Marathon Training

[SecretAgentMan]

You read this right. A 16 year old is crazy enough to go for a marathon.... Here's the thing.

 

Yesterday I ran 4 miles and then 12 on the elliptical for cardio. 

Today I biked 22 miles and ran 2. 

 

1. A girl is not involved. This is something I want to do on my own. 

2. I think it'd be great for my health. I can balance it out with my school.

3. I'm insane... So I might as well scratch it off the bucket list..

 

So anyone here got any advice? I hope that when I'm 18 I can do an Iron Man Triathlon.... I want this. No one has an influence on my decision except for me. 

 

[gabefergy]

I've never done a Full Marathon, but I've done some Halfs. 

 

It's basically just a matter of building up slowly. There are a lot of training regimens out there, but for the most part it's pretty similar. You run 5-6 days a week for about 3 months leading up to it. Most of the daily runs are going to be fairly short 3-5 miles, with one long run on the weekend. Slowly increase the distance each week until you get to 22-24 miles in your long run. You want to reach this plateau about a week before your race. Leading up to the race you want to run a couple of short runs, but lessen the load so you are fully rested for the big race. 

 

You also probably want to do some side work like sprints, hills, core work, yoga, etc on your off days. 

[K-Dog]

My advice. ..

never stop.

If you do, you get fat and out of shape like me.

I doubt I could run 100 feet and not get winded and dizzy

In my youth I coulda ran a hundred miles and barely break a sweat..

[SecretAgentMan]

I've never done a Full Marathon, but I've done some Halfs. 

 

It's basically just a matter of building up slowly. There are a lot of training regimens out there, but for the most part it's pretty similar. You run 5-6 days a week for about 3 months leading up to it. Most of the daily runs are going to be fairly short 3-5 miles, with one long run on the weekend. Slowly increase the distance each week until you get to 22-24 miles in your long run. You want to reach this plateau about a week before your race. Leading up to the race you want to run a couple of short runs, but lessen the load so you are fully rested for the big race. 

 

You also probably want to do some side work like sprints, hills, core work, yoga, etc on your off days. 

Well my training deadline for the marathon is in march... So I've got six months. Thanks man. I want this. I ran slowly today haha

[hawkprey]

My advice is don't run on concrete (if you can avoid doing so) and don't jump from short runs one day to long runs the next. You'll get shin splints/stress fractures. 

 

Training is fine, but honestly, 16 is pretty young and you're still developing muscle and bone structure. You don't want to injure yourself now. You have plenty of years left to run marathons and all other crazy events. Don't kill yourself.

[gabefergy]

My advice is don't run on concrete (if you can avoid doing so) and don't jump from short runs one day to long runs the next. You'll get shin splints/stress fractures. 

 

Training is fine, but honestly, 16 is pretty young and you're still developing muscle and bone structure. You don't want to injure yourself now. You have plenty of years left to run marathons and all other crazy events. Don't kill yourself.

This is how you train for marathons. There's no avoiding it, unless you don't run short distances at all, which only puts more strain on your body. 

 

One thing I didn't mention is that the pacing is obviously going to vary a little bit depending on the length of the run, but it's best to just stay within yourself and not push the pace very much. 

 

Shin splints can be avoided by proper stretching and strengthening of the muscles in your leg. I've never heard that running different distances will give you shin splints, but there are certainly ways to avoid them.

 

Most importantly be sure to stretch a lot!

[gabefergy]

I might suggest starting with a half marathon though. It still requires a lot of discipline and hard work, but it's not going to tax your body nearly as much. 

 

It's the same premise with 4-5 runs a week, with one long run and the rest being shorter, but it will only take you 2-3 months instead of the 4 months that a full marathon training regimen takes. It's also going to keep you at 20-25 miles a week at the most instead of the 40+ miles you run in the last weeks of prep for a marathon.

[SecretAgentMan]

I might suggest starting with a half marathon though. It still requires a lot of discipline and hard work, but it's not going to tax your body nearly as much.

It's the same premise with 4-5 runs a week, with one long run and the rest being shorter, but it will only take you 2-3 months instead of the 4 months that a full marathon training regimen takes. It's also going to keep you at 20-25 miles a week at the most instead of the 40+ miles you run in the last weeks of prep for a marathon.

That's what my friend told me... I'm gonna do it.. I need this haha. I'll go half first haha

[SecretAgentMan]

My advice. ..

never stop.

If you do, you get fat and out of shape like me.

I doubt I could run 100 feet and not get winded and dizzy

In my youth I coulda ran a hundred miles and barely break a sweat..

Thanks for it.... I've been 50 pounds overweight. I lost most of it when I was a martial artist

[hawkprey]

This is how you train for marathons. There's no avoiding it, unless you don't run short distances at all, which only puts more strain on your body. 

 

One thing I didn't mention is that the pacing is obviously going to vary a little bit depending on the length of the run, but it's best to just stay within yourself and not push the pace very much. 

 

Shin splints can be avoided by proper stretching and strengthening of the muscles in your leg. I've never heard that running different distances will give you shin splints, but there are certainly ways to avoid them.

 

Most importantly be sure to stretch a lot!

For shin splints, it's just really hard to stretch that part of your legs. Drinking water and massaging it is probably the way to go.

 

You're right - shin splints are more from running long distances every day. Stress fractures are from changing distances. That's why I recommend staying off the roads and doing things gradually. Never be afraid of rest days. Most people can't recover well enough from 6 days on and 1 day off and are just wasting their effort doing so.

[SecretAgentMan]

****WEEKLY UPDATE******

 

California heat sucks. Ran 4.3 miles today according to my phone. 5 yesterday. 3 the day before that.. I can breathe now and my abs are KILLING ME haha... 

[codizzle]

****WEEKLY UPDATE******

California heat sucks. Ran 4.3 miles today according to my phone. 5 yesterday. 3 the day before that.. I can breathe now and my abs are KILLING ME haha...

My abs are burning like crazy as well.... Seems the sprints I've started up after normal run are making abs worse way faster

[SecretAgentMan]

My abs are burning like crazy as well.... Seems the sprints I've started up after normal run are making abs worse way faster

No kidding. I feel your pain haha. I then did about 3 sets of 20 or so crunches then did some more cardio.

Tomorrow is weight loss workout(yippie! :/).

[SecretAgentMan]

Weekly update:

Ran only one mile today to test short term endurance.

5 min and 45 seconds... Two minuets better than my last sprint.

Abs still hurt.

[1/28/01]

I sit. Me no run.

Still smoke fools on the flag football field.

[PuRock]

Just signed up for Baltimore Marathon.  My first.  I've been knocking out 13-16 mile runs once a week during the summer (sometimes in 85+ degree weather) mixed in with shorter runs.  Now comes crunch time.  If I can post a 4-something time I'll be happy (I'm estimating 4:30).  Hoping for a nice crisp day.    

 

SAM, what marathon are you running?  Anyone else doing the Baltimore marathon?  

[SecretAgentMan]

Don't know yet. I'll probably run a half first to dip my feet in.....

And I've lost 11 pounds in two weeks.... Holy crap

[PuRock]

Don't know yet. I'll probably run a half first to dip my feet in.....

And I've lost 11 pounds in two weeks.... Holy crap

Are you enjoying running? Or do you find it a chore?

When you get to the long runs one of the biggest obstacles is the mental aspect. I feel like I am playing a game of chess convincing my mind not to quit, get bored, etc. Oh and nipple chafing is a real thing....and it hurts.

Just finished a 16 mile run and my legs are kaput. Less than 4 weeks to go.

[SecretAgentMan]

Are you enjoying running? Or do you find it a chore?

When you get to the long runs one of the biggest obstacles is the mental aspect. I feel like I am playing a game of chess convincing my mind not to quit, get bored, etc. Oh and nipple chafing is a real thing....and it hurts.

Just finished a 16 mile run and my legs are kaput. Less than 4 weeks to go.

Depends on the day. 

I ran a total of 8 miles yesterday so I'm good

[PuRock]

Less than 24 hours to the Baltimore Marathon.  Hoping for a 3:59 time.  Sucks they pushed the race time up 1 hour to 7am because of the Orioles and that didn't even happen.  

 

Anyways, getting nervous. 

[berad]

Less than 24 hours to the Baltimore Marathon.  Hoping for a 3:59 time.  Sucks they pushed the race time up 1 hour to 7am because of the Orioles and that didn't even happen.  

 

Anyways, getting nervous. 

 

Stretch your legs, eat some healthy carbs, and get your sleep!

 

You'll probably have butterflies through warm-ups and even into the race. That's normal, you'll catch a pace a few minutes in after the adernaline stops and people separate and then it's one foot in front of the other

[PuRock]

Well my official time was 4:11 for the Full Baltimore Marathon today.

 

I did exactly what I said I wasn't going to do, I allowed the energy of the race to push me too hard over the first half of the race. I ran the best half-marathon (up to 16 miles) of my life only to poop out and struggle.  If I paced myself better I probably would've been looking at a sub-4 time.  Bummer.  Still finished in the top 30% so I can't complain.  

 

I thought Baltimore did a fabulous job with the race.  For the price it was excellent.  Got the great Under Armour shirt, medal, and plenty of food and beverages.  So many great volunteers.  

 

[1/28/01]

You ran today more than I drive in a week.

[codizzle]

That's not bad at all man..

I'm just started a couple months ago really getting back into running shape... Gonna run a few 5k's once I know I can get a pretty good time to get my feet wet

I've been running 5 days a week for 2 1/2 months now.. I've lost a ton of muscle in my legs so I haven't decided if I want to train to run a marathon or go ahead and start toning up and building some bulk

[codizzle]

You ran today more than I drive in a week.

Haha

[1/28/01]

Im back up to 200 lbs. So, Im 6' 3" and 200 lbs. By the numbers, sounds great. BUT it could use some tightening up. Headed to Florida for the month of November, so thats the month. Thats the month where I'll have a gym in my building and my fat butt will get back in shape. Yeah, thats the mindset. Put it off another 2 weeks. Ugh!

[PuRock]

You ran today more than I drive in a week.

 

 

Im back up to 200 lbs. So, Im 6' 3" and 200 lbs. By the numbers, sounds great. BUT it could use some tightening up. Headed to Florida for the month of November, so thats the month. Thats the month where I'll have a gym in my building and my fat butt will get back in shape. Yeah, thats the mindset. Put it off another 2 weeks. Ugh!

 

Starting up exercise is always the toughest part.  If you want to do it, you should just bite the bullet.  

 

We're about the same size.  I'm 6'3 210 and guys our size are not built for running.  200 lbs of force on the feet and legs just puts too much stress on the body.  

[PuRock]

That's not bad at all man..

I'm just started a couple months ago really getting back into running shape... Gonna run a few 5k's once I know I can get a pretty good time to get my feet wet

I've been running 5 days a week for 2 1/2 months now.. I've lost a ton of muscle in my legs so I haven't decided if I want to train to run a marathon or go ahead and start toning up and building some bulk

 

Thanks man.  I'm happy to have finished and with a decent time.  But there are things I just could have done better.  

 

The Baltimore running festival has a 5k if you're ever interested.  But finishing a marathon is a great bucket list type of accomplishment.  I was never a long distance runner before this year.  I ran short distances multiple times a week.  This year for some reason my distances just took off and the marathon just made logical sense.