Running A Marathon

[Patriots' Fan]

I am training to run in the NYC Marathon 2007. Mostly because I still have 8E to study for in November so I figure I'll train myself slowly and comfortably up to that level. But this is the first time I'll be running for a marathon, even though I have friends who have done it, as well as triathlons and ironmans. I was wondering if anyone who has done a marathon here could share some of the resources or wisdom here. I'm not even sure which would be the best web site resource, with programs and tips on food, building up the endurance or injury prevention information. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Real American Hero]

Hal Higdon has some pretty useful stuff. Used it for my first.

[Patriots' Fan]

Awesome. You're not the first one who's told me this site before...

Thanks!

[tommie frazier]

galloway has a few plans on runners world too.

[lipman]

My one piece of advice, have a backup marathon ready to roll in case you don't get into NYC - 07. It would suck to do a bunch of training, get your hopes up, then not make it into the race and have to scramble. San Fransisco would be a good replacement.

[Patriots' Fan]

I'd be automatically enrolled since I've got a 2-year membership at the New York Road Runners Club and plan to run 9+ races this year (4 this month).

But I also HAVE thought of running another one, such as the one in San Fran, when is it, by the way? And when is the Chicago one?

[Cohete009]

Originally Posted by Patriots' Fan

And when is the Chicago one?

Usually second Sunday in October.

Cohete is thinking of running it this Fall.

[Patriots' Fan]

Cool! You can tell me all about it!

Now I'm also doing all kinds of other stuff meanwhile to get myself in a great shape. A week I did a strenuous 14-mile hike, this week I'm flying to Colorado to ski. Two races next weekend, and another after. My question is, how fast normally do marathoners run per mile? It seems to me I may have the endurance alright, but not sure about the speed.... But I'm hoping marathoners don't run that fast (naturally, to last that long).... I know someone who's run in 2.5 hour or so, and that's supposed to be awesome fast no?

[Real American Hero]

Originally Posted by Patriots' Fan

My question is, how fast normally do marathoners run per mile? It seems to me I may have the endurance alright, but not sure about the speed.... But I'm hoping marathoners don't run that fast (naturally, to last that long).... I know someone who's run in 2.5 hour or so, and that's supposed to be awesome fast no?

Speed is all over the map. The elite guys are just over 5 min/mile. 2 1/2 hours is fast, especially if one is holding down a job.

26 miles is a long f-in' way. Take it easy and enjoy the experience; don't worry about your time. Once you can say "I can do this!" then you can worry about your time.

[egg]

Originally Posted by Patriots' Fan

Cool! You can tell me all about it!

Now I'm also doing all kinds of other stuff meanwhile to get myself in a great shape. A week I did a strenuous 14-mile hike, this week I'm flying to Colorado to ski. Two races next weekend, and another after. My question is, how fast normally do marathoners run per mile? It seems to me I may have the endurance alright, but not sure about the speed.... But I'm hoping marathoners don't run that fast (naturally, to last that long).... I know someone who's run in 2.5 hour or so, and that's supposed to be awesome fast no?

A 2:30 marathon is very good. Olympic Qualifying is just under that at around 2:22 or so. Boston qualifying for <35 yo male is 3:10:59, less than 10% run that fast. Most people shoot for the nice round number that is 4 hours (especially on a first marathon) - that is slightly over 9 minute miles.

Have you run a 5K, 10K or half marathon? [Just trying to gauge what kind of speed you have to give you a rough idea of what you can run for a marathon]