Training for a marathon

[PartyGirlUK]

Doing a marathon seems like a good idea for a variety of reasons. Im currently about 40 lbs over my prime weight. Ive gone to the gym fairly regularly over the past few months, and as such am in OK shape - I can do half an hour fairly intensive work on the bike easily. No way I could do even a half marathon tho. I'd be shooting for about 6 months from now. I've always found running very taxing on my body, and much prefer swimming and cycling. As such Im also considering a triathlon, altho I cant find a good website listing major triathlons, so help with that would be good. How do I go about training for this? Id prefer to join some group as running/cycling is pretty boring/solitary and extra company/motivation would be good. How should I pace myself building up to being able to run 26 miles or doing the triathlon?

[kevstreet]

Try This

[swede123]

Typically a person who excercises casually but regularly can train for a marathon in five or six months, but that training regimen is very strict and intense. If you find you don't enjoy running you will be in agony during the training, especially as most training regiments include a long run once a week (steadily pushing yourself you eventually reach 15-20 miles on these long runs during the course of the training). The triathlon approach definitely sounds like more your style. Depending on where you live there are typically lots of organized triathlons of varying difficulty. Some of them are pretty relaxed and quite appropriate for a novice; I'd look at something with a 1/2 mile swim, 5K run and 10 mile cycling for starters.

Good luck!

Swede

[Stacheman]

If you're looking for triathlons, try Trifind.com. They list triathlons of all distances by state. The variety makes triathlon training much more enjoyable for me than just running. I am planning on a marathon this year though, too.

[turnipmonster]

I second hal higdon's training programs, I did my first marathon using his novice program and it went great.

[Skoob]

There's a variety of resources available, both on the web and in bookstores. Joining a running club would be a good idea. Those long training runs can really suck if you're solo. Even a training partner is really helpful.

There's two schools on the training for a marathon:
1. It's important mentally for you to run 26 miles once or twice before the race to prove to yourself mentally that you can do it. (Galloway)
2. The furthest you need to run during training is 20 miles. If you can go 20, you can gut out the last 6 without a problem. (Higdon)

The marathon I first trained for (2005), I went with option 2 and it worked for me. I was about at your same level of fitness, though only about 20 lbs. over my ideal weight.

The biggest problem with those long training runs is hydration. During the race, they have water stops every two miles. But while you're training, you can't really carry enough water.

Try to find long races on the weekends that jive with your training schedule. Formal races will have water stops and the benefit of folks cheering you on while you're training. Plus it will get you psyched for the marathon race itself. The more training runs you can incorporate into races, the better.

And even if a given race isn't as far as you need for training, run the race and when you finish keep going. Run the course twice if you need, whatever it takes to hit your goal for that session.

And lastly, cotton is the absolute worst material to train in. You will chafe, especially your nipples. If you're serious, spend some $$ on some decent running clothes/shoes. Go to a running store and talk to them about your goals and they will set you up for the right gear. Be prepared to spend at least $80-100 just for a decent pair of shoes.

[imitation]

I trained for a marathon but I only made it to week about 8 I think my long run was 14 miles or something at that point. I rolled my ankle and couldn't train for 2 weeks so I just gave up because I wouldn't have made it in time for the marathon I wanted to run. But outside of that I had sever pains in my knees at all times. It was really [censored], nothing I could do to get the tension out of my glutes and hamstrings.

Honestly I might try again but I would seek some advice from a running school or join some casual squad, obviously my technique is lowsy or something.

Good luck it's hell, but it will get you quite cardio fit, although you'll be hungry as a dog all the time I found.

[Thremp]

Try moving from obese to merely overweight.

[Alobar]

Dean, dont know if they have this is just a US thing or not, but you might be interested in team in training, its a good way to get trained, meet other people to keep you motivated, and its also charity and helping others. I personally havent done it, but know several people who have, and they all found it extremely rewarding.

[imitation]

I forgot a good link www.runnersworld.com I'm pretty sure that's the one.