How impossible is it for me to run a marathon in a years time....

Ok, so I go to college in boston and as I'm sure many of you know this monday is the Boston marathon. I want to run it next year, but right now I only run in walk/run intervals. I do a 5k in like, 32 minutes. If I'm distracted I can run forever (in a soccer game, game of tag, etc) but I just can't push myself to run for the sake of running. I really want to do this, it would be a tremendous accomplishment and I just want to know if it's possible to make myself a marathon runner in 1 year.

Don't you have to qualify for the Boston Marathon?

Running (or at least run/walking) a marathon next year is probably possible, but getting an entry slot for Boston would probably be more of a challenge.

You do have to qualify....unless you know someone or have an "in"...

It's definitely possible you could finish it..not sure what your running skills are like.

Edited to add qualifying times:  http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/ Qualifying.asp and how to qualify:  http://www.the-fitness-motivator.com/qualify- for-the-boston-marathon.html

My college has a marathon "team" that runs it - if I register with the school I'm in no matter what. I think I could probably walk a marathon as it is now, it's just running one that I'm worried is impossible.

i hate to sound trite, but it's only as impossible as you think it is.  but if you can't run more than 5k because you get bored, you're going to have to work on your attention span.

i suggest you dump the ipod--assuming you're using one--and work on learning some meditation/self-hypnosis skills.  42kms is a long run.

Original Post by lafoutloud01:

My college has a marathon "team" that runs it - if I register with the school I'm in no matter what. I think I could probably walk a marathon as it is now, it's just running one that I'm worried is impossible.

Well then you've answered your own question....if you think it's impossible it will be....

If you don't...then it won't.

If you truly are serious about making this goal a reality, the sooner you talk to some people who could help you lay out a training schedule, the better.  Talk to whoever is in charge of the marathon team from your school (who's help should be free) or get connected with a trainer (will probably cost you $$).  There are some online guides on how/when to train, but I feel you would get the most benefit from a real person who truly knows you, your running style/abilities, etc.  Plus the school marathon team probably doesn't just let anyone on, I would think that they have certain expectations from the athletes.

Good luck!

Before you begin marathon training, you should be able to run for at least 30 minutes without stopping. Distance is not important right now. You just need to get your body used to running.

Combinations of run/walks are great to use during pre-training because they ease your body into the exercise and minimizes the chance of experiencing a running injury.

Your mileage should gradually increase each week with your longest run being 18-20 miles. You should then taper off in the final weeks leading up to the marathon to allow your body to recover from training and so you will be strong on marathon day. Having a 20-mile run under your belt will give you a major psychological advantage on marathon day.

Nothing is impossible!!! Good luck! I've run the Bston Marathon 3x's and it's tons of fun! Hopefully, you will do it with friends! Boston is a great town!

General rule of thumb is build a base of running for at least a year before trying the marathon distance (marathon at the end of two years of running).  I, however, believe anything is possible.  I have friends who have run a marathon after only a years time.  If your goal is "to finish", then I say go for it!

The short answer is yes it is possible to start training now and be able to run a marathon in a year.  When I started back to running last year I could only do five minutes before being winded.  A year later and I can run the full distance of a marathon with no problems.  I was also hoping to run the Boston marathon this year but couldn't qualify due to timing. I miss it by 30 minutes. I could still run but would not get a number and would really like to see my offical time.  This gives me something to work on for next years event. 

Running with the team will be great -- they'll (hopefully, at least they did at my school) teach you about nutrition, get you to cross train, teach you about proper footwear and other gear and set you on a great schedule. I ran with my school's team and got up to half marathon distance but then I had trouble keeping up over winter break (my own fault).  I really liked running with the team.  Also, if it helps, their program was 8 months to prepare to run the LA Marathon.

To whoever said theyre are requirements -- its probably a club team, not a scholarship or competitive team. All they require is commitment.

A year is definitely doable, especially as a young person. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but really consider whether or not this is something you want to do. You're going to have to invest a lot of time and energy in the next year to get into marathon shape. If you're miserable doing it, you're unlikely to put in adequate effort. Even if you do, will all those hours and miles doing something you don't enjoy be worth it just to say you did it? There are other athletic events that you might find more enjoyable to train for.

With that said, plenty of people who don't enjoy running learn to enjoy it once they begin training more seriously. Running with a team is a great cure for people who are easily distracted.  Good luck, whatever you decide. I'm from the west coast, but my dad ran the Boston marathon several times and the whole energy surrounding the event is amazing.