Enough time to train for Dublin marathon?

HavingCrack

Hey everyone.

I;m considering doing the dublin marathon in October and I'm wondering do I have enough time to get in training for it.

Basically at the minute my long run of the week is between 10-11 miles depending and I'm going to enter the Longford half marathon or possibly Clontarf depending on holidays etc.

So in summary do I have enough time to get in shape for a 1st marathon 5 months and is this a realisitc goal??

All advice and any decent training plans welcome

dario28

HavingCrack wrote: »

Hey everyone.

I;m considering doing the dublin marathon in October and I'm wondering do I have enough time to get in training for it.

Basically at the minute my long run of the week is between 10-11 miles depending and I'm going to enter the Longford half marathon or possibly Clontarf depending on holidays etc.

So in summary do I have enough time to get in shape for a 1st marathon 5 months and is this a realisitc goal??

All advice and any decent training plans welcome

Loads of time.....with that kind of base ya would still do well even if you start training in Aug

RayCun

If you're already doing 10 mile long runs it shouldn't be a problem. What's your total miles per week? Have you raced shorter distances before, and in what time?
There's a DCM novices thread here you could join for support and advice...

d-sher

Hi HavingCrack,

I would say definitely!! Now I know I run the risk of being hacked asunder by the experienced runners here but here goes anyway....

I am running the Cork Marathon this Monday (My first Marathon) with only 7 weeks of training in total. Prior to starting training the furthest I had ever run was 10 miles and that was about 2 years ago. Before that I had zero running experience. I am not in any way suggesting that you copy what I am doing but I just wanted to give you an idea of what is possible...

Literally everyone I asked including a very accomplished runner said it was insane, impossible, etc and I would damage myself. Although I agree that it is the totally wrong way to train for a marathon, I thought what's the worst that can happen? Either I don't finish or I get injured... Its not literally going to kill me so why not try the damn thing...

Upto now my longest run has been 22 miles (3hrs 40mins this past weekend) and it was extremely tough. I have had all the usual beginners niggles: Tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), DOMS etc but I was expecting those as I knew I was seriously overtraining. If a goal is important enough to you, you will put up with a little pain in order to achieve it.

Now I know people will say that you shouldn't have to get injured and it should be wonderful experience etc and I would agree with them but I have to say I have loved every second of training and wouldn't change one thing about my preperation. I do realise I have been lucky to avoid serious injury. It is extremely difficult but it is do-able - nothing is impossible if you have the will and determination...

Stop thinking about it and DO IT!!! You will love every second of it and the very best of luck!!

Krusty_Clown

If you can copy d-sher's enthusiasm, but ignore his training regime, with your training base you'll do great.
Ignore this next bit d-sher:

Whatever you do make sure that you don't run 22 miles the week before your goal marathon!!

Best of luck HavingCrack and d-sher with your respective goals.

d-sher

LOL.. Krusty I know I know. Just didn't have time to taper.....

I just hate when I'm told that something is impossible.... Stupid maybe but impossible, no....

HavingCrack, when you do decide to go ahead with it you too will be bitten by the bug for sure!! I have signed up for Dublin and the Connemara Ultra already... Just enthusiastic I guess....

tunguska

d-sher wrote: »

LOL.. Krusty I know I know. Just didn't have time to taper.....

I just hate when I'm told that something is impossible.... Stupid maybe but impossible, no....

HavingCrack, when you do decide to go ahead with it you too will be bitten by the bug for sure!! I have signed up for Dublin and the Connemara Ultra already... Just enthusiastic I guess....

Fair play to you d-sher, you seem to have the same crazy philosophy as me when it comes to running. I hate it aswell when people say something is impossible.......red rag to a bull. Go for it man.

RacoonQueen

Gee d-sher there was me thinking that me going from 0 to 26.2 in less than 5 months was stupid!

d-sher

If there is something that I am sure of RacoonQueen it's that no matter how stupid someone is there is always someone else more stupider..:P This is my first post here and it was from reading your training logs that inspired me to even contemplate doing the marathon!

Although it will probably all blow up in my face on the day I have to give it a good shot. One thing is for sure though, I will finish it!!

Just to mention though, I didn't come on HavingCrack's thread to make myself out to be a 'big man' or anything. I just wanted to put any doubts he may have had to rest with regards to his decision to go ahead with his marathon plans given the amount of time he has left.. I hope I haven't upset anyone here. I am in no way making light of the marathon distance. I do and will give it all the respect and awe it deserves... What I am doing might be considered stupid but stupid I am not...

Again best of luck HavingCrack!!

HavingCrack

Cheers for all the advice everyone especially d shers enthusiasm Definately doing the marathon now!

HavingCrack

RayCun wrote: »

If you're already doing 10 mile long runs it shouldn't be a problem. What's your total miles per week? Have you raced shorter distances before, and in what time?
There's a DCM novices thread here you could join for support and advice...

Oh only saw this post now about 23 miles per week in total raced two 5 km races in 24 minutes and 23 minutes before christmas and one 10 k race in 48 minutes and aiming to do a half marathon as well soon enough.

d-sher

Ah fair play to you!! Delighted that you have decided to go ahead with it!!

RayCun

HavingCrack wrote: »

Oh only saw this post now about 23 miles per week in total raced two 5 km races in 24 minutes and 23 minutes before christmas and one 10 k race in 48 minutes and aiming to do a half marathon as well soon enough.

you'll be fine then. You're well capable of starting a marathon training plan this month, and if you do the training you'll run the marathon.

Barty

You definitely have enough time to train for the DCM - alot of people on here follow one of Hal Higdon's training plans. Also, you could sign up for the DCM race series. The race series ties in pretty well with the training plans and will keep you focused on the overall training.

D-sher - great to see such enthusiasm. I hope the conditions for next Monday are good for a marathon, the last couple of June bank holidays in Cork have been scorchers. Make sure to take on plenty of liquids, it was a bit chaotic in Cork last year due to people not taking on enough liquids before, during and after the marathon - best of luck, hope it all goods well.