New To Marathoning (Read 826 times)

Sounds like you are on your way. I hesitate to recommend "a" plan because there are so many and different people have different experience with them. So, check a bunch out, see what fits best. If I were you, I'd probably want to race some longer distances to gauge yourself. Like a half-marathon in, say, August. I've run 5 marathons and probably averaged about 45-50 a week. I'd think 80 is perhaps more than needed, esp. for a first. Perhaps consider your first an intelligence gathering mission.

Dang. That's a lot of running. I guess that's why I never did well on XC. Stay injury free and good luck!

Just some random thoughts for you. A couple of things I've learned after 20 marathons. First - your 10K time predicts about a 2:57 marathon. However--this is just a rough 'guesstimate'.The longer your runs, the easier it is to predict your finishing time in a marathon. If you can maintain your 7:10 training pace for the distance, you'd run a 3:08 marathon. Second - You have got to respect the distance when it comes to a marathon. The worst thing you can do is go out too fast. You'll want to. You really will. If you do, you'll pay for it at about mile 20. Think of it as a 20 mile training run followed by a 10K race. Or: slow, slow, slow, slow, fast! Third - Try and run a negative split. Fourth - You cannot 'bank' minutes. Don't even try. Fifth - The quality of your training runs count as much, if not more, than the quantity of your runs. I've run a 3:20 on only 40-45 miles per week (at age 55). Certainly, your 80mpw should yield a good time for you. I am a big believer in running hills (not hill repeats, necessarily, just making sure your runs have hills in them). Sixth - If you can, throw in some 5 & 10K races as part of your training. They really help with your overall speed/wind in a marathon. If you can find a HM to run, run it. You always run faster in race conditions than when training. Seventh - Whatever training plan you end up using, DO NOT skip the long runs. If you do, you'll pay for it. The marathon is a "pay me now, or pay me later" event. Paying later just costs more. Eighth - The taper will drive you crazy. You'll feel as if you are losing all the training you put in. You'll feel aches and pains you didn't feel before. You'll worry about a lot of things. It's all normal. Ninth - Get a good nights sleep two nights before the marathon. You won't get the night before. Well, just a few thoughts. Good luck with the training and race. Love to hear how it went.

Thanks to everyone! I'm going to put all of this into practice as best as I can. Good luck to all of you in your upcoming races!