Marathon - Have I time left?

Dundalk

I had planned to run the Belfast marathon the first week in May.

Unfortunately training fell by the way side thanks to a combination of work and family. Anyway, things have all come together and I should be able to go at flat out training between now and the marathon.

It works out that I have 10 weeks left to train. Now I would be fit enough and I could run for an an hour 30 comfortably enough and did the Dublin marathon in 2009 in 3.28 but am I trying to squeeze to much into the ten weeks and will I end up doing my body harm?

I dont plan to run it in any great time, if I do it in under 4 Ill be a happy man. I plan to do New York in the Autumn ( raffle pending :rolleyes: ) and my main training will be during the summer

So.....go for it?

Or leave it?

Swanner911

My opinion would be go for it. Some really good runners (2:45) have told me that they only do a 10 week plan.

I did NY last Nov and missed 2 months from Sept to end Oct with Achilles tendonitis and still did the race and really enjoyed it. I did a fair bit of cross fit - swimming, cycling, rowing and that kept me in good shape.

I'm doing London this April and have been doing a med to high mileage 18 week plan - just got shin splints so no running for 2-4 weeks but hopefully I'll still have a good race in April.

You should be fine if you get in 10 decent weeks of training IMO.

Oisin11178

8 Hard weeks and 2 week taper is plenty mate. Sounds like you have a fairly good base as it is.

ecoli

Dundalk wrote: »

I had planned to run the Belfast marathon the first week in May.

Unfortunately training fell by the way side thanks to a combination of work and family. Anyway, things have all come together and I should be able to go at flat out training between now and the marathon.

It works out that I have 10 weeks left to train. Now I would be fit enough and I could run for an an hour 30 comfortably enough and did the Dublin marathon in 2009 in 3.28 but am I trying to squeeze to much into the ten weeks and will I end up doing my body harm?

I dont plan to run it in any great time, if I do it in under 4 Ill be a happy man. I plan to do New York in the Autumn ( raffle pending :rolleyes: ) and my main training will be during the summer

So.....go for it?

Or leave it?

Given the fact that you spent alot of time last year injured after Dublin(if I remember correctly?) i wouldnt recommend running it. What will it prove? Why not take a slower build up approach towards New York maybe get a few shorter races in over the summer and carry your fitness from there.

Why risk your goal marathon and injury to run a sub par marathon in 10 weeks

Take a slow and steady build up and it will stand to you it is all about consistency. Even if you dont get into New York there still Dublin around same time so you will have a marathon to do

Mac Cormaic

ecoli wrote: »

Given the fact that you spent alot of time last year injured after Dublin(if I remember correctly?) i wouldnt recommend running it. What will it prove? Why not take a slower build up approach towards New York maybe get a few shorter races in over the summer and carry your fitness from there.

Why risk your goal marathon and injury to run a sub par marathon in 10 weeks

Take a slow and steady build up and it will stand to you it is all about consistency. Even if you dont get into New York there still Dublin around same time so you will have a marathon to do

Depending on the injury you had, 10 weeks is more than enough to train for a marathon, especially if you have base level of fitness. Running the Belfast marathon will improve your mental endurance, and if you maintain the training till New York you should knock a good bit off your time. Shorter races are grand for building up speed, but a marathon run, where you are not worried about time, is one of the best long-runs you can do in terms of training.

TheRoadRunner

Spends so you want to complete it or race it?

Oisin11178

His pb is 3.28 and hes only looking for ~4.00. 10 Weeks is plenty for that goal.

--amadeus--

But what's the point? Why bother going through 8 - 10 weeks of hard training just to race 30 mins or more below your capability? If you can't give a race your best shot it is totally pointless doing it, IMO*

Personally I always find that when I am interested and committed to a race I make time for the training no matter how busy work and home are - up at 5:30 for runs before anyone else is up and running at lunch, working through and leaving early for a run, etc. When I'm only half committed that's when I'm "too busy". If you are planning your "main training" for the summer then that would suggest that (like me) you aren't that committed to a spring race and are mentally concentrating on autumn. In my case I'm going to do a shorter series of races to build speed over the summer and build from that to a (hopefully fast) marathon in Sept or Oct.

*the obvious exception being people who do a marathon every week or two with the intention of joining the 100 mara club; I don't get the motivation of that either, but I understand the reasons and the challenge

Oisin11178

I think you can go the 100 marathon route and still get pb,s. Its harder of course but whatever floats your boat and all that.
Op id say go for it once your injury free.

Dundalk

ecoli wrote: »

Given the fact that you spent alot of time last year injured after Dublin(if I remember correctly?)

Correct but im back injury free at the moment and feeling good.

I went out this morning and ran for 1h 30 mins, i did about 12 mile and although I was very tired at the end (and had to stop twice after 2 big hills) I felt comfortable enough so Im going to go hell for leather for the next 10 weeks and run Belfast. There is a local half marathon on Saturday week, Im going to give that a go and take each week as it comes

Thanks to everyone for your replies, roll on the 2nd of May