So who here has done a marathon? Who has done more than a marathon? I'm seriously thinking about doing the Deseret News Marathon, then the St. George marathon and then next year do the Ironman 70.3. So, who's done anything similar, what advice do you have? I've always been able to run long distances (I used to run ~8 miles each day as part of my regular work out). I'm sure there is more to training for these types of races than just running a bunch of miles each day.
Long distance running
- Thread starter Caleb
- Start date
I'm working up to a 70.3 next year as well. I'm hoping to do a couple Olympic Triathlon's this year and then either the Boise or Boulder 70.3.
My biggest problem with running long distances is that I get bored. If I don't have a goal to focus on I lose interest. I've run the Ragnar and a couple 5 and 10k's, in addition to a sprint triathlon and I always seem to do so much better at the race's. I just can't stay on task during training
There is a triathlon program from hakenya that starts in 2 weeks that I'm back and forth on. It's 14 weeks, and only $385, but from what I gather it is 3-6 sessions per week and I'm just not sure I have that kind of time (or, rather, not sure I want to give up that much time). www.hakenya.com is the site. Maybe check that out. they have running programs as well. there are lots of online training programs you can use to prepare, and lots of communities to get information from. Most people seem to think you can train for Olympic and 70.3 distances on 10 hours per week.
I bought one of the Nike + iPod attachments and a nano this year and that has helped me a lot. It's nice because it helps you monitor your pace and distance, and keeps track of all of your runs and personal bests on the Nike + website every time you sync your iPod.
for those that might not know, a 70.3 is a half iron. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.
My biggest problem with running long distances is that I get bored. If I don't have a goal to focus on I lose interest. I've run the Ragnar and a couple 5 and 10k's, in addition to a sprint triathlon and I always seem to do so much better at the race's. I just can't stay on task during training
There is a triathlon program from hakenya that starts in 2 weeks that I'm back and forth on. It's 14 weeks, and only $385, but from what I gather it is 3-6 sessions per week and I'm just not sure I have that kind of time (or, rather, not sure I want to give up that much time). www.hakenya.com is the site. Maybe check that out. they have running programs as well. there are lots of online training programs you can use to prepare, and lots of communities to get information from. Most people seem to think you can train for Olympic and 70.3 distances on 10 hours per week.
I bought one of the Nike + iPod attachments and a nano this year and that has helped me a lot. It's nice because it helps you monitor your pace and distance, and keeps track of all of your runs and personal bests on the Nike + website every time you sync your iPod.
for those that might not know, a 70.3 is a half iron. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.
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RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
I haven't done one yet, but I'm planning on running the Salt Lake City Marathon on April 17th. I'm following a 22 week training program plus 2 week taper.
My weekly schedule is:
Monday: Rest or cross train
Tuesday: Tempo run (usually 4 miles at fairly hard effort). I use these runs to help judge my improvement. I try to run the same 4 mile route, and compare my total time, mile splits, and average heart rate to previous weeks.
Wednesday: Rest or cross train
Thursday: Easy run 4 to 8 miles at conversational pace (slow enough that I could hold a conversation with full sentences)
Friday: Rest or cross train
Saturday: Long run (started at 6 miles the first week of training, and builds to 24 miles on week 22). The mileage builds every second or third week in the last half of my schedule. Last Saturday's run was 14 miles, this Saturday is only 8 miles, and it'll jump to 16 on January 16th.
Sunday: Recovery run 4 miles. Slow recovery runs (slower than easy pace) after long runs can help speed your leg's recovery by getting blood in the muscles pumping out lactic acid, and replacing glycogen levels. The trick is you really need to do them slow enough that you are totally in the aerobic zone, and not further depleting glycogen that is used by your muscles at faster paces and longer distances. A heart rate monitor helps to determine what your proper training paces should be.
When is the Deseret News marathon?
How much running have you been doing in the last year? You really should have a good solid weekly mileage base before you start training for a marathon. If you do too much too soon you're likely to end up injured. From your post it sounds like you've run in the past, but haven't been lately. If the D-News marathon is in the fall, have you thought about registering for the half? I'm probably going to use the St. George Half Marathon on January 30th as a training run. It's a step back week for me, so I only have 10 miles scheduled. 3 more miles won't hurt me, as long as I treat it as a long training run and not a race.
My weekly schedule is:
Monday: Rest or cross train
Tuesday: Tempo run (usually 4 miles at fairly hard effort). I use these runs to help judge my improvement. I try to run the same 4 mile route, and compare my total time, mile splits, and average heart rate to previous weeks.
Wednesday: Rest or cross train
Thursday: Easy run 4 to 8 miles at conversational pace (slow enough that I could hold a conversation with full sentences)
Friday: Rest or cross train
Saturday: Long run (started at 6 miles the first week of training, and builds to 24 miles on week 22). The mileage builds every second or third week in the last half of my schedule. Last Saturday's run was 14 miles, this Saturday is only 8 miles, and it'll jump to 16 on January 16th.
Sunday: Recovery run 4 miles. Slow recovery runs (slower than easy pace) after long runs can help speed your leg's recovery by getting blood in the muscles pumping out lactic acid, and replacing glycogen levels. The trick is you really need to do them slow enough that you are totally in the aerobic zone, and not further depleting glycogen that is used by your muscles at faster paces and longer distances. A heart rate monitor helps to determine what your proper training paces should be.
When is the Deseret News marathon?
How much running have you been doing in the last year? You really should have a good solid weekly mileage base before you start training for a marathon. If you do too much too soon you're likely to end up injured. From your post it sounds like you've run in the past, but haven't been lately. If the D-News marathon is in the fall, have you thought about registering for the half? I'm probably going to use the St. George Half Marathon on January 30th as a training run. It's a step back week for me, so I only have 10 miles scheduled. 3 more miles won't hurt me, as long as I treat it as a long training run and not a race.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
The 70.3 races look like fun, I just need to convince my brother to let me use his bike.
I use a Garmin Forerunner 305 with a heart rate monitor to record all my runs and give me distance, pace, etc data during runs. From everyone I've talked to they're quite a bit more accurate than the Nike+iPod devices.
I use a Garmin Forerunner 305 with a heart rate monitor to record all my runs and give me distance, pace, etc data during runs. From everyone I've talked to they're quite a bit more accurate than the Nike+iPod devices.
scoutabout
None
I'm obviously not into running, but I heard a lengthy discussion on a sports/talk station about this book:
"Why We Run"
http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Run-Natural-History/dp/0060958707
The premise and facts disclosed during the radio discussion were fascinating, and the book would probably be of interest to anyone who's involved or interested in distance running.
"Why We Run"
http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Run-Natural-History/dp/0060958707
The premise and facts disclosed during the radio discussion were fascinating, and the book would probably be of interest to anyone who's involved or interested in distance running.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
I just found the info in the Deseret News Marathon.
http://www.deseretnews.com/run/
Many they start that thing e-a-r-l-y in the morning to avoid the heat! The 3200 foot elevation drop would be nice! The Salt Lake City and Ogden marathons are both much flatter than that. It looks like there is no half marathon option, too bad.
http://www.deseretnews.com/run/
Many they start that thing e-a-r-l-y in the morning to avoid the heat! The 3200 foot elevation drop would be nice! The Salt Lake City and Ogden marathons are both much flatter than that. It looks like there is no half marathon option, too bad.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
Sure, but they aren't $30 either
They're under $150 now. Especially with the new 310XT and the 405 both out, the 305s are getting cheaper every day, and they're great devices.
What shoes are you wearing with your Nike+ sensor? I've heard they work best in the Nike shoes that have the "pocket" for it.
Sure, but they aren't $30 either
My wife runs.. and loves her 305 and hated the Nike thing with a passion - Otherwise I have no useful input
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
There are several good marathon books. 'Marathoning for Mortals' is really good for beginner marathoners. It includes run/walk training plans as well as running plans. Many people use a run/walk strategy (run 10 minutes, walk 2 minutes, etc) for their first marathon, especially if they have limited time to train.
As Cody mentioned, there are many good training plans available online.
Search for Jeff Galloway in google to get very good run/walk training plans. Hal Higdon has several very good training plans for all experience levels available on his web site as well.
I have some Nike Air Max 360's I got for a song, but they don't have the pocket. I just use a little velcro thing I put on my laces, and as long as it's tight it works great. I've carried my etrex GPS with me a few times and it's really close to the nike + thing, so for my purposes it's plenty accurate.
I will say that when I messed around with "calibrating" the nike + sensor it got all messed up.
I'd like to pick up some of the Nike Lunar Racer's sometime this spring. I like how light they are.
I did a couple trail races last year too that were kind of fun. They had a tri in Moab that ended up being cancelled, but it would have been killer. It was a swim in the Colorado, mtn bike ride, and a trail run. Kind of like the Xterra stuff but it wasn't actually an Xterra event.
Wow! Good info so far. I'm currently not running much (as in, every couple weeks I'll go for a 5 mile run). I'm planning on getting on a schedule, similar to what Braden's doing. I'm (at this point) in the same mindset as Cody, I don't think I WANT to give up that much time. Maybe that will change once the days start to become a little longer. I've also been working on correcting my diet, no more, or atleast much more limited, fast food and a lot more fruits and vegetables.
Looks like you found the info on the Des News Marathon, it's over the 24th of July. This is good stuff so far. I do need to get some type of heart rate monitor. I'll check out the Garmin units. My brother has the ipod one he said I can have if I want it, and my shoes all have the pocket for it already But I think I want something a bit nicer.
Looks like you found the info on the Des News Marathon, it's over the 24th of July. This is good stuff so far. I do need to get some type of heart rate monitor. I'll check out the Garmin units. My brother has the ipod one he said I can have if I want it, and my shoes all have the pocket for it already
But I think I want something a bit nicer.
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RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
I love love love my 305. I even wear it when I do treadmill runs just to record the heart rate data.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
A lot of people say they work fine once they're properly calibrated. It's great that yours works so well out of the box!
The Lunar racers are surprisingly well cushioned for as light as they are. Unfortunately I'm an overpronator so I need a stability shoe. The Lunar Racers would leave me injured. I am currently wearing Asics Gel-Kayano 15s and have been very happy with them. Since the 16s are out now I'm hoping to find another pair of 15s at a discount outlet for under $100 within the next couple months.
I am lucky enough to have a neutral foot strike, so finding shoes for me is a little easier....at least thats what the guys at SL Running Company say
You guys want to do the Ragnar this year? I'm going to start putting a team together this month. I need 12, and I probably only have about 6 right now.
You guys want to do the Ragnar this year? I'm going to start putting a team together this month. I need 12, and I probably only have about 6 right now.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
Wow! Good info so far. I'm currently not running much (as in, every couple weeks I'll go for a 5 mile run). I'm planning on getting on a schedule, similar to what Braden's doing. I'm (at this point) in the same mindset as Cody, I don't think I WANT to give up that much time. Maybe that will change once the days start to become a little longer. I've also been working on correcting my diet, no more, or atleast much more limited, fast food and a lot more fruits and vegetables.
Looks like you found the info on the Des News Marathon, it's over the 24th of July. This is good stuff so far. I do need to get some type of heart rate monitor. I'll check out the Garmin units. My brother has the ipod one he said I can have if I want it, and my shoes all have the pocket for it already
Given that you don't have any weekly mileage base to speak of currently, I think July is too soon to be talking about a full marathon. Ask the same question on any running forum and they'll tell you not to even think about a full marathon until next fall at the earliest. Many people can do it much quicker than that, but the risk of injury is very high.
There's a full and half marathon in Layton on October 9th.
http://www.laytonmarathon.com/
A full marathon in Saint George on October 2nd.
http://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/
and a full marathon in Logan on September 18th.
http://www.topofutahmarathon.com/index.php
If you're already in pretty good shape you might be able to train for any of these if you started building your base now (like today).
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
I am lucky enough to have a neutral foot strike, so finding shoes for me is a little easier....at least thats what the guys at SL Running Company say
You guys want to do the Ragnar this year? I'm going to start putting a team together this month. I need 12, and I probably only have about 6 right now.
You are lucky. I wish I were as lucky. Salt Lake Running Company is great. Those guys really know how to get you in the right shoes, and the prices are even fairly competitive.
The Logan to Park City Wasatch Back one? Sounds like fun. I might be up for it. How fast are the other 6?
If you guys are interested, there are three trail races each year in Moab. Our club has provided aid stations for them for a number of years, and they are a lot of fun. There is the Moab Alpine to Slickrock in September, that runs 50 miles through the La Sals. The Ultimate XC is in November, and that has a 10-mile, 20-mile, and 50K course that runs up Pritchett, Cliffhanger, and Moab Rim. Then there is the Red Hot 50K (also includes a 20-miler) on Feb 13th, and it uses the Metal Masher, Gold Bar /Spike / Poison Spider trails. Surgeryturtle here on RME ran the Ultimate XC 10-mile last fall (and is also running the Red Hot next month) if you want some personal feedback.
Fast enough to finish
That's the goal. If you're looking to be competitive, then I'd find other teams.I averaged a 10:00 mile in 08 when I did it, but I had no idea what to expect and didn't train nearly enough. I average between 7:45 and 8:30 miles now, and would like to say my goal will be to maintain an 8:00 per mile pace over the entire race. I know it's not fast, but it's fast enough for me.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
That wasn't my concern.Fast enough to finish
I averaged a 10:00 mile in 08 when I did it, but I had no idea what to expect and didn't train nearly enough. I average between 7:45 and 8:30 miles now, and would like to say my goal will be to maintain an 8:00 per mile pace over the entire race. I know it's not fast, but it's fast enough for me.
I don't want to be on a team where everyone is faster than I am. If you had a bunch of runners together that were going to do 6 minute miles, I'd pass.
How long are your runs at 7:45 and 8:30? Those are not slow miles, especially if you're doing a bunch of them.