Marathons, Half Marathons, and 5k runs - Have you done one?

[SoCalGirl]

I recently got it into my head that running a marathon is something I'd like to achieve. Problem is that I've never ever ever been a runner. Even as a little kid I'd walk or skip but could not stand having to run. Oh yeah, I'm a "big girl" too. Which makes the health benefits a plus.

There's a ton of local marathons in my area so I really have no excuse.

Tell me your story! I don't want to chicken out on this. I figure I can "ease" into it with some 5k run/walks and half marathons. That way I can learn how to train and such for the insanity of a 26.2 journey.

[PhoenixAzul]

Hello hello!

I've done 5k's, and Half marathons (stand alone and as part of a half-ironman distance triathlon), and I'm 25 days away from my first marathon (Belfast City).

Like you, I was never a runner. I *hated* it and it was my weakest leg in triathlons. So I decided to check out some books. The one that really worked for me was called Chi Running (www.chirunning.com). It has some parts that are too new-age for me, but the general information on form is really, really helpful, especially to new runners. It turned me into a runner!

And the single most important thing is good shoes. Don't go to a big-box sports store, go to your local running shop. They'll analyze your feet and stride, and put you in the right shoes (support, or neutral, or motion control if you're in that tiny percentage of the population). The majority of running injuries are caused by running in the wrong shoes. Be prepared to spend at least $60, and more if you have a foot that needs a lot of correction (the top of the line support shoe costs around $115!). Think of it as an investment: yes you've spent $80 on a pair of running shoes, but how much would physiotherapy cost you per session?

And your strategy for stepping up is spot on. 5k will get you a good mileage base, and then you can step up to 10ks, and then half marathons (i absolutely love the half distance). The marathon is the big kahuna...it's a scary prospect because a lot can go wrong (dehydration, over-hydration, cramps, chaffing, lost toenails, etc.) Sound glamorous, right ? But it's thrilling...it's like being in the olympics, with the streets lined with people cheering, medals, etc. You get the same treatment and medals as the guy who finished 1st.

Good luck, happy running!

[Lil' Hannah]

I recommend the training programs on coolrunning.com. They have a great Couch to 5K program that can ease you into running. Once you've done your first 5K, they also have a training schedule program that lets you plug in your goals, your current mileage, etc. and it will develop a weekly schedule for you - it helps when you have daily goals to follow rather than just saying "oh, I guess I'll do 3 miles today."

I started running a few years ago and the longest distance I have done so far is only a 10K. I'm not fast, but just running for health and fitness reasons. I wanted to do a half marathon this summer, but unfortunately a torn ACL (from other sports, not running) has me sidelined for this year. I'm having surgery at the end of the month, so I'm going to try for one next summer!

[texas*princess]

My older sister has done 2 full marathons and is looking to try a super marathon next

For the first one, she did it on her own and trained on her own... the second one was just last year in San Fran for Nike's Team In Training. She said that one was more fun b/c they were all in teams so it was easy to motivate each other

[ADqtPiMel]

I've been running for most of my life - I most enjoy the ten-mile and the half marathon, although I also do 5Ks, 8Ks, 10Ks and triathlons. Definitely start with the smaller distances and work your way up - most marathon training plans I've seen recommend a solid year of running shorter distances, plus an 18-week marathon training plan.

Starting out with a plan...my non-runner husband did the Couch to 5K thing earlier this year and liked it. I use Hal Higdon's intermediate and advanced plans for training, but his novice plans I've heard are great. I also have beginner friends who like Jeff Galloway's plans.

Congratulations on joining the running world. I admire you - I will probably wait until later in life to try a marathon because I currently work 60+ hours a week and only really have time to train for shorter distances. PM me if you ever need help.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

I recommend the training programs on coolrunning.com. They have a great Couch to 5K program that can ease you into running.

Yes! You can download Couch to 5K as podcasts (either from the website or iTunes - both free) that coincide with the training weeks that are set to music and tell you exactly when to start and stop running so you're not constantly looking at your watch.

I did my first 5K last year and trained using the Couch to 5K podcasts. It was a good way to ease into running. The program is 8-9 weeks long, but I would definitely allow yourself at least 12 to really get into the habit of running that far, that long. I never thought I would be into running (I'm the person who would walk the mile when we were tested in middle school pys ed) but by the end I really enjoyed it and hope to train again for the same race next year.

[SoCalGirl]

Thanks for all the tips and info!

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

Yes! You can download Couch to 5K as podcasts (either from the website or iTunes - both free) that coincide with the training weeks that are set to music and tell you exactly when to start and stop running so you're not constantly looking at your watch.

I did my first 5K last year and trained using the Couch to 5K podcasts. It was a good way to ease into running. The program is 8-9 weeks long, but I would definitely allow yourself at least 12 to really get into the habit of running that far, that long. I never thought I would be into running (I'm the person who would walk the mile when we were tested in middle school pys ed) but by the end I really enjoyed it and hope to train again for the same race next year.

Sweet. I ran pretty hard in 2006-2007, but have been too busy to do more than the ellipticals at the gym. We're doing the Chase Corporate Challenge, and I want to kill at that, so the Podcasts sound really cool!

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

I recently got it into my head that running a marathon is something I'd like to achieve. Problem is that I've never ever ever been a runner. Even as a little kid I'd walk or skip but could not stand having to run. Oh yeah, I'm a "big girl" too. Which makes the health benefits a plus.

Yay! Good for you.

I ran a little bit in high school and college... and when I say "little" I mean 1-2 miles maybe 1-2x week.

At age 30 I decided I wanted to start running again. I did a 5K and was hooked.

On a whim I suggested to my husband that we train for a 1/2 marathon. He thought that I was crazy. But we got a training program and did it together. We ran the Country Music 1/2 in 2005, and enjoyed every second of it. What a feeling to finish.

So that motivated us to go for a whole. We figured we were "1/2" way there anyway. (special note... 13 miles is 1/2 to a whole in math only!!!). Anyway, we did the Chicago Marathon that October. We had trained really well, had a tough run, but did finish.

The best advice that i can give is to really research the events that you will be running... do mostly elite people enter or are there "average Joes" as well. For our 1/2 there were so many people who were running their first (and perhaps only) 1/2 ever... this helped us to be middle of the pack and is good for the ego. The Chicago Marathon attracts more elite people, so even though our pace was the same, we were decidedly more towards the back, which can be disheartening. When mental is part of the equation, it definitely messed with me.

Good luck to you. It is totally worth it.

[AlethiaSi]

Thanks for all the tips, I am not really a "runner" either, esp since i've gained some weight (boooo) but that cool runnings site and podcasts seem like they might actually work.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

I recommend the training programs on coolrunning.com. They have a great Couch to 5K program that can ease you into running. Once you've done your first 5K, they also have a training schedule program that lets you plug in your goals, your current mileage, etc. and it will develop a weekly schedule for you - it helps when you have daily goals to follow rather than just saying "oh, I guess I'll do 3 miles today."

I so agree with the coolrunning.com recommendation. You can pretty much start from no stamina and develop it from that point. When I hadn't been running for awhile I did this (but skipped a few of the beginning weeks) and it was great.

[PhoenixAzul]

Oo, I also blog/log my training (and participate in the forums) over at www.beginnertriathlete.com. They've got training programmes for tris, but they stick marathons in there as well. The community is really welcoming and knowledgeable as well.

[SOPi_Jawbreaker]

I think I'm going to have to try the Couch to 5K program too. One of the things I'd really like to be able to do is run a 5K. I know it's not a very long distance but it would be kind of a big deal to me. In high school, I could never run the mile...I would have to run for a little bit, then walk for a little bit, then run for a little bit, then walk for a little bit, etc. But now that I'm working out on a regular basis (though I'm still not working out as much as I probably should), I'm able to run a mile on the treadmill without getting winded and without having to stop or walk. After mastering 5K's, I might move up to a 10K, but I can't see myself ever running a half-marathon or a whole marathon.

[pbear19]

I just ran my first marathon about 5 weeks ago. I am not a fast runner, but I stick to it. My advice to a new runner is to go at your own pace, and if you feel like you cannot run another step then slow down a bit and see how much longer you can go. Worry about total time spent running first, then worry about speed once you can go a few miles without stopping.

Some people like to do run/walk intervals forever, not just when they are first starting. It helps them net faster times and run longer distances. I prefer to run a bit slower and not take walk breaks, so it's just personal preference.

Oh, and never forget that a huge part of distance running is mental. Your physical training will only take you so far if you doubt yourself mentally. You have to believe you can run x number of miles before you will be able to, no matter how well conditioned you are physically.

Just be careful - running is addictive!!

[JennRN]

I always hated running until about a year ago, for some reason I just started running. Now I love it!! I have done 5K's and 10K's here in Houston. I would like to try a half and then one day work up to a full(not sure if I'm just dreaming about that, lol!). I'm wokring on a great collection of run t-shirts!

My advice-get some GOOD shoes. Go to a running store where they look at your feet, and how you walk, and can find a good shoes. When I first started running, I didn't have running shoes-but I did have knee pain. After I got some good shoes-and yes, they can be expensive, but not as expensive as kne surgery!!-no more knee pain!

One thing though-I did develop a nice shin splint on my right shin. I iced it and Advil'd it pretty steadily for about a week, week and a half, but every now and then it still hurts. Any advice on how to get it to go away?