Zero to marathon, anyone done it?
Discussion
I've ran on and off for ~8 years. Initially to loose some weight when I was getting married starting with the couch to 5k.
Working from home the majority of the time and gyms being closed has seen me clocking uo the miles usually 25-35 miles a week.
COVID allowing I'm thinking of entering a few runs later this year to keep up the motivation. There is a marathon local to me in July. My longer runs tend to be once a week and around 10 miles at 9 min/mile pace my aveveqge run would be 5 miles. A half marathon would be the logical step but there aren't any local to me between now and July there are some 10 and 15k's.
Thing that is holding me back is the time constraints being able to get regular longer training runs in to clock up thr miles. I'm on thr heavier side at 6'4" and 16 stone but the weight is coming off.
Keen to hear from those who've done similar and their experiences.
Working from home the majority of the time and gyms being closed has seen me clocking uo the miles usually 25-35 miles a week.
COVID allowing I'm thinking of entering a few runs later this year to keep up the motivation. There is a marathon local to me in July. My longer runs tend to be once a week and around 10 miles at 9 min/mile pace my aveveqge run would be 5 miles. A half marathon would be the logical step but there aren't any local to me between now and July there are some 10 and 15k's.
Thing that is holding me back is the time constraints being able to get regular longer training runs in to clock up thr miles. I'm on thr heavier side at 6'4" and 16 stone but the weight is coming off.
Keen to hear from those who've done similar and their experiences.
Yes, but I was only 21 years old at the time. Got an entry into London Marathon at the end of October through work for the following April (so a little over 5 months to 'train'). Never ran before, played the odd bit of football, but life consisted mainly of boozing most nights, chasing girls and sleeping when not working in an Office job. Didn't really take training seriously, did several 9-10 mile runs (in the worst of winter) and longest 'run' was one of 18 miles before the event, I probably walked half of that too. Week before the marathon did a big night out drinking way to much! Managed to do the marathon in 4 hours 59 minutes and wouldn't do it again! Saw a couple of people passed out on stretchers after just 4 miles and it scared the life out of me, because I was probably one of them, i.e hadn't prepared properly. I started running again 2 years ago, 16 years after I did the marathon, but nowhere near those distances, mostly stick at 10km maximum. Couldn't comprehend the possibility of doing a marathon again, it was purely my age that got me around when I did it!
I should add, it was a brilliant experience and I'll never forget it, but IF i was to do one now, I know I'd need to train properly and it's too much commitment for me :-)
I should add, it was a brilliant experience and I'll never forget it, but IF i was to do one now, I know I'd need to train properly and it's too much commitment for me :-)
Edited by towser44 on Tuesday 19th January 13:40
Edited by towser44 on Tuesday 19th January 13:40
Indirectly yes. At 36 I went from zero (and 100kg/5‘9) at the beginning of January to running and drinking my way through the marathon du Medoc in the September the following year. However, the training was really to get into triathlons and the marathon was a nice extra. I think my events went something like:
July 17 - sprint triathlon (500m swim/20km bike/5km run)
Nov 17 - half marathon
June 18 - sprint triathlon (500m swim/40km bike/5km run)
July 18 - Olympic triathlon (1500m swim/40km bike/10km run)
Sept 18 - marathon du Medoc
I also entered Medoc in 2019, but pulled up after 18km after aggravating an injury to my knee that I‘d picked up skiing earlier in the year. I also did a half-ironman in November 2019 (1.9km swim/90km bike/21.1km run) and I‘m not sure how I got round, as I barely did any training in 2019 due to the skiing injury. Last year was a write-off with two half-Ironman races being postponed to this year.
I’m about to sign up to a HM in April, partly as training for my next half-Ironman and partly because I‘m interested to see what kind of time I can put down. It will be significantly better than the only other one I‘ve done in 2017, that‘s for sure. I‘d like to do a non-drinking marathon at some point to see what I can do, but the training is hard on the body and I would need to pivot away from triathlon, which despite not particularly enjoying cycling, I prefer to do because I think it gives you a more balanced fitness profile.
I agree with the poster above that if you are already doing the mileage you are, you should be fine. You also don‘t need to do that many super long runs. Working mainly on your aerobic base will give you what you need to last the distance. Looking back at my Garmin I ran 475km in 2019 in total (including the HM as part of the half-ironman and the 18km in Medoc), cycled about 1500km and swam about 200km and still managed to complete the half-Ironman (in just over 6 hours).
July 17 - sprint triathlon (500m swim/20km bike/5km run)
Nov 17 - half marathon
June 18 - sprint triathlon (500m swim/40km bike/5km run)
July 18 - Olympic triathlon (1500m swim/40km bike/10km run)
Sept 18 - marathon du Medoc
I also entered Medoc in 2019, but pulled up after 18km after aggravating an injury to my knee that I‘d picked up skiing earlier in the year. I also did a half-ironman in November 2019 (1.9km swim/90km bike/21.1km run) and I‘m not sure how I got round, as I barely did any training in 2019 due to the skiing injury. Last year was a write-off with two half-Ironman races being postponed to this year.
I’m about to sign up to a HM in April, partly as training for my next half-Ironman and partly because I‘m interested to see what kind of time I can put down. It will be significantly better than the only other one I‘ve done in 2017, that‘s for sure. I‘d like to do a non-drinking marathon at some point to see what I can do, but the training is hard on the body and I would need to pivot away from triathlon, which despite not particularly enjoying cycling, I prefer to do because I think it gives you a more balanced fitness profile.
I agree with the poster above that if you are already doing the mileage you are, you should be fine. You also don‘t need to do that many super long runs. Working mainly on your aerobic base will give you what you need to last the distance. Looking back at my Garmin I ran 475km in 2019 in total (including the HM as part of the half-ironman and the 18km in Medoc), cycled about 1500km and swam about 200km and still managed to complete the half-Ironman (in just over 6 hours).
Edited by eyebeebe on Tuesday 19th January 14:44
Went from not being able to run 1 mile to running a marathon in a little over 3hrs 40mins.
I started off at nearly 17 stone (5ft9) and ended up 12 stone
Consistency was the main thing, I followed the runners world training plan for beginners, I may have missed 1 or 2 workouts max otherwise I followed it religiously!
I started off at nearly 17 stone (5ft9) and ended up 12 stone
Consistency was the main thing, I followed the runners world training plan for beginners, I may have missed 1 or 2 workouts max otherwise I followed it religiously!
Zero to half marathons in my 30's, Morpeth - Newcastle (14.2mile) in about 1hr 47min IIRC
Now I'm 67, started again with Parkruns and can do a 5 mile rout in about 9min/miles BUT I seem to get one injury after another, the weather pits me off and this time of year I just CBA to go out so when I do it's 2 mile at 10.5min/mile
Now I'm 67, started again with Parkruns and can do a 5 mile rout in about 9min/miles BUT I seem to get one injury after another, the weather pits me off and this time of year I just CBA to go out so when I do it's 2 mile at 10.5min/mile
Start small and set achievable targets. Based on what you’ve said, I’d say if you run 3-4 times a week building up to 5k, you’ll be able to run 10k within a month without any issues. Build up from there.
I’ve run numerous HMs and two full marathons; if you can run 10k and your aim is simply to complete, rather than compete, then the fulls are more mind over matter than anything else. I break a half into 2x 10k and a full into 4x10k as an example (I know it’s a bit more but it’s near as dammit).
Obviously a structured training plan will help. A few years ago I was walk/running the London marathon after 19 miles because my legs gave up due to almost zero training - not a happy place to be. Promised myself that if I ever do another, I’ll train properly.
Hopefully this year there will be the chance to run a couple of HMs which would be a good target.
I’ve run numerous HMs and two full marathons; if you can run 10k and your aim is simply to complete, rather than compete, then the fulls are more mind over matter than anything else. I break a half into 2x 10k and a full into 4x10k as an example (I know it’s a bit more but it’s near as dammit).
Obviously a structured training plan will help. A few years ago I was walk/running the London marathon after 19 miles because my legs gave up due to almost zero training - not a happy place to be. Promised myself that if I ever do another, I’ll train properly.
Hopefully this year there will be the chance to run a couple of HMs which would be a good target.
ben_h100 said:
Start small and set achievable targets. Based on what you’ve said, I’d say if you run 3-4 times a week building up to 5k, you’ll be able to run 10k within a month without any issues. Build up from there.
I’ve run numerous HMs and two full marathons; if you can run 10k and your aim is simply to complete, rather than compete, then the fulls are more mind over matter than anything else. I break a half into 2x 10k and a full into 4x10k as an example (I know it’s a bit more but it’s near as dammit).
Obviously a structured training plan will help. A few years ago I was walk/running the London marathon after 19 miles because my legs gave up due to almost zero training - not a happy place to be. Promised myself that if I ever do another, I’ll train properly.
Hopefully this year there will be the chance to run a couple of HMs which would be a good target.
He‘s already running a 10 miler once a week!I’ve run numerous HMs and two full marathons; if you can run 10k and your aim is simply to complete, rather than compete, then the fulls are more mind over matter than anything else. I break a half into 2x 10k and a full into 4x10k as an example (I know it’s a bit more but it’s near as dammit).
Obviously a structured training plan will help. A few years ago I was walk/running the London marathon after 19 miles because my legs gave up due to almost zero training - not a happy place to be. Promised myself that if I ever do another, I’ll train properly.
Hopefully this year there will be the chance to run a couple of HMs which would be a good target.
Maybe I should have read that again before posting it!Every year literally thousands of people of all ages will do exactly this at the London (and any other) marathon.
The key to any endurance exercise is to keep doing it, doing a week of hard training then nothing for two weeks leaves you exactly where you started before the hard week. See it all the time with people wanting to get better at cycling, do a few days, feel good, then take a week off, and they're back where they were.
The key to any endurance exercise is to keep doing it, doing a week of hard training then nothing for two weeks leaves you exactly where you started before the hard week. See it all the time with people wanting to get better at cycling, do a few days, feel good, then take a week off, and they're back where they were.
I wouldn't class myself as a runner but somehow ended up running the London marathon twice.
First one i wanted to tick the box, and second one the missis wanted to tick the same box and somehow talked me into doing one.
First time doing it I just wanted to finish and it took me ages, 5:15 i think my time was in the end,
Second time I wanted to break 4 hours and knew what to expect and managed 4.45
In my view a lot of it is a total change in lifestyle for minimum of 6 months and ramping up slowly. I stopped drinking, started eating a little healthier (although not to an extreme) and began working up from being knackered after a mile to a 20 mile pre-marathon run around Dorney lake.
Depends on what you want to achieve but for your first marathon, aim to finish the thing, get your mental state & motivation right and enjoy the journey. Wouldn't recommend running the full distance before either; 20 -22 miles is a nice distance before going full hog on the day. Lots of books on zero to marathon around too - worth getting one.
Found the atmosphere of London amazing & crossing the finish line both times was very emotional. Enjoy & good luck!
First one i wanted to tick the box, and second one the missis wanted to tick the same box and somehow talked me into doing one.
First time doing it I just wanted to finish and it took me ages, 5:15 i think my time was in the end,
Second time I wanted to break 4 hours and knew what to expect and managed 4.45
In my view a lot of it is a total change in lifestyle for minimum of 6 months and ramping up slowly. I stopped drinking, started eating a little healthier (although not to an extreme) and began working up from being knackered after a mile to a 20 mile pre-marathon run around Dorney lake.
Depends on what you want to achieve but for your first marathon, aim to finish the thing, get your mental state & motivation right and enjoy the journey. Wouldn't recommend running the full distance before either; 20 -22 miles is a nice distance before going full hog on the day. Lots of books on zero to marathon around too - worth getting one.
Found the atmosphere of London amazing & crossing the finish line both times was very emotional. Enjoy & good luck!
Most training plans are 16-20 weeks, and your already running which is perfect. I did Edinburgh a couple of years ago in a Sub 4hr, but I was a regular half marathon runner at 1hr 45min on average.
I did 2 shorter speed sessions in the week, and then my long run on a sunday to get the miles in. One thing I was told by my running coach was never run to distance run to time. That way I always had distance in the legs at the end of the runs.
Also I started running to HR for all of my training. This was all calculated for me, but was a big help to make sure I run in my HR zones, and avoid chasing the pace on my watch.
I did 2 shorter speed sessions in the week, and then my long run on a sunday to get the miles in. One thing I was told by my running coach was never run to distance run to time. That way I always had distance in the legs at the end of the runs.
Also I started running to HR for all of my training. This was all calculated for me, but was a big help to make sure I run in my HR zones, and avoid chasing the pace on my watch.
I ran a marathon on around 30-35 miles total a week, at peak before tapering.
You're clearly running regularly, which is vital, you 'just' need to up your long run distance.
My training plan saw me peak at a 20 mile long run a few weeks before the event, before tapering.
You're already doing 10 milers, so as long as you can allocate a few weeks to take the time out of your long run day to build up to that, you'll be fine.
You're clearly running regularly, which is vital, you 'just' need to up your long run distance.
My training plan saw me peak at a 20 mile long run a few weeks before the event, before tapering.
You're already doing 10 milers, so as long as you can allocate a few weeks to take the time out of your long run day to build up to that, you'll be fine.
Challo said:
Also I started running to HR for all of my training. This was all calculated for me, but was a big help to make sure I run in my HR zones, and avoid chasing the pace on my watch.
A mate of mine who did an Ironman triathlon used this technique and swore by it. He went from a plus-4 hour marathon PB pre-heart rate monitoring to smashing 4 hours and setting a new PB on the Ironman itself....!
Muzzer79 said:
Oh, one more thing
Strength training.
Everyone hates it, everyone can't be arsed, everyone just wants to run.
But do it. It's vital.
Before I start this is all my opinion and certainly not a dig at you! Ideally everyone over 30 who runs will get massive benefits from consistent strength work, completely agree, however.Strength training.
Everyone hates it, everyone can't be arsed, everyone just wants to run.
But do it. It's vital.
If time crunched it may not be the best use of his time! I dont do any as I don't have the time however I utilise off road running and some basic stretches.
Also dependant on age, lifting experience and technique.
If he can run 4 hours a week only then taking an hour out to do strength work is counter productive!
This guy - to start with an Ultra
He may be slightly bonkers but by’eck a good listen
https://www.richroll.com/podcast/chadd-wright-490/
Don’t give pain a voice
Oh and listen to the one Goggins did
Mental too
He may be slightly bonkers but by’eck a good listen
https://www.richroll.com/podcast/chadd-wright-490/
Don’t give pain a voice
Oh and listen to the one Goggins did
Mental too
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