It's now or never, I suppose. I've toyed with the idea for a while. I live in AL but I can't find a useful list of marathons within a two hour drive (including atlanta and all that). I need, obviously, a marathon that allows anybody in. What's a site that lists this stuff...? I know I found one in the past but google isn't helping me all that much now ;)

Any tips? I am reasonable fit but I've never run more than 4.5 miles at a time. I run 3 miles quite easily several times/week. I think that four months is the most I'd need to get to the point I can do one (though the time wouldn't be great, but I don't care).

Also, can anybody say, from experience, how this will effect my muscle? I will continue to lift weights as intensely as ever and I know I'll need enough calories to supply everything. I don't care if I don't put much mass on, but will this be irresistably catabolic? It's not like I'm massively built to begin with, but what I do have I have worked hard for over a long period of time :) I think it should be fine, but I had to check!

Skoorb, have you tried a search engine (http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/1,5032,s6-75-0-0-0,00.html) like, for example, the one in runner's world website? You just enter the city, the distance, and you get a list of races available.

You should be fine as long as you keep your body well nourished. Take carbs with you for the long runs. Avoid running on an empty stomach. I overtrained for my marathon back in April and still didn't lose muscle. Keep the lifting up and hard. And, if you forget everything else, remember this: DON'T CUT WHILE TRAINING FOR A MARATHON. But I guess you knew that.

Try Hal Higdon (http://www.halhigdon.com/) for training tips and enjoy the experience.

Final note: never, ever, underestimate the marathon until you cross the finish line.

Good luck.

It's now or never, I suppose. I've toyed with the idea for a while. I live in AL but I can't find a useful list of marathons within a two hour drive (including atlanta and all that). I need, obviously, a marathon that allows anybody in. What's a site that lists this stuff...? I know I found one in the past but google isn't helping me all that much now ;)

Any tips? I am reasonable fit but I've never run more than 4.5 miles at a time. I run 3 miles quite easily several times/week. I think that four months is the most I'd need to get to the point I can do one (though the time wouldn't be great, but I don't care).

Also, can anybody say, from experience, how this will effect my muscle? I will continue to lift weights as intensely as ever and I know I'll need enough calories to supply everything. I don't care if I don't put much mass on, but will this be irresistably catabolic? It's not like I'm massively built to begin with, but what I do have I have worked hard for over a long period of time :) I think it should be fine, but I had to check!

DON'T CUT WHILE TRAINING FOR A MARATHON. But I guess you knew that. What? I was hoping to use this as icing on the cake for getting my BF low ;) Actually I'd like to lose about 2% more bodyfat and then leave it there "indefinitely", so I'm not really going to be dieting hard or anything. Thanks for runnersworld link. It's just what I wanted. I'm dismayed to find that a lot of runners (most) in these marathons have "good" times. I was thinking if I can do this in five hours I'll be good but that will put me in the low 10% for the ones I've looked at (about 1000 people each). I guess I could aim for a 4.5 hour time and the only be bottom 20% :D

I'll check that other site out.

When I plan on going, around december or so of this year (there are two marathons and I think I'll pick one), it should be decently cool outside so that's going to be of immeasurable help.

QUESTION: Do most people listen to music? I can't run without it but I see a lot of people in pictures without it. Do only newbies use music to run with? I'd DIE doing 5 hours cardio without my tunes.

My sister and my dad have both run marathons (I'm smarter than that ;)!) and yes they listened to music, and in my dad's case even a book on tape.

Check out www.slickdeals.net and see if you can find a free subscription to Runners World. I had a subscription to that magazine I got from that site for free, and not only is it fun to read with some really cool articles..but it has very large directories of fun runs, mini-marathons, 5k's, and full marathons in every issue. It also has a section that breaks down one marathon in each issue and has a fold out that shows the map of the course set and all kinds of cool tips! Additionally it will help you to prepare and even give you some great advice on diet.

I just checked it out and the Runners World free subscription JUST ran out...but I bet if you check that site a few times in the next week there will be a link to another one...

I used to get FHM, Maxim, Stuff, Rolling Stone, Runners World, and some others for FREE (no catch, totally free 1 and 2 year subscriptions..makes great gifts too ;))!

QUESTION: Do most people listen to music? I can't run without it but I see a lot of people in pictures without it. Do only newbies use music to run with? I'd DIE doing 5 hours cardio without my tunes.

You don't wanna miss the amazing fun of the marathon by covering your ears with ANYTHING. I train with music. All the time. Yet I haven't run a race with my headphones on. Believe me, you will not get bored. The public is there supporting you, you will make friends along the way... Heck! You may also hear your name all the way long if you print it on your shirt.

A marathon is a lifetime experience and I don't understand why people want to get distracted from it. But that's just me. I imagine if people listen to music, they have their reasons. It's just beyond my understanding but some other might as well wonder why on earth do I train with my headphones on.

Little note: don't get stressed with times. Focuse on finishing. I wanted a sub 3:30 marathon and I almost left it in an ambulance. My final time: 4h 46. Again, never underestimate the marathon.

:tu:

You don't wanna miss the amazing fun of the marathon by covering your ears with ANYTHING. I train with music. All the time. Yet I haven't run a race with my headphones on. Believe me, you will not get bored. The public is there supporting you, you will make friends along the way... Heck! You may also hear your name all the way long if you print it on your shirt.

A marathon is a lifetime experience and I don't understand why people want to get distracted from it. But that's just me. I imagine if people listen to music, they have their reasons. It's just beyond my understanding but some other might as well wonder why on earth do I train with my headphones on.

Little note: don't get stressed with times. Focuse on finishing. I wanted a sub 3:30 marathon and I almost left it in an ambulance. My final time: 4h 46. Again, never underestimate the marathon.

:tu:I'll get some other input on that about music. I find it an inherently boring activity which is why I use music (and probably you, too, for training). I can understand that the fun of the race would preclude the need for music at least for a while but after four-5 hours I don't know!

Does anybody know of a SMALL sling bag to put over my back for my discman? I prefer it to the tiny MP3 players (namely because I already own it...it does play mp3s, btw).

Why did you expect a 3.30 time? Had you trained for that and done up to 20 miles on that kind of a pace...? I just want to know if something funny went on the last 6 miles ;) I'm narrowing this down to probably Dec 10 in Huntsville, AL. I'll be in the bottom 50-100, probably, but oh well. Maybe I can do a lot better.

Why did you expect a 3.30 time? Had you trained for that and done up to 20 miles on that kind of a pace...? I just want to know if something funny went on the last 6 miles ;) I'm narrowing this down to probably Dec 10 in Huntsville, AL. I'll be in the bottom 50-100, probably, but oh well. Maybe I can do a lot better.

I did train for a 3:30.

I did a couple of 20 milers at the right pace (plus many other long runs ~20 miles at slower pace). Didn't seem to be a problem, but one month before the marathon I killed my right hip.

I still ran the race thinking about doing sub 4 hours. First half went Ok, 2 hours sharp. Then, around mile 14, I couldn't run normally anymore. The rest was a nightmare, but the sweetest nighmare ever (thinking about it afterwards, of course). I don't know if you've read that during the last few hundred meters of a marathon heaven opens and a chorus of blonde angels fly down singing merry tunes by your side with the sweetest voice.

Well... That's absolutely true.

I did train for a 3:30.

I did a couple of 20 milers at the right pace (plus many other long runs ~20 miles at slower pace). Didn't seem to be a problem, but one month before the marathon I killed my right hip.

I still ran the race thinking about doing sub 4 hours. First half went Ok, 2 hours sharp. Then, around mile 14, I couldn't run normally anymore. The rest was a nightmare, but the sweetest nighmare ever (thinking about it afterwards, of course). I don't know if you've read that during the last few hundred meters of a marathon heaven opens and a chorus of blonde angels fly down singing merry tunes by your side with the sweetest voice.

Well... That's absolutely true.Ah, that woulid explain it. I'd be unsure at that point as to whether I should continue or stop, because it sounds like you could really bugger a bodypart by powering through the pain like that :db:

I suppose after a couple of weeks in to the 18 week program I'll nail down a time and try it as my best guess for a pace.

Also, can anybody say, from experience, how this will effect my muscle? I will continue to lift weights as intensely as ever and I know I'll need enough calories to supply everything. I don't care if I don't put much mass on, but will this be irresistably catabolic? It's not like I'm massively built to begin with, but what I do have I have worked hard for over a long period of time :) I think it should be fine, but I had to check!

I haven't done a marathon but often did 10 mile training runs with my team. We also did the Philly half-marathon as a longer training run. I did it in 1:32.11. A hard effort but not really racing. I worry about you doing a marathon because I've seen your posts regarding calories. You really need to fuel your body if you're going to be doing endurance training. Bodyfat and weight should be a secondary issue and really should work themselves out fine though a clean, healthy diet and training properly. You should NOT consistently be at a low-grade hunger. It is hard to maintain as much muscle during high endurance training as you would otherwise even if eating properly and lifting. Unless you fuel your body properly it will undoubtedly be irresistably catabolic.

I haven't done a marathon but often did 10 mile training runs with my team. We also did the Philly half-marathon as a longer training run. I did it in 1:32.11. A hard effort but not really racing. I worry about you doing a marathon because I've seen your posts regarding calories. You really need to fuel your body if you're going to be doing endurance training. Bodyfat and weight should be a secondary issue and really should work themselves out fine though a clean, healthy diet and training properly. You should NOT consistently be at a low-grade hunger. It is hard to maintain as much muscle during high endurance training as you would otherwise even if eating properly and lifting. Unless you fuel your body properly it will undoubtedly be irresistably catabolic.I will definitely increase calories while doing this. If I'm on 2100 calories/day now I know that I can't do a 10 mile run one day and leave them in the same state.

The low-grade hunger isn't something I'll keep while training for this, but at other times it does work. It's allowed me to reach a low bodyfat while slightly increasing strength (though that increase subsequently waned and then turned into a mild loss, but that's inevitable when bodyfat gets too low). That approach won't be applicable here, however.

I did a long multi-hour stint of cardio once while cutting and on low calories and at the end of it I was puking and in the fetal position so I'll try to avoid that :tu:

I will definitely increase calories while doing this. If I'm on 2100 calories/day now I know that I can't do a 10 mile run one day and leave them in the same state.

The low-grade hunger isn't something I'll keep while training for this, but at other times it does work. It's allowed me to reach a low bodyfat while slightly increasing strength (though that increase subsequently waned and then turned into a mild loss, but that's inevitable when bodyfat gets too low). That approach won't be applicable here, however.

I did a long multi-hour stint of cardio once while cutting and on low calories and at the end of it I was puking and in the fetal position so I'll try to avoid that :tu:

Sounds good. Just so long as you realize that endurance training for performance training is a very different proposition than what you may think is optimal for your body composition goals. A marathon's a great thing to to. Good luck!

Sounds good. Just so long as you realize that endurance training for performance training is a very different proposition than what you may think is optimal for your body composition goals. A marathon's a great thing to to. Good luck!It will be weird to get used to. I think that I'll be starting on Aug 7, so that I have 18 weeks to day, and in the next two weeks I'll continue to cut as I have been, which will put me within a percent or so of my final goals anyway. Then I'll ramp up calories accordingly and see how it works...I'll be able to start off slow enough that I can evaluate before things get too hairy! I know that most runners are good and thin so that's not a problem. I know most are very skinny (no muscle), but with weights I should be able to help that.

OK, well that went well. I ran the www.runrocketcity.com marathon on December 10th and got a time of 3:52:54, which was about three min faster than my goal. I'd aimed for a sub four originally and then recalibrated my pace just before the race so that the person I was running it at could get a PR (personal record) and I figured 5 seconds/mile wasn't going to make a big diff.

I followed the Intermediate I plan from halhigdon.com. I suppose I only qualified for the novice, but the I I went well. I did about 90% of the miles, those 10% only skipped because I felt I needed additional time to rest, but never skipped out of laziness.

As mentioned elsewhere, my bodyweight remained fairly constant, going up a couple of lbs to high 170's. I ate 3800 calories/day average and averaged 30 miles/week over the 18 weeks, with the miles starting at 24 mpw and peaking at 42-43 mpw. Body strength stayed pretty well the same or perhaps grew a small bit upper body. Not sure on upper body, but my calves have definitely grown a little bit.

If I could offer advice to somebody wanting to do this it would be to run for several months before starting the marathon training. I'd been doing my 10-12 miles/week but only for about 4 months and jumping quickly up to 24 mpw was hard on my body, particularly my knees (which have finally adjusted but it took longer than it should have). BUILD A GOOD MILEAGE BASE BEFORE STARTING ON A MARATHON PROGRAM. I read about people weighing 220 and what not and who don't run and want to run one in 18 weeks and I'm thinking "That's going to $*#(ing hurt at mile 23!"--if they can even get to the marathon without being beaten the hell up.

The day went well. The first 20 miles went by reasonably effortlessly and just slowly got harder as I got to the end. I was looking forward to eating at the end, but never felt like I was on the virge of dropping to a walk, unlike the few dozen people I passed in the last two miles who did exactly that.

It was one of the more interesting experiences from my life because I set a goal four months out, found a good plan, and executed it almost flawlessly. Everything fell into place. There were times I worried about the ability of my body to handle the training (just my knees), but like I said they've actually gotten better.

So will I run one again? Hell yeah. I'm already choosing other races to run and hoping to repeat this in February, but with a better time. I'm also considering a 50k trail run in March, plus I'll sprinkle a 5k or two in before the season ends in march/april, when things get hot.

During this 18 weeks, running quickly changed from a chore to something I enjoyed doing. Not only is it shocking how quickly one gets to the point where a 10 mile run is nothing particularly meaningful (and 3 miles is so short I can't even remember for sure if I did it), but it's nice to see progress. Running fits into my life and scheduling needs perfectly. I also found that with the 5k run I did in October, I think I have a real shot at some semi-decent placing in local 5k runs. The first one I did, two months into the training, I got top 10% and it was quite a surprise seeing all these hundreds of people and me fitter than most of them, even though I'd only been at this seriously for two months. I will never place in a marathon, but I'd like to lower my marathon time just for my own personal sake, but I think I am close to winning some half-assed trophies in 5ks and will be starting some speed work next week.

A lot of people want to "do a marathon" and it's how a lot of people do one and then it's a grueling, painful experience, and they never run one again--or maybe never run again. I think seeing it as something you can "do once" is probably not the best way to see it. The training will be a grind and running 26.2 miles to put a notch on your belt (though that's at least in small part why we all do it and if we deny it, we're lying!) is going to sour the experience for you a little. I guess I'm glad that it turned into something enjoyable so quickly. I'll continue to do weights, of course, but they've been a chore to me for almost a decade. I want to keep my fairly respectable bench and also get a highly respectable running speed. That's my goal now :)

CONGRATULATIONS!

I don't know how I missed this post. Welcome to the 26.2 fraternity.

That's a GREAT time for a first marathon. You should be able to get it down to 3:30ish by the spring. That would probably qualify you for Boston (not sure of your age).

You are correct. There are a lot of people who have no business running a marathon, and there are a lot of people who run one and then never run again. But if you enjoy running, then it's a truly wonderful experience... and one you'll do for as long as you are able.

CONGRATULATIONS!

I don't know how I missed this post. Welcome to the 26.2 fraternity.

That's a GREAT time for a first marathon. You should be able to get it down to 3:30ish by the spring. That would probably qualify you for Boston (not sure of your age).

You are correct. There are a lot of people who have no business running a marathon, and there are a lot of people who run one and then never run again. But if you enjoy running, then it's a truly wonderful experience... and one you'll do for as long as you are able.Thanks!

Unfortunately, getting to Boston for me is a 3:10, which is a world away at this point! To get 3:10 in a marathon, which is barely more than an hour behind the world record, you've got to be bad-ass fit. I'm fit now, but nowhere near bad-ass crazy "Look at me run 15 miles and not even break a sweat"-fit :)

I've done a few runs in the past week (I took 5-6 days off entirely) and they felt good. Man, I can't believe how good I feel; my joints/knees/everything haven't felt this good since before I started the training, truly. I'm just doing my best to keep the miles down so that I can properly do the reverse-taper without introducing an injury but I've already got all my other runs planned out and the next few races.

I know a lot of people see the marathon as the end-point and when it comes they just take a physical and mental break, but for a long time I'd seen it as just a necessary hurdle so that I could do other races and get my marathon time down, so I've not missed at beat and I don't feel burnt out or anything. It helps a lot that somebody from work is just as into it as I am so we're both able to flow off each other's motivations :)