Hello peeps! I am still quite a running newbie really, have been training for a half marathon for the last 11 weeks or so. Went from not being able to run to the end of the road, to having run a few 10ks and am ready for my first half in Cardiff in 2 weeks or so. Longest run so far is 11 miles and was really happy with that, no worries about completing the half now as felt fine at the end! Have signed up to run Bath half in March next year as have seriously got the running bug! Just been checking out new races and have noticed there is a full marathon at the end of April next year in Stratford. I would sooo love to run it! Was thinking I have a good few months before April (dunno how my body would feel after Bath but would have 6 weeks or so to recover ready for it!). Just wondered if there was any one out there who has gone from a half to a full...how long did it take training wise? And what kind of training schedule were you using? Any help would be really great - ta!
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You can definitely do it. The rest does partly depend on what your current fitness is and what your ambitions for the marathon are.
you will be able to do it as long as you have total belief in yourself.
but you must take it steady by just adding a mile or two to your weekly long slow run.
Don't doubt yourself and you can conquer the distance.
Be sure to rest after each long run and if you could do some cross training like swimming or cycling that would be a great help.
The main thing to remember is you can do whatever you put your mind to! Its the thoughts that count so try to think positive and let nothing stop you.
when you have your first marathon under your belt you will know this and it will make you ready to do whatever you wish.
Enjoy your running.
yuo can do it
well, I did a marqa befiore a half
but it-it isnt easy
DK,
The fairly standard advice is to have 12 months' training under your belt before attempting a marathon. You'll be close to that so should be ok. Find a schedule on the training tab, err on the side of caution and I'm sure it'll come together fine.
In terms of racing, if you really want to peak for Stratford I wouldn't stress about Bath too much - treat it as a slightly fast training run rather than a flat-out race. Main reason for this is that (as a rule of thumb - not everyone would agree) it can take up to 2 weeks to recover from a flat-out half and, when training for a full, you can't really afford to miss 2 weeks of training, especially 6 weeks out, because then you'd have only one week back in training before a three week taper.
Good luck at Cardiff.
There is a huge and real difference between a 1/2 and full marathon in every aspect I can think of. Training, racing, recovery etc. But you sound motivated and have structured your training so far with the expertise often missing from those of us who claim to be 'experienced runers'. I think you'll do well and should go for it
You guys are the best! Thanks so much for all your encouragement! Feeling more determined than ever now...but equally scared!!! Will take more of a look into things later! I hate this work malarky! But the boss is away today so that's a bonus!
The days when the boss is away are always the best! lol
The distance will scare you (untill you've done it), but if you can build up to 11miles and feel fine, building up to 20 will be a doddle. For me getting up to 5 or so miles were the hardest ones in the first few months. Have fun!
Difficult but not impossible.
Building up from 13-17 was the hardest for me.
Good luck
Half to a marathon isn't as tough as it's made out to be. If you're just looking to finish, it'll be a breeze. If you want to get a good time then it'll be tough (same as any race where you want a good time).
Finish your half, get fat for a few weeks then start slow training again, get fat for a few more weeks again over xmas then start training in January. The hardest part of a maraton is the eating and nutrition side of things - it's very tough to ensure you are properly fed for running for 3-4 months non-stop..
There are loads of marathons out there, probably best to pick a nice flat one. I have always told myself I would run a marathon before I was 25, Missed that goal though! only 26 so not far from that goal! Have you got any time in mind Donner_Kebab? I know most people say just go out and enjoy it but I can't do that i'm too competitive!
Donner_Kebab - the most important part of full mara training is the long run. You'll need to build up to 20-22 miles, doing ideally about six of these before race day but certainly at least 2. And the last one no nearer than two weeks before race day.
Enjoy Cardiff. It's a bit of a congested course. Not sure if I'm doing it yet, but perhaps entries are closed now. Shakespeare marathon would be a good first one. A scenic and varied course. Not too hilly. It does have a long (? 5 miles), straight, mentally-demanding section on the second lap up a dismantled railway track, now covered in white cinders. It's a bit of a heat trap and it always seems to be hot on Shakespeare marathon day.