A question for veteran "race" runners/n00bs-in-training

[pseudo_vegan]

How long should one run for before considering/attempting/going for a 1/2 marathon and/or marathon?

I've been running since December...I usually average about a 9-minute mile when I'm not really trying...my longest distance to date is 10-miles.

I ran 10 miles this past Saturday in 01:51:00, which put me at an 11-minute mile (even though I ran the whole time except for a 6-minute break for gel/water and stoplights) :-/

I'm not necessarily going for speed (yet) but I'm thinking if I can start moving up to the two-hour mark and beyond then...who knows?

I'm thinking of looking for a 1/2 marathon around the end of November or so; my main issue is that I'm not very good at "training". I just run. I'm disciplined (usually) enough to get out there, but not so much putting in the speedwork/intervals so... :help:

For those of your who run 1/2's and marathons, etc...how long had you been running before you did your first? Any recommendations/suggestions for my first? I'm only looking at a 1/2 right now...

Thanks in advance!

:nigel: Cheers.

[CaptainSwab]

I say sign up for the races when you feel ready. You have done a couple of 10 milers, I think you would be ready for a half defintly by November.

Don't worry about your pace for now. Increase the distance, worry about the times later.

For expereinced runners, they typcially suggest a training schdule of 14 weeks for a marathon. I ran for about a year before I ran my first marathon.

As for a schedule, well, here is a link to my running clubs schedule: http://www.lopersclub.org/clinic/miles06.htm
This schedule is desgined for new runners or people who have ran very little. As you can see, you are already above a number of weeks on there. (I do the 10-13 min/mi scedule) The weekly training is done by time and not miles. We have about a 98% completion rate of people who complete the marathon who follow this program.

If you don't like this you should go to www.runnersworld.com or www.coolrunning.com and look for training schedules.

If you have more questions then ask. Obviously I like to ramble on about running. :)

[CaptainSwab]

I feel like I could have been a little clearer in my last post...

Now, as for times, you are SUPPOSED to be slower on your long runs. The fact that you typically run 9min/miles but ran 11min/miles for your long run is normal. During a week you should run 3-4 shorter runs (I run 3 days and try to get a day of cross training in intead of more running) and then one LSD run. LSD = long slow distance, typcially done on sat or sunday for most people, just because of work schdules. Pay special attention to the slow part. Don't feel bad that you are running slower on the weekends. You need to run slower so you have more endurance for the extra milage.

When people come to our club as newbies, we ask them to run a mile. Then we tell them to sign up for a pace group that is TWO minutes per mile slower than what they ran. People can always move around as desired of course, but that is what the club reccomends.

There is a guy out there called Jeff Galloway who has written tons of books on marathon running and has lots of schedules out. He recommends that you take a schedulded walk break every so often. Note that some people don't agree with his method but I personally like it and find it easier to complete the miles. Some people run 1 mile and then walk 1 minute. Some people run 5 minutes and then walk 1 minute. It is all up to you.

[pseudo_vegan]

Thanks, Cap'n...sometimes I take a walk-break whether I want to or not :p

I will visit those sites and check out the links.

I don't feel so bad about averaging that 11-minute mile this weekend now :)

:nigel: Cheers!

[FreshTart]

I'm jealous of anyone who can run. I always hit myself.

[pseudo_vegan]

I'm jealous of anyone who can run. I always hit myself.

:confused:

Huh?

:nigel: Cheers!

[pseudo_vegan]

Captain, on your running club's schedule, when it says "at least X times" ...does that mean per day or...?

As much as I'd like to have that amount of time...I don't have three hours in the day to be running...

Maybe I am mis-reading it...arg :|

:nigel: C.

ETA: Oh wait I just read the bottom. Haha. Me lurn to reed good toodae.

BUTTTTTTT the numbers in the "Min/mile" column...what do those mean? It's not the week number I see so....erm?

[CaptainSwab]

Hehe. No, that means 3 hours during the week. doing 1 hour runs 3x per week will get those times in.

If you are running 11min/mi for your LSD runs then you want to stick with the middle column (the 10-13min/mile group). The actual numbers they have in those columns are for how many miles you want your LSD runs to be. For example, yesterday was the first day of the training clinic so you would run 1 mile for your LSD run. On 7/17 you would run 2 miles for your LSD run. Then you would want to skip to the last column where it says weekday training.

For you I would start at the 9/25/05 column since you have already done a couple of 10 milers. So on Sunday (or whenever you want to do your long run) run 10 miles. During the week, you want to get in 3 runs of a 1 hour duration.

Does that make better sense? Last year was the first time that they have every done it with different pace groups doing different milage. It is kinda weird but I dunno, it sort of works. They schedule is a bit confusing but it makes sense once you get used to it, and like I said, we have about a 98% completion rate with this schedule. :)

[remilard]

:confused:

Huh?

:nigel: Cheers!

Krista is going through one of her breast attention phases, just ignore her.

:p