OK, I've just randomly decided that I'm going to train for next years London marathon, would like to do the Great North Run in October but I doubt I'd be ready in time...

this idea isn't new to me, I've been thinking of doing it for a few years but I've just decided that I'm really going to do it now, I've nearly finished at University, I have no girlfriend, and besides my computers and music/guitar I dont have no other main hobby's so I've decided since my gym subscription has run out that I'm going to start training myself for this feat...

has anyone here run a marathon? or a half marathon? any advice on training for one? at the moment I'm not at my fittest, but I'm only like 20, I'm not totally unfit, I have a partially good physique and I've been working on improving it the last few months...

my current plan is to get my ass down to Decathlon, get myself a nice new pair of running shoes cus my current trainers are getting a bit knackered... buy myself some dumbell weights, they've got a nice set at £50, probably buy a cheap bench too...

then get my ass running every morning (got my alarm set for 7am to go running tomorrow!) slowly increasing the distance as I improve my fitness, got some ankle and wrist weights I bought a bit back that I will slap on once I'm improving... come back, work on my upper body a bit with the weights I'm going to buy...

make sure I'm eating plenty like I have whilst I've been working out at the gym...

anyways, thats my current plan... but any advice from others that have done it, are doing it... would be greatly apprechiated... want to do this for myself, and hopefully to train so I can try and raise some money for a charity too... most likely for one of the cancer related one's, or maybe for the hospice who looked after my grandad in his last few weeks :(

Originally posted by xafier
any advice on training for one?

Do loads of running. :D

Good luck. :thumbsup:

Well pat yourself on your back :thumbsup:
Go boy!!!
I`ll sponsor ya :clap:
wish I could help with training

When I used to do road-running one of the biggest problems I had was due to me being flat-footed and rather heavy footed.

I ended up with painful shins form the repeated impact on the road of my feet, so watch for that. And toe-nails - clip them short because as you increase the distance you run they're likely to take any opportunity to cut your toes and cause problems.

Good Luck.

The only question I have is why didn't Phidippides(?) get given a horse to ride back to Athens from Marathon? That way he would have got there faster and wouldn't have died after telling the Athenians to watch out for the surviving Persians.... Oh well, just wondering.

Joe

I've just recently started running again (for the first time in about 4 years since having my 2 children) and have been using a training guide similiar to the one here http://www.serpentine.org.uk/advice/training/couch.htm

take it slowly at first or you might be at risk of getting an injury after the first couple of month's (because your fitness level will improve faster than your muscle will - iyswim).

I love running but am finding it really frustrating that I am so much slower/can't run as far as I used to be able to.

If you join a running clun you will get lots of support and encouragement too and it can help give you motivation to keep at it.

Have fun!

Originally posted by JoePritchard
When I used to do road-running one of the biggest problems I had was due to me being flat-footed and rather heavy footed.

I ended up with painful shins form the repeated impact on the road of my feet, so watch for that.

Joe

That's my problem too Joe :(
I start running but within a couple of weeks my shins and knees are knackered :?
Over the years i have tried building the distance gradually, running on soft ground (grass) etc.. but the same result every time. It doesn't help when your over weight to start with, the extra weight just makes the heavy footed impact even worse.

I've done a half-marathon before xafier, and it's tuff going!

You don't have to be super fit to run the marathon, it just depends what time your aiming for. The key is longevity and stamina. As long as you put the mileage in beforehand you should be ok.

I've ran a fair few in my time including the London Marathon. If your going to start preparations this early just make sure you take it easy, you don't want to over do it as it's a long way off until next year and you don't want to sustain any long lasting injuries.

When I used to run them I used to put in 4-5 months preparation and put in about 50-70 miles a week, which was adequate. I already had a decent fitness level before I started prep though so you might need a bit more time. The furthest I ran on a training run was 18 miles but I knew I had plenty left in the tank and that run consisted of a few nasty hills that took a bit out of me that I knew put me in good stead as there was no hills like that on the course.

The crowd are very lifting on the day and I found that this also encourages to run easier and take your mind of things and enjoy the occasion.

it's not that easy to get places for the London Marathon, but going through a charity is the best way because they get given a certain amount of places.

dont bother with decatahlon.....get to a specialist runners shop...keep on running in attercliffe and tell them what you plan to do and they will give you advice and best shoes for what you will do.

i mean...wud u go to argos to buy a amp for ur guitar? ;) i think not

With all the agony running involves to legs and feet and all the time it takes up , surely it'd be better to have a brisk walk to the pub and back ------and maybe eat less.

Originally posted by MTheo
dont bother with decatahlon.....get to a specialist runners shop...keep on running in attercliffe and tell them what you plan to do and they will give you advice and best shoes for what you will do.

i mean...wud u go to argos to buy a amp for ur guitar? ;) i think not

well I still need to go to Decathlon and get some weights, and Decathlon aren't that bad, its not like they're like JJB or Sugg Sports or whatever they are a proper sports shop... but I might try that store out, if I can find it... lol

Originally posted by Fareast
With all the agony running involves to legs and feet and all the time it takes up , surely it'd be better to have a brisk walk to the pub and back ------and maybe eat less.

erm... cus I'm not doing this to loose weight? if you read my post you'd see I'm doing it to get fitter and to raise some money for charity!

anyways, I got up at 7am! :o but sodding hell is today not THE worst day ever for weather? its freezing outside and really wet... it's SO making me think I'll try again tomorrow... lol

Hi, just a quick note. The two runs that you've opt to run are usually over subscribed so you have to be pretty lucky to get a place. I know the Great North Run usually closes it's application process months in advance of the race and I think that may have already passed for this year's run. As for FLM, there is a ballot system in place and you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting a place unless you get a golden bond place which means raising shed loads for charity. Don't this put you off if you really want to run, but I just thought I'd tell you that it can be a right pain to get on these runs. Have you thought about doing alternative running events instead? There are loads of other half marathons and some pretty good marathons out there!!

I have run 3 half marathons all of which were really hard going, but that was down to my lack of experience and not pacing myself correctly. I'd suggest joining a running club as you will always have people to run with and you will have all the technical support you could possibly need.

Whatever you decide I wish you luck and hope the training goes well. I'm toying with the idea of running FLM and if you want to run as a team then let me know.

Cheers,

MArt

Hi, just a quick note. The two runs that you've opt to run are usually over subscribed so you have to be pretty lucky to get a place. I know the Great North Run usually closes it's application process months in advance of the race and I think that may have already passed for this year's run. As for FLM, there is a ballot system in place and you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting a place unless you get a golden bond place which means raising shed loads for charity. Don't this put you off if you really want to run, but I just thought I'd tell you that it can be a right pain to get on these runs. Have you thought about doing alternative running events instead? There are loads of other half marathons and some pretty good marathons out there!!

I have run 3 half marathons all of which were really hard going, but that was down to my lack of experience and not pacing myself correctly. I'd suggest joining a running club as you will always have people to run with and you will have all the technical support you could possibly need.

Whatever you decide I wish you luck and hope the training goes well.

Cheers,

MArt

Just wanted to say best of luck to you...I have huge respect for people who run the marathon, especially when running for charity. :)

Just wanted to reiterate what others have said though, whatever you do don't overdo it. I used to run middle distance for county and was training every day. I have knackered my knees so much that it hurts to be on my feet for my than a few hours so I would suggest getting the advice of a properly qualified gym instructor or personal trainer before embarking on any major fitness plan. Running on concrete places a massive strain on your joints and it shouldn't be done every day. I will have to have surgery on my knees eventually so please don't overdo it!

But anyway, like I said best of luck, hope it goes really well and if you need sponsoring next year I for one will definitely be behind you!! ;)

This isn't a suggestion, more of a query, but let's say you're reasonably fit, no specific training but have been fairly active and about 6 footish tall and i don't know, between about 18 and 45....

You can run 1km at 12kmph...

If you added 100m every day for a year you'd be doing a marathon in around 3-1/2 hours in 12 monthes time.

Worth a try?

-PK-

Xafier, there's a half marathon run in sheffield, maybe you could enter next years see here (http://www.sheffieldmarathon.com) for some details on this years on May 1st.:)

Hi Xafier
You really need to go to "Keep on Running" at Attercliffe.
You'll get good general advice and your style of running will be analysed so that you get exactly the right shoe.
I'm not a great runner but agree its very good for stamina, weight loss and feeling good.
I'll be running my first half marathon in Sheffield on the 1st of May. Wish I'd trained more than I have though!

JJB are not so bad. They have a specialist running shoe catalogue at the moment and some knowledgeable staff at the Drakehouse store. Can't fault Keep on Running for advice though.