Zeno

I'm thinking about running a marathon next year. My experience in distance running has been confined to 10Ks and some other long runs I did as a Marine...but its been 10 yrs since I last ran a 10K and I'm 34 yrs old.

My plan is to run a 5K in April, a 10K in June and a 10 Miler this fall and get in a half marathon next spring and do the Marathon next fall likely in Minnesota. There will be other 5 & 10Ks I plan to do spread throughout the year just to keep competitive.

I'm not going out with a misguided notion I can compete to win, I just want to finish in a competitive time for my age group(somewhere in the middle of the pack).

Anyone that has done a marathon or competitive running have any advice?

Russ Smith

I haven't but a friend of mine ran one last year for the first time raising money for AIDS research. She hooked up with some training group that helps you prepare for the marathon, I forget the name but I would assume there's probably similar groups in your area if you look.

She said it really helped her, they were quite specific on how to train for it and why it worked better than just trying to do it yourself. She was pretty convinced that it really helped her.

__________________
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Gizmo Williams

I've run several half marathons and eventually plan on doing a full one. Finding a training program and using it is the key. I followed the plan on Jeff Galloway's (a running guru) website. The gradual addition of mileage each week is pretty much what most plans are about and makes since on several levels (reducing injury, building stamina). At the end of training 14 miles...I am definitely not ready to do another 12 miles...but you are ready to bump it up to 15 or 16 miles.

Also, try to approach the training as something you look forward to. If you enter it with a negative mindset or look at it as work...it is tough to get through running all the miles over a 20+ week training program.

Zeno

Thanks, Russ & Gizmo,

I am looking for a running group in my area but because of my odd ball schedule its really difficult for me to get together with them. The only group that works with me is a triathlon group--while I think that would be challeneging I don't think I want to do that(yet).

I've seen the Jeff Galloway books. I see some of those books that say traing for a marathon in 13 weeks (crazy--IMO especially since I haven't run consistently in so long). I'm planning to take a year to train for my first half marathon and it'll be 6 months after that before I try to full one.

I still workout at the gym but I guess I will have to modify that to training for distance running..not that I get bulky anyway.

Gizmo Williams

Most of the training assumes you start off being able to run 30-45 minutes. However, you will be surprised how easily you add distance. The first 30 minutes and the last 5 minutes are the hardest. Once you enter the stage where your body accesses the fuel stores for endurance...you get into a zone where breathing and the effort become much easier.

Another tip...when you start running over an hour, use gels or cliff blocks during training. Your body really needs the boost of energy.

Zeno

I haven't used gels before but I have seen them mentioned a lot in books I've read. I'll have to try a few to find out which ones I prefer.

I used to run quite regularly just not for much more than 10K distances--this is a new world for me. I do appreciate the tips.

I just bought a heart monitor based on advice from another runner. Pretty nice toy, straps around the chest and sends a signal to my wristwatch. When you press "stop" it tells you your average heart rate during the workout as well as the high and low and how long you were in your "optimal" range. I'm still learning to use it and the info it provides though.

Gizmo Williams

Gu and the other gel like shots do upset a lot of people's stomachs. I have been using Cliff Blocks and have been really happy with them. They are textured like gummi bears and they tend to be gentler on the stomach than the gels. They also taste better than the gels. The downside...they are not as quick to take as the gel shot. I usually need to walk and chew them down....but I am not out to set any records, just to finish, so I don't mind the break. It is amazing how quickly your body accesses the energy they provide and how you feel it.