My wife is training for the Baltimore Marathon.... I now only have 6 weeks to attempt if I want to try... .it is Oct 20th I think.

Anyway.... anyone here complete (any times allowed) a marathon?

Her sister did one, but it took 4;30 with is like 10:00 minute miles... blaaa..

I am thinking 8:00 Minute miles is slow enough which is about 3:40

thanks if you have some experiences....Scot

 

i have run a dozen or so and have trained around 30 folks for their first marathons... would not advise running one with only 6 weeks of training.
i just ran Big Sur this May (by far the best and hardest - one "hill" is two miles up- of all i have run) and am currently training a professional athlete for her first race (Long Beach, CA).
if you decide to do one with more training, i have training programs that will help you finish with 3 mos. of training from a 20 miles per week base (which means that you have to be running before the training period!)... if you would like a copy of the one we are using for long beach, send me an e-mail and i will send my schedule.

 

Make sure you come see me when you are in town.

 

I've never run an actual marathon but I've done physical training programs that the navy SEALs do and have done some serious running. Man that's some tough shit. The irony of it all is that running is the only thing that can truly prepare you for it, not swimming. (although the 5.5 mile ocean swim isn't exactly a jog in the park on a Sunday morning ....) I give respect to all those distance runners out there!

 

I ran the SanDiego rock and roll marathon the second year they had it (I hear the first year was a disaster... i.e. a late start, not enough water on the course etc etc). The marathon was/is quite an experience. I considered myself a good runner, but 26.2 miles will humble you my friend. I ended up running a 3:34:16 which I was still happy with since it was my first marathon.
And I actually placed fourth in my age group! ... not that many people run marathons when they are 19 or younger which was how old I was.
Anyway, when you do run your marathon (and I agree, 6 weeks isn't enough time -- if you train right, the training should be the hardest part) my only advice is that the marathon is actually two races: a twenty mile race and a 10k.

 

I ran the Spirit run twice in Newport when I was 12 and 13

 

thats great! never heard it put that way, but it is so true- and the 10k part is much harder than the twenty miles!!
as a matter of fact i tell my trainees that the 20 mile mark is half way (and those who have run marathons understand what i mean!!)-

 

I think 6 weeks is enough to train for a marathon. I'm 21, and I ran a marathon without much preperation. I was a three sport athlete in high school. I run about 4 miles a day for fun. My longest run before the Chicago marathon was 12 miles. If your athletic, you can handle it just fine. I had 5 pounds of pasta then day before I ran, and that was enough to keep me going for 18 miles, the last 8 miles was just all pain. I managed to finish in 3 hours and 16 minutes. I was running 6 minute miles to the 18 mile mark and then died. Remember to pace yourself, trust me if you don't you'll hit a wall. By the way, I could barely walk after I was done, but I didn't prepare very well for it.

Jerry

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jerry1189
[B]I think 6 weeks is enough to train for a marathon.

 

You're too late!

If you try now you are asking for an injury. Get up to a 30 mile per week base for a few months first and then your real training can begin.

But don't take my word for it, do yourself a favor and buy a copy of this book:



It's the "bible" for the first time marathoner. Follow it closely and you'll do fine and remain injury free.

You can buy it at your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, or through this link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/014...8640692-3339764

If you train properly, completing a marathon can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. With improper training, it can be a awful experience or worse.