Running randomly

OnDaFence

Hi All,
Frequent lurker, first time poster here so apologies if this is the wrong place to post.

I started running almost a year ago with the C25K program.
I'm a 43 year old male, had very low fitness levels. My job involves sitting at a desk and I live in rural Ireland where I have to get into the car to get a pint of milk. No sporting background and on reflection a very unhealthy lifestyle.

I began to get concerned about my health (no scares, just realization that I was getting to a critical age range and was doing nothing health wise) and set a goal of running a 5K (with a stretch goal of a 10K) over the next number of months. While unfit, I was determined.

I really struggled with the C25K down to initial indiscipline. I found over the weeks that I was really struggling to run 1K non stop. I found out from friends that I was trying to go too fast. I slowed down and got to the holy grail of being able to complete 5K non stop and entered my first 'official' run in June (around 27 minutes).

I have to say that I got the bug from there and ran 3 - 4 times a week.
I entered an 8K which was a huge stretch for me (not having run more than 5K) and did 43 minutes in July.

Nothing was stopping me at this stage!!!

In September I tried my first 10K and came in at 57 minutes (had to stop and walk)
Did 2 more 8K races in 2015 at 41 minutes and 39 minutes.


No more races in 2015, but I tried to get out 2 - 3 times a week running between 5 and 10Ks.

Upped my goals in 2016 and signed up for Dublin Marathon (why not?!!)

From January started to run 4-5 times a week (between 5 and 15K).

Ran my first race of 2016 in Feb 10K - 48:30
Then did a 10 mile / 16K race and finished in 1hr:15
Tried a 5K the next week and came in at 22:35
Another 10K race at 46.05

Ran the Connemara half marathon last weekend in about 1hr 50 (in crazy weather conditions!!)

My primary goal now is the DCM and am confident that I will stick to the 18 week training plan (Higdon?) starting in June.

In the interim Im going to continue running a couple of long(ish) runs each week (10 - 15K), but I want to try speed up on the shorter runs as I've entered some 5 and 8Ks in the coming weeks (cant do any harm?).

Other than the marathon training program I dont have a structure and am running randomly. I've targeted an 8K in June that I want to run in about 36 mins and 5Ks in May where I want to run sub 22.

I'm determined to do the marathon in sub 4 hours (I think I can do 3.45)....hell if I put in the work is 3.30 possible???

I am so determined to do this, but I realise that I need to do a whole lot more than the running training.... I have a really bad diet... I drink too much / I work nutty hours / travel a lot...... and I;m still trying to give up cigarettes.. I'm not naturally athletic or sporty so I have a lot of work to do.

Saying that, I've made huge progress and truth be told I didnt think 12 months ago that I would be a 'runner' and complete 5K. I've lost 14 lbs since I started and cannot enthuse enough about the mental benefits of getting out there in the evenings and running.. If I never progress further my physical and mental well being have been enhanced by running!!

I'm going to post my training / progress here (and again if I'm in the wrong thread, please move)... as I think that committing and sharing with an audience will motivate and encourage me.

Appreciate your input / advice.

kit3

Best of luck with your goals. There is a mentored novice thread for the Dublin marathon on here every year that would be of great benefit to you so worth keeping an eye out for. You should find last year 's one if you do a search - apologies, I can't link on the phone !

ZV Yoda

I was in your shoes last year. My times are a tad slower than you (5k - 24:09, 10k - 50:33, half marathon 1:57), but running the marathon is a whole different ball game. Definitely sign up to the mentored novices thread when it starts. It was invaluable for me.

I originally set a sub 4hr target for the marathon, but over time (and with the advice of the novice mentors), I reviewed my goals & realised that my objective for my 1st marathon was to enjoy it & finish it in one piece. I set a loose goal of 4:30 in the weeks leading up to the big day.

It was an amazing experience. It lashed rain, but the crowds were amazing. I ran the Hal Higdon novice program & eventually finished in 4:43. While it would have been nice to finish sub 4:30, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I saw so many people drop out with cramps, strains, dehydration etc that I was grateful not to be one of the casualties.

Bets of luck - it's an amazing experience.

Singer

I was also in a similar enough situation this time last year, though your PBs are better than mine were at the time! My running was also pretty random, I upped the milage and (eventually) followed some structure which helped me a lot, as did using the DCM mentored novices thread. I ended up running close to 3:30, so I think your expectations are definitely possible - *if* you put in a lot of work and things go well. I also found keeping a training log to be great for keeping myself motivated, and I got a lot of great advice too.

Looking forward to following your progress!

Kennyg71

did DCM first time last year as well, hadn't got any of the sort of race experience you have had to date, ran race series on
way to DCM and was first time at each distance 10mile , Half on way to DCM, Ran 3.48, so I'd say if you get training right
3.45 or 3.30 all going well is defiantly possible, Best luck with training. and defiantly join DCM Mentored Novice Thread.

ncmc

Best of luck with the log. Based on your 5km and 10 mile time, I would think 3:45 is definitely doable, your HM time seems a little slow in comparison, but I'm guessing that could be due to the weather rather than endurance issues?

As the others have said though, marathon is a whole different ball game. Don't worry about time for the moment, concentrate on building up a good mileage base. Get out running 4/5 times a week. One slightly longer run is a good idea, and maybe a speed session in there too. Keep the other runs as easy/recovery. You'll be in great shape for the plan come June. Definitely join the novice thread, it's invaluable. Without it 4 years ago, not a hope I would have gone sub 4.

annapr

Good luck with the training and the log, great to hear your enthusiasm for the changes that running has brought to your life. Most of us who have posted here have benefited hugely from the DCM mentored novices thread, so definitely look out for that in June.

And.... Ahem... Smoking... Cough, cough.... You will bring your times way down if you conquer that!