Dublin Marathon for beginners

wicklowwonder

Hi,

I have been toying with the idea of running the Dublin Marathon in October. I have not ran since I was 18/19 I am 24 now but I play football but wouldn't consider myself anywhere near as fit as I was back then running well in all Ireland xcountrys, so it would be from a standing start.

Just looking for a bit of advice, I hope to start training in early June is this enough time? Also what is a good time for a first marathon, I want to put myself under pressure to do well so would like a decent target. Also is there any really good training guides? A google search threw up hundreds. Really don't know where to start. Also I will be doing the majority of training on my own so advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

RoyMcC

Hi wicklowwonder. You won't like my quick answer which is - DON'T. Yes it is physically possible, especially as you are young and fit. But even a hardened runner will need at least 12-14 weeks to get into marathon shape. From a standing start it will be uber-difficult and you stand a big risk of injury.

If you manage to complete DCM it will not be a great experience. You'll probably be put off running again for a long time.

Start running, it's a great sport. But have incremental goals and aim for a full marathon next year if you are still enthusiastic and improving.

You'll probably get replies that say 'go for it.' Treat them with caution.

Good luck.

wicklowwonder

RoyMcC wrote: »

Hi wicklowwonder. You won't like my quick answer which is - DON'T. Yes it is physically possible, especially as you are young and fit. But even a hardened runner will need at least 12-14 weeks to get into marathon shape. From a standing start it will be uber-difficult and you stand a big risk of injury.

If you manage to complete DCM it will not be a great experience. You'll probably be put off running again for a long time.

Start running, it's a great sport. But have incremental goals and aim for a full marathon next year if you are still enthusiastic and improving.

You'll probably get replies that say 'go for it.' Treat them with caution.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice but I will have 22 full weeks (5.5 months) before marathon if I start last week May/first week of June is this really not enough? How much time would I ideally need? I really have no intention of taking up running on a full time basis as I want to commit myself fully to football next year I am coming back from travels in May and as I have missed some of the football season already I thought I would give the marathon a go as it is an ambition in life and thought the timescale would fit....

Krusty_Clown

The standard training program is 18 weeks. Most people will have trained for and run a couple of half marathons and 10Ks before they attempt moving up to the marathon. Why not set your sights on running a half marathon first, and then see if you're still in the mood to progress to the full marathon?

Hal Higdon's novice training program.

Football does not lend itself well to marathon training (or vice versa), but the training discipline will certainly help.

RoyMcC

Well, if your heart's set on it :cool: I'd say
1. Choose an 16/18-week novice programme, Hal Higdon or suchlike.
2. Before you start that, go out 3-4 times a week and start building some sort of base so that you can ease into the programme.

If it's a one-off ambition then of course you'll manage it. Best of luck again.

wicklowwonder

RoyMcC wrote: »

Well, if your heart's set on it :cool: I'd say
1. Choose an 16/18-week novice programme, Hal Higdon or suchlike.
2. Before you start that, go out 3-4 times a week and start building some sort of base so that you can ease into the programme.

If it's a one-off ambition then of course you'll manage it. Best of luck again.

Thanks I may give it a go I am still undecided,

that was the idea of starting a programme last week in May/first in June so I can get a few weeks of running 3 times a week under my belt.

Thanks for the link loads of reading to do tonight!!

3 Dollar Bill

You should register for the Adidas series below

http://dublinmarathon.ie/race_series.php

If you feel you are able for the Marathon then go for it.

If you can stick to a good training program then you will be more than capable.

rofno1

Hi Wicklow,

Long time lurker, but you have inspired me to post!

In pretty much same situation as you except I've already signed up for race series & Marathon!! Begineer enthusiam, I suppose.

So I'm interested in what the experienced runners are saying. Personally I'd say go for it! But be prepared to get out in all sorts of weather.

I've been running regular since September last and have done a several 10 kms. Last one was Great Ireland Run in 57 mins, so by no means do I have a fast pace.

I run about 16 to 20 miles a week, usually split over 3 runs of 4,6,8 miles with rest day inbetween. Pace is always between 8.40 to 9.30.

I've been looking at http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/novices.html
and think that its achievable for begineers like us.

I'd welcome opinions from veterans.

With 6 months to go maybe a begineers marathon thread would be a idea?

Rob

rainbow kirby

rofno1 wrote: »

With 6 months to go maybe a begineers marathon thread would be a idea?

Done. Mentored thread starts here

rofno1

Brilliant!

Thank you very much!!

paky

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Hi,

I have been toying with the idea of running the Dublin Marathon in October. I have not ran since I was 18/19 I am 24 now but I play football but wouldn't consider myself anywhere near as fit as I was back then running well in all Ireland xcountrys, so it would be from a standing start.

Just looking for a bit of advice, I hope to start training in early June is this enough time? Also what is a good time for a first marathon, I want to put myself under pressure to do well so would like a decent target. Also is there any really good training guides? A google search threw up hundreds. Really don't know where to start. Also I will be doing the majority of training on my own so advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

If you want to train for the dcm you should start training today. 5.5 months is a pretty good time to get in shape. June will be too late. DO IT TODAY. You must be determined and follow a schedule. I started running last november and couldnt even do half a mile. On monday I completed the belfast city marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes. It was such a buzz.

You should focus on just finishing it. Never mind a good time. Finishing a marathon is an achievement in itself.

Good luck

wicklowwonder

paky wrote: »

If you want to train for the dcm you should start training today. 5.5 months is a pretty good time to get in shape. June will be too late. DO IT TODAY. You must be determined and follow a schedule. I started running last november and couldnt even do half a mile. On monday I completed the belfast city marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes. It was such a buzz.

You should focus on just finishing it. Never mind a good time. Finishing a marathon is an achievement in itself.

Good luck

Thanks, I am actually currently in China and am not home till Saturday so plan on start running building up miles on Monday or Tuesday next week see how jet lag is. I actually meant in my original post would start of June be okay time frame to start one of the training programs but I do plan on building up miles in my legs and not go into a program with no running in my legs at all!!

Well done on the Belfast marathon and a great time also!! Think I have made up my mind I will give the marathon a shot!!

rainbow kirby

18 week training programs start the third week in June (week of June 21). Most novice programs start at about a 15-20 mile training week, with a 6-8 mile long run. Do you feel you would be ready for that?

wicklowwonder

rainbow kirby wrote: »

18 week training programs start the third week in June (week of June 21). Most novice programs start at about a 15-20 mile training week, with a 6-8 mile long run. Do you feel you would be ready for that?

Yeah I definitely think I will, I will give it a good shot anyway!! The more I read the more excited I get by the challenge, it gives me 6 weeks to get up to speed reckon I should be able to handle it if I get cracking into running as soon as I get home!!

Krusty_Clown

It doesn't matter that you're in China, start running! I couldn't think of a better place in the world to go for a run. Running will help you get over the jetlag. Stop finding excuses before you've even set one foot in front of the other.

aero2k

Hello OP,

I think it's definitely possible, but a lot depends on yourself. Your age and previous running experience are definitely in your favour. I cycled competitively in my teens, gave it up in Leaving Cert year, jogged occasionally and cycled 10 miles per day to college, then, on a whim, followed a 12 week program from the Evening Press and, aged 19, I finished DCM '83 in 3:18. Now it was a wonderful experience, but the last hour was horrible, with lots of walking and a general sense of not really knowing where I was or what was going on.
As you've run a bit before you're not a complete beginner, so you might have enough time. Here's an 18 week program that I've referred to elsewhere (I actually followed a slightly different version of this for DCM '08 - I think this one is better) http://www.furman.edu/first/2006%20marathon%20training-first%20marathon.pdf , it's fairly agressive but there's enough long runs in it to get you round.
Try to set a goal (run some short races and use McMillan Calculator - google) so you're training at the right paces. Do some easy running in between the key workouts, and back off if you feel any sign of injury and / or excessive fatigue. Best of luck!

Killerz

I say go for it, and agree with the earlier posts on the following:
1. Sign up for the Adidas Race Series - a real good opportunity to (a) get race-day experience and (b) test yourself at the distances of 5 mile, 10 mile and 13 mile (though if you're on target for Marathon, you should probably be well able to cover these distances at the time they come around).
2. Don't do too much too soon and injure yourself - common mistake.
3. Commit to a plan and follow it + set yourself goals along the way.

Also, read the training logs here - inspirational!

wicklowwonder

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It doesn't matter that you're in China, start running! I couldn't think of a better place in the world to go for a run. Running will help you get over the jetlag. Stop finding excuses before you've even set one foot in front of the other.

Trust me there alot better places..... the smog and crap you breath it struggles to walk at times.... really don't know how this country hosted the Olympics.

Definitely going start running as soon as I am home and follow the novice training plan 18 weeks before marathon, enter the Adidas Series and take it from there!! Wish me luck... thanks for the support

rofno1

Good for you! See you at the start lines. And hopefully the finish lines too!:D

paulb79

planning on doing the dcm for the first time myself, have done a few 10k runs normally around the 47-48 mark . currently run between 4 to 5 times per week between 8-10 k and one longer run at the weekend at the moment around 13 miles how does this sound for base to work from

Cabaal

Do what I'm doing, aim for the half Marathon in September, that way you feel like you've reached a goal but you won't really kill yourself by doing a full Marathon