So my buddy said that he is running a marathon, well only the first 20, as a training run for IMFL. He said I should do it with him. The problem is the furthest I have ever run is a half mary, a couple of weeks ago. The mary is in 7 weeks, do you think I could successfully complete it and the training injury free?
background:
Been training for tris for about the last year…longest distance oly
that first oly did take me a little over 3:00 to complete (30 mile bike)
It probably depends how tough you feel the 13 mile distance is. If you’ve only done 3 runs that distance then, yes, it sounds like a good way to get injured. If 13 miles doesn’t seem that tough then you could probably ramp up and complete it.
if you are otherwise fit and healthy and have a good base of fitness, going from 13 to 20 in 9 weeks shouldn’t be a problem.
If your 13 miler was 2 weeks ago I’d go something like this for your long runs.
week 7 13 miles
week 6 15 miles
week 5 10 miles
week 4 15 miles
week 3 13 miles
week 2 18 miles
week 1 10 miles
race day 20 miles
Make your long run the focus of your week and schedule an easy day they day before and a day off the day after.
I have helped coach Team in Training marahton programs where people with absolutely no running background other than the program they were participating in have gone from 13 miles to the marathon in 9 weeks. Its not that tall a task if you commit yourself to it and look after your body.
If you did 13+ a couple weeks ago and you aren’t hurt: no problem.
I second Matt’s plan.
It’s only a recipe for disaster if you feel an injury coming on and run through it and make it worse. Just take it easy for the first hour or so: plenty of time to speed up after that. -TB
One more thing to remember, most novice marathoners only go 20 miles in training and the additional 6 on race day is uncharted territory. If you only get to 16 in training the additional 4 miles shouldn’t stop you.
matt’s plan is excellent, from a runner’s perspective, and is doable if you feel that you have it in you. (*the problem is, that you go 20 miles, and hell, only 6 left! it’d be a shame not to finish it since you’ve come so far… But, even if you decide to finish it, who cares. Do it while you can!!!)
it’s all about what your body can take and how healthy you are.
if you choose to do it, please, but back on the swim and bike a bit so that you won’t get hurt or sick. if you do it, make this run your priority and focus all of your attention on it, with only one or two days a week doing bike and swim–and not long rides at that. seriously–this is the best approach, so you don’t get hurt.
I think you should go for it if you want to do it. now, if you’re not into it, tell him upfront so you don’t cause yourself to linger, or him to linger about it.
and I’d like to add that during the week, doing two 3-4 miles run is plenty. add in one day of bike and one day of swim and you’re home free. keep the long run for the weekend (like Saturday) and allow Sunday off for a rest day before starting up another week. This way you’ve got a lot of mileage in with 2 days off.
ok, I’ll stop now. sometimes I just go on and on…and on…
