Least amount of marathon training without crash and burn

Running? or Racing?

Are you already signed up? And how many weeks away is it?

Either way, I would probably go for it. It would certainly be a learning experience, and it would be a good time to try some really different tactics and force yourself to go slow, maybe walk while you drink, try out new shoes or something.

As you will most likely be going a lot slower, it could also be fun to spend more time chatting with those around your.

Are you kidding? Do you know how many people line up & complete hilly, hot marathons every weekend on far, far, far less training? "Roll the dice" on what? That you'll have a heart attack? Not likely. That you won't finish? That would be sad, as most marathons I run (replete with hobby joggers) have a 98% or higher finisher rate. Not sure what you're looking for here?

kmaclam wrote:

Are you kidding? Do you know how many people line up & complete hilly, hot marathons every weekend on far, far, far less training? "Roll the dice" on what? That you'll have a heart attack? Not likely. That you won't finish? That would be sad, as most marathons I run (replete with hobby joggers) have a 98% or higher finisher rate. Not sure what you're looking for here?

This. You can do a marathon without "crashing and burning" on any amount of training (assuming you're a healthy adult). You can walk the whole thing if you need to

You should finish comfortably with that training. Especially if you can schedule a couple longer runs of 18 or 20 miles, with a week or two recovery before the marathon. Just be sure to start out conservatively on race day.

Through my 20s and 30s I maintained a streak of completing at least one marathon a year, no matter what my training or fitness level. Some years it was complete crash and burn ... walk-run-walk from mile 20. But the years I managed 30 miles a week, and a few long runs, 3:20 marathons were easy enough. 40 minutes slower than PR, but still enjoyable. The 4:15 and 4:30 "crash-and -burns" were not!

I guess a lot depends on your basic talent, training intensity, etc. I will be interested in hearing how the race goes for you. By the way, I have a marathon planned in a couple weeks, and my mileage has been WAY less than yours ... I only run two or three days a week. But I'm only looking for a 3:30. And in the past five weeks I have run three 20-milers.

pull harder wrote:

I'm curious what the least amount of training you've put in for a marathon and still managed to get through without a total crash and burn. I'm not talking PR or anything like that - more of a last minute entry to run with someone.

I ran a marathon this Spring on about 50-60 mpw and have kept up about 35 to 40 since then with a 15 mile long trail run every other week. Marathon is flat and temps likely will be in the 50s.

Roll the dice or stay at home?

You're way ahead of where I was when I ran my last-second marathon a few years ago. I was halfway training for a Thanksgiving 5K, and a couple weeks before the race, I decided to run a marathon the following weekend (four days after Thanksgiving) since I had to be there anyway to watch some family members.

My long run up to that point was 10 miles, and I was probably averaging 38-40 MPW. Ten days before the marathon, I did a 17 miler to see how it felt. I ran really slowly, and got really bored, but I did it. So I signed up.

On Thanksgiving, I ran a 17:30 5K, and then four days later, jogged a 3:21 or something in warm conditions (70s the entire race). I definitely slowed the last four miles, but it was more mental than physical. I hadn't been on my feet for that long in years, and I just lost focus. Probably could've broken 3:15 if someone would have paid me to...

I think you have plenty of base to run a marathon comfortably.

Trot to Thon wrote:

My long run up to that point was 10 miles, and I was probably averaging 38-40 MPW. Ten days before the marathon, I did a 17 miler to see how it felt. I ran really slowly, and got really bored, but I did it. So I signed up.

.

At a marathon starting line, a first-timer asked me what my goal time was. He had never run further than 10 miles in his life, although he was coming off a college cross-country season.

I told him 2:40 was my goal. He replied, "That sounds good." At 20 miles, he was still right with me, right at goal pace. At 22 miles, he still felt great, and kicked in the last few miles, finishing well ahead of me (I was 2:40:30).

Natural talent. Lots of hills and intervals during XC. Probably never trained slower than 5:30 per mile. Still, I was amazed he could handle the distance so easily with no long runs at all. Everyone is unique.

I've finished two marathon's, never running more than 40 mpw. Not reaching my full potential sure, but you'll be fine if you take it easy.