Hi all, I'm a newbie here and a fairly new convert to running, having turned 42 last year I had a mid life crisis moment and decided I should get fit, used the gym a bit and then started running in October. I completed the Hastings H/M on Sunday in 2hr 17 not a great time for most of you I'm sure, but I was pretty chuffed as I was aiming for 2 1/2 hrs. Anyway, I'm hooked and want to race again with a view to maybe attempting the Brighton marathon next spring. It seems well supported and relatively flat (compared to Hastings anywhere is flat! lol).
what tips/advive can you give regarding training. I work 12 hr shifts and so find it difficult to follow any set training plans as some weeks I can only fit in 1 run others 2 or 3. should I just work on time on feet,increasing mileage steadily or are there any other methods that would help. I'm not looking to break any records but I don't want to disgrace myself either, I'd like to get round in 4 - to 4 1/2 hours ish (realistic target or not?) should I aim to complete some races alomg the way, 5-10k ?
Also I'm currently about 12 1/2 stone, would it be of any real benefit to loose a bit more wieght? I've lost about a stone and a Half scince October.
Any tips greatfully recieved, Thanks All.
Comments
Until then keep running if you want variety then do things like park runs, add in the odd 10km / half to keep you in training, above all enjoy yourself.
Weight.. The lighter you get the less weight you have to carry around the 42.195km it's a long way I read somewhere if your fitness level is the same loosing each lb takes 2 seconds per mile off your marathon time? (This could be utter rubbish) but if so 1lb = 52 seconds off your time.
The big thing here is not to lose your fitness before you start your ~18 week or so training plan for the marathon. I did a marathon last Oct but then stopped until Feb and it took me a while to get back to where I was (I'm past that point for HM speed, but still under endurance-wise where I was for the marathon).
As boring as it may be, just base building doing long slow runs until you're ready to start your plan may be best doing ~30 miles a week? Check out the HADD training thread in the Training forum. If you can run for 2 hours a couple of times a week for several months at ~70% of your max HR (i.e. pretty damn slow!) it'll work wonders.
Otherwise as next Spring is such a long way off I'd sign up to several more races so you are always focused on a goal - do a couple of 10K's, then a HM in Sept/Oct ready to start your training for the marathon at Christmas with a realistic goal time calculated from it (2.23ish x your HM time I think is reasonable, though I was told 2xHM and add 30 minutes for your 1st marathon and it generous for me!).
4h-4:30 is a decent goal with enough time to train, but it is much harder than a HM unless you put in the long slow runs (Ideally your 5 longest should be as close to 100 miles as possible) - I faded badly to 4:18 off a 1:46 HM time.
But then.. what do I know - I'm still a beginner too, only 3 sporadic years in
I work very odd patterns too , my longest shifts are 14.5 hours which can mess with strict training plans , but with careful planning and time management you can fit it in
I quite enjoy doing a 5 mile run at the end of my long days , but not when my long days are back to back