Has anybody done a Marathon?

FBaby

I'm really surprised that going from regular 10K to marathon distance seems so 'easily' achievable.

I've run the half marathon distance a number of times, under 2:10 and that's fine, but I've no managed to achieve for than 26k. To me, the first 20k is fine and I could do this every other week most likely, but I can't seem to pass that distance, and that's despite running the half marathon distance for about 4 to 5 years now!

Maybe it's age (I'm definitely not 21!), or maybe it's to do with the fact that I don't just train for running, or maybe that my life is too intense to find the stamina for more, or it takes another form of training maybe, but surely not everyone is capable of running a marathon, even with training?

Sorry OP, I'm sure you'll be fine, just wondering in general!

Malthusian

FBaby wrote: »

I've run the half marathon distance a number of times, under 2:10 and that's fine, but I've no managed to achieve for than 26k. To me, the first 20k is fine and I could do this every other week most likely, but I can't seem to pass that distance, and that's despite running the half marathon distance for about 4 to 5 years now!

I assume k is a typo for miles? 20 miles is the classic point at which people "hit the wall". Generally this is supposed to be the moment where even a super-athletic body runs out of glucose stores, and converts to burning fat. Burning fat takes more energy than burning glucose, so running at the same pace immediately becomes harder. Add that to the fact that the body is already suffering from sore feet, sore calves, the part of your body that nobody tells you will ache (AC joint, lower back, breasts), and mental tiredness, and this is the point at which people start dropping like flies.

What stops you from going past 20 miles? If you're out of energy, you need more fuel (gels, shot bloks, jelly babies, whatever suits you). If it's physically too painful, you need more training, or a visit to the physio. If it's not physically too painful but you can't mentally stand it anyway, maybe you need to pick a route that you know is 22 miles, and leave your watch at home.

Maybe it's age (I'm definitely not 21!), or maybe it's to do with the fact that I don't just train for running, or maybe that my life is too intense to find the stamina for more, or it takes another form of training maybe, but surely not everyone is capable of running a marathon, even with training?

Well, obviously not everyone, not everyone has two legs capable of propelling their body off the ground. Everyone capable of running should be capable of doing it for 26 miles given enough training and the right training, if they pace themselves. But that's a truism.

andygb

Smb3088 wrote: »

I'm a PT, teach 5 Pilates a week. Do about 75 min of mixed cardio training x4 a week,so I have a good base of aerobic fitness and a strong core. My longest run was 45 min prior to my marathon. I completed it in 3hrs40 min. I am a firm believer that there are more injuries sidelining runners in training, than completing the run... Save your legs and knees. Build your aerobic fitness X training, and just run the marathon. You need stronger mental ability than physical to do a marathon.

Totally agree, particularly with the advice regarding legs and knees. I was also playing badminton matches three to four times a week, and was probably on court for two to three hours each time, as well as the casual clubnights.
I think cross training is great for all sports.

uberalles

Run a first marathon aged 42 a few years back and went through a six month training period in which the last month I did nothing due to a series of chest infections and bad back.

My longest training run, which I managed 4 times, was 18 miles in 3 hours, I had found my pace.

Sure enough, come the day of the marathon I managed 18 miles with a big smile on my face, then the last 8 miles were absolute agony, where mental attitude came to the fore.

It took 20 minutes longer to run the last 8 miles than it should have, based on my pace, but I got there. I would have been quicker walking those 8 miles, using a different gait.

So the message I agree with above is that you do need the training miles in your legs, but more importantly in your head.

Bits I felt hurt, as was also the case in a recent half marathon, was things like feeling every single bone in each foot hit the floor. Not a nice feeling.

Good luck.

FBaby

I assume k is a typo for miles?

No, I meant that I have run the half marathon distance maybe 5 times in the last 3 years or so (and regular running distance is about 16 kms), but each time felt that I would never finish as the last 3 kms were hell, so just can't see how I could progress from this to doing twice that distance!

Saying that, there are a number of factors that are probably not helping. For one, I have really increased my pace as I've started interval training, so maybe if I reduced it to what it was before, I could last longer. The other issue is that I have a mad exhausting lifestyle, very demanding job and always battling fatigue anyway, so that probably doesn't help either.

What gets me is indeed running out of fuel, body parts are fine, that despite all the right fueling during the run (although maybe not so much preparation).

JeromeMarquez

Of course you can. just make sure you have enough fluid in your body on that day.

indesisiv

I have done a marathon now

Did a trail marathon on Sat with over 2000 feet of ascent.
Finished in 3hrs 18 mins

MallyGirl

indesisiv wrote: »

I have done a marathon now

Did a trail marathon on Sat with over 2000 feet of ascent.
Finished in 3hrs 18 mins

Tremendous!