Marathons etc

leedeetee · 25 Oct 2010, 21:41

Marathons ... (and I' don't mean the chocolate bars, now known as Snickers!).

Has anyone ever run one?

I ahve just turned 30 and have got an overwhelming urge to do something like a marathon. I am also overwieght and am desperate to shed a good few stones, so I think these two aims could complement each other very nicely.

I found what seems to be an excellent 24 week training plan which I would need to start in December in order to enter the Edinburgh one.

Thoughts?

Rich O Brien · 25 Oct 2010, 22:04

Go for it. I'm sure you'll get some support here!

Post your progress to keep us informed.

I ran a half marathon 6 years ago after quitting smoking. Great for morale. Back smoking again though

dermotcoll · 25 Oct 2010, 22:57

In September 2008 at 18 st, I decided to do something about it. I began walk-running, dieting and rowing. I have a badly injured leg form a hurling injury a few years back and I let myself go to the dogs. After a few weeks I was running 5-6 miles non stop and decided to run the Belfast marathon in 2009. I trained hard, did a 5mile race on boxing day with my wife (an ex international cross country runner) along with 3000 other hardy fools and was getting into great shape. I did a half marathon in March the following year and got up to 22 miles and was tapering down three weeks before the marathon when I badly damaged my hip and ended up not being able to do the marathon.

I never enjoyed training for something so much and would love to get back at it but have been told to forget the long distance stuff - osteo arthritis in the hips wont allow it. I would encourage anyone to take running up and go slowly at it to start with and find a pace you are comfortable at - and good luck with injuries - you will get a few - but if you get good shoes and build yourself up with sensible goals you will finish your marathon - I recommend " The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer" by Whitsett, Dolgener & Kole, an excellent source of tips and tricks.

hvanessen · 26 Oct 2010, 06:09

I have run more than 30 marathon's in my live (Apeldoorn, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Londen, New york) and it is great fun.
But when you wan't to achieve that you must exercise and start on the bottom. First run a half marathon or less and than go further to the whole marathon.

I am now an ultra walker, i ran for 24 hours without any delay and to achieved the highest amount off meters.

But think on 1 thing it must be pleasure !!

leedeetee · 26 Oct 2010, 06:59

Thanks a lot for the input, guys. Really apreciate it, and you know what, I think I'm going to do it!!!

I've done a couple of 10ks in my time which I actually really enjoyed, so think I would enjoy this too, in a sadistic sort of way.

Dermot, did you lose any weight as part of your running regime? I'm 19st as it stands and although I'm a big lad (6'3" and very broad) it's not good for me. I know runnign alone won't help me lose and I will have to eat sensibly and healthily too.

I think a mini-blog on here would be great way to keep motivated too!

leedeetee · 26 Oct 2010, 07:00

P.s. Thanks for the book tip, just checked it out on amazon and looks a great source of reference.

dermotcoll · 26 Oct 2010, 17:25

Leedeetee - I lost about three stone in weight and alot of inches around the waist. Felt fantastic. Take it slowly - start run walking iniytially (30 secs running,90 secs walking 3 for 20 mins 3 times a week). There are loads of schedule you can follow - check out runners world site for great beginners advice. Running coupled with Slimming World will get you back into a very healthy lifestyle - brilliantly simple!

leedeetee · 26 Oct 2010, 19:24

Brilliant stuff, thanks for the advice dermot, my wife swears by Weight Watchers so will do my running accompanied by that.

Looking forward to starting.

jeff hammond · 26 Oct 2010, 19:44

I've never run one but a giant marathon goes by my stoop once a year. Pretty cool seeing a gazillion people run by.
Do it.

Rich O Brien · 26 Oct 2010, 19:49

@leedeetee said:

my wife swears by Weight Watchers

I swear at Weight Watchers too

dermotcoll · 26 Oct 2010, 21:38

Feck away off ye skinny git!!

leedeetee · 28 Oct 2010, 10:31

Well I've just signed up for the Edinburgh marathon.

I feel as though I could vomit.

dermotcoll · 28 Oct 2010, 22:15

I Look forward to hearing stories of your training exploits on here. Good Luck.

P.S. My friend just completed the Dublin marathon in 5hr 10mins - he had hoped to do a sub 4 hr but his legs packed in at the half way point and he just about made it home. Anyone who finishes a marathon deserves tremendous credit as it is a huge achievement.

leedeetee · 29 Oct 2010, 07:56

Thanks for the support Dermot. Appreciate it.

I'm going to try for a sub 4.30. I've got a 16 week plan from Runners World which i'm going to pick up in January, so that leaves me until then to get running comfortably for 30 mins, 4 times a week, which is the pre-requisite for the plan.

Anyway, thanks again. Will keep you updated.

leedeetee · 9 Jan 2011, 09:04

Well, I've started training for the marathon!

I am using the excellent book that dermot kindly suggested (http://tinyurl.com/3yas9sg) and am sticking to that religiously. Although I am still in pre-training and working up to running 30 mins, 4 times a week comfortably, it's going really well and should achieve this no problems in time for the training proper to begin on 30th of Jan.

I have got myself kitted out with some proper gear too, If people didn't know what to get me for xmas, I asked for vouchers for the local running shop. This enabled me to get some lovely running shoes perfectly suited to my feet. It was a great service, they measured my feet and videod me running on the treadmill so they could see exactly what was going on.

I have also invested in allsportgps for my blackberry, It's a fantastic little tool which tracks my run via gps, then auto-uploads to my online account, giving me a whole host of stats and so I can have a record of every run I've done. It's really great and will be good for the longer distances.

Anyway, thats enough for now, I've got a run I need to be going on .....

honoluludesktop · 9 Jan 2011, 12:48

Ran one in my late 30s. Stretch a lot, and toughen your feet. During the race, remember that walking to finish is better then quiting, and carry a tube of lubrication to put into your shoe just in case your feet can't take it.

dermotcoll · 10 Jan 2011, 12:44

As they say over here Lee - "Keep 'er Lit!!" Look forward to seeing the miles get bigger and the times getting smaller. You will have a real sense of achievement after each long run. Good Luck.

leedeetee · 10 Jan 2011, 12:57

@dermotcoll said:

As they say over here Lee - "Keep 'er Lit!!"

I had to google what that meant, but I like it! Thanks for the luck.

leedeetee · 20 Feb 2011, 15:35

This morning I ran for the longest and farthest I have ever run, in the world, all in one go, EVER! 7.1 miles. Result.

dermotcoll · 25 Feb 2011, 00:01

Good man Lee. Well done. The next milestone will be 10 miles - that is worth celebrating!! Keep us posted.