Marathon Training

[GamblorZ]

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26.5 miles.

I can make as much time as would be needed to complete it in less than 4 hours. Given my fitness levels aren't great the amount of time i can train each week will be limited.

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Well I've never trained specifically for a marathon since I normally do a lot of cardio, but theoretically the best way to train for this event would be...

1) OK you have 5 months until this event. this gives you 20 weeks to prepare - thats not a lot of time though if you keep strict with your training and incorporate some dieting advice (basically eat a lot :P) you'll be fine.
2) Before you do start make sure you have some proper running shoes - maybe visit a podiatrist if you can be bothered? They usually have reccomendations of how to improve your running posture and can tell you which shows would fit you best or even where to get custom running shoes.
3)You should train 3-4x a week. Now obviously you can't be doing full marathons every day (nor shouldnt) but every 5th week you should attempt to do the length of the marathon - too see how your progress is. You might just want to go for runs for 1-1.5 hours and try increase distance each time. Start off gradually though - maybe start off at 3x a week for 1 hour and try gradually increase time and then distance.
4) You also want to be able to "peak" for the event. The best way to peak for the event is to spend some time leading up to the event training at less intensity then what you're used too - so for a week before the marathon you may only want to run twice a week and extrapolate the time/distance as to how you'll go in the marathon. Also at week 8 and 14 you may also want to take a rest week where you train only 2x a week so to keep you from over training.

That my IMO, somebody more experienced might have a better idea.

[jogsxyz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Combs

P Diddy ran a marathon recently. He had he own personal trainer. Ran 4:18 and was very please with his time.

Under 4 hours is not realistic. Very few first time marathoners succeed in running the entire 26 miles. You will be walking part of the time. To break 4 hours you will need to average 8:30/mile or 5:25/km. Run a 10k. If you can't break 50 minutes, forget 4 hours. It's just not possible.

[jogsxyz]

Meant average 8:30/m while you're running, since you expect to walk part of the course.

There seems to be a wind tunnel between miles 22 and 24 on the London course. Slows the entire race down.

[dethgrind]

I'm 6'4" 195 lbs and can run 1 mile in 6 minutes. I've never run for longer than 40 minutes at a time. What are my chances of having what it takes to run a 3:10 marathon with 6 months of training?

[BreakfastBurrito]

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I'm 6'4" 195 lbs and can run 1 mile in 6 minutes. I've never run for longer than 40 minutes at a time. What are my chances of having what it takes to run a 3:10 marathon with 6 months of training?

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Not good but not impossible. We know basically nothing about your actual running ability since it's completely undeveloped. A 3:10 on your first try would be exceptional. If you actually stuck with a good program and didn't get hurt 3:30-3:40 would be a good result in 6 months. 3:10 would be reasonable within 12-18 months if you decided to stick with it.

[jogsxyz]

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I'm 6'4" 195 lbs and can run 1 mile in 6 minutes. I've never run for longer than 40 minutes at a time. What are my chances of having what it takes to run a 3:10 marathon with 6 months of training?

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Nearly zero. 3:10 is 7:15/mile. By mile 10 7:30 will seem like an impossible task.

[shemp]

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I'm 6'4" 195 lbs

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I can't remember many runners your shape. Maybe because I wasn't looking for them and that height isn't all that common as it is.

[dethgrind]

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I'm 6'4" 195 lbs and can run 1 mile in 6 minutes. I've never run for longer than 40 minutes at a time. What are my chances of having what it takes to run a 3:10 marathon with 6 months of training?

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Nearly zero. 3:10 is 7:15/mile. By mile 10 7:30 will seem like an impossible task.

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Really, if I train hard for the next 6 months, zero chance? What if I'm a natural?

[jacksquat]

imo, 3:10 would be a pretty ambitious goal for 6 months, natural or not. i did my first marathon in 3 hours and 40 seconds with about 9 months of serious training, but i was already in excellent physical shape. along with some occasional running, i moved furniture for a living, and played softball two days a week in the summer, and ice hockey two days a week in the winter. as you can see i already had a very sound base to build upon, and was able to train fairly hard from the beginning. i was also able to avoid any injuries and/or setbacks.

the training program i used was very similar to what has already been described. mixing up longer runs with short ones,and one day a week of hill training. i gradually increased my mileage and did the one slow long run per week, peaking at 22 miles two weeks before race day. i trained 6 days per week, and was up to 45 or 50 miles per week not including the long run. i also did 7 or 8 races during that time frame, mainly 10k, and a couple of ten milers.

last but not least, "hitting the wall" is a very real probability, and trying to put an exact number on your time is at best, unrealistic. i know that i trained to go faster, but at some point i just started slowing down, and had several miles near the end that just didn't feel very good.

anyway, good luck

[jogsxyz]

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Nearly zero. 3:10 is 7:15/mile. By mile 10 7:30 will seem like an impossible task.

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Really, if I train hard for the next 6 months, zero chance? What if I'm a natural?

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Lance Armstrong trained for about 6 months for his first marathon. Lance has about the highest VO2 max known. He had Alberto Salazar(pass NY winner) pace him. His time was 2:59 and lots of seconds.
Are you that much of a natural?
Your chance of winning the 2008 WSOP ME is greater than your chances of running under 3:10 on 6 months training. That assumes you currently have no run base. Meaning currently at running no miles a week.