People who fail to complete a marathon, why?

Spirogyra

Is it dehydration? injury? or something else?....thinking of a marathon myself in the relatively near future, training has not been optimum, but I'm generally quite fit, and have completed one before, albeit with vastly superior preparation,just wondering if there's any reason not to give it a go now?Those who don't make it to the end, what's the usual reason?.

Thoughts appreciated

S

PDCAT

Spirogyra wrote: »

Is it dehydration? injury? or something else?....thinking of a marathon myself in the relatively near future, training has not been optimum, but I'm generally quite fit, and have completed one before, albeit with vastly superior preparation,just wondering if there's any reason not to give it a go now?Those who don't make it to the end, what's the usual reason?.

Thoughts appreciated

S

I would have thought that the number of people not completing a marathon is very small. However, i would think the main reason's would be

1. Injury - Either going into the marathon carrying an injury or picking up an injury during the race, forcing you to stop

2. Training - Poor or inadequate training, leaving the body not properly equipped for the demands of 26 miles of running/walking

If your in good health, have done enough training (particularly long run's) and follow proper advice with regard to hydration & fuel on the day of the run, i don't see why you couldn't complete it.
Also, important to run at a pace you will be relatively comfortable with for the duration of the run. Don't run too fast....

walshb

Boredom?

RayCun

I think even in Dublin last year, the number of people who started but didn't finish was pretty small.

But there were many more people who planned to run it all and ended up walking a lot. Would you be happy doing that?

youngrun

Could blow up also if going for too ambitious a time
Get a dose of the you know whats or a bad stitch

Both of the above have happened to me and have pulled the plug.

tHE vAGGABOND

Should not have completed my first marathon, DCM..er..2011, after 10 miles an old injury came back which meant I ran the second half on one leg [sorta]. When looking back now the pictures of me after the race [both later that night and DCM finisher pics] I look utterly miserable and don't have fond memories at all of it..

Chicago this summer, I was injured for the final month [something stupid and not running related]. So lost a lot of fitness and if the race was in Ireland I would not have started [indeed on DCM I might have dropped out as soon as I knew I was goosed. But instead I slow jogged the second half, was high-fiving kids and enjoying the city and really enjoyed it [..was still very glad to see the finish line tho!].

One interesting side note is that I finished both of these races with very close to the same time

average_runner

For me, i failed to finish one marathon due to stress and worrying about a parent, didnt think it would of had an impact, but the constant travelling home just took its toll on me. I knew after 3 miles i was in trouble but got to half way where I knew the other half had the car waiting.

New York marathon i was in the best condition of my life for a marathon, but got sick the week of it and then damage the hamstring in it also, ended up walking last 10 miles. Wasn't pulling out of it for sure!! Did it in 4:10.

kit3

PDCAT wrote: »

I would have thought that the number of people not completing a marathon is very small. However, i would think the main reason's would be

1. Injury - Either going into the marathon carrying an injury or picking up an injury during the race, forcing you to stop

2. Training - Poor or inadequate training, leaving the body not properly equipped for the demands of 26 miles of running/walking

If your in good health, have done enough training (particularly long run's) and follow proper advice with regard to hydration & fuel on the day of the run, i don't see why you couldn't complete it.
Also, important to run at a pace you will be relatively comfortable with for the duration of the run. Don't run too fast....

I think you also have to be mentally strong if things don't go your way. I had a bad day in DCM 13 - had done virtually the same training as the year before but just felt sh1te from two miles in. Was definitely my head that got me around that one because the body just wanted to crawl home & hide :rolleyes:

average_runner

PDCAT wrote: »

I would have thought that the number of people not completing a marathon is very small. However, i would think the main reason's would be

1. Injury - Either going into the marathon carrying an injury or picking up an injury during the race, forcing you to stop

2. Training - Poor or inadequate training, leaving the body not properly equipped for the demands of 26 miles of running/walking

If your in good health, have done enough training (particularly long run's) and follow proper advice with regard to hydration & fuel on the day of the run, i don't see why you couldn't complete it.
Also, important to run at a pace you will be relatively comfortable with for the duration of the run. Don't run too fast....

Also think you got have nothing going on in your personal life.

TFBubendorfer

Spirogyra wrote: »

Is it dehydration? injury? or something else?....thinking of a marathon myself in the relatively near future, training has not been optimum, but I'm generally quite fit, and have completed one before, albeit with vastly superior preparation,just wondering if there's any reason not to give it a go now?Those who don't make it to the end, what's the usual reason?.

Thoughts appreciated

S

You can virtually rule out dehydration. There are plenty of water stations in marathons these days and unless someone turns up at the start line already seriously dehydrated they simply won't get so dehydrated that they have to drop out (assuming nobody would be stupid enough to refuse water from the stations when needed).

Injury is definitely a factor for some. No doubt about it. But I'm pretty sure that the majority of drop outs in marathons happen because the runner in question simply doesn't have the will to continue to the finish. I have read more than one report where someone dropped out when they easily could have gone on to the finish. Most people will toughen in out when things go awry at mile 18, but some just don't.

For elites, they sometimes deliberately save themselves if things go bad, simply to recovery quicker and be ready for another race instead, but for us mere mortals that excuse doesn't count.

pgmcpq

The real hazzard is not making it to the starting line. I think the DNS rate for most marathons is close to 10% (not sure where I got this). My guess is some of that is "it seemed like a good idea at the time" but enthusiasm died post registration, and the big one - injury.

The rate of failing to finish is pretty small ...I'd guess (1%-2%). Most people will finish even if they have to walk. Some will decide to bail and save themselves for a another race (my running mates call this "the revenge marathon" !)

So I'd guess - in order

1) Injury (often a pre existing injury that could not be nursed through)
2) Save yourself
3) Heat exhaustion/heat stoke
4) Dehydration - either too hot, or curiously too cold (so less incentive to take on fluids). Water is available but that does not mean people take it. As people start to tire they often start to make poor decisions.
5) Over hydration - rare but especially dangerous

I think anyone who has put in a few 20milers knows that they can finish - it might not be much fun but they can finish.

I did run a marathon where about 1/3rd of the registered field failed to finish :eek:. The temps reached 30c+ with 90% humidity. And heat exhaustion took a massive toll (it was actually quite scarey as there were runners lying on both sides of the road with paramedics working away). My memory is that at a point I could not do simple arithmetic - e.g at mile 18 I calculated (and had no doubt) there was 6 miles to go ! No one died but there were a few in ICU for days (it was a relatively small field ~1,300 iirc).

dublin runner

In my opinion the real battle in the marathon is in the top few inches. In my experience, the head is the first thing to go. The marathon gives you a lot of time to think and very usually negative thoughts can very easily creep in. Once the head goes the legs quickly follow. I suppose the trick is not only condition the body but to also condition yourself for the pain that invariably comes with racing to your potential (in any distance). Many don't want to push themselves (both in training and racing) and give in too easily because they are ill-prepared for the bad patches.

gerard_65

Dropping dead. That would end your race.

dublin runner

gerard_65 wrote: »

Dropping dead. That would end your race.

Excuses, excuses.....:)

Pink11

Would love to complete a marathon.

This is going to sound really stupid but the thoughts of regurally running marathon lengths in training bores me! But I want to run the marathon. It is one of my goals.

I wondered would I be fit enough to complete a marathon (I am not hung up on a finish time) if I continue with regular racing of 10k to half marathon lengths. I also lift weights twice a week and do 2/3 circuits/cross fit classes. As well as running at least 10k 3-4 times a week. I overhauled my diet about a month ago and even already I've noticed my running standard shoot up!

So I guess my question is, if I kept this up would I have the stamina to complete the Dublin Marathon this year?

And has anyone completed a marathon through doing regularly training and entering races of 10k - half marathon length.

It's not that I'm lazy, I would just find running that length regularly boring if I'm honest. Hope I make sense here!

dublin runner

Pink11 wrote: »

Would love to complete a marathon.

This is going to sound really stupid but the thoughts of regular running marathon lengths in training bores me! But I want to run the marathon. It is one of my goals.

I wondered would I be fit enough to complete a marathon (I am not hung up on a finish time) if I continue with regular racing of 10k to half marathon lengths. I also lift weights twice a week and do 2/3 circuits/cross fit classes. As well as running at least 10k 3-4 times a week. I've overhauled my diet about a month ago and this has made me much fitter.

So I guess my question is, if I kept this up would I have the stamina to complete a marathon?

And has anyone completed a marathon through doing regularly training and entering races of 10k - half marathon length.

It's not that I'm lazy, I would just find running that length regularly boring if I'm honest. Hope I make sense here!

If you find something boring then it probably ain't for you. Find something you enjoy and train for that. If I didn't enjoy training and racing I would have given up many years ago. Sure it hard at times but the good out ways the bad.

I find soccer incredibly boring so I don't watch that. It would bore me to tears to watch so I don't. Simple!

ultraman1

Pink11 wrote: »

Would love to complete a marathon.

This is going to sound really stupid but the thoughts of regurally running marathon lengths in training bores me! But I want to run the marathon. It is one of my goals.

I wondered would I be fit enough to complete a marathon (I am not hung up on a finish time) if I continue with regular racing of 10k to half marathon lengths. I also lift weights twice a week and do 2/3 circuits/cross fit classes. As well as running at least 10k 3-4 times a week. I've overhauled my diet about a month ago and already I've noticed my running standard shoot up!

So I guess my question is, if I kept this up would I have the stamina to complete a marathon?

And has anyone completed a marathon through doing regularly training and entering races of 10k - half marathon length.

It's not that I'm lazy, I would just find running that length regularly boring if I'm honest. Hope I make sense here!

Join mci,they have loads of walkers ,they usually break up the marathon into 4 x 6 mile walks with a little bit of running at the end intersped with selfies,tree hugging and general bedivillment,and u get a medal...and of course a foto of a watch with a 20 something miles onit

dublin runner

ultraman1 wrote: »

Join mci,they have loads of walkers ,they usually break up the marathon into 4 x 6 walks with a little bit of running at the end intersped with selfies,tree hugging and general bedivillment,and u get a medal

What about the 100m sprint to the finish line?

#emptythetank

Ososlo

Pink11 wrote: »

Would love to complete a marathon.


It's not that I'm lazy, I would just find running that length regularly boring if I'm honest. Hope I make sense here!

Why do you want to do a marathon if running long distances bores you
What's the point? Marathon training is all about long distance!

Stick to shorter distances!

gerard_65

Pink11 wrote: »

Would love to complete a marathon.

This is going to sound really stupid but the thoughts of regurally running marathon lengths in training bores me! But I want to run the marathon. It is one of my goals.

I wondered would I be fit enough to complete a marathon (I am not hung up on a finish time) if I continue with regular racing of 10k to half marathon lengths. I also lift weights twice a week and do 2/3 circuits/cross fit classes. As well as running at least 10k 3-4 times a week. I overhauled my diet about a month ago and even already I've noticed my running standard shoot up!

So I guess my question is, if I kept this up would I have the stamina to complete the Dublin Marathon this year?

And has anyone completed a marathon through doing regularly training and entering races of 10k - half marathon length.

It's not that I'm lazy, I would just find running that length regularly boring if I'm honest. Hope I make sense here!

Conventional thinking would dictate you should have 4 or 5 long runs (20 milers) under your belt but that's questioned by others who feel 16 faster milers are adequate.

Tombo2001

PDCAT wrote: »

I would have thought that the number of people not completing a marathon is very small. However, i would think the main reason's would be

1. Injury - Either going into the marathon carrying an injury or picking up an injury during the race, forcing you to stop

2. Training - Poor or inadequate training, leaving the body not properly equipped for the demands of 26 miles of running/walking

If your in good health, have done enough training (particularly long run's) and follow proper advice with regard to hydration & fuel on the day of the run, i don't see why you couldn't complete it.
Also, important to run at a pace you will be relatively comfortable with for the duration of the run. Don't run too fast....

I think concealed within that are a fair number of people who finish a marathon with an injury.

I know in my case, I got injured around at the 18 mile mark but kept going until the end. Stupid maybe, but after all that training etc etc.

RayCun

Pretty much anyone can finish a marathon. If that is the extent of your ambition, then yeah, regular 10k runs are fine.

If you don't mind jogging around the marathon really slowly (by your own standards), you can probably jog the whole thing without walk breaks.

If you would like to run the marathon in a time anything like the time you are capable of, judging by your 10k and half marathon times, then you will have to train properly for it. Training properly means long runs.

ultraman1

dublin runner wrote: »

What about the 100m sprint to the finish line?

#emptythetank

Dat s the little bit of running/jogging at the end..#justrun. #Boom!! #doihavetousecapitalsnow

walshb

Ososlo wrote: »

Why do you want to do a marathon if running long distances bores you
What's the point? Marathon training is all about long distance!

Stick to shorter distances!

I am sure many many people have ran marathons for many many reasons. Some who even happen to despise long runs. That's people. Sometimes it's the challenge of doing something that you really do not like. I might even try it:)

Kalman

Spirogyra wrote: »

Is it dehydration? injury? or something else?....thinking of a marathon myself in the relatively near future, training has not been optimum, but I'm generally quite fit, and have completed one before, albeit with vastly superior preparation,just wondering if there's any reason not to give it a go now?Those who don't make it to the end, what's the usual reason?.



Thoughts appreciated

S

Health issues mainly, you have to know your limitations and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

dublin runner

Kalman wrote: »

Health issues mainly, you have to know your limitations and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

The marathon should push you to your limitations. If you are not prepared for that then I don't see the point of going to all that effort. I had a bad DCM but I really don't think I could have ran one second quicker on the day, despite the time being very very disappointing. I pushed myself to finish, went through pain and pain beyond pain. That's what people don't get and why I hate people just box-ticking (not saying you are!).

There's always many reasons not to finish, some justified but most not.

By the way, if I listened to my body I would never run!

Pink11

RayCun wrote: »

Pretty much anyone can finish a marathon. If that is the extent of your ambition, then yeah, regular 10k runs are fine.

If you don't mind jogging around the marathon really slowly (by your own standards), you can probably jog the whole thing without walk breaks.

If you would like to run the marathon in a time anything like the time you are capable of, judging by your 10k and half marathon times, then you will have to train properly for it. Training properly means long runs.

Thanks, I don't think I explained myself properly but you seem to have figured out what I meant.

I do love running and I see the marathon as a challenge I want to try/experience it at least once in my life. It's like my ultimate test. If that makes sense?
It's more finding the time to do really long runs on my own regularly is what I'm concerned about. And wondered if anyone completed from being generally all over fit. And also by being able to do nice fast 10ks and half marathon times personally). I personally don't think it's enough to just run as training. Other exercise I assume is best too? To really build up your body.

I would be happy to slowly jog the entire thing at my own pace. I don't have a goal finish time. Not looking to break any records. The only person who'll be impressed is myself!

I understand I'm probably talking to people who are really serious runners so it's probably pathetic for some of you to read my thoughts on it!

Kalman

dublin runner wrote: »

The marathon should push you to your limitations. If you are not prepared for that then I don't see the point of going to all that effort. I had a bad DCM but I really don't think I could have ran one second quicker on the day, despite the time being very very disappointing. I pushed myself to finish, went through pain and pain beyond pain. That's what people don't get and why I hate people just box-ticking (not saying you are!).

There's always many reasons not to finish, some justified but most not.

By the way, if I listened to my body I would never run!

Well only a fool would ignore severe pain and continue >>>>>there is the danger of cardiac arrest and stroke for the unfit person.

RayCun

Pink11 wrote: »

I understand I'm probably talking to people who are really serious runners so it's probably pathetic for some of you to read my thoughts on it!

Serious runners? Well, not if by 'serious' you mean 'fast', not most of us at least. But maybe serious in the sense that most people on the forum have at some point thought about their training, and thought about their goals, and thought about how to make the former align with the latter.

Running a marathon makes particular demands on your body (just like running a 100m, or climbing a rockface, or swimming in the sea...) and being 'generally fit' will only get you so far. Maybe far enough for you, maybe it would get you a run you'd be happy with.

But the serious runner in me asks, why do something if you're not going to train for it properly? How much of a sense of achievement can you get from that?

Firedance

Pink11 wrote: »

Would love to complete a marathon.

This is going to sound really stupid but the thoughts of regurally running marathon lengths in training bores me! But I want to run the marathon. It is one of my goals.

I wondered would I be fit enough to complete a marathon (I am not hung up on a finish time) if I continue with regular racing of 10k to half marathon lengths. I also lift weights twice a week and do 2/3 circuits/cross fit classes. As well as running at least 10k 3-4 times a week. I overhauled my diet about a month ago and even already I've noticed my running standard shoot up!

So I guess my question is, if I kept this up would I have the stamina to complete the Dublin Marathon this year?

And has anyone completed a marathon through doing regularly training and entering races of 10k - half marathon length.

It's not that I'm lazy, I would just find running that length regularly boring if I'm honest. Hope I make sense here!

I thought the same to be honest, even when I started my training I wondered how I'd run for hours and hours on a Saturday. So, to make sure I was never bored I both ran with someone else and we chatted along the way and I mixed up the routes every week taking in things I enjoy such as sea views, the liffey, city centre early in the morning etc etc. My point I guess is that you should at least try to do the training but make your longs runs interesting and it will all add to the experience on the day

Pink11

RayCun wrote: »

Serious runners? Well, not if by 'serious' you mean 'fast', not most of us at least. But maybe serious in the sense that most people on the forum have at some point thought about their training, and thought about their goals, and thought about how to make the former align with the latter.

Running a marathon makes particular demands on your body (just like running a 100m, or climbing a rockface, or swimming in the sea...) and being 'generally fit' will only get you so far. Maybe far enough for you, maybe it would get you a run you'd be happy with.

But the serious runner in me asks, why do something if you're not going to train for it properly? How much of a sense of achievement can you get from that?

Everyone has different limits. I don't compare myself to anyone else. I have a medical condition - that makes physical things like running harder for me.

I would obviously push my body as far as it can go but again, I have limitations. This isn't about me signing up for something and not putting the effort in.

I was thinking out loud, I don't even know if I'll ever be able to do a marathon. This thread has lowered my hopes.

Netwerk_Errer

Kalman wrote: »

Well only a fool would ignore severe pain and continue >>>>>there is the danger of cardiac arrest and stroke for the unfit person.

Highly unlikely. In fact, I'd argue that the trained athlete is at more risk of that because of the mental preparation they have put in to push their body's to the edge. An untrained and unfit person is far more likely to quit or back off before a trained runner does. Trained athletes have more invested in the race.

Also, an unfit person shouldn't be doing a marathon in the first place. They should have the background training put in to get them from the start to the finish. The marathon demands respect, it shouldn't be taken for granted.

If no one pushed through serious pain in a race, no one would finish. I've been in positions in a marathon before where I couldn't bend my legs with 8 miles to go, it felt like every step I took, my quads were ripping off the bone and my hamstrings were simultaneously cramping.

Last year, I damaged my medial ligaments at 21 miles and every step to the finish felt like someone was driving a nail into my knee. If I wasn't willing to push through serious pain, I still wouldn't have finished a marathon or any distance for that matter. Do I regret pushing through, hell no. I would've regretted a dnf a lot more given the months and months of training I put into those races.

walshb

Pink11 wrote: »

Everyone has different limits. I don't compare myself to anyone else. I have a medical condition - that makes physical things like running harder for me.

I would obviously push my body as far as it can go but again, I have limitations. This isn't about me signing up for something and not putting the effort in.

If you have a medical condition that exercise/cardio negatively impacts, and you find distance running boring then my advice would be to do something else. It won't do you any good.

dublin runner

Kalman wrote: »

Well only a fool would ignore severe pain and continue >>>>>there is the danger of cardiac arrest and stroke for the unfit person.

There's danger of that happening in everyday life, particularly if overweight etc. If you are unfit don't think the marathon is really the place to be.

If you can't compete with pain well then you'll never finish any race near your potential.

average_runner

Well if you get a severe pain down your arm, its time to stop anything your doing, its can be the first sign of a heart attack.


When it comes to a pain, a common sense needs to come into it, not just for a marathon, but for anything.

Enduro

dublin runner wrote: »

The marathon should push you to your limitations.

If you want to, but not everyone want to do that! But there's nothing special about the marathon. EVERY race should push you to your limits. Different distances push different types of limitations. I have a memory of one of my Ballycotton 10 races pushing me much harder than any of my marathon efforts.

Pink11 wrote: »

I do love running and I see the marathon as a challenge I want to try/experience it at least once in my life. It's like my ultimate test. If that makes sense?
It's more finding the time to do really long runs on my own regularly is what I'm concerned about. And wondered if anyone completed from being generally all over fit. And also by being able to do nice fast 10ks and half marathon times personally). I personally don't think it's enough to just run as training. Other exercise I assume is best too? To really build up your body.

I would be happy to slowly jog the entire thing at my own pace. I don't have a goal finish time. Not looking to break any records. The only person who'll be impressed is myself!

Maybe if you channel your enthusiasm for the challenge of completing a marathon (and completing one isn't much more challenging than completing any other race), then might find running longer distances less boring.

My suggestion for making long runs more interesting would be to try running in more interesting environments. I do my long runs up in the Dublin and Wicklow hills, and its a pleasure spending hours up there. Distract yourself with new and beautiful places!

robinph

Is there any medical condition that is actually made worse by exercise/ cardio workouts? Sure, there are conditions where over stressing the body needs to be very closely monitored so that you don't go too far, but I cant think of anything where the recommendation from the doctor would be to sit on the sofa and don't move. The recommendation is always going to be try and be as active as possible/ appropriate.

I have a few medical conditions, most of which can make exercise require a bit more forward planning and awareness of what each condition is doing and potentially take more or less medication depending on what's going on. They are all improved by me doing that exercise though.




... well apart from hayfever, as running a trail race through fields and getting a nose full of pollen is never going to end well.

walshb

I am sure there are medical conditions that would be best helped by avoiding strenuous cardio exercise. Running with intention is quite strenuous on the heart and lungs. I am sure there are other better suited exercise regimes for certain medical conditions.

Pink11

Enduro wrote: »

If you want to, but not everyone want to do that! But there's nothing special about the marathon. EVERY race should push you to your limits. Different distances push different types of limitations. I have a memory of one of my Ballycotton 10 races pushing me much harder than any of my marathon efforts.



Maybe if you channel your enthusiasm for the challenge of completing a marathon (and completing one isn't much more challenging than completing any other race), then might find running longer distances less boring.

My suggestion for making long runs more interesting would be to try running in more interesting environments. I do my long runs up in the Dublin and Wicklow hills, and its a pleasure spending hours up there. Distract yourself with new and beautiful places!

Yeah, I definitely need to mix it up. For example, I did a 10k on a new route last week and it felt incredible.

My medical condition and my medication side effects make things a little harder but overall I definitely think what I'm doing is good for me. My doctor has said that I tend to over exercise and I need to give my body a rest and I have to keep that advice close too. It's a balance that I think I've almost worked out now. I feel good.

I guess if your doctor is aware of your training plans you're good to go!

ultraman1

I really want to swim the English channel,I can't really swim though and I actually hate water,my doctor says iv a condition that may kill me if I get wet,I play a bit of gaa and and once did a few lenghts in a lanzarote,,,,any advice most welcome

average_runner

ultraman1 wrote: »

I really want to swim the English channel,I can't really swim though and I actually hate water,my doctor says iv a condition that may kill me if I get wet,I play a bit of gaa and and once did a few lenghts in a lanzarote,,,,any advice most welcome

What you got against the Irish channel?

Kalman

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

You can virtually rule out dehydration. There are plenty of water stations in marathons these days and unless someone turns up at the start line already seriously dehydrated they simply won't get so dehydrated that they have to drop out (assuming nobody would be stupid enough to refuse water from the stations when needed).

Injury is definitely a factor for some. No doubt about it. But I'm pretty sure that the majority of drop outs in marathons happen because the runner in question simply doesn't have the will to continue to the finish. I have read more than one report where someone dropped out when they easily could have gone on to the finish. Most people will toughen in out when things go awry at mile 18, but some just don't.

For elites, they sometimes deliberately save themselves if things go bad, simply to recovery quicker and be ready for another race instead, but for us mere mortals that excuse doesn't count.

Too much water is not good!!


If a runner consumes excessive amounts of fluid, it lowers the concentration of sodium (salt) in the blood stream to dangerously low levels. Your kidneys just aren’t able to flush out the water quickly enough and so your blood effectively becomes water-logged. The water then penetrates body cells and this is where the danger lies, because those cells swell with fluid. Now while most cells can adapt to change, the brain cannot. There isn’t any space for it to swell inside the skull and so when it tries, seizures, coma and death tend to result.

The symptoms of hypernatremia can include; excessive bloating or weight gain during the race/workout, nausea, vomiting, headache, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, personality change, loss of energy, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps. In very extreme cases, it can also precipitate seizures, unconsciousness and coma

Pink11

ultraman1 wrote: »

I really want to swim the English channel,I can't really swim though and I actually hate water,my doctor says iv a condition that may kill me if I get wet,I play a bit of gaa and and once did a few lenghts in a lanzarote,,,,any advice most welcome

I see what you did there. Hilarious



Quite honestly the negativity on here is staggering. Came on here to feel motivated to do better and talk to others in similar situations (trying to push themselves even further) but having no luck.

If anyone reading this wants to swap tips and encouragement give me a PM. Would love to chat to some nice people who are trying to push themselves and hit goals that stretch their own personal limits.

dublin runner

Pink11 wrote: »

I see what you did there. Hilarious



Quite honestly the negativity on here is staggering. Came on here to feel motivated to do better and talk to others in similar situations (trying to push themselves even further) but having no luck.

If anyone reading this wants to swap tips and encouragement give me a PM. Would love to chat to some nice people who are trying to push themselves and hit goals that stretch their own personal limits.

Negativity = Sensible running advice.

Hope you get the advice you are looking for.

The main thing is to RUN HAPPY! Good luck

TFBubendorfer

Kalman wrote: »

Too much water is not good!!


If a runner consumes excessive amounts of fluid, it lowers the concentration of sodium (salt) in the blood stream to dangerously low levels. Your kidneys just aren’t able to flush out the water quickly enough and so your blood effectively becomes water-logged. The water then penetrates body cells and this is where the danger lies, because those cells swell with fluid. Now while most cells can adapt to change, the brain cannot. There isn’t any space for it to swell inside the skull and so when it tries, seizures, coma and death tend to result.

The symptoms of hypernatremia can include; excessive bloating or weight gain during the race/workout, nausea, vomiting, headache, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, personality change, loss of energy, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps. In very extreme cases, it can also precipitate seizures, unconsciousness and coma

WTF?

Nobody said anything about drinking too much water. the OP asked if dehydration would be a common reason to DNF a marathon and my answer was no.

Enduro

Pink11 wrote: »

Quite honestly the negativity on here is staggering. Came on here to feel motivated to do better and talk to others in similar situations (trying to push themselves even further) but having no luck.

If anyone reading this wants to swap tips and encouragement give me a PM. Would love to chat to some nice people who are trying to push themselves and hit goals that stretch their own personal limits.

Everyone here is trying to push themselves further. But people on here are mostly not going to give trite feelgood advice. You're more likely to get useful realistic advice. It's up to you whether to listen or not. Having read every message on this thread I can't see anyone here being negative. Good advice won't always be what you want to hear. Sometimes the best advice will be hard to hear, but then that's often what makes that advice so good.

Pink11

I'm all for getting sensible advice. I wanted to know if anyone trained for a marathon using a broad mix of activity as PART of their training.

But people were making fun of my question and questioning my commitment. I am very committed to running and it's part of everyday life for me. I also realise I'll have to up my game to get marathon ready.

And I never said I hated running, I love it and the feeling it gives me. I said I would find it boring to ONLY do long marathon length runs as training. I also think it's important to have a mix of activity, that's just what works for me. I'm not an athlete!

Pink11

Enduro wrote: »

Everyone here is trying to push themselves further. But people on here are mostly not going to give trite feelgood advice. You're more likely to get useful realistic advice. It's up to you whether to listen or not. Having read every message on this thread I can't see anyone here being negative. Good advice won't always be what you want to hear. Sometimes the best advice will be hard to hear, but then that's often what makes that advice so good.

That's fine, but my natural instinct would be to ENCOURAGE someone through giving constructive criticism. When someone asks me for tips to get started on a new challenge, I've done all I can to help them get started. Nothing wrong with being honest but it's nice to encourage people too. And help each other.

That is the difference.

gerard_65

Pink11 wrote: »

I see what you did there. Hilarious



Quite honestly the negativity on here is staggering. Came on here to feel motivated to do better and talk to others in similar situations (trying to push themselves even further) but having no luck.

If anyone reading this wants to swap tips and encouragement give me a PM. Would love to chat to some nice people who are trying to push themselves and hit goals that stretch their own personal limits.

You were looking for the answer you wanted to hear. You didn't get it and you accuse the posters of negativity:(
You got advise from posters, many of whom, have run many marathons.
However, go off and run a marathon on your current training and see how you get on. Your call.

hardCopy

ultraman1 wrote: »

I really want to swim the English channel,I can't really swim though and I actually hate water,my doctor says iv a condition that may kill me if I get wet,I play a bit of gaa and and once did a few lenghts in a lanzarote,,,,any advice most welcome

Throw in a couple of weekly sessions of 5-a-side and you'll be grand.

Enduro

Pink11 wrote: »

I'm all for getting sensible advice. I wanted to know if anyone trained for a marathon using a broad mix of activity as PART of their training.

But people were making fun of my question and questioning my commitment. I am very committed to running and it's part of everyday life for me. I also realise I'll have to up my game to get marathon ready.

And I never said I hated running, I love it and the feeling it gives me. I said I would find it boring to ONLY do long marathon length runs as training. I also think it's important to have a mix of activity, that's just what works for me. I'm not an athlete!

I've never raced a marathon when I wasn't training for other sports at the same time (mainly cycling, but also kayaking as part of proper adventure race training).

Plenty of people run and complete marathons when mixing in other forms of training. What is less likely is to race your optimal marathon without giving it full 100% focus.

BTW, doing only long runs would be very much NON-optimal marathon training. Everybody here will advice you strongly not to do that. It would be extremely poor practice. Long runs are just a component of marathon training best practice.