Hi, new member here! I've just decided to run in a 10k race this Sunday 5th Sept, a marathon the following Sunday (12th) and a half marathon the Sunday after that (19th). Am I insane for thinking I can complete all of this?
Just to put things in perspective: I'm 24 years old and haven’t run for over 2 years. The longest distance I have ever run is a half-marathon. In addition, I am about 10kg overweight. I don't do any physical activity at the moment and am not particularly healthy. On a good note I have never smoked. I should be able to complete the 10km and half-marathon without too much of a problem but will the marathon and the combination of all these races be too much for me.
Honest and helpful advice would be much appreciated.
PS I have a lot of determination and can usually run through the wall.
Chris
Comments
If you've experienced "the wall" on a half marathon - then yes, in my opinion you will have a problem!
Good luck you crazy man!
I know it's going to be difficult but is it feasible?
Also, any advice on resting/recuperating in the days between races?
You've done no exercise for over two years and you want advice on how to rest?
I think you may have that part of it sorted.
It's the running that is going to kill you!
if you race them then you will struggle - if you plod round and enjoy the marvelous company in the back of the field then you will have fun. Make sure you have some decent shoes - if you are planning to do this in your 10 year old Green Flash's you will break.
Recovery - drink milk after each run (or a protein recovery drink), cool baths, get rehydrated and stay hydrated, look after your feet, and if you start hurting know when to call it a day - there is no point running to the point of triggering an injury and never running again.
Enjoy it you crazy bugger!
Which events are you considering CK? You're not doing the Robin Hood Marathon on the 12th are you? If so I'll look out for you. Crazy crazy man.......... please let us know how you get on. After all Eddie Izzard did something similar........ he's crazy too . I like your ambition
At the moment i'm definately doing the Sheffield 10km (5th) and the Great North Run (19th) and was thinking of squeezing in the Robin Hood Marathon (12th). There is still places for the Robin Hood and since I have never completed a marathon before, it makes sense to do it now.
PS Eddie Izzard is my idol. What he did was just immense!
Sorry but why does it make sense to do it now
I haven't done a marathon before either but dont think i'd be sqeezing one in between a 10k and a HM
Actually CK - wear an Ipod - it'll take your mind off the pain (private joke!)
You may make it through the 10k.
You may even get to the end of the marathon - slowly.
But if the marathon goes badly - there's a good chance it will - you won't be doing the half.
So yes, you're insane.
Cancel the races, get a training program and enter a spring marathon instead.
In addition, I love a challenge.
Sorry CK but all common sense screams not to do it without more training. You really, really, really run the risk of an injury - especially with the marathon in the middle - and this may mess up running for the future becuase you will try and run the HM at the end regardless of any problems you will have probably picked up by then.
I have no doubt of your determination but I wouldn't recommend it
If you are looking for the sense of achievement then pick some races far enough in the future that will give you an opportunity to train for them. To do a 10km, then a HM then a full mara on consecutive weekends is perfectly feasible and sounds like a good challenge to yourself - but with training
RWMS
Q. Is this insane?
A. Yes, 100%
Good luck!!
Your "plan" (and I use that reasonably loosely) reminds me of a friend that ran a marathon without training. He was broken and hobbling for the six months following.
You'll do as you please, obviously, but if it was me, I'd jog the 10k, volunteer as a marshal for the marathon, and walk/jog the half.
Rennur
Oww.
I'm sure you can probably limp round the marathon and crawl through the half, but then you probably wont be able to run for a month or so after. Its silly, and not sensible long term, but hey - its your body.
Look forward to the race reports anyway !
Do you really have a place in the GNR? If you do, you've known you have to do it for a good few months, which beggars the question, why have you not trained? I'm doing it, it's my first half and I've been training like a mad thing for 12 weeks. I was out for three months with an injury and getting back into running was hard. So, even without the 10k and the marathon, the GNR will probably leave you broken, weeping and winding up folk who've been training for it for months as you keel over.
Or you're a troll?
Hi!
Sorry for the late reply.
Completed The Great Yorkshire Run today. It wasn't has bad as I had expected. The first 4km was fine and I was averaging about 5min/km. The rest was a bit tougher though and I lost a lot of speed and momentum.
I managed to complete it in 64 mins. Would have liked sub 60 min given that it was a relatively flat course.
Anyway, I've decided not to run the marathon next week but prepare for the Great North Run instead. I'm hoping to run it in sub 2hrs 30mins. Is this feasible in my current physical state?
AllNewTB: I am a short fat man but not a troll I'm just a bit insane.
Lostkat: All this running is making think about my general fitness and has so far not discouraged me from continuing to run. In fact I'm now considering my diet and how to most effectively lose weight. Going to start a sub 500kcal diet from tomorrow.
C.K
I would advise you to research some training plans a sensible eating habit while you are at it
I think you have made a wise decision to can the marathon. Be aware that half marathons can hurt a lot as well, so take it easy. I've seen a lot of people flaked out in half marathons so don't push yourself too hard.
Really think you should go on a more sensible diet together with a beginners training plan. Super low calorie diets and long distance running don't go together.
500 calories - christ, gives me hunger pangs just thinking about it!!!!
CK - well done on completeing the race, think you should look at pacing though as it sounds like you went a tad too fast at the beginning perhaps. If you pace yourself to your current ability then you will find it a much more enjoyable experience.
Sensible decision on the marathon.
As for the 500 calories - racing a HM can use anything from 1500 to 1800 of the little buggers so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the maths on that one.
With regards to weight I believe in the old adage of 'fast off- fast on' tends to holds true. It is a lifestyle change not a short-term fix that you need.
Good luck anyway
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! - CK - you are obviously a comedian as well as a lttle insane. 500 cals? What are you going to eat....... dust washed down with water? Even a banana has 140 odd calories in it.
Well done on your 10k though - good start!
Hey!
The other problem I wanted advice on was how much running do you guys do and when? This is because I usually leave the house at 06:30am and return at 7:30pm pretty much shattered from work. By the time I've had something to eat and prepared stuff for the next day I basically have one maximum to do anything else. I usually work like this every weekday. Only running on weekends is probably not enough so any advice? I’m planning to do a 5km tonight before bed.
PS More then half way through the first day and have only had 220kcals (assuming my small apple was 40). Currently on track
C.K