Not sure how much more training I will need. Am I even close or do I have a long ways to go before I can accomplish my goal?
2006-12-26 07:34:44 · 8 answers · asked by Eric O 2 in Sports ➔ Running
In August 2006 I was in the same position as you and I finished a marathon in November.
How much training depends upon what performance you want to have for the marathon. If you are simply looking to FINISH the marathon in, for example, 4 hours (a very suitable goal for a first-time marathoner), then at minimum you should have been training for 3-4 months. Though I did much less, the standard novice training usually comprises of 4 weekly runs: 3 short/medium and one long. Try to run up to 32 km (20 miles) at least once in your training. You may skip the short/medium runs as necessary, but never skip the weekly long run. A useful training timetable is given below.
Good luck--and remember to taper!
2006-12-26 20:22:02 · answer #1 · answered by Telodrift 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least another 3 or 4 months worth of training to go. It's good that you are already running. 10K times are also generally under an hour whereas a marathon will have you running for 3-5 hours. You are about 1/4 of the way there now step it up several notches. For a 10K you run about 20-30 miles a week, to begin training for a marathon you need to get up to at least 45-55 miles a week consistantly. Find some books and look online for some good marathon training programs. Start, of course, with Runner's World (www.runnersworld.com), and go from there.
Running a marathon takes some time to train for and do well. When you find the right program and stick to it then you should be ready. Find the marathon you want to do ahead of time so there will be a time table for your training. Make sure your first one isn't a very hilly one, don't start with the Big Sur marathon. Train hard and smart. Push through the pain and the finish line will come.
2006-12-27 10:47:18 · answer #2 · answered by RoadRunner 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the other comments that you are still a long distance away. Even at 10 miles a day, you would have some way to go.
When I trained for my first marathon I was running 65-70 miles a week every week for 5 months. Near the end of my training (the last 3-4 weeks) I was doing at least one 22 mile run a week. In a typical week, running 6 days per week, I was doing something like (in miles) 8, 14, 5, 15, 5, 18, free.
With that regime, I still had not run the full 26 at race day, and while the race was a lot of fun, the last couple of miles were still not, I can tell you.
So, 10k is just a warmup jog, since you can see I was doing that on my "rest" days. I was running 10k almost every day before I started the training. Of course, I was 42 and I don't know how old you are, but I had been a runner for 15 years beforehand. For reference, I finished in 3' 15" which was respectable for a guy my age, and there were not a lot of young guys ahead of me. Maybe distance running is not attractive to the young?
2006-12-28 06:24:36 · answer #3 · answered by acablue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are running 10k or 6 miles at the moment , you are perfectly placed to start an 18 week marathon training program , generally they are 18 weeks long to build up the distance gradually, let your body adjust to the rigors of running that distance and to not get injured .
You are on the way , best of luck.
Take a look at the free marathon training plans on www.26-2.com I used the beginners plan to get me around my first marathon.
2006-12-26 08:55:16 · answer #4 · answered by jimbo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
slowly work up to longer distances after the 10k train for a 12-15 K then a half Marathon. if you have a solid base of running you can get there soon. there are lots of training programs out there
I like a program called smart coach on Runners World Magazine's website. it designs a program according to your ability
2006-12-30 04:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by Abby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agree with the answer above....I assuming that you want to run a competitive marathon (i.e. not just "get round")
In that case you will need to build up to some serious mileage - slowly of course.
You will need to do at least a couple of 18 miles runs a week - as well as the rest of the base work (i.e.6-10mile runs)
It would help to know what sort of target time you are going for, but the key is to build up slowly
2006-12-26 08:29:03 · answer #6 · answered by Matt D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
16 weeks.
Buy the book "4 Months to a 4-hour Marathon". That book got me through my first one a few years ago.
2006-12-28 08:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by Ural Y 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a LONG way to go. 26.2 miles is about 42k. You will need to build up to at least a 23 mile long run before the marathon.
2006-12-26 07:38:25 · answer #8 · answered by Merrily 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋