Signed up for Marathon......

Soulsun

Hey

So I have signed up for the DC marathon this year.

I'm currently doing zero mileage.

In he past I have done 5k and 10k but got injured.

Any training plans for a newbie that any of you could recommend?

Also any alternative ideas other than running which help me?

First Up

Soulsun wrote:

Any training plans for a newbie that any of you could recommend?

Loads of programmes out there. I used Benjy Durdon's when I started (a fair few years ago.)

Use the time available and plan. The conventional wisdom is that managing a six mile run is the starting point for a marathon programme so get to that first.

Other conventional wisdom is that the marathon is a 6 month project so you have time to do it properly.

Step by step; overdoing it causes injury and maybe that was your problem before with the shorter distances. Build up gradually and respect recovery.

And above all, forget about pace. Its about building up distance; go as slow as you have to in order to achieve it.

Burkie1203

Soulsun wrote: »

Hey

So I have signed up for the DC marathon this year.

I'm currently doing zero mileage.

In he past I have done 5k and 10k but got injured.

Any training plans for a newbie that any of you could recommend?

Also any alternative ideas other than running which help me?

If your near a parkrun go along. You might find some help there. I have at mine

First Up

Soulsun wrote:

Also any alternative ideas other than running which help me?

All exercise helps but your first marathon is going to take you something like 4 hours. Start building up to spending that long on your feet - e.g. walking, trekking, golf. Good for both physical and mental conditioning.

OOnegative

Soulsun wrote: »

Hey

So I have signed up for the DC marathon this year.

I'm currently doing zero mileage.

In he past I have done 5k and 10k but got injured.

Any training plans for a newbie that any of you could recommend?

Also any alternative ideas other than running which help me?

Every year a Novices Marathon thread is set up here around end of June, when that starts join it, full of like minded runners such as yourself and advice from more experienced people to help.

Until then build your mileage up slowly never increasing the work load by more than a mile a week, run slow to begin with, if you think your going slow it’s not slow enough.

First Up

OOnegative wrote:

Until then build your mileage up slowly never increasing the work load by more than a mile a week, run slow to begin with, if you think your going slow it’s not slow enough.

I think you can increase your total mileage by more than one a week but a mile or two extra on to to your longest run is enough.

The long run is the most important step.

ariana`

If you're not running at all at the moment then maybe start with a Couch to 5k plan (google C25k). You could follow that with a 5 to 10k plan. And then...

OOnegative wrote: »

Every year a Novices Marathon thread is set up here around end of June, when that starts join it, full of like minded runners such as yourself and advice from more experienced people to help.

Until then build your mileage up slowly never increasing the work load by more than a mile a week, run slow to begin with, if you think your going slow it’s not slow enough.

THIS - the mentored novice group follow a 14 week plan for DCM, there are 2 plans to choose from, either will get you around, the mentor(s) will help you choose the plan best suited to your level. You'll get advice, support, encouragement and most likely friends for life - you can't lose But it is advisable that you can at least run 10k comfortably before you start the 14 week plan. Best of luck.

shotgunmcos

First Up wrote: »

The long run is the most important step.

No its not. General mileage and consistency of training is more important from a zero start but I do agree with targeting 6 miles as a interim goal

Also the advice to follow the Novices thread +++

Ultimately get consistency first. 3 easy runs a week 20-30 mins and build slowly from there, you have loads of time!

First Up

shotgunmcos wrote:

No its not. General mileage and consistency of training is more important from a zero start but I do agree with targeting 6 miles as a interim goal

If you plan to run 26 miles in one go on a future date, then you need to get your body ready to do that. A gradual increase in the length of your long run is at the core of any marathon programme.

OOnegative

First Up wrote: »

If you plan to run 26 miles in one go on a future date, then you need to get your body ready to do that. A gradual increase in the length of your long run is at the core of any marathon programme.

Not currently for the OP, it’s about getting there body used to regular mileage first so they are prepared to train for a marathon correctly. The long runs you are thinking about won’t be coming till summer time. For now the OP needs to build the miles very gradually so they are able for such long runs. As was stated if the OP builds up to 10 miles for a long run before the 2019 Novices thread starts they should be in a good place to tackle DCM.

Irishder

Im in the same boat as yourself. My plan is as follows:

- Currently in week week 6 of coach to 10K
- When that is finished i will begin building towards 1/2 marathon in June (Waterford).
- Follow novice training plan on here to get around Dublin.

Sounds simple!! Best of luck

First Up

OOnegative wrote:

Not currently for the OP, it’s about getting there body used to regular mileage first so they are prepared to train for a marathon correctly. The long runs you are thinking about won’t be coming till summer time. For now the OP needs to build the miles very gradually so they are able for such long runs. As was stated if the OP builds up to 10 miles for a long run before the 2019 Novices thread starts they should be in a good place to tackle DCM.

Yes, I already said that. The starting point for any marathon programme is being able to run about 10k. That's the first requirement.

Soulsun

Thanks for the feedback folks.

Would you recommend I keep a log for my runs or use any particular application?

First Up

Soulsun wrote:

Would you recommend I keep a log for my runs or use any particular application?

If you are working to a schedule then yes, definitely keep track of what you do.

Soulsun

First Up wrote: »

If you are working to a schedule then yes, definitely keep track of what you do.

What do you recommend to keep track?
Excel??

First Up

Soulsun wrote:

What do you recommend to keep track? Excel??

Pen and paper works too! Don't over-complicate it.

skyblue46

Soulsun wrote: »

What do you recommend to keep track?
Excel??

I'd suggest using Strava. You can download it on the Play Store for Android and whatever the apple equivalent store is called.

Gavlor

skyblue46 wrote: »

I'd suggest using Strava. You can download it on the Play Store for Android and whatever the apple equivalent store is called.

Jaysus don’t use strava yet. Just go out and run, no watch just map an out and back route with a mile each way and jog it at a very easy pace. When that gets comfortable add a half a mile.

Don’t worry about logging/tracking/pace or any programs till March at the earliest.

**Timbuk2**

Read last year's novices thread
https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057867517/1

Loads of great advice.
Particularly heed the advice by slowing it right down. It's harder than it sounds (but you get used to it) and sometimes feels counterintuitive. Particularly as you've been injured at 5/10k distance before.

Swiper the fox

Gavlor wrote: »

Jaysus don’t use strava yet. Just go out and run, no watch just map an out and back route with a mile each way and jog it at a very easy pace. When that gets comfortable add a half a mile.

Don’t worry about logging/tracking/pace or any programs till March at the earliest.

Different strokes for different folks, Strava etc provides a bit of interest even in those early days when you're struggling to run for 2k, I read that advice all the time (don't use the watch/apps etc and just run for the joy of it) but I'd say there's plenty who couldn't do it without the info to hand, I'm not sure if I'd have stuck with it through the early days.

skyblue46

Swiper the fox wrote: »

Different strokes for different folks, Strava etc provides a bit of interest even in those early days when you're struggling to run for 2k, I read that advice all the time (don't use the watch/apps etc and just run for the joy of it) but I'd say there's plenty who couldn't do it without the info to hand, I'm not sure if I'd have stuck with it through the early days.

Likewise. Sitting down and seeing my runs in black and white made me proud to be getting it done.

Soulsun

skyblue46 wrote: »

I'd suggest using Strava. You can download it on the Play Store for Android and whatever the apple equivalent store is called.

Thanks for this!

Soulsun

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Read last year's novices thread
https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057867517/1

Loads of great advice.
Particularly heed the advice by slowing it right down. It's harder than it sounds (but you get used to it) and sometimes feels counterintuitive. Particularly as you've been injured at 5/10k distance before.

I'll have a read cheers

Soulsun

Thanks for all the tips guys

One last question

Any suggestions one a pair of runners circ €100

First Up

Soulsun wrote:

Any suggestions one a pair of runners circ €100

Get your stride checked and get fitted by someone who knows what they are doing. It makes a big difference to get it right.

6run28

It might be worth a trip to a specialised running shop to discuss runners and check your technique esp if youve suffered from injuries previously. Amphibian king would be a popular place but lots of others around too

Gavlor

Swiper the fox wrote: »

Different strokes for different folks, Strava etc provides a bit of interest even in those early days when you're struggling to run for 2k, I read that advice all the time (don't use the watch/apps etc and just run for the joy of it) but I'd say there's plenty who couldn't do it without the info to hand, I'm not sure if I'd have stuck with it through the early days.

You’ve obviously confused me with someone else, at no stage did I say that there was joy in running!

But if the OP is planning on getting through a marathon cycle then easing into it both physically and mentally is the way to go. Strava by its very nature encourages an unnecessary competitiveness.

OOnegative

Gavlor wrote: »

You’ve obviously confused me with someone else, at no stage did I say that there was joy in running!

But if the OP is planning on getting through a marathon cycle then easing into it both physically and mentally is the way to go. Strava by its very nature encourages an unnecessary competitiveness.

How’s the hip?

Swiper the fox

Gavlor wrote: »

You’ve obviously confused me with someone else, at no stage did I say that there was joy in running!

But if the OP is planning on getting through a marathon cycle then easing into it both physically and mentally is the way to go. Strava by its very nature encourages an unnecessary competitiveness.

Strava was the example used, my feeling is that running with a watch and stats encourages beginner runners,

First Up

Swiper the fox wrote:

Strava was the example used, my feeling is that running with a watch and stats encourages beginner runners,

Forget the watch. Increase distance, not speed.

crisco10

First Up wrote: »

Forget the watch. Increase distance, not speed.

Gps watch isn't just about pace and time though..

When I was a novice I defo found the watch encouraged me from a distance perspective. The "that's the long I've ever ran" mentality. I remember adding 500m at end of an early "l"sr cos I looked at watch and realised I'd break my record...and so on.

I also enjoyed trying to cover as much of Dublin as possible in my heatmap...