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

[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.

[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!

[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.