I run on average 25-30 miles per week. I only have 5 runs over 10 miles with the longest being 17. Is that enough to at least finish a marathon??
2006-08-29 03:02:49 · 6 answers · asked by sis 1 in Sports ➔ Other - Sports
Yes you can! Go for it! I have done at least half of my marathons on doing only 13 miles as my longest run. You do need to have some psychological strategies however. For instance, I break the race into 5k's and I just keep telling myself that I just have to do another 5k. I also tell myself, "okay, I've gone this far before" or "this is just the same as doing the run I did two weeks ago." When I get to 13 miles, I just tell myself I just have to run another 1/2. A lot of people get really tired at mile 20 and quit but I remind myself that I want that medal you get at the end and I envision it around my neck.
By the way, there are hundreds of people who enter the Los Angeles Marathon every year without training for it at all. They do it on a bet or just to see if they can. Some of them get injured but many manage to finish it walking. Of course they are sore for a long time!
2006-08-30 22:56:51 · answer #1 · answered by runningviolin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a few months left before your event I would consider the advice you recieved previously about adding a few 20 mile long runs. The last of those long runs should happen no sooner than 2-3 weeks before the big day.
If, however, you are just a few weeks/days away, consider a run/walk ratio. Basically this means running for 5 minutes and then walking for 1 minute. This will do several things that will make the event more enjoyable. One, it will shift between different muscle groups and extend your endurance and second it will allow your body to more easily recover after the race. Check out the Jeff Galloway books/sites for more info on that.
One great tip is to take advantage of the walk portion by sipping your Replacement drink. Studies have shown that without proper distance training your body cannot absorb the large amounts of liquids consumed at the aid stations. Rather sipping your drink every five mintes and refilling at the aid stations works very well.
Check out www.runnersworld.com for other Marathon tips, you'll need them to prepare for several other conditions that may pop up!
Good Luck!
2006-08-29 18:38:02 · answer #2 · answered by Lionheart 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is enough to finish a marathon, if that is your only goal. You will struggle, though, if you run the majority of the race. Depending on the date of the race, I would add some intermediate, 10+ mile, runs and try to get your long run up to 20 miles, depending on your pace.
If your long run is 2:30-3:00 in length, I would not go any farther. Physiologically, at that point you are not going to improve the condition of your body too much in the short term. More importantly, you vastly increase the risk of injury. Also, do not increase your overall mileage more than 10% per week. (The injury thing comes into play again if you increase mileage too quickly.)
Good Luck!
2006-08-29 10:16:08 · answer #3 · answered by george_o_jones 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, that's the challenge of the marathon!
listen to cirestan
you want to FINISH, you are NOT trying to win
do you run with any other people?
any of them complete a full marathon?
2006-08-29 10:13:42 · answer #4 · answered by mike c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You COULD do it... I wouldn't suggest it.
If you do try, tack another 1.5 - 2 minutes to your mile pace and STAY ON THAT PACE.
2006-08-29 10:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by cirestan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes i think so..
2006-08-29 10:05:34 · answer #6 · answered by Arron never walk's alone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋