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Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks?
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 2015-01-18 12:01 PM |
 434  |  Subject: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks?Did a (solo) "half marathon" 13.1 mile run yesterday in 2 hours. I have been only running 17-20 miles per week average, with a long run of 9-11 miles. Never done a marathon before, but wondering if I could finish one on March 14. This would be a "bucket list" item for the year, and doing the March event could free up a lot of time after for tri and century training during the warmer more outdoor months. I would be shooting for a finish in under 5 hours, using the Hal Higdon novice schedule as a loose guide (though I am already behind in the total miles recommended at this point). Any thoughts? Give it a month and decide? I will be 58 in March, and thought it might be a birthday gift (to me). It is the inaugural Newport News, VA One City (point to point, the length of the skinny city) Marathon. John B. |
| 2015-01-18 1:02 PM in reply to: #5084591 |
| 111 | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? I would say go for it. I decided, (on a bit of a whim) to do the Philly marathon this past November without really doing much in the way of structured training. I was still in pretty decent shape from the tri season and had done a half iron in September. Not that I suggest it as the way to go, but my longest run was around 12 before the event. I feel like quality runs with hills and some interval sets are more valuable than just hoofing 20 miles and calling it a day. Not a marathoner, just a guys who loves to compete and push myself...thus my first full ironman in September!  Go for it and good luck! |
| 2015-01-18 2:15 PM in reply to: #5084604 |
Member 622  Franklin, TN | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? How hard did you run that half? Can you start the marathon build now or do you need some recovery time? You can do it but you need to be able to complete the mileage build without any injury setbacks. I'm close to your age (54 last year when I did my first) and about the same speed (1:59 HM) before the marathon. My build kept getting derailed by sickness and dinged up legs. Consequently, I didn't get enough volume and long runs in and jog/walked the second half to a 5:07 finish...humbling experience. Good luck. You can do it..just listen to your body and don't be afraid to shut down a run if something doesn't feel right. |
| 2015-01-18 3:59 PM in reply to: jbrookscga78 |
Veteran 345 Ocean Springs, MS | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? I think it's doable, as long as you don't push too hard and injure yourself. My first marathon was kind of a whim thing, with my furthest training run 16 miles. I ran with the 5 hour pace group (run/walk) and had a great time, finishing a couple minutes before the 5 hour mark...and injury free. Good luck and happy birthday! |
| 2015-01-18 4:06 PM in reply to: jbrookscga78 |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? If you hit a half marathon in training and didn't race it and kill yourself in the process, I see little reason to think you couldn't do a full in 8 weeks, The longest training runs for a marathon aren't typically much longer than a half marathon, and the difference between all out racing a half marathon, and plodding along in zone 2 are pretty significant for recovery. If you think you can handle the increased volume and feel great now, go for it! Be prepared to use a run/walk strategy if you need to as you get closer though, it can make a huge difference when you're on that line of fitness. |
| 2015-01-18 4:48 PM in reply to: 0 |
Member 325 Groningen, Netherlands | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? I'm worried about the way you structure your training. You run between 17-20 miles you say, so your current long run was about two thirds of your total mileage. This sounds like a recipe for injury to me, even in its current state, but especially when ramped up to say a a long run of 20 miles (you would prbably be wise not to attempt to go that far in training for that specific reason anyway). I would definitely give it a month and decide then, and try to first increase your mileage slowly in that month. You didn't say how often you were running per week but I would try to get it to 5 times a week if you can. Try to expand your base by increasing about 10% of running time each week for that month. Then you're at 30 miles which is still minimal, but you can then at least hit 40ish on the week you do your longest run, and then dial it back a bit before the marathon. If you can't handle that then there's a big chance your marathon goal might derail your tri season. But then again the ramping up of volume might do the same, which is why I probably wouldn't do it anyway. Let us know what you decide and how you're getting on with training. Edited by Snaaijer 2015-01-18 4:49 PM |
| 2015-01-18 8:23 PM in reply to: jbrookscga78 |
| 27 | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? If you don't care about your finish time, do it. Personally, I walked for a great deal of my marathons. Ain't nothing wrong with that as long as you cross the finish line. |
| 2015-01-19 12:46 AM in reply to: jbrookscga78 |
Master 2759 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? I don't recommend it since you want to finish it in under 5 hours. Gotta build up your body's durability over a much longer period when it comes to training for a marathon. I also don't recommend your long runs compose more than 35% of your total weekly mileage. You might get injured that way. But then again, we don't know how long you have been consistently running. Why rush it anyway? I understand you'd like to make it a nice birthday present to yourself but save it for next year or after you finish your triathlons and century rides. You can use your off season months to build up your running volume and be better prepared for your first marathon. You'll be happy you did. Now if you are fine with just finishing it so you can take it off your bucket list, by all means do it. You'll be doing alota walking.  |
| 2015-01-19 5:45 AM in reply to: Snaaijer |
| New user 560 Key West | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? Originally posted by Snaaijer I'm worried about the way you structure your training. You run between 17-20 miles you say, so your current long run was about two thirds of your total mileage. This sounds like a recipe for injury to me, even in its current state, but especially when ramped up to say a a long run of 20 miles (you would prbably be wise not to attempt to go that far in training for that specific reason anyway). I would definitely give it a month and decide then, and try to first increase your mileage slowly in that month. You didn't say how often you were running per week but I would try to get it to 5 times a week if you can. Try to expand your base by increasing about 10% of running time each week for that month. Then you're at 30 miles which is still minimal, but you can then at least hit 40ish on the week you do your longest run, and then dial it back a bit before the marathon. If you can't handle that then there's a big chance your marathon goal might derail your tri season. But then again the ramping up of volume might do the same, which is why I probably wouldn't do it anyway. Let us know what you decide and how you're getting on with training. ^^What he said. Your weekly mileage is just too low to do this without a high probability for injury and also to meet your time goal. Could you possibly get through the Marathon, yes, but it would not feel like a birthday present, it would more likely feel like a death march. Your long run, ideally, should only be about 20-30% of your weekly mileage, but you honestly don't need to run more than 16 miles on your long run if your weekly base is high enough. So, to avoid injury and build a better base, increase the number of days you run and your weekly mileage and throw in some tempo and speed work (at least a couple of times a week) and you will feel a lot better during your marathon. I am a bit older than you (60) but have run several marathons and recently BQ'd. You can do this but as you get older the short cuts younger people take are just more likely to get you injured. Good luck to you. |
| 2015-02-07 3:12 PM in reply to: topolina |
| 434 | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? Update with five weeks to go. My long run has been about half of my weekly mileage. Today was 17.1 miles at 9:53. Weekly total of 33 miles. Schedule calls for a few miles less this next week (long run only 13), then 19/12/8 for the long runs descending until the marathon. I feel great, so I am going to go for it. I need to put a little more effort on the nutrition, and get another pair of shoes ASAP, since I don't think my current pair will make it (I run on National Park Roads, which have a chip-seal asphalt surface that chews up the soles of the shoes). |
| 2015-02-07 8:58 PM in reply to: jbrookscga78 |
Member 256 Iowa City, Iowa | Subject: RE: Half Marathon to Marathon in 8 weeks? Good luck! |
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