and I really really want to do it next year! I was standing there cheering and clapping and felt really jealous and slightly teary for some strange reason!!! lol!

Could anyone give me any advice on how to get started? I'm a total beginner, my fitness is pretty much non-existent at this stage, after having a back injury for the last 2 years. I know i need to strengthen the back muscles up and am sure i can incorporate that into my training, but have no idea where to start....!

Any advice would be great!

Thanks a million

MrPain

Heres a good website with various training schedules depending on your goals, might be worth a look
http://runrepublic.ie/training/marathon.htm

earlyevening

Or you could try http://www.halhigdon.com

Also in the sports section there's the A/R/T forum which is full of marathon runners who can provide endless advice.

g'em

moved from fitness

osnola ibax

Hi, I've been running since January and took on the marathon today, but I found it very tough. Now, a lot of people here in A/R/T have done marathons after only a few months training and were successful, but I would say found it tough aswell. My advise to you is to get 12 months solid training behind you before attempting one. So obviously you have 12 months from today so get cracking straight away.

Download the c25k programme from www.coolrunning.com and start from there if you really have no base fitness. Then run a 5 k race, then train for 10 k races, maybe following a Hal higdon plan, and move up SLOWLY to half marathons maybe after 6 months or that. Build very slowly, buy very good runners (not necessarily expensive), and start to build a base, be consistent and clever with your training, e.g. One speed session per week, one hill session etc, one long run. Take your time and avoid injury and 18 weeks out from DCM, take on a novice marathon programme and be conservative with your goals.

Pay attention to niggles and injuries and have them seen to quickly by a professional. Good luck!!! OI

spaceylou

I've also had back problems and pilates is excellent for strengthening back muscles - find a physio that also teaches pilates or a pilates instructor that has experience with people with back injuries....and for the running bit - other people have already suggested various training programmes so take a look at those.

Best of luck

ct_roy

hey there as someone who was pretty much in your position two years ago and who just finished their first marathon today (woo hoo!) I can give you following tips:

1.) start very slowly - enter some 5k/5mile races - there are LOTS of them. Build your initial training up to that initial goal. Nothing like your first organised race to wet the appetite for the bigger ones.

2.) I can second the hal higdon recommendation - I followed his novice marathon training programme and thought it was excellent.

3.) make sure you get a few months of regular running of 5k's, 5 milers under your belt before you start full on marathon training. It will help you out big time when you get into a more demanding training schedule.

also, make sure you enter the great ireland run in april and the race series next summer - they are really good preparation for the big day.

Finally, do NOT overdo it - just go out to enjoy it - you might start running because you liked what you saw today - but the real joy of running is how the week in week out training makes you physically and mentally healthier - you really do see and feel the benefits.

It's changed my life to be honest!

Best of luck with getting started and hope to see you on here this time next year!