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[Milichal]

How soon is too soon to try a marathon? I'm running my second half in June and thinking about running a full in November (and the goal of BQ time in the future). Thoughts?

[disney_duke]

I think you could do a full by November, especially with that half in June. Just keep on running!

The training program I follow (Hal Higdon) is roughly a 4 month program. And you start out with a long run of 13 miles. And then the long runs obviously progress and get longer, but it's so gradual that it's not scary. And they bounce around a bit here and there too. Like 13, 7, 14, 8, 15, 9, etc.. each week. Galloway's program is a bit longer I think.

When I did my first full I was in the same boat as you timewise. I did the DL Half September 1st, and then just kept on running and training for the WDW full in January. It's do-able, definitely. The more running you do, the better you'll be prepared for the full, obviously. So if you added on even 1 more mile to each training run starting now, all the better.

I signed up for Dopey, so I'm essentially training now for it! I've got a Quarter marathon in June, then the Tower of Terror 10 miler in October. I'm conisidering those just training runs (races) for marathon training. Plus, I figure the more running I get in earlier will be good for when I get injured later. I'm always scared of injury!! I totally think you can do it. Start training now!

[Amy L]

I agree with Tanya. With proper training you should have no problem doing a full in November.

[Fortissimo]

You can do it! Like the others have said, train properly and it will be no problem.

[Milichal]

Any body run with a group? Recommended training plans?

[disney_duke]

I run solo. I usually follow Hal Higdon's plans, but I add in more walk/run ratios like Galloway. And I often take 3 rest days per week. I'd suggest to pick a few programs and then adjust as necessary as your body tells you.

Remember it's better to go into a race under trained than over trained!

[Amy L]

Now that I am signed up for Dopey I am mulling over different training plans too. For past races I have combined the plans of Jeff Galloway and Hal Higdon and Amy (me) and will probably do the same for this one. I usually run solo or with my husband.

I highly recommend throwing in some form of cross-training and core strengthening rather than just running.

[Tim Sullivan]

If you've got a couple half marathons under your belt, and you run fast enough to be competing for a BQ, then I'd think you should be ready for a marathon come November.

I ran my first full (and half) when I did Goofy this year. I had about a year and a half of running under my belt, and felt like I was prepared well enough for the run. If I didn't have my calf issues during the full, I would have had a much stronger finish to the full I'd think.

The general "rules" are that you should have at least 2 - 3 years of running experience, and have the experience of several half marathons under your belt before you tackle a full....but as you can tell, I don't always listen to the "rules", instead figured out something that worked for me and went with it. As long as you're being sensible (and safe) with your training plan, and don't put any unreal expectations into your first full marathon (aiming for a BQ time in your first full marathon for example hehe), you should have a fine time.

Some things that I will suggest/that I learned. There is a HUGE difference in the effort levels it takes to run distances once you get past the half marathon mark....and it only gets worse when you take it past 30km. When I was training I could bang off HM distances in my sleep, but taking things to 30km+ really takes running to another level. Never mind the 4+ hour time commitment for a training run...the toll it takes on your body is insane.

Flip side of that...I am amazed at how my body reacted to it, and how quickly it learned to adapt....yours will too. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work, but when you are pulling off those big training runs and taking yourself farther and farther each week on your long runs....well it personally gave me the feeling that I was unstoppable, and could do ANYTHING I put my mind to.

As far as training plans...I think I've talked about mine before, but in a nutshell I'm not a run/walker, but my plan was a combo of some of what Galloway had for overall plan structure, coupled with a little bit from here and there. I was running 4 days a week, and while my training was Goofy-centred, I'd still keep the same minimum. One change I plan to make is to make the time to do more longer runs during the week. I'd cap out at about 8km for 2 of my runs, I think looking back if I had a bit more milage per week it would probably have helped a bit more with my endurance.

Also, if your goal is BQ'ing in a race, remember that November will qualify you for 2016 Boston...what I'd suggest is run the November race for the experience of what it was like training for a marathon, and what it was like running it...then if BQ is a possibility, aim for a spring race to give you your BQ time. While I BQ'd during the Goofy, I was actually planning on running a marathon this spring to actually get my BQ time...luckily for me I ended up BQ'ing during the marathon weekend, because I wouldn't be marathon ready for anything this spring...MAYBE could have pulled off a late summer/September marathon to get the time.

If you can find a group to run with...and you don't mind running with people, I'd suggest that. I run solo, and sometimes it is really hard to get up the energy and motivation to get my butt out there and run. Knowing that you'd be letting running buddies down would sure help me....never mind having some company on those long, LONG runs would have been nice. I had music and podcasts to help pass the time...but for many of those long runs being by myself really sucked. Having someone else to complain to would have been nice .

Lots of other good advice in this thread, and lots of great experience on the board here as well...can't wait to read about your progress!

Tim

P.S. qualifying for Boston is an amazing feeling BTW....the worst part was I have to wait till next year to actually RUN it hehe....

[kadterp]

Hi there!

This is my third year of running and I am officially in for Goofy and Minnie for Jan 2015 will be my first half marathon and though I have 5 halfs under me (going for 6 this weekend woot woot) Im still questioning my sanity

I was just in Boston this past weekend to do the B.A.A. 5k (part one of the medley) and let me tell you, if that doesnt inspire you to try to go out and nail a BQ nothing does! What energy that city had! And their expo?? O-M-G it was HUGE!!! We went two days in a row and found out on the second day that we missed like three rows!! But I did see Jeff Galloway and Bart Yasso on our first night, missed out on Mark Remy again.....maybe next year I can do a meet and greet with him. My friend who did run Boston ran with Dean Karnazes for 22 miles and even took a photo with him midrun.

I mostly run by myself in training and then with hubby during races.....this weekend I might have him push me a bit so I can hopefully PR and get in a higher corral!!

[Milichal]

As of right now, I think a BQ might not happen in November (but a girl can dream). My age group has me running a 3:35 or faster marathon to BQ, and my long run pace is 10min/mi. I'm hoping to finish the first marathon (Indy Monumental) in about 4:30.
I'm already cross training with Pilates after school on Wednesdays. It's hard but so much fun to exercise with my coworkers. If I like it enough, there's a Pilates studio down the street to keep going all summer.
Tim-I was hoping to BQ for 2016, but I'm not sure I can shave an hour off of my time. PS I have more miles than you

In the spring is the Carmel Marathon group here, but I'm thinking about 2015 Chicago, too. Anyone know how the lottery process works? I really don't have $185 to pay and not get in

[Tim Sullivan]

ha ha... yes Amanda...saw that you had more milage than me when I sync'd my run today. Enjoy it while it lasts...now that I've gotten the OK to get back to running normally, we can start giving each other a run for our money

Shaving an hour off will be hard...but not impossible? Are you a run/walker? It is EXTREMELY hard (though not impossible) to run 3:30ish while run/walking. Not impossible at all, the guide I had for the marathon has a friend he runs with that runs a 3:30 marathon while run/walking... You also have a ton of time to get ready for it, with a spring marathon next year as a great possibility to get a BQ time. The other BQ option is to get in via a charity bib, where you raise money rather than having to hit a time goal.

As far as lotteries go for races (I can see Disney maybe doing this in years to come) is you will "register" for the lottery. Sometimes you have to pay a nominal registration fee, sometimes not, then you go into the lottery. If your name is picked, THEN you owe the full cost of the race, and only when your name is picked. You don't have to worry about paying the entry fee for a race you don't get to enter . Chicago is on my list of runs to do as well...I think NYC Marathon is being put off till 2015, I think I might do something local like Toronto or Niagara Falls this fall, then Boston next year.

Tim

[Milichal]

Nine miles are on deck for tomorrow, but I expect you to catch up quickly
I'm a run-and-walk-when-I-need-to runner. I don't walk much during short runs (5ks) except during warmup, but I walk during my longer runs. I figure that I need to run one marathon to get a baseline time and then work on improving my time from there. I could also run Pittsburgh next spring and plan a visit home around it.
I'd cry if Disney switched to a lottery system. I'm really hoping to do another half or ten tower of terror some day. Right now, we're looking at buying a house in October, so Disney races are on the back burner

[Tim Sullivan]

I'll concede you April...but I can't wait for our May battle. Not sure if my knee has a 100km month in it yet, but can't wait to find out

Building that long run stamina is tough. If you can push through those times you feel the need for the walk break you can eventually stretch it the full distance. Or even play with run/walk intervals to find something that works to give speed + your walk breaks. You've got plenty of time, most importantly don't rush it, the last thing you want is injury!

Tim

[Milichal]

So, I am officially running a marathon in November as part of Team In Training. Just thought I should let you all know.

[disney_duke]

Congrats Amanda! You've got plenty of time to prepare for this. Just keep running, just keep running, just keep running....