Am I Underestimating the Marathon?

What a turd.

Sure, plenty of hobby joggers "finish" marathons, but most don't race it all out. Racing marathons and finishing marathons are two completely different things.

Judging by your current times you definitely have the fitness to run a decent marathon, though your lack of long run experience will probably bite you in the ass pretty hard when you reach mile 20 if you didn't pace well.

Just run your own race, keep a strict reign on your pace for the first half, then start upping the tempo to negative split. I wouldn't recommend sticking with BF, because chances are your egos will up the pace too much and you'll blow up too early, although that may not be an issue given your half time.

There is no way you ran a 1:14 half with long runs of only 13 miles...

ekw wrote:

There is no way you ran a 1:14 half with long runs of only 13 miles...

...and why the hell not? I've done the same thing.

Not sure why I would lie about my times . . . .

But I think not pacing with the BF is a good idea, and I'm definitely planning on holding back the first 15 miles - at least trying to. Thanks for the advice!

HAHA to the guy saying you can't run 1:14 off a 13 mile long run... you're a wack job. I had PBs of 15:00, 32:30 and 1:12:45 off a 13 mile long run ... I'd typically run my long run around 1:24 or so ... it's not that hard really

i broke 3 hours in the marathon with less mileage, no racing, and hardly any runs above 10 miles.

i'd say with a 1:14 it should cake...really really easy unless you try to break 2:40.

plus, if your goal is to not let him beat you, then run with him for ~15 miles to mitigate risk of dying, then blast him the last 11.

You are underestimating for your potential, but you are a talented runner.

1:14 current half? Double it and add 30 minutes for your lousy training. You are at 2:58 for the marathon. Try for a few longer long runs and you are there. Easy. Post your result.

Couple years ago I was running 16/34's like you and decided to hobbyjog my first marathon just so that I "had one". All I did was add a few gradual long runs into my usual 50mpw routine. Before the 'thon I only had two runs over 20 miles.

Ended up with 2:58 and a stress fracture.

Don't let arrogance ruin a year of your running, as you may walk away with an injury. If you want to do a marathon, then do the proper training and allow your body to adapt.

Story of my Life wrote:

So I have my first marathon in two weeks, and I feel like I may be underestimating the full 26.2. I've averaged around 45-50mpw consistently the past 6 months. Running local 5ks and 10ks in low 16s and low 34s consistently. I've only raced one half marathon (1:14) and my long runs have been 13miles.

Has anyone here run a marathon with lack of any significant long runs? I'm doing one with my sister and her boyfriend, and I can't let the BF beat me (around 3hr marathon).

Just hoping to set a realistic goal. I see Caroline Wozniacki and hobby joggers finishing marathons, so fear I may be underestimating it.

If your goal is 2:59, and you've run 1:14; that's very realistic.

If your goal is to run a time roughly equivalent to 16-low and 1:14--say, 2:38, you probably WILL be disappointed unless you add some long runs and up your mileage.

I think this is about right. You're going to have trouble late in the race due to lack of long training. You have a good half time, indicating that you are pretty talented. This is a bad combo that will make you blow up if you are not careful. Running 20-30 sec per mile slower than your half marathon pace will feel really easy but probably kill you late in the race. You need to go even slower to save the glycogen. Don't feel bad about the "bad" time; if you really want a good one skip this marathon and do the training.

To bring this full circle, I finished the marathon yesterday just under 2:48. Came through the half at 1:21, and actually picked it up and hit 30k at 2:39 pace. As you all might have guessed, seriously struggled the last 4 miles, but overall satisfied with the time.

Congrats. Well done off such little mileage and long runs.

Wow, you are talented. Up your long run and you're ready for 238 :)

I hate you

Hobbyjogggger wrote:

I hate you

Me too.

Great run and congratulations.

Talent >>> training.

Training + talent is unbeatable.

Did you beat your sister's boyfriend?

I'm taken a back by the times listed above. Without training for the HM and working on Marathon training long runs of 20miles my times are the following: 5k 15:44 ( I must be doing something wrong if you are down to 15min)

10k 32:44 ( close enough but still 14sec down on you)

HM 71:57 ( under time above by 48secs )

Maybe the marathon is more suited towards me rather than shorter events