Marathon Fever

[Effie]

What have you guys done to me? Betty, Jim, Sarah... I know you're all in training for full or half marathons, so I think that bug is contagious. I ran 5.3 miles today -- the longest I've run in years. I had my MP3 player on and during Neil Diamond's "America", I found myself singing, "I'm training for a marathon! I'm training for a marathon! I'm training for a marathon... TODAY!" Well guess what Effie, you're not training for a marathon.

I know this is far fetched, but I just looked at a calendar, and the Baystate Half Marathon is 12 weeks from... TODAY! (ha, couldn't resist)

So... am I crazy? Could I do a half in 12 weeks? I'm not looking to break any records, I'm just looking to finish. Should I find a 10K instead and focus on that? The only reason I'd push it is because the Baystate Half is 2 miles from my house, and I've always wanted to do it. I even told a co-worker back in January that I would consider training for it with her. I completely forgot about that until today when Neil Diamond awoke the sleeping champion inside me.

Someone knock some sense into me (although I'm secretly hoping that you'll all egg me on and encourage me to do it).

[Iapetus999]

Re: Marathon Fever

Unless you're running 20-40 mpw, you're not ready to even begin a 20-week marathon program. (or half)
Why not start with a 5k?

Then you get to see what it's all about and it's a nice, short distance.

[jroche5998]

Re: Marathon Fever

Effie,

I say go for the half. 12 weeks is enough to train for it. Is that one the week after the BAA. If you decide to, maybe I'll run that one too.

But definitely run some shorter races first. I think that'll pump you up even more for the half. It's been helping my motivation for sure.

[Effie]

Re: Marathon Fever

Unless you're running 20-40 mpw, you're not ready to even begin a 20-week marathon program. (or half)

This is what Hal Higdon has to say in his Novice Training program for the half:

Before starting to train for a Half Marathon, you need to possess a basic fitness level. And if you are over age 35, you probably should see your doctor for a physical examination. But assuming no major problems, most healthy people can train themselves to complete a 13.1-mile race.
The following schedule assumes you have the ability to run 3 miles, three to four times a week. If that seems difficult, consider a shorter distance for your first race--or take more time to develop an endurance base.

This program is a 12 week training program, with the first "long run" being 3 miles. I can comfortably run 3 miles 3 to 4 times a week. If I was training for top performance, then yes, I'd probably wait. I've also already run 2 full marathons in the past 3 years, so I figure muscle memory has to count for something!

Effie,

I say go for the half. 12 weeks is enough to train for it. Is that one the week after the BAA. If you decide to, maybe I'll run that one too.

YAY! You'd do 2 half marathons on back to back weekends? Sheesh, and here I thought I was the crazy one.

I think I'll still plan on training for the Baystate Half, but I won't sign up until I feel ready. The only other half marathon that I've run (March '03), I finished in 2:25, so I think I'd like to finish this one in 2:45 or so. If I feel that I can't do that, then I'll probably back off and find another one maybe in December.

[ttdriver]

Re: Marathon Fever

What have you guys done to me? Betty, Jim, Sarah... I know you're all in training for full or half marathons, so I think that bug is contagious. I ran 5.3 miles today -- the longest I've run in years. I had my MP3 player on and during Neil Diamond's "America", I found myself singing, "I'm training for a marathon! I'm training for a marathon! I'm training for a marathon... TODAY!" Well guess what Effie, you're not training for a marathon.

I know this is far fetched, but I just looked at a calendar, and the Baystate Half Marathon is 12 weeks from... TODAY! (ha, couldn't resist)

So... am I crazy? Could I do a half in 12 weeks? I'm not looking to break any records, I'm just looking to finish. Should I find a 10K instead and focus on that? The only reason I'd push it is because the Baystate Half is 2 miles from my house, and I've always wanted to do it. I even told a co-worker back in January that I would consider training for it with her. I completely forgot about that until today when Neil Diamond awoke the sleeping champion inside me.

Someone knock some sense into me (although I'm secretly hoping that you'll all egg me on and encourage me to do it).

Effie,

I LOVE IT! No one quite like Neil Diamond to bring out the champion in all of us!! I LOVE THAT GUY!!!

I'd say if you can easily run 2+ hours without pain or undue strain, GO FOR IT!!

Betty

[texwife&mom]

Re: Marathon Fever

Go Effie!!! I say do it. My half is only 15 weeks away. I would look into the time limit as well, the time limit for my race is 4 hours, one could easily walk 13.1 in 4 hours. This pushed me over the line to enter. (although I don't plan on walking! ) You can do it!!
--Rach

[ttdriver]

Re: Marathon Fever

We are some kind of animals on this thread!!!

Betty

[texwife&mom]

Re: Marathon Fever

Animal , freak , sadist , insane , whatever gets you across the finish line. (without injury!)

[Iapetus999]

Re: Marathon Fever

This is what Hal Higdon has to say in his Novice Training program for the half:


This program is a 12 week training program, with the first "long run" being 3 miles. I can comfortably run 3 miles 3 to 4 times a week. If I was training for top performance, then yes, I'd probably wait. I've also already run 2 full marathons in the past 3 years, so I figure muscle memory has to count for something!

I say go for it. I guess I've run enough races that just finishing isn't good enough for me anymore. But for your first race it's pretty ambitious. Doable, yes. Doable under 4 hours, probably. (I did 6.5 in 1:45 the other day so I might be able to do 13 in 3:30 if I do the same pace. There's no guarantee I can maintain that pace tho.)
There's no better teacher than experience.

[ttdriver]

Re: Marathon Fever

I think you have to decide between trying to run FAST and just finishing.

I know for me, at this age, finishing the half running will be a major achievement. 4 years ago if you'd have told me I could run 13.1 miles non-stop, I'd have told you to quit snortin!!

So to me, its all about finishing. I'll leave the speed to the youngsters.

Finishing a half marathon running at age 50..........ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Betty