Marathon running ?

Question

I'm 17 years old and i want to start running marathons what should i do to get started?

Answer 1

My recommendation is to visit a running oriented site such as Runnersworld or Runningtimes or CoolRunning.  There is a wealth of information out there.

Take a look at some of these articles

http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7...

http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx...

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/...

Are you a runner already?  If not you need to begin running. If you are a complete beginner.  Start by reading this.

http://www.newrunner.com/article/0,7120,...

What is your goal for the marathon?  To complete it, to run it or to race it.  Completing means finishing by a combination of walking and running, running means to run the entire distance but not necessary run for a time and race means to run as fast as you possibly can.  There is a big difference in terms of the preparation needed to do each one. If your goal is just to complete the marathon, I recommend you take a look at Jeff Galloway's training plans.  See

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Contrary to what some other posters have written, the marathon deserves respect and it is foolish to run or race one with 2 weeks training or to think that you can run it with just mental determination.  While many runners hit the wall in a marathon, doing so is not necessary and really means that the runner did not prepare properly or did not race properly, i.e. tried to run above his or her ability.

Answer 2

I just ran my first marathon two weeks ago, and I am still glowing from the experience (top five best moments of my life!)

First, you must gage your fitness level.  Build a base of running/cross training that entails running 2 times  a week and running/other activities (1-2 additional times a week).  Once you have this, you can physically finish a marathon...but, it will be a very rough experience and it will involve too much walking and bad time ~5-6hrs.

To actually enjoy a marathon and be prepared to do so, you must train for it.  Myself, I only trained for two weeks, but the results were poor (4hrs 20min) and I would not recommend this for anyone, the advice below is the running community consensus and what I will use for my future races (boston?)

Training should begin after you have your base and involve at least 4-6 weeks (up to 15-18 weeks is best) of running 4-5 days a week.  The weekly runs should have at least one day (2 is better) of intervals/fartlics/high tempo runs and 1 mileage day (10-20 miles).  It is very important to run at least ~35 miles a week and do the long run to be properly prepared.

Continue the training schedule..by the way, do not hurt yourself.  Start at a reasonable 20-30 miles a week, 8-10 mile long run and increase by 10-15% per week.

Begin you taper 2-3 weeks before the race.  Decrease your mileage and for the 1 1/2 weeks before the race do only 2-3 small runs.  Do only one very easy, short run about 3-4 days before the race...REST! eat properly, and enjoy the race.  Start slow (9:30 min mile for the first 5 miles and then speed up) and understand that you will hit the wall at 20 miles.

Answer 3

I'm what they call a recreational runner. I have my bad days a nd days when I feel like I could run all day, but one thing I can tell you is that while you may be able to finish a marathon with just 2 weeks training, it would be foolish. Buils a base first and then test the watrers by running a couple of 5k's and a 10k. If you still feel like you have the stones to run a marathon then try it, but not until you have been running consistantly for about 6 months. Do you look forward to your runs? Do you feel guilty if you didn't run and you know you should have? Can you drag your but out of bed on a cold winter morning as the sun is just coming up and run an "easy" 3 before work or can you run 3 or 4 or 5 miles or more after work and all you want to do is eat something and sit in front of the T.V. If you can do this, yoo have the hutspa to run a marathon. And the first time dont worry about time, just run to finish. bask in the experience.

Answer 4

You can run a marathon without any training at all when it gets down to it.  The first responder seems to know what he is talking about so listen to his advice in general.  But remember that distance running is largely a mental game with physical preparedness coming in second.  If you've got the heart and determination on race day you will definitely finish.  If you have trained well you might have a good time to boot.