My friend wants me to run a marathon with her.

[BeachBaby]

Oh, yes....that's the first phone call I got this morning.

The most I've ever run at one time was a 5k - years ago.

Any of you ever train for something like this? How long did it take?

[TZ]

1. I know someone who had never run a marathon in her life

and started training for it about oh eight or nine months in advance. She did it too. And this was after having a baby the year before with some of the baby weight still on her at first.
Hard but she did it..Pretty intense though.

[BeachBaby]

2. Yeah, I figured it would be some intense training.

She (Stephanie) said she doesn't think she'll do it on her own, but would be more motivated if someone did it with her. Good Lord. I guess the first order of business is a complete physical at the Dr's office. I really need to think about this. :scared:

[TZ]

3. When is it?

Just curious. Because I do think that if its closer than 6 months out you are asking for trouble.

[BeachBaby]

5. I have no idea. I never asked.

She just asked me if I was interested in doing something like that....I told her I would think about it.

NO WAY I'm going to do this if I don't have plenty of time to get ready for it.

[NJmaverick]

4. Are you talking about a full 26 miles?

[BeachBaby]

7. Yes. Or so she says.

:scared:

Why - have you done it?

[NJmaverick]

9. No, can't say that I have. Then again my bad knees keeps me from running

I stick to roller blades and bicycles, for my fresh air excercise.

I had a friend that did it. Lots of hard work and training. Unless you are 100% committed to the idea, I just don't see how you could do it. Too much time and effort needs to be invested, so you have to really WANT to do it.

[BeachBaby]

10. That's kinda what I was thinking.

She's going through a divorce, and I believe this latest venture of hers is some sort of "re-inventing" herself kind of thing. Maybe I should try to talk her into a half marathon first. Much more reasonable. :)

As for the knees....I messed up my left knee in high school basketball, so I'd have to have the doc take a look at that.

[NJmaverick]

12. Yeah there are always tons of those 5K runs, usually for charity

It would be a much better first step and she is much more likely to be successful. Running is tough on the legs, knees and feet, especially when you start going for marathon distances.

[BeachBaby]

16. I know that there's a 5k in May, right around Mother's Day.

IIRC, a breast cancer fundraiser.

I think you have given me a good idea, Jersey boy. I'll talk to her about doing that first - and then work from there. Thanks. :)

[NJmaverick]

24. That would be a great start, and if you both like it, you can move on from there

[hobbit709]

6. I only run trying to get away from something trying to hurt me.

And if I can't figure out a way to take it out LONG before I run 26 miles, I deserve what happens.

[BeachBaby]

8. Um.....okay?

:rofl:

[flvegan]

11. What's the distance?

A 5k shouldn't take you too long to prep for, since you've done it in the past. But if you're talking about something like the Boston Marathon, you're looking at probably at least year of intense training if you want to finish it running.

Good luck, though. It's an enviable task to want to undertake. I'm a pretty fit guy, and I burst out laughing at the idea of me doing any more than a 5k.

[BeachBaby]

13. Her words were "full marathon".

It was too early in the morning for me to fully think through what she was saying, but I'm assuming she meant the real deal.

I've done the 5k before, and it wasn't difficult to prepare for at all. But 26 miles? Yeesh. It's daunting just thinking about it. If she's talking about the 26 mile, I'm gonna try to talk her into a half-marathon first. I don't have the time I'm assuming it would take to prepare for something like a full marathon.

[flvegan]

15. Full marathon isn't just training for the cardio.

Getting ready means you have to screw around with your diet long before the actual event so that you know what works for you so you can repeat before the actual event. The very words "carb loading" make me queasy.

[BeachBaby]

19. Whoa. Wait. Carbs????

For someone whose diet is comprised mostly of salads and Cheerios, the idea of loading up on potatos and such doesn't exactly sound appealing.

Makes sense, though. Sounds like I need to do some serious Googling.

[underpants]

26. Pasta pasta pasta

and protein after the run.

Potatoes are good for carbs too

[underpants]

28. Oh sweet sweet Uncle PAIN

I think it isn't the wind rushing by (hate the treadmill) and it certainly ain't the sweat...it's beating pain. That seems to be my rush.

There is something DESPERATELY wrong with all of us

[BeachBaby]

30. Okay. Stupid question time.

Where is the pain you experience? Feet? Knees? Back?

[underpants]

31. Back and outer upper thighs

Everyone thinks our knees hurt (they do from time to time) but my experience has been that it depends on how you run.

This has some good ones
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=486

I can't find a link to the one that I think is AWESOME

First part one your knees hands out on the floor (like a Muslim praying) arch the back UP straight towards the ceiling

Then

On all fours. Left your left arm AND your right leg parallel to the floor-hold for a count of 30. Then do the right arm and left leg. You can tighten the abs ("Core muscles") which has now become the newest bestest ab workout in the running world. Love this stretch.

See my LONG post below.

[Shine]

14. I'm not a runner but MrShine is. He's run many many marathons.

He's signed up to run the Big Sur Marathon in April.

It takes a LOT of time to train. Big newsflash there. :D Spend the money on decent shoes. It's worth it.

Good luck!! :yourock:

[BeachBaby]

20. Wow!!!

If, by any chance, he's got some online resources I could read up on, could you send them to me? I would surely appreciate it. I want to educate myself fully on this before I make any decisions. Thanks!

And tell Mr. Shine that I hold the highest admiration for him. Very cool. :)

[NightWatcher]

17. tell her you'll drive the chase vehicle with cold beer and snacks for all

[BeachBaby]

21. Too funny.

That was my automatic response to her this morning. I said something like "Well, maybe I could drive the car alongside you in case you get tired. You would love me so much for giving you that option!" :P

[yellowcanine]

18. You want about 5-6 months. And a competent coach is a good idea.

The best way to do it is to sign up for the one of the AIDS Marathons
http://www.aidsmarathon.com/home/index090708.html

Yes you have to raise money - but it is a good cause - and you get coaches and other people training right along with you. Much more fun that way. I ran my first marathon at age 51.

[BeachBaby]

27. Thanks for the info!

:hi:

[Oeditpus Rex]

22. Hey, if you run about 115 consecutive marathons

you'll be near my house and you'll need a foot massage. :D

[BeachBaby]

29. Such a charmer, you are.

:hug: :loveya: :hi:

[underpants]

23. I have run two and am training for my third (knock on wood) on March 22

Some tips.

There are three general theories
1. see your doctor. If Doc says it is okay go ahead
2. you should be putting in 15 miles a week
3. you should be running a year

I find the third one rather prohibitive "I have a WHOLE YEAR before I can even start?" No-not in my opinion

There are a lot of great programs. Almost every marathon has a group that trains together-at all levels. I saw them a lot when I trained for my first (Richmond 2007) and it looks like a great time-very social, you'll probably make friends for life. I did it solo.

SHOES- go to an actual running store not a chain. They will probably have you walk in your shoes and then in a pair the pick for you. Buy either the shoes from them or something THEN you can go to a chain to get a deal. Zappos.com has great deals too. Shoes are going to be expensive $90+ don't skimp on the shoes. Also there is a special lacing technique to make sure the heal is seated correctly-the store should know that if they don’t PM me.

GEAR-get your gear right. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you care about the "Style" fine. GET REFLECTIVE GEAR if you are going to run in the dark of morning or at night. In all shoes and gear (iPod not included) you are looking at oh about $150-400. Underarmour has some great undershorts tights (my choice). Be comfortable. If you are running in the cold-get some good breathable glasses/goggles-makes a huge difference and you will feel (I do) that you are almost watching it on TV.

TRAINING- I used Hal Higdon's novice program-still do I am starting all over form my third
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm
all training programs are basically the same but the are tweaked by coaches.
That schedule may seem foreboding now but it won’t after a few weeks. I never did a 10 mile midweek run because of time but I did do 8 milers which meant I was up at 3:30 AM to get out the door at 4.

MIND- get your head around the fact that you are going to be running for 3,4,5,6... hours whatever your pace is going to be. It is fine to walk in training and in the race. You CAN do this. Millions have and do do it every year. You will also find some rather amazing things about yourself out their alone or even in a group. It is quite a journey. Enjoy.

BODY- If you are running over 5miles you need to eat an hour before. Oatmeal, peanut butter (not now), etc. are great. Bananas. Eat within an hour after you run too. Stretch-the new thinking seems to be that the before isn’t as important as after-I do both. I have some great back stretches if you need them. Runnersworld.com is a great resource. When your schedule says rest-REST. You will want to do some weight training (nothing huge) which helps with posture and form-arms dropping slows you down (and I am slow enough).

Great tip I just picked up-relax your jaw (run like a hounddog) to keep your shoulders from tightening up.

I am rambling forgive me.

Lastly-tracking. I use favoriterun.com but trackmyrun.com and the USATF has one too. Create a log so you can see where you have come and if you need a pick me up.

About iPods and music-I have found that sometimes it gets in the way. I go without sometimes, listen to classical etc. The USATF came out with a badly worded rule about no earphones-it was supposed to be about the skinny ones at the front but many races now say “no earphones” supposedly for insurance liability reasons (people get totally into their world and are careless around cars even in blocked off courses). Personally since I am PAYING ($65-150 for NYC) I think I should be able to do whatever I want but that is just me.

I will stop now. If you need anything else let me know.


ON EDIT- Ibuprofen... NO IBUPROFEN BEFORE YOU RUN-kidney failure and stroke risks. Tylenol is fine. It is going to hurt (outer thighs for me) so you are going to have to deal with pain. Trust me certain runs and the finish line make it all worthwhile

[DS1]

25. Why not start off with something easy like a train

:hide:

[BeachBaby]

32. Yeah, you'd better hide.

:spank: