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Race Fit Vs Marathon Fit?

  • 30-05-2010 9:45pm
    #1
    franklyshocked
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭


    Just a question for regular marathon or long distance runners about getting up to marathon distance.

    After a break from excercise of nearly a decade (Never got fat just got lazy) I've been back running 5 days a week for the last month. Basically I work on Mount street and run to Heuston Station every day to get my train home.
    I've been managing 18 minutes most days and then on Friday gone I made it in 15. Dripping sweat.
    According to googlemaps its 4k so I'm happy enough with the speed but I need to know is, is this any way preparing me for a longer run?

    I do this every week day. Do I need to take a longer run at the weekends?


Comments

  • #2
    franklyshocked
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭franklyshocked


    Forgot to add, I do this with a backpack with my clothes and work shoes


  • #3
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,096 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    Running 4k as fast as you can will make you really good at running 4k quickly.

    The marathon needs a fair amount of time and dedication to work up to. Your best bet is to enter a shorter race (5 or 10k), get yourself a training plan (Hal Higdon is usually recommended) and follow it. Work your way up to 10 mile and then half mara distance and then take a crack at the big one.

    Good luck, it's a lot of effort, but worth it!


  • #4
    franklyshocked
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭franklyshocked


    --amadeus-- wrote: »
    Running 4k as fast as you can will make you really good at running 4k quickly.

    The marathon needs a fair amount of time and dedication to work up to. Your best bet is to enter a shorter race (5 or 10k), get yourself a training plan (Hal Higdon is usually recommended) and follow it. Work your way up to 10 mile and then half mara distance and then take a crack at the big one.

    Good luck, it's a lot of effort, but worth it!

    Just googled Hal there so I'll get stuck in :)
    Thanks for the feedback


  • #5
    TommyKnocker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,829 ✭✭✭TommyKnocker


    Hi there

    Don't mean to rain on anybodies parade, but AFAIK the perceived wisdom is that you should be running constantly for around 1 year and be comfortably doing around 30 + miles per week before starting into marathon training.

    Starting into a marathon schedule having only been back running for a month is most probably going to lead to injury and more time off running.

    It really would be best to build up some of your runs and let your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back get used to the jarring they are going to take. Also start to include a longer run once a week, again building up the distance slowly. Just keep adding a couple of minutes to the long run each week and every 4 to 6 weeks cut your mileage in half to give your body a break.

    Then if you make it to next march in good shape, start into a marathon schedule. These are usually between 16 and 20 week schedules and get you marathon fit. And don't skip the gym either. Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gebreselassie and all other distance runners include weights in their race prep.

    Just my 2 cents worth.


    Best Regards,

    M


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