Would this work for marathon pre-training?

Question

Ok I have 14 months untila marathon that I want to run. I have no running experience I have barely even run the mile. Thanks to a few helpfull members I know that I should be in pre-training and that therunnersworld smart coach is a good tool. Now since I have so long untill the marathon. Would this work

month #1 train for 5k

month #2 train for 8k

month #3 train for 5 mile

month #4 train for 10k

month#5 train for 12k

month #6 train for 15k

month #7 train for 10mile

month #8 train for 20k

month #9 train fro half marathon

month #10-14 train for full marathon

would this work?

Answer 1

The problem I see is you are always training for something -you never say what you would do while training for whatever is on the list.

You can't go out and say "I'm going to do a training run for a 12k today, and tomorrow, and the next day."  Everyone in that imaginary 12k would have trained differently.

The rule of thumb is to daily (4-5 days per week for most people) run at least one third the distance you are training to run.  That means if you are training for a marathon, you want to eventually be running 8-9 miles on your training runs.

If you have never run before, start out very slow.  Run, walk, run.  You don't need to be doing the hard 8+ mile runs for a long time.  But training like you have blocked out is always training for a different race, which will wear you out to quickly.  

Since you have 14 months, I would look for a 5 or 10k you could run in after several months of training, and then a longer race (half marathon?) about month 7-9.  This will give you experience running in groups of people in a race situation.  Otherwise the excitement will make you start that marathon way to fast.  Also, try a couple longer slow runs yourself (12-15 miles) in the 10-13 months.

Don't worry about plotting out every month's progress now -you will learn to adjust that as you progress. 14 months gives you time to adjust and change.  Don't train so hard early on that you hurt yourself.  Be patient.  The 14 month goal is smart in that respect:you have plenty of time.

Just work slowly upward in you weekly milage and make sure you are doing 8-9 miles per day without hurting yourself for a month or so before the big marathon.  Then taper off the week or so before the race to make sure you are fresh.

And wear good shoes.

Answer 2

For a beginner, time is your friend. For the first 6 months, I would only run 3 days a week (day 1 - short run up to 2K, day 2 - walk for 30 min., day3 - run 3K, day 4 walk for 40 min.  Day 5 - use this day as the longest run - 4K.  Day 6 - cross train, cycle, swim, or walk for at least an hour.  Day 7 - rest day.  Try this for the first month, and increase your mileage on a monthly basis - till you get used to running and then after 4-6 months, things are going good, increase a run day - day 4.  TAKE WALK breaks when running. Your endurance will build up in time.  Be patient.  Get good shoes....go to a specialty running store to get properly fitted according to your gait, foot type, pronation, etc.  Warm up before each running session and stretch afterwards.  Hydrate and stay out of the heat. (run in the morning when its the coolest).  Your monthly schedule is a good start plan to becoming a runner.

run happy and train smart:)