How long did it take you? (Read 1411 times)

I've been running for 20 years and still haven't run one (although I once got lost on a training run and ran nearly 22 miles). Years ago, I saw that Carlos Lopes of Portugal won the '84 Olympic marathon and set the marathon world record in '85 at age 37-38. This convinced me that I had many good years of long distance running ahead of me. Now that I'm 37, I'm considering a marathon late this year or next. Or whenever. Your question is a good one. A lot of people rush into doing the marathon, so whatever your choice is be sure you're ready. The ideal time different for every person, but no matter what, be sure that you respect the distance. Train for it, and train well. A marathon is not to be done lightly, especially by a new runner. Build up slowly, and do it when you feel ready. In the meantime, get that first 5k under your belt, run some more 5ks, try some 10ks, 15ks, and half-marathons. You may find you really like a particular distance more than others. When in peak shape, I'm best suited for 800m~1mi races, but you don't see many of those, so I focus mainly on 5k and 10k races. Run easy, build up slowly, and go from there.

18 months. i wish i'd waited a lot longer got faster at the shorter distances and built some serious base. there might have been a chance of me enjoying it instead of hating pretty much every second of both the long runs and the race. i very nearly quit running entirely after that experience. however, i do understand the pull to run further and further.

how long from the time you started running, till your first marathon?

Technically, 8 years. Realistically, 12-15 years. I started running as a youngin', but my first team was in 1992. I ran my first marathon during my junior year of college, and ran my second marathon about 3 years after that. Now I run 2 or 3 marathons or longer per year on average. My general recommendation is to not even consider running one until you've been running for a year or two. I acknowledge that it's possible to run a marathon 6 or 9 months after you start running, but I just don't recommend doing that sort of thing.

Almost exactly 2 years of serious running. Before that I would run on a treadmill once or twice a week but never really got over 3 miles. If all goes as planned I'll be finishing my 4th marathon right around my 3rd anniversary of starting to run.

I've been running only for a couple months now. I've always wanted to run a marathon, but never really gave it a lot of thought. A marathon is my long term goal for now. I know I have a looooong way to go, and I'm starting with my first 5k next month. I'm not going to go from a 5k to marathon either. I've already been looking at other longer races for future reference. Now I know it isn't the same for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that, but my question is: how long from the time you started running, till your first marathon? Just curious.

I'm been moving my legs recreation since about 2002, and I don't really think I was running much till 2006. Nov 2006, I ran my first race a 10K, about a year and 3 months later I ran a Marathon... well ran/walked it.

10 weeks (couch to running). I figured if the running plan suggested I run 18 miles or so at week 10, I might as well sign-up for a race and get some water support (I didn't really realize the disparity between 18 and 26 miles) I ran my 2nd marathon this yr and am hoping for more.

Started running this time 'round-Feb. '06 First marathon- Oct. '06 I had let myself get to the point where my previous running experience meant nothing. I was just a seasonal runner before then any way so no biggie.

If I run one this year, it will be either Huntsville's Rocket City in December, or The Monkey if I'm feeling really crazy stupid well-trained.

You need to go this year. Because I will be there. And I will be sad if Trebek is not.