Marathon hopes

andreoilin

Hi everyone

Both my parents ran the DCM today and it's inspired me! I would love to get myself into a position where this would be possible for me.

Some background: I'm 25, 75kg (this might be relevant?), and haven't made any real effort at running since an athletics club in my teens.

I have absolutely no idea where/how to start. Help?

walshb

andreoilin wrote: »

I have absolutely no idea where/how to start. Help?

Parents?

RasTa

C25K is where it usually begins.

Swashbuckler

andreoilin wrote:

I have absolutely no idea where/how to start. Help?

It does seem like you have people who can give you some great advice very close to home.

RayCun

RasTa wrote: »

C25K is where it usually begins.

Exactly, learn to run 5k, then learn to run 10k, then learn to run a half, then learn to run a marathon.
Don't rush that last step though, you are better off building up a base of running before starting marathon training, it reduces your chance of injury.

Testosterscone

andreoilin wrote: »

Hi everyone

Both my parents ran the DCM today and it's inspired me! I would love to get myself into a position where this would be possible for me.

Some background: I'm 25, 75kg (this might be relevant?), and haven't made any real effort at running since an athletics club in my teens.

I have absolutely no idea where/how to start. Help?

Would you consider going back to your previous club or another if not suitable anymore?

Many start out with C25K but my own personal opinion is that while this can be good for linear progression it misses many elements which mean that 2-3 months down the line you won't make the benefits you should be making for the effort you are putting in.

a148pro

Start tomorrow. Go for a light jog. Next weekend go to a specialist store that will match a pair of runners to your gait. Buy a few pairs of good running shorts, socks, t-shirts and one or two long sleeves and water and wind resistant technical top. Maybe buy those progressively to keep you interested.

Then if you want to do it yourself just gradually add to your distance. Run tomorrow until you want to stop, maybe about 1 or 2 k. Then progressively add to that over time. Google a couch to 5k plan, google a 10k training plan, google a half marathon plan and google a marathon plan. You've plenty of time to do next years Dublin race.

Or join a club

andreoilin

Thanks for all the replies! Very excited to give this a proper go.

stampydmonkey

andreoilin wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies! Very excited to give this a proper go.

As said above...start small... Build up in your own time... Dream Big and stay with it. You will get there but most importantly..take your time! If you commit you'll be surprised how far you can go!

andreoilin

Made a start tonight. Didn't go out with any real plan, just wanted to see where I'm at. Ran just under 1km and needed to stop - burning sensation in my chest was too much. Think I'll go back at it again tomorrow and start with the C25K plan. It's hard to imagine that I might find this enjoyable sometime in the future!

Phoebas

andreoilin wrote: »

Made a start tonight. Didn't go out with any real plan, just wanted to see where I'm at. Ran just under 1km and needed to stop - burning sensation in my chest was too much. Think I'll go back at it again tomorrow and start with the C25K plan. It's hard to imagine that I might find this enjoyable sometime in the future!

You're probably running that 1k way too fast.
Follow the C25K and at the end of it you'll be able to run 5k and you'll know if you're going to find it enjoyable.

Burgman

You mentioned your weight, but not your height. If you are not fairly tall, you should also look at what you eat and drink. You don't have go mad but if you improve your eating habits and train using a C25K plan, you would probably see rapid improvement in the distance and pace that you run. But don't expect overnight success either. You can make steady improvements over a few months.

andreoilin

Started the C25K plan today. Slowed down my pace a bit from last night and although I was still struggling badly at the beginning I began to find it a good bit easier on the last two run minutes. I guess just stick with it!

jameshayes

andreoilin wrote: »

Started the C25K plan today. Slowed down my pace a bit from last night and although I was still struggling badly at the beginning I began to find it a good bit easier on the last two run minutes. I guess just stick with it!

slow slow slow - speed has no relevance just yet.. slower = better

well done - you're currently on a 2 day running streak!

andreoilin

jameshayes wrote: »

slow slow slow - speed has no relevance just yet.. slower = better

well done - you're currently on a 2 day running streak!

Thanks!

I'm working 8-8 the next three days, and could fit my next one in after one of these shifts but would obviously be very tired after work. Is three days too long a gap to leave between them?

robinph

andreoilin wrote: »

Thanks!

I'm working 8-8 the next three days, and could fit my next one in after one of these shifts but would obviously be very tired after work. Is three days too long a gap to leave between them?

Not too long to leave between sessions. What you need to watch out for at this stage though is that it doesn't become 4 days, or 5 days, or 6 days etc as before you know it you'll have forgotten about your enthusiasm and found something else to watch on telly or be making excuses about it being cold or wet or dark outside.

andreoilin

robinph wrote: »

Not too long to leave between sessions. What you need to watch out for at this stage though is that it doesn't become 4 days, or 5 days, or 6 days etc as before you know it you'll have forgotten about your enthusiasm and found something else to watch on telly or be making excuses about it being cold or wet or dark outside.

Yeah, sounds like me! Very determined though. I'm more worried that if I left that long in between them I'd find it as hard as the first one.

andreoilin

Finally got out for my second run of week 1 (have been working the last three days). I was worried that the gap between this and my first run would put me back to square one but amazingly I am finding it so much easier already.

Kept a nice pace and my breathing felt controlled throughout. Only thing that put a dampener on it was my right ankle and knee acting up about half way through. Tightening sensation and pain every time my foot hit the ground. I warmed up plenty so maybe it's my footwear or style of running that's causing the issue?

Anyway, feeling very positive about the whole thing right now and already looking forward to my run tomorrow