Training for my first marathon

I've been an avid runner for the past six months or so, and feel I am ready for another challenge. I think a marathon would be the way to go. If any marathon runners could give me any pointers on how to start training, I would greately appreciate it. Thanks!!

My advice to you would be to pick a half marathon first.  If you go the half marathon distance, and you like it, then go for the full marathon.  Do some research on the internet and find a plan that you like (for free) or buy a book on half/marathoning.  Pick you out a race and get to training!

Good luck!!

As alternative to the previous suggestion, you might check with your local running stores and see if they have any training groups. I'm one of those that prefers to train alone with my own thoughts. However, a lot of people, especially first-timers, find the camaraderie and accountability of a training group really helps.

Thanks for the advice! I think I will start with a half marathon first, just to see if its something I can handle. If anyone has any other advice, feel free to share!!

I'm an older fart who got into running last year to increase HDL and lower LDL and Triglycerides. After running 5 & 10k's I've finally been cleared by my cardiologist to run a half marathon. After injuring myself by training to hard after a fast (for me) 1st 10k I began Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run approach (www.jeffgalloway.com). I've purchased his running and half marathon books. It allowed me to heal while I kept slowly increasing my base distance, and speed even during the heat of a north TX summer. I hit 8.3 mi distance this past Sunday and recovered in a couple of hours. I'm planning to run a 15k on labor day, followed by the half in Nov 22nd. I like to run a race's distance before I run the race so I will build my long runs gradually up to a half distance. I'm running 3x/week, 5K+ mid week and currently @ 2hrs+ (yes I am slow) on Sunday long runs. Am slowly increasing running time to a goal of 3hrs which should get me beyond the half distance.

Basic guidelines are to increase weekly distance no more than 10%/week. Establish a solid base before attempting speed or hill work. The next building block is hill repeats to build strength, followed by speed work. Its about a 50% base, 30% hill repeats, 20% speed work, in that sequence. don't start speed work until strength has been built by hill repeats. Then add it in, while continue to build base.

good luck!

gradually increasing your mileage is my best advice!  In January I started a 32 week training program for a marathon, but the first 16 weeks were mostly the gradual increase of mileage.  There are lots of books out there with marathon training programs.  I went to the bookstore one day about eight months ago and read a few and found them incredibly helpful....

I'm recovering from knee injury right now though:(

There are great training plans that you can download from the runner's world website.  Chose one to suit your schedule and starting level of fitness and you won't go far wrong.  The key to most of them is a slow build up of mileage, and mixing speed and hill training into your plan.

I agree with the other posters that a half marathon is a good starting goal.

Have fun

Original Post by emily6:

>snip<

I'm recovering from knee injury right now though:(

emily6: I run with a knee injury. Have used elastic knee brace since I started. It has allowed the muscles around the knee to strengthen and reduce the pain to zero. I also use Gallowalking run/walk to reduce the stress on the knee and that has helped a lot. Good luck on healing quickly!